'Picnic at Hanging Rock' Workbook

Subject: English Literature
Level: Secondary
Age Group: 14 - 16
Order Number: 5079

The 'Picnic at Hanging Rock' Workbook is a resource designed for GCSE Literature students and consists of a variety of stimulating activities centred around the case of the disappearing schoolgirls in Joan Lindsay's famous novel.

(1) Pre-reading

• the mysteries of 'The Bermuda Triangle' and the 'Marie Celeste'
• the nature of evil
• Victorian values
• fate and 'the ripple effect'

(2) The Novel

• comprehension questions (with page references) to encourage in-depth analysis of character, plot and theme

(3) Post-reading

• detailed character and theme analysis
• sequencing
• creative response
• understanding narrative
• English literature examination questions

The activities featured in this resource will not only stimulate interest in the unsolved mystery at the heart of the novel, providing considerable room for investigation, deduction and speculation, but facilitate a deeper understanding of relevant issues and literary techniques. Students will need to have access to the Longman edition of Lindsay's novel.