A Shady Plot_Class X

 

                                                              

"A Shady Plot" by Elsie Brown

A Shady Plot: Through a witty ghost story, Elsie Brown explores how inspiration can come from the most unexpected places while satirizing popular beliefs about ghosts and séances (a meeting at which people try to talk to the spirits of dead people).

Themes (Humour can make even ghost stories entertaining rather than frightening)

1. Creativity and Inspiration

Ø    John Hallock, a writer, suffers from a lack of ideas for a new ghost story.

Ø     Ironically, his inspiration comes from a real ghost, Helen, who belongs to the "Writer's Inspiration Bureau."

Ø     The story suggests that creative ideas often appear unexpectedly rather than through deliberate effort. 

                  2.  Humour in the Supernatural

Ø             Ø   This story portrays ghosts as amusing and practical unlike traditional ghost stories that create fear.

Ø             Ø     Helen is more concerned about ghosts being overworked because of Ouija boards than regular                pranks  of  frightening humans as mere fun.

Ø               Ø    The supernatural is used to create comedy instead of horror.

              3. Miscommunication and Misunderstanding

Ø       Lavinia mistakes Helen's name for that of her husband's secret lover.

Ø       This misunderstanding almost destroys their marriage.

Ø       The story shows how suspicion and lack of communication can create unnecessary conflict. 

4. Satire on Spiritualism

Ø           Ø         During the early twentieth century, séances and Ouija boards became fashionable.

Ø            Ø        Elsie Brown humorously mocks this trend by showing ghosts complaining about being

                constantly summoned.

Ø             Ø         The story suggests that people often become obsessed with the mysterious without       understanding  its   consequences.

5. Trust in Marriage

Ø               ØThe misunderstanding between John and Lavinia highlights the importance of trust, honesty, and clear communication in a marriage.

             Ø    Once the truth is revealed, harmony is restored.

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        Template question answers 

  1, Read the passage and answer the questions that follow

“I hadn't the shade of an idea, but at the time that didn't worry me in the least. You see, I had often been like that before and in the end things had always come my way--I didn't in the least know how or why. It had all been rather mysterious. You understand I didn't specialize in ghost stories, but more or less they seemed to specialize in me. A ghost story had been the first fiction I had written. Curious how that idea for a plot had come to me out of nowhere after I had chased inspiration in vain for months! Even now whenever Jenkins wanted a ghost, he called on me. And I had never found it healthy to contradict Jenkins. Jenkins always seemed to have an uncanny knowledge as to when the landlord or the grocer was pestering me, and he dunned me for a ghost. And  somehow I'd always been able to dig one up for him, so I'd begun to get a bit cocky as to my ability.’’

1.Why does the narrator say that ghost stories "seemed to specialize in me"? What does this reveal about his attitude towards his writing?

Answer: The narrator means that ideas for ghost stories came to him unexpectedly, even though he did not deliberately write them. This reveals that he views his creative process as mysterious and somewhat beyond his control.

2.How would you describe the narrator's personality based on this excerpt? Support your answer with one example from the text.

Answer: The narrator appears optimistic, easy-going, and slightly overconfident. For example, he says he "didn't worry" even when he had no idea for a story because inspiration had always come to him somehow in the past. Later, he admits that he had become "a bit cocky" (overconfident) about his ability to produce ghost stories.

3.Do you think the narrator's confidence in his ability to write ghost stories is justified? Give reasons based on the passage.

Answer: Yes but partially. His confidence is partly justified because he has repeatedly succeeded in producing ghost stories whenever Jenkins asked for one. However, his confidence may also be excessive because he does not understand how the ideas come to him and depends largely on unexpected inspiration rather than careful planning.

2.      2.  Read the passage and answer the questions that follow

"But that has nothing to do with my present form. It might have, but I gave it up at last for that very reason, and went to work as a reader on a magazine." She sighed, and rubbed the end of her long eagle nose with a reminiscent finger. "Those were terrible days; the memory of them made me mistake purgatory for paradise, and at last when I attained my present state of being, I made up my mind that something should be done."

1.Why did the speaker give up her previous profession?

Answer: She gave it up because the work was so unpleasant that she could no longer continue with it.

2. What job did the speaker take up after leaving her earlier profession?

Answer: She became a reader on a magazine.

3. What does the phrase "made me mistake purgatory for paradise" suggest?

Answer: It suggests that her job was so miserable that even purgatory seemed better in comparison.

4. What decision did the speaker make after attaining her present state of being?

Answer: She decided that something should be done to improve the situation, leading to action against poor writing.

3.   3.  Read the passage and answer the questions that follow

"But what have I got to do with this?" She gave me a pitying look and rose. "You're to exert your influence. Get all your friends and acquaintances to stop using the Ouija board, and then we'll start helping you to write." "But----" There was a footstep outside my door. "John! Oh, John!" called the voice of my wife. I waved my arms at the ghost with something of the motion of a beginner when learning to swim. "Madam, I must ask you to leave, at once, Consider the impression if you were seen here----"

1. Why does the ghost ask John to use his influence against the Ouija board?
Answer: The ghost believes that excessive use of Ouija boards disturbs the spirits, so she wants John to persuade people to stop using them.

2. What does the ghost's "pitying look" suggest about her opinion of John?
Answer: It suggests that she thinks John is confused, helpless, and unable to understand the problems faced by the ghosts.

3. Why does John become anxious on hearing his wife's footsteps?
Answer: John fears that if his wife sees the ghost in his room, it will create misunderstanding and make him appear suspicious or insane.

4. What does John's gesture of waving his arms "like a beginner learning to swim" reveal about his state of mind?
Answer: It shows that John is nervous, confused, and desperate to make the ghost leave before his wife enters the room.

4. Read the passage and answer the questions that follow

I felt things slipping.

 "Nothing," I said, and looked around for the ghost. Suppose she had lingered, and upon hearing what my wife had said should suddenly appear----Like all sensitive women, Lavinia was subject to hysterics.

"But you looked so funny----"

 "I--I always do when I'm interested," I gulped. "But don't you think that was a foolish thing to buy?"  "Foolish! Oh, John! Foolish! And after me getting it for you!"

"For me! What do you mean?"

 "To help you write your stories. Why, for instance, suppose you wanted to write an historical novel. You wouldn't have to wear your eyes out over those musty old books in the public library. All you'd have to do would be to get out your Ouija and talk to Napoleon, or William the Conqueror, or Helen of Troy--well, maybe not Helen--anyhow you'd have all the local colour you'd need, and without a speck of trouble. And think how easy writing your short stories will be now."

 

1. Why does John become anxious when Lavinia mentions the Ouija board?
Answer:
John fears that the ghost, Helen, may appear before Lavinia and reveal the truth, exposing his secret and creating a misunderstanding. On the other way, Lavinia may develop misunderstanding seeing a woman in the house in her absence.

2. What does Lavinia's suggestion about using the Ouija board reveal about her understanding of writing?
Answer:
Lavinia believes writing is mainly about collecting information and facts, showing that understand the role of imagination and creativity in literary writing.

3. How does John's reaction ("I felt things slipping") contribute to the humour of the story?
Answer:
It creates dramatic irony because the readers know John's fear is genuine, while Lavinia remains unaware, making his nervous behaviour humorous.

4. Lavinia is portrayed  as a loving wife in this excerpt- Justify
Answer:
John Hallock was worried about her wife’s craze for fads. However, here the readers see that Lavinia bought the Ouija Board from a bargain sail for her husband so that he could avoid reading the musty books in the library and directly communicate with historical characters to write about them. Moreover, she did not buy anything for herself from the sale.

5. Read the excerpt and answer the questions that follow.

"John," she said in her sweetest voice, and I noticed that her cheeks were very pink and

her eyes very bright. My wife is never so pretty as when she's doing something she

knows I disapprove of, "John, dear I know you'll help us out. Mrs. William Augustus

Wainright 'phoned at the last moment to say that she couldn't possibly come, and that

leaves poor Laura Hinkle without a partner. Now, John, I know some people can work a

Ouija by themselves, but Laura can't, and she'll just have a horrible time unless you----"

 

1. Why does John remark that Lavinia is "never so pretty" when she is doing something he disapproves of?

Answer: John understands that Lavinia deliberately uses her charm and affection to persuade him to agree with her wishes.

2. What does Lavinia's request reveal about her attitude towards social gatherings?

Answer: It shows that she is considerate and eager to ensure that every guest feels included and enjoys the gathering.

3. How does the absence of Mrs. William Augustus Wainright create a conflict for John?

Answer: Her absence forces John to become Laura Hinkle's Ouija partner, placing him in a situation he does not wish to be in.

4. What does this conversation suggest about the relationship between John and Lavinia?

Answer: It suggests that although they have differing opinions, Lavinia understands how to persuade John, and he usually finds it difficult to refuse her.

 

Long Question example

 

 “Humour and supernatural elements are beautifully blended in A Shady Plot.”Discuss with suitable examples.

Answer: Elsie Brown successfully combines humour with supernatural elements to create an entertaining story.

Ø Ø Ghosts are usually frightening, but Helen and her companions behave like ordinary people with complaints and grievances.

Ø   Ø Instead of scaring John, Helen politely argues with him and demands better treatment for ghosts.

Ø   Ø  John's attempts to hide Helen's presence from Lavinia create comic situations.

Ø   Ø  The Ouija board séance(a meeting at which people try to talk to the spirits of dead people) intended to communicate with spirits, ironically becomes the means to save John's marriage.

Ø  Ø  The ghosts' "Writers' Inspiration Bureau" is itself a humorous idea, suggesting that ghosts help authors write stories.

Ø The blend of mystery, irony, and comedy makes the story unique and enjoyable.