“The Mark” – Edyth Bulbring

About the author:Edyth Bulbring is an award-winning author of nine Young Adult novels: “The Summer of Toffie and Grummer”, which was shortlisted for the English Academy's 2010 Percy FitzPatrick prize for Youth Literature (Oxford University Press, February 2008); “Cornelia Button and the Globe of Gamagion” (Jacana, April 2008); “The Club” (Jonathan Ball Publishers, September 2008); “Pops and The Nearly Dead” (Penguin, March 2010); “Melly, Mrs Ho and Me” (Penguin, September 2010); “Melly, Fatty and Me” which was awarded the English Academy's 2012 Percy FitzPatrick prize for Youth Literature (Penguin, September 2011); “The Mark” which was awarded the English Academy's 2016 Percy FitzPatrick Prize for Youth Literature (Tafelberg September 2014) and “Snitch” which won the 2017 M.E.R Prize for best Afrikaans or English youth novel (Tafelberg, May 2016).

She was born in Boksburg and grew up in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. She attended the University of Cape Town and completed a BA degree. She worked as a journalist for fifteen years and was the political correspondent at the “Sunday Times” of South Africa covering the first democratic elections. After completing her MBA at Wits University in 1999, she was a project manager for a few years before quitting corporate life. She likes dogs, trees and junk shops.

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About the novel – a review:“The Mark” is something completely different: gone is the familiar sense of place, the particular flow of youthful South African English with its trademark buzzwords and particular slang. “The Mark” is set in an unnamed place in an undated future, a post-neo-diluvian (ravaged by a storm or flood) city divided by class and boasting massive inequalities.

Juliet - aka Ettie - is a teenaged orphan: like her friends, she is bound to live in Slum City, and trained for purely manual labour - in her case, to be a household drudge, working in Mangeria City for The Posh. She will soon be paired with another Slum City denizen as life mates - divorce is unknown, and mates are chosen with no regard to love or compatibility.

Like Apartheid South Africa, the poor of Slum City need passes, are regulated by a curfew, cannot live, love or work according to their own desires and all bear The Mark, an inerasable series of numbers like a tramp stamp at the base of their spines. Although The Posh in Mangeria City have a more comfortable existence, they too have a Mark, and their lives are also regulated as to what they may do and who they can marry.

Ettie discovers there is a resistance and, thanks to being placed in the household of an influential member of the government, she is a valuable asset to them. She also falls in love with a 'locust', a policeman, chosen from the ranks of the rich and thus completely out of reach socially or romantically. Since the authorities use The Mark to track, record and coerce the population, the rebels have to destroy the system to bring freedom.

Bulbring uses a massive canvass and paints a believable society in which steam punk is married to advanced technology: although there is action and excitement, the primary focus is on the characters and their emotions, so this is never just another post-apocalyptic adventure story but something a lot deeper and more serious.

Different it may be and unexpected, but like the rest of her work it is very readable and thought provoking: teenagers will read it, but it is a mistake to categorise the book as Young Adult because it has a universal appeal.http://www.librarything.com/work/15388409

Another review:Before you roll your eyes at what you may consider to be yet another Young Adult Dystopian read, you can be assured that “The Mark” by Edyth Bulbring isn’t cast in the same mould as “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins, as so many recent releases have been. Instead, the work has a grittier, more scratchy-behind-the-eyes feel that one would expect with George Orwell’s “1984”.

Ettie, also known as Juliet Seven, isn’t the special girl with the super abilities who is going to save the world and overthrow the evil ruling elite. She’s no one. She’s a drudge, a young woman fated to work in a menial job. Her Mark, which she desperately tries to remove throughout, means she’s trapped in the roles cast for her by others.

We discover a world that is, as Bulbring puts it, “Post-Conflagration”. What exactly went wrong, we don’t find out.

Humanity and nearly all the life on the planet (apart from flies) have been driven to the edge of extinction.

The Machine is all that keeps mankind going, regulating a rigid caste system in which only a few are lucky enough to number among the Elite.

The sun is no longer a life-giving source of light, and any who do not play by the rules in this harsh world are deemed Savage and cut off from society.

When not training for her future in service of the Elite, Ettie is also part of a criminal underground that scams the “Posh”, and she makes no excuses for behaviour, nor does she possess many redeeming qualities.

Though she’s clearly not a nice person – and some of her nasty comments are true gems – her devotion to her friend and companion, Kitty, for whom she will go to the ends of the earth to protect, shines through; and also her love of literature that transports her to magical worlds so vastly different from the reality in which she is immersed.

The main theme throughout the story is that of escape and not being satisfied with a pre-ordained lot. Ettie’s attempts to break free from an oppressive system lead her through many unpredictable twists and turns; as soon as I thought I knew which direction Bulbring was going to take readers, she confounded my expectations.

“The Mark” is a fast-paced, gritty and uncomfortable read and Bulbring maintains a cracking pace, blending elements of SF dystopia with nuances of magical realism.https://www.iol.co.za/dailynews/lifestyle/review-the-mark-1872557

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The plot is divided into two sections/parts.

Part One comprises ten chapters that establish the main characters and the main conflicts.

Part Two has eleven chapters which focus onthe protagonist, Ettie,in her experience as a Drudge; highlights her discovery of her parentage and focuses on her complicated relationship with Nicolas.

Exposition Three main characters are introduced, and the setting explained. The dystopian world and the societal conflicts are introduced.

Rising Action Ettie tries to remove The Mark. She is apprehensive because her ‘fate-mate’ date is approaching fast. She is determined not to endure that ceremony or the life that will follow.

Conflict Ettie discovers that she is not an orphan; Ettie’s assignment as a Drudge; Ettie’s passion for reading continues to be a source of danger.

Climax Ettie discovers that Kitty is part of the resistance movement.

Falling Action Everything after Ettie’s discovery of Kitty’s ‘double life’ is part of the falling action. Ettie watches Kitty closely and we watch with her, waiting for the moment when action will be taken against the Mangerians and The Machine.

Denouement/ResolutionEttie decides not to escape with Nicolas but to separate herself from him. She sets out in a boat with Reader and the story line is left unfinished. Princess Fanny keeps Ettie informed of what is happening.

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Characters and characterisations Ettie Real name: Juliet Seven;Protagonist, narrator (1st person);rebel, always looking foran escape; “The

One”, as mentioned in the prophesy; selfish; uses people as she needs them; duplicitous; insecure; tricks people easily; emotional attachment to the Tree Museum; Drudge in a Mangerian home; protective of Larissa and Kitty. Ettie is loyal to and protective of those for whom she cares (only Kitty at first, as Kitty saved her life years earlier and she still feels indebted). She is resourceful, deceitful (she convinces Handler Xavier of her loyalty and innocence) and despises Handler Xavier because he exploits them. Her passion for books/reading is shown when she steals and hides a book. She appears to have few morals and no conscience, but the reader is aware that she does have values and acts in accordance with them and on her own terms. She has light-coloured skin and can pass for a Posh.

Kitty Real name: Katherine Seven; Ettie’s roommate; at first, she appears selfish and vain, but her deceit is later shown and explained; Ettie thinks that she is helpless and vulnerable; resourceful and intelligent; acts selflessly. She was tortured by the AR people when she was seven. Her hatred of the Mangerians stem from the treatment she, and her parents, endured. Although she appears to be selfish and vain, she is actually a noble martyr.

Nicolas Son of the Guardian of Justice and Peace; he is NOT like other Mangerians; although he is a Locust, he remains caring and sympathetic; he wants to remove his Mark; he loves Ettie; loyal; helps Kitty and Ettie to escape and lies in court to protect them. He is drawn to Ettie because he recognises his own longing for freedom.

Mistress She wishes to save Larissa at ANY cost; Ettie’s mother; not in a loving marriage; passionate about Trees; beautiful but selfish. Her character is paradoxical – she speaks kindly to Ettie and asks Larissa to do the same HOWEVER, she chooses Larissa’s life over Ettie’s. Shares a very close bond with Madam Merriem, whom she calls Merry.

Master Hylton, cruel to his wife and all Savages; elitist; power-driven; dismissive and unloving towards Larissa, killedin explosion

Larissa Little Miss; At first utterly selfish, inconsiderate, rude and malicious. She develops affection for Ettie; remains loyal; spoilt; sickly; betrothed to Nicolas in a family alliance

Handler Xavier Orphan warden’s son; controls The Game; important in the resistance movement; treats Ettie with indifference; cold; protects Kitty; Ettie’s father. Betrays Ettie on more than one occasion. Protective of Kitty

Reader blind man; teaches Ettie to read and write; appears cold but is very fond of her; perceptive, sly, accompanies Ettie on the boat when she escapes

Orphan Warden paid by the state to look after the orphans but abuses and exploits them. She drinks too much bug juice, which means she sleeps through the kids’ crying at night. She also gives the little children bug juice to ‘sedate’ them. She drugs them! She bribes the Mangerian Welfare Department Officer to ‘look the other way’. Madam Merriem’s sister. She dumped Ettie on the steps of the orphanage.

Nelson leader of the resistance movement, a Scavvie, plays boardgames with Witch. Rejects people born disabled and deemed useless or those no longer useful in society; treated as

rubbish. They live outside Slum City (or on rooftops in Slum City) and survive by foraging in the rubbish dumps.

Bigs older children in the orphanage Smalls younger children in the orphanage. When they turn five, they join the Bigs. Cowboy he buys the stolen goods from Ettie and the other children in the Game. Heis a cheat and acts

selfishly. Involved in the resistance movement. Me owner of the Beautiful Like Me salon. He also works for the resistance movement. Ettie often steals

creams from him to try and remove the mark on her spine. As his name suggests, he is narcissistic – he is mostly concerned with Ettie’s outward appearance.

Hadedas although nottraditional ‘characters’, these birds can talk. They predict the future. Their eyes are removed to make them more intuitive. Witch’s hadeda keeps referring the Ettie as “The One” and screams that Ettie will go to Savage City. Princess Fannie is Larissa’s pet and also has her eyes gauged out when Larissa wants to know the future.

Cockroach head of the Locusts. He is cruel, violent man. Feared by all. Director of Justice and Peace. Like the insect, he is repellent and disgusting.

Festis Four Kitty robs his room in a hotel complex in order to be arrested and sent to Savage City.

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Madam Merriem oversees Ettie and Dora in their duties as drudges. Cruel, uncaring. Orphan Warden’s sister.

Dora a drudge in the same Posh household as Ettie. Mean, deceitful and will do anything in her power to be a nursery drudge. Her slow voice and apparently amiable demeanour prove to be false. She is cunning and exploits any weaknesses in others.

Bartholomew Guardian of Justice and Peace, Nicolas’s father. He is accused of having Cockroach “in his pocket”.

There is a whole category of workers – called traders – outlined in the novel: Market Nags they sell food in the market; they make the ‘bug juice’ which has the same effects as

alcohol Locusts security force, brutal and violent, often corrupt and easy to bribe. Like the insects, they are like

a plague on the inhabitants of Slum City – they are corrupt and steal from the poor people. Pulaks pull vehicles by means of ropes and cables, harnessed like oxen. Often left disabled and then they

become Rejects. Like Rickshaw drivers Muti Nags provide medicine to people Wardens appointed to deal with groups such as children (ironic title – wardens are supposed to take

care of children, instead they exploit them) Drainers they deal with waste disposal in the streets Readers teach the children of the Posh to read News Trader journalist Scavvies also called Necromunda; sea scavengers who raise relics from the underwater city, a city which

was covered by the rising ocean. Often left disabled and then they become Rejects. Pleasure workers they girls and boys from Section O who entertain the Posh by dancing for them and

being their ‘escorts’ in the clubs. Guardians those Mangerians in charge of all people. The leaders. Ironic title! Elected every two years. Drudges people who do manual work, mostly in the homes of the Posh.

Places in the novel: Mangeria City area for the Posh, the rich, the privileged. They have running water and heat/air-

conditioning. Divided into sections, like the pleasure section where the Posh drink and laugh and mingle with the ‘pleasure workers’ and the beauty parlours.

Slum City area for the Savages, the poor, the working class. They have very few basic services and live in cramped, dirty apartment blocks. Ghetto-like

Savage City place where the convicted prisoners are sent. No prisoner ever escapes – they either serve their life sentences or die there. Place of incarceration and punishment

The Laboratory a manufacturing plant. They make all food by chemical process by copying the genetic material of samples saved after the conflagration. The conditions required for food production from the soil no longer exists. They also experiment on humans. They have found a way to remove the mark.

Birthing Station where women give birth to babies – implies futuristic setting Section O part of Slum City where the orphans live Section AR place for “attitude re-adjustment’ –problem children are sent here to be disciplined and

according to Ettie, “when they come out, they do not have any attitude at all”. It implies that they undergo some form of lobotomy/operation which makes them submissive and incapable of rebellion.

Section F part of Slum City where families live Section PT part of Slum City where past traders live Section D part of Slum City where Drudges live Drudge School where the children from Slum City are taught their chores for future lives as drudges in

the Posh’s homes. The Machine determines which children end up where. Population Control The Machine is housed there. Justice and Peace another ironic title – there is neither justice nor peace in this society. This building is

where the Guardians work – those who control the people in Mangeria. Headed by Cockroach. Parliament where all laws are decided and enforced

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Chapters:

The Epigraph:Part One begins with a short statement. The Science Fiction genre is established immediately with the date 264 PC (post-conflagration, or after the fire which destroyed much of the earth and its capacity to sustain the population). The reference to The (omniscient) Machine implies a technologically-advanced society. The narrative voice is in the first person – Juliet Seven speaks. The mood is ominous – there is a threat that something bad is going to happen.

PART ONEChapter 1: The MonsterThe privileged Posh relax at the beach. Wardens watch for danger from the sea. It is relentlessly hot – many references to blisters, sun blockers and cracked skin. Handler Xavier causes panic on the beach so that, when everyone flees, their belonging can be stolen by kids in The Game. A Locust attempts to stop Kitty, but Ettie (Juliet Seven) distracts him by pretending to have a fit. After the curfew siren, Ettie returns to Section O in Slum City. She shares a room with Kitty (Katherine Seven). Handler Xavier takes the credits (their monetary units) they have stolen and tells them to take the items to Cowboy in the market. Ettie hides a book she has stolen.

Chapter 2: CowboyEttie hands over the stolen goods to Cowboy. She buys fruit and water before she collects medicine from the Witch. Mistress Hadeda (Witch’s magic bird) screams that Ettie will end up in Savage City. Witch and Nelson play “Extinct Species” – they both cheat! Mention is made of “The One” and that it might be Ettie. She delivers the medicine to the Orphan Warden and checks on the little kids in their cots. Back in her room she applies cream to the numbers on her spine and reads Peter Pan. Kitty returns after sunrise.

Chapter 3: Drudge SchoolEttie wakes up next to Kitty, who smells of bug juice. Ettie knows that Kitty spent her night in the pleasure clubs. Kitty complains that the mangoes (which Ettie bought at the market the previous day) are overripe. Ettie explains that she loves the Tree Museum. While Kitty goes with Handler Xavier to the parade, Ettie spends the day at school where the learns to be a drudge. She is clearly not popular with the other kids at school. Ettie pretends to be a model student but her internal responses make it clear that she despises what she is being taught and will do anything to avoid her future as a Drudge. She has learnt that rebellion ends in punishment.

Chapter 4: ReaderIn Mangeria City, Ettie enters the Beautiful Like Me parlour. The Posh are having treatments and cosmetic procedures done by Me, the proprietor of the parlour. Me and Ettie have a complicated relationship – Ettie uses him for creams and Me wants to give her a make-over. Discussions abound about the upcoming elections – 20 votes for 20 candidates nominated by the Mangerian Elite. Ettie delivers the book she stole form the beach to Reader. He is the only person who calls her Juliet. They ‘barter’ time – they pretend to dislike each other. Ettie shies away from anything that will suggest an emotional connection between them.She reads to him for the afternoon. She steals a book. When she tries to return to Slum City after the curfew siren has sounded, she is stopped at the boom by a Locust. She is petrified – she is carrying the stolen cream and a book, both prohibited items.

Chapter 5: Posh TroubleEttie reads “The Hobbit” and states that the scab on her spine has hardened after applying Me’s cream many times. She is tempted to pick at the scab. We learn that the Locust at the boom realised that Ettie dropped the tube of cream, but instead of confiscating it, handed it to her and let her pass. Ettie thinks back to when they (Ettie and Kitty) were younger and Kitty refused to drink the bug juice, as it prevented her from dreaming.Ettie (dressed as a Posh) and Handler Xavier work the crowd in the square. Handler Xavier sells plastic figurines that appear to dance when music is played. Ettie’s role is to deal with any potential trouble. This happens when a young Posh boy suspects that the dancing figurine is a trick, which it is! He cannot work out how he is being tricked and starts to attract attention. Ettie’s intervention results in more sales but the Posh boy shows a decided interest in Ettie. He introduces himself as Nicolas. Ettie thinks he is very handsome and refers to him as “Nicolas, Nic, Nici, Nice”. She runs away before she can talk to him. When she returns to her room, she sees that the scab has come off but that the Mark on her spine is still there. The cream did not work.

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Chapter 6: The FestivalKitty’s girly behaviour (in dressing up for the festival) irritates Ettie. They attend the Festival of fate-mates (determined by the Machine) during which a Posh boy refuses to be assigned his mate. Both he and a girl in the crowd are dragged away. The first mention of “going down the river” is made – when a girl delivers (and dumps) an unwanted/unplanned baby in the river. After the festival everyone gets food. This is the only time when people from Slum City and Mangeria meet and celebrate together. Nicolas approaches Ettie again. She tells him her name (Juliet, not Ettie) and agrees to meet him at the Tree Museum the following Sunday.

Chapter 7: The RiotThere is a riot in the market: wagons are overturned, set on fire and looted. People panic and scramble to get away from the violence. The Locust march up and drag out a prisoner. He is beaten and Ettie sees that there is no mark on his spine. Two more prisoners are thrown to the ground. The Director of Justice and Peace (the head of the Locusts) a man nicknamed Cockroach, arrive. The prisoners are stoned to death upon instruction by Cockroach. The Locusts attack the mob. The traders start to leave. The dead are removed and business returns to normal. Ettie notices Nelson and other people entering a building. In Mangeria City the trees in the Tree Museum are set alight. Ettie recalls how Kitty saved her from a fire in the orphanage.

Chapter 8: The ExperimentEttie follows the people into the building by climbing up the fire escape. She passes many Rejects and helps one to escape the ropes tied to him/her. She finds a vantage point on the rooftop where she can spy on the group in the building. Nelson is clearly in charge of the group. She eavesdrops on their conversation. She discovers that this group is in opposition to the ruling elite. They know that the Mangerians are experimenting on young prisoners in The Laboratory. The mark is removed and immediately these people are recorded as dead. To remove the mark is to gain freedom. Ettie learns that the people killed in the riot had come from The Laboratory, hence their absences of marks. Nelson asks for volunteers to be sent to Savage City, from where they will be taken to The Laboratory. Kitty volunteers to find out what is happening at The Laboratory. Ettie is horrified – firstly at Kitty’s obvious betrayal and secondly at Kitty’s volunteering. Ettie sees that Handler Xavier, Me, Witch and Cowboy are all involved in this resistance movement. Mistress Hadeda (who has spotted Ettie) cries, once again, that “she” is The One. The crowd thinks that it is referring to Kitty and that all agree that Kitty must go to The Laboratory. Ettie vows to find out more. Her motives seem selfish – she wants to remove her mark and gain freedom. She does not want to help the resistance movement.

Chapter 9: GraduationEttie spies on Kitty continuously. She follows her around and learns more about Nelson, Handler Xavier and the other members of the resistance movement. She discovers that Kitty’s role in the pleasure club is all an act – Kitty never drinks bug juice and engages with the Posh only to spy on them. Ettie’s mark continues to tingle and pulse – clearly someone is tracking her via the Machine. It is the hottest days of the year – many Pulaks collapse and die. Then the heavy rains arrive and many parts of Slum City flood.Ettie searches in the orphan warden’s files and learns that Kitty’s parents were prisoners at Savage City, and were killed, but that her (Ettie’s) parents are still alive. She was dumped at the orphanage – clearly an illegitimate/unwanted child. She is interrupted by a Small before she can read more. After her graduation as a drudge, Ettie visits the Tree Museum where she discovers that one tree is alive. Mistress Hadeda proclaims that Kitty will go to Savage City.

Chapter 10: The PlanOn the day before the girls are to start their new jobs, Ettie clumsily tries to get Kitty to tell her what is going on. Kitty stays true to her foolish pleasure worker character. Kitty is clearly nervous but does not tell Ettie anything. She is desperately trying to protect Ettie from what she knows is going to happen. Handler Xavier takes them to a hotel complex where Kitty tries to rob one of the rooms and allows herself to be caught. Ettie tries to save her before Nicolas arrives. He risks it all and lies for them. Ettie escapes with Nicolas’s help, but Kitty is arrested and taken away. Handler Xavier tries to send Ettie back, (and even calls the Locusts on her) but she reaches their room and finds a note from Kitty explaining that they were both meant to be caught but that Kitty did not want that to happen. Even in the note, Kitty maintains character and pretends it is all part of the Game.Ettie finds out that Reader has been sent to section PT and all his books have been removed. At the beach, Ettie tears up her books and throws the pieces into the wind. She screams out Kitty’s name.

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PART TWOChapter 11: The DrudgesEttie shares a room in Section D (the area which houses all drudges) with Dora, another Drudge. They have been assigned to the same Posh household where they are overseen by Madam Merriem, whom Ettie describes as an orc. Ettie thinks about Kitty, who is being kept in the Justice and Peace cellars until her trial is over. Ettie knows that Kitty’s being caught and sent there, is part of the plan to get her into The Laboratory.Ettie and Dora are introduced to Master Hylton, Mistress and their daughter, Larissa. Larissa insists that the drudges call her Little Miss. Ettie sees dirt under Mistress’s fingernails. Ettie involuntarily protests when she hears Mistress say that all the trees will be cleared out of the Tree Museum. She tells Mistress and Master than one tree survived the fire. Mistress is most pleased. Larissa’s illness is mentioned when Mistress says that Doctor will soon be arriving. Dora makes it clear that she sees Ettie as a threat to her own ambitions. Dora wants to be the nursery drudge, a job which Ettie does NOT want.

Chapter 12: The PartyDora and Ettie have worked for the family at Number 3 Mangeria Compound for almost a month. Little Miss has still not decided who she wants as a nursery drudge. Ettie is conflicted – working in the nursery is awful but so is working in the kitchen, under the supervision of Cook. Dora has sabotaged Ettie often and in many ways. Little Miss seems to enjoy inflicting pain upon Ettie and she encourages the rivalry between Ettie and Dora. Mistress informs Ettie that one of the trees in the Tree Museum has indeed survived. Ettie is delighted but hides her feelings. It is revealed that Mistress is the Guardian of Heritage and Culture. Mistress and Master’s tension-filled relationship is explained. Ettie has glimpsed Master’s library and know that Mistress has a small, enclosed garden. One evening, Dora and Ettie must wait tables at the party given for a group of Mangerians who argue about position and power. Master announces that their family is willing to give up their position in Heritage and Culture. Mistress is appalled. Bartholomew (Nicolas’s father, we learn later) wants to relinquish his position as Guardian of Justice and Peace. Nicolas is present and manages to whisper an apology to Ettie – he must testify at Kitty’s trial the next day.Ettie is petrified – Nicolas’s testimony has the power to send both her and Kitty to Savage City.

Chapter 13: The TrialEttie overhears Mistress crying and complaining that the trees in the Tree Museum will be removed. She has been removed as Guardian of Heritage and Culture. Ettie denies knowing Kitty – this is actually true. The Kitty whom Ettie knows/knew, is not the same person as the one on trial. A Locust needs to be bribed to let Ettie through the exit of the compound. The trial of Kitty, Katherine Seven, takes place in the building for Justice and Peace. It is packed – this trial is entertainment for the people. Kitty enters – she is thin and dirty. She has been tortured – she has no fingernails. Kitty is not given a chance to plead. Savages have no right to legal representation and will inevitably be ‘found’ guilty. There is no justice in this ironically named building. Cockroach is the prosecutor – he describes what happened, excuses Festis Four from appearing claiming he is unwell and asserts that Kitty has denied anyone else was present. Cockroach is disrespectful to the judge and is berated. Nicolas presents his testimony, also denying that anyone else was there. He lies for Ettie again. Kitty is sentenced to five years in Savage City. Ettie leaves and enters the Tree Museum. There are newly planted saplings and the one remaining tree. Mistress Hadeda’s nest has been destroyed and the chicks are gone. Handler Xavier threatens Ettie and then asks her to spy on the household, especially Master, and to get as close as possible to Nicolas. Ettie agrees – for credits. She is back in the game.

Chapter 14: PorridgeMistress and Master leave for a campaign tour. Master mentions again that Larissa is unwell and that he had to keep his position in the Mangerian government to facilitate trials being done in The Laboratory. Ettie contaminates the porridge so that Dora and Madam Merriem are too ill to know what is happening. Ettie explores Master’s study and steals a book. She sees rows of white bone, all numbered and displayed. She realises that they are the bones from people’s spines. She drops the magnifying glass and it shatters. When she flees the study, she sees a shadow in the passage. Ettie takes care of Little Miss, whom has fallen gravely ill. Upon Little Miss’s insistence, she tells her the story of the Magic Faraway Tree (Enid Blyton). They go for a walk in the ‘secret garden’. They find a hadeda chick and Little Miss insists on it being her pet. They hide the bird in a drawer in Little Miss’s room. Ettie hides her book under the bird’s nest. She wins Little Miss’s affection. She intimates that she will use this relationship to protect herself and to find out more about the household.

Chapter 15: The LaboratoryDora is blamed for the contamination of the porridge and reduced to the status of a cleaner. Mistress and Master return for the campaign trail. Mistress makes a sarcastic comment about the elections – 20 votes for 20 nominees – “you are as popular as the next name on the ballot”. Little Miss has named the hadeda chick Princess Fanny, like the character in

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“Magic Faraway Tree”. Little Miss insists that Ettie accompany her to The Laboratory where various samples are taken. We see a far more caring and loving side of Ettie when she hugs Larissa and vows to punch the doctors if they hurt her. Ettie’s mark tingles and we know that Nicolas is tracking her again. On the way out, Ettie sees Nicolas, a group of children from Section O who will be used in the experiments, and Handler Xavier who exchanges a glance with Mistress.

Chapter 16: Apple JuiceLittle Miss lies to protect Ettie when Dora reveals that Ettie broke Master’s magnifying glass. Ettie realises that Dora was the ‘shadow’ she saw in the passage on the day she contaminated the porridge. When Ettie is sent to the shop to buy apple juice, she sees Me. He tells Ettie that Reader now lives in Section PT and the he (Me) has found some Braille books for Reader. A tea-party has been arranged to which Nicolas and his father are invited. The purpose of the party is so that Master and Mistress may formalise the marriage between Larissa and Nicolas, to cement the alliance between the two families. Master informs the people that a perfect candidate for Larissa’s operation/experiment has been found and that the procedure will happen in a month’s time. Kitty is the perfect candidate! Mistress is unconcerned that 5 people died in the last set of experiments. The President of Mangeria (Mistress’s mother) seems interested only in the political issues regarding Larissa’s health. Larissa runs crying from the room. Master insinuates that Larissa should be part of Bartholomew’s new project. This procedure ‘weeds out’ the bad gene and makes all people docile and obedient. However, some people in parliament (including Mistress) are opposed to the idea and labelled ‘bleeding hearts’. Nicolas and Ettie meet secretly and their mutual affection is palpable. Nicolas admits that he was the Locust on the beach in Chapter 1, the Locust who picked up the cream, and that he has been tracking her ever since. He tells Ettie that he, too, has been trying to remove the mark and that he doesn’t want to be a Locust. He asks Ettie to run away with him. She agrees, after he agrees to help her to free Kitty.

Chapter 17: Deathbed ConfessionHandler Xavier brings a message to his aunt, Madam Merriem, that his mother, the orphan warden, is dying, and wants to see her and Ettie. It is revealed that the sisters have not spoken in 15 years. Ettie eavesdrops on a conversation between Mistress and Handler Xavier that makes it clear that they were once intimate. Handler Xavier resents Mistress for marrying Hylton and having a child with him. She replies that he, too, was married. Handler Xavier explains that his fate-mate died soon after their union and they did not have children. Ettie retrieves the stole book from Princess Fanny’s nest. The food from The Laboratory has been poisoned and there are disturbances in the Market. In the orphan warden’s “Deathbed Confession” Ettie learns Mistress had to ‘go down the river’ but that the baby was not dumped. Instead the orphan warden kept the baby in the orphanage because of a Hadeda’s claim that the baby is ‘The One’. Ettie learns that she is the daughter of Mistress and Handler Xavier. In shock, Ettie flees the building, escapes the riots (led by Nelson) in the streets, and makes her way to Section PT where she gives Reader the book she stole from Master’s study. She is disgusted at the thought of Mistress being her mother. She promises Reader that she will return the following month – this is a lie, as she has promised Nicolas to run away with him.

Chapter 18: The ProcedureMaster refers to Larissa as “savage” because Larissa refuses to return to The Laboratory. Master decides to do the procedure at home. It is made clear that this is the only procedure which can save her life. Mention is made of the sun being weak – it has been more than a month. Bartholomew announces that his ‘little project’ works. He will soon be able to remove a gene from all people in order to make them submissive. He explains that people will be told that they will be inoculated against the food virus, but they will actually receive the gene-removing medicine. He admits that is was the people in parliament who poisoned the food, so that they will be happy to receive the inoculation. The people in Savage City are rioting after Nelson’s death. It is very cold now. Ettie continues to work with Nicolas to arrange Kitty’s escape. (They meet most nights on the bridge between Mangeria City and the ghetto.) He gives her a vial of medicine which will render her unconscious if inhaled. Nicolas calls Ettie a fraud when she states that she does not want to hurt Larissa. Ettie cares, despite her denial. Ettie and Little Miss have grown very close. Madam Merriem wants to get rid of Ettie, as Ettie is evidence of Mistress and the orphan warden’s crime. On the day of the procedure, Kitty is brought to the house. Larissa insists on meeting her privately in her room. Nicolas, Ettie and Kitty go up to Larissa’s room. Ettie replaces Kitty for the procedure. Behind the mask, Kitty pretends to be Ettie. Ettie uses some of the sedating medicine on Larissa. Kitty escapes. Madam Merriem realises that Ettie and Kitty have swopped places but says nothing. Larissa and Ettie are prepared for the procedure. Just as the doctors are about to administer the ‘anti-savage’ injection, there is an explosion.

Chapter 19: Golden GooseEttie regains consciousness whilst being transported in a container. Handler Xavier and Me save Ettie. They think she is Kitty. Handler Xavier is mortified when he lifts the mask off Ettie’s face and find out the truth. Ettie refuses to tell them where Kitty is. Me explains that he orchestrated the explosion to act as a diversion. Handler Xavier wants to ‘get rid of’ Ettie, as her mark will be tracked and they will be caught. The kidnapped doctor (who was supposed to remove their

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marks) dies. Their plans are foiled! They allow Ettie to leave because she promises to help them escape the tracking device of The Machine. Ettie knows that The Machine uses solar power and that the sun has been too weak for it to be able to do its job. Me gives Ettie a list of names which have to be removed from The Machine. Handler Xavier treats Ettie with contempt and loathing, Me is more loving. Ettie finds Nicolas and Kitty at the river. Ettie feels ambivalent about Kitty’s description of Handler Xavier as loving and father-like. Kitty has the kind of relationship with him which Ettie longs to have. Ettie refuses to join Kitty and the rebel group, choosing to escape with Nicolas instead.

Chapter 20: The MachineNews is spread that Madam Merriem died in the explosion. Ettie is relieved that her secret and Nicolas’s role in Kitty’s escape will remain just that. Nicolas assures Ettie that he will remain loyal to her, despite being able to return home now that Madam Merriem is dead. He pretends to be a Locust tracking a drudge, as they walk in the streets. They enter Population Control – the building which houses The Machine. They overhear Cockroach and Bartholomew talking about Nicolas’s “kidnapping” by Ettie and her Savage ‘crew’. Nicolas triggers the fire alarm so that all people will leave the building. Nicolas and Ettie remove names from The Machine’s data base. The Machine is still not functioning fully without the necessary sunlight. They are almost caught but Ettie pretends to be a drudge, cleaning the passage. Ettie ‘kills’ Handler Xavier, her father, and Larissa, her sister. Finally she removes her and Nicolas’s names. They are free!

Chapter 21: The JourneyNicolas and Ettie talk about The Machinist and how the system will just continue unless Kitty and the other rebels win. They load provisions onto a boat. While Nicolas fetches a few last items, Ettie returns to The Tree Museum. She dodges Locusts who are out in full force. She meets Mistress who reveals that Madam Merriem told her the truth, and that Hylton died from the injuries sustained in the explosion. Mistress also informs Ettie that Larissa gouged out Princess Fanny’s eyes so that the bird will tell her where Ettie is. Mistress does not grieve for her husband. She demands that Ettie tell her where Nicolas is or Bartholomew will not allow Larissa’s procedure to go ahead. Mistress threatens to tell Larissa that Ettie is her sister and that Ettie is the reason why she (Larissa) will die. Ettie realises that Mistress has been manipulating her with kind words and gestures: she has chosen Larissa over Ettie. Ettie escapes from her mother. She boards a boat with Reader and sails away from Slum City. She is tormented with guilt for abandoning Nicolas. Princess Fanny brings news of Mangeria: “Slum City is in revolt, a State of Emergency has been declared and parliament suspended.” The anti-savage inoculations are going ahead. “Nicolas is still on the run and Little Miss is dying.” Ettie and Reader stay within eyeshot of Slum City. Ettie states that she will leave when she hears that Nicolas is truly free and Larissa is well.

EpilogueThis section is a similar the prologue. However, this time the reader has enough context to understand it. (Ettie did not really kill anyone – she removed Handler Xavier and Larissa’s names from the data base.) She vows to return to Slum City and find her loved ones. She promises ‘retribution’ against those who harmed her loved ones – Kitty, Larissa, Nicolas. She acknowledges the power of the hadedas and their predictions.

Symbols/Motifs/Events:

1. The Mark - the mark at the base of everyone’s spine is a unique code. It is tattooed on individuals at birth and controls their every action and even determines the course of their lives in terms of career, life partner and social status. It is like a prison number. People are dehumanised. To equip each child for their pre-determined future, citizens attend schools that are specifically designed to cater for each profession. Kitty, for example, is beautiful. She was made that way, so she could successfully work at the pleasure clubs, serving and entertaining men for money. Juliet, however, is built for hard labour. She, therefore, is destined for domestic responsibilities, serving as a drudge in the households of the Posh. With her birthing day looming, and her fate becoming more and more concrete, Juliet is more determined than ever to get rid of her mark, and free herself from being a servant- whether it is to the Posh, or The Machine, or Handler Xavier- she will be free at any cost!

2. Extinct Species Boardgame – Witch and Nelson play this game in which animals like zebra, buffalo and rhinoceros are displayed as extinct animals. This refers to the Conflagration, when many species were wiped out. Those who survived were sent to the zoo, but eventually killed and eaten when food supplies dwindled. Only creatures like the enormous hadedas, flies and cockroaches survived.

3. The heat – There are constant references to the intense heat – sunblockers, blisters, sun sickness. Clearly this dystopian world is unbearable in the warm season. Only the Posh have air-conditioning and ice. The Savages suffer and can die from the relentless heat.

4. The Game – the children under Handler Xavier’s ‘care’ (I use that word loosely), are forced to steal from and cheat the Posh in order to get enough credits to eat/survive. They play various forms of the game in various places and Handler Xavier always gets the largest portion of their ‘winnings’. The kids have no choice – it’s play or be left to scavenge in the bins for food.

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5. Sea Monster – a fictional monster who lives in the ocean. Ettie believes that the stories about the Sea Monster were created to persuade people not to go far out and so to reach those cities beyond the sea that survived. There is no indication why she should think that such cities exist.

6. Floaters – as a result of the flood and fires (conflagration), burning slicks of oil float on the ocean. Sometimes they come close to the land and people must wear nose-protectors in order not to breathe in the smoke. This can last for days and is a regular occurrence. When it happens, the sun is blocked out for days.

7. The Machine – the entire society is controlled by the Machine, via their marks. This Machine determines their jobs, fate mates and societal standing. People may not refuse the Machine’s ‘destiny’ for them.

8. Literature – the novel is interlaced with references to various novels: “Alice in Wonderland”, “Peter Pan”, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, “Lord of the Rings”, etc. These prove that Ettie is intelligent, imaginative, loves reading and shares a passion with Reader.She wishes to escape from the drudgery and subjugation of her existence.

9. Limited Narrator – Ettie is 15 and although she has the experience and knowledge necessary to survive in the hostile environment, she lacks maturity that comes with more years of experience. Bulbring uses this 1st person narrator in a way that the reader understands more than Ettie herself does. We can access Ettie’s comprehension of her world and see where she does not fully understand. We depend on Ettie as a narrator and therefor some aspects still come as a surprise to us, as they do for Ettie.

10. Fate-Mates – when children turn 16, they are allocated a fate-mate (determined by the Machine) with whom they spend the rest of their lives. Children are told that in the past people could choose their own partners but that always ended in fights and divorce. This distorted view of marriage is part of the propaganda instilled into children to make them accept the policy of being allocated a fate-mate from the same trade/social standing. They are encouraged to breed healthy children for the state. The Fate-Mate Festival is a propagandistic ritual: a holiday for all with security lifted and free food.

11. Market Riots – Locusts protect the depots but, when provoked, they charge and leave a space for the looters. This occurs often. Ettie thinks that allowing the people a chance to riot from time to time helps dissipate some of the tension and resentment. When the Locusts manage to restore order, they seem like the ‘heroes’. They retain control. The riots are always blamed on the Savages, not the Posh. So even though they might be rioting in protest to food shortages or unequal rights, they are blamed and punished. The Locusts have a way of manipulating the situation to make the Savages turn on each other.

12. Books – represent knowledge and freedom. They are a form of escape for Ettie and Reader.13. Blindness – Reader is blind and therefore very intuitive. The hadedas are blinded and can see into the future. Their

prophesies are integral in the resistance movement.

Themes:

1. Appearance versus Reality is a major theme in the novel and clear from chapter 1. People are not who they say. People deceive each other readily and easily. Kitty pretends to be a superficial, silly girl – she is actually part of the resistance movement and every action is carefully planned and executed. She pretends to be contemptuous of Ettie and dismisses her concerns rudely. Ettie pretends not to care about anyone. Nicolas serves as an unwilling Locust and breaks many rules for Ettie. The Posh elect people because they ‘look’ honest – ironic! Reader pretends to be annoyed by Ettie (and vice versa). Mistress pretends to care about Ettie.

2. Freedom and the right to individual choices – the novel is an attack on a hierarchical and unjust society where an elite is spoilt and keep power for themselves. They control everyone and everything. Everything the Posh do is to retain their power and privilege. The people in Slum City are controlled and have no freedom or rights. The judicial system is far from fair. Most people try to escape this oppressive system. Class divisions restrict the oppressed. This is reminiscent of racial segregation in South Africa during Apartheid. Many dystopian novels have this theme – think of “Hunger Games”, “Divergent”, “The Matrix” and “1984”. The Mangerians stay in power through rigged elections, giving the masses the illusion of choice.

3. Relationships – the novel explores the nature of love and relationships, particularly how these are missing in Ettie’s life. Ettie yearns for a family and a loving relationship, yet she rejects her mother (Mistress), recognising her mother’s choice of Larissa over her. She knows that love makes her vulnerable. This is clear in her complicated relationship with Kitty. Ettie thinks that she is protecting the girly, naïve Kitty, when, in fact, it is the other way around. Kitty and Ettie look out for each other, albeit secretly. They are never open with each other regarding their feelings. Ettie denies her feelings for Nicolas on many occasions yet loves him dearly. She refuses to acknowledge any emotional connections – Reader, Kitty, Larissa, Me, Nicolas.

4. Trust – it is clear from the start that Ettie does not trust anyone. No-one in Mangeria or Savage City seems to trust anyone. People betray each other easily. “Everyone is out to make a credit off the back of someone else.” Nelson and

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Witch cheat when they play their “Extinct Species” boardgame.

5. Fate/Destiny – this is an ironic concept in this novel – The Machine, not a supernatural power, determines one’s destiny. The Machine is always watching (look up George Orwell’s “1984”) and is able to track people from the mark/number on their spines. Even fate-mates and occupations are chosen for people. People in this society have no individual rights.

6. Prophesy – the all-seeing hadedas are blinded but they can ‘see’ the future. The people are figuratively blinded to the injustice they suffer. The birds suggest that the future will be better and that there is a hero destined to save everyone. The prophesy suggests a girl will be ‘The One’ to save them all.

7. Love and Hate – The expectation that parents love their children is challenged in this novel. Ettie’s parents cast her aside at birth (albeit unknowingly). When Mistress finally finds out the truth, she still chooses Larissa over Ettie. Spousal love is artificial – The Machine chooses your fate-mate and love is not part of the equation. Master and Mistress’s marriage is far from happy. Mistress and Handler Xavier’s relationship, like Ettie and Nicolas’s, is strictly forbidden.

Questions on every chapter:

Chapter 1: The Monster1. Mention three details that establish a futuristic world as the setting of the novel.2. Instead of running away from ‘the monster’, the girls stay on the beach. Why?3. Ettie’s first reaction when Kitty gets called out by the Locusts reveals something about her character. Briefly describe

what kind of person you think she is, by this incident alone.4. Explain how the Locusts came about their name/title. 5. What is a Handler?6. What evidence is there that Handler Xavier is skilled at playing his part in the Game?7. Describe the outward appearance of Kitty and contrast her with how Ettie thinks of herself. 8. Kitty and Ettie covet different things. Compare the girls based on the things about which they seem to be passionate. 9. Why does Ettie try to convince Handler Xavier to take Kitty out of the Game?10. We see Slum City for the first time in chapter 1. Discuss in detail the lifestyle and lives the girls must lead because of

their circumstances. 11. How do the references to masks and deceit establish a major theme of the novel?

Chapter 2: Cowboy1. Describe what Cowboy does for a living. Why does he change location every day?2. Why does Ettie call Cowboy the ‘worst kind of crook’?3. What purpose do the descriptions of the flies and hadedas serve?4. What is Savage City?5. Ettie says that the kids in Section O are “packed in like lice eggs”. What does this mean and imply?6. Why do the kids take part in the Game? Explain.7. Describe the products available to the residents of Slum City and explain why everything is made from plastic.8. Witch and Nelson are playing a game. Name this game.9. What happened to all the animals after the conflagration?10. What ability does Ettie reveal to Nelson and the Witch? Why is this dangerous?11. Explain the irony in Witch calling Nelson a cheat.12. Discuss the significance of the allusion in the question, “Could she be the one?”.13. Draw a character analysis of the Orphan Warden using only the medicine as a reference. 14. We see a softer side of Ettie’s character. Explain itand discuss how you feel about her at this point of the novel. 15. Why does Ettie apply cream to her spine?16. Towards the end of the chapter, Ettie is reading “Peter Pan”. Explain some of the ways in which her life is not like this

fairy tale.

Chapter 3: Drudge School1. Why is Ettie angry that Kitty smells of bug juice?2. What does a curfew imply about the rights of citizens in Slum City?3. How do people reach Mangeria City after curfew?4. What is the purpose of the numbers on everyone’s spines?5. Why does Ettie hate the colour of her skin?6. Name the novel Ettie refers to by naming Moonface, Saucepan, Jo, Fanny and Bessie.

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7. What is a ‘floater’?8. Ettie shows herself to be (albeit unwillingly) a good student. Identify the moment where this is highlighted. 9. Discuss the techniques used to condition the children into accepting their role in society.10. Early in the chapter, Ettie thinks about trees and her fascination with them. In your own words, explain what

happened to all the trees, and explain the only way Ettie can see them if she wants to. 11. Describe the school Juliet attends, and the curriculum that young people must study. 12. Explain what The Machine is. Discuss how it works and what feature it plays in the lives of everyone in the new world. 13. As she enters school, Ettie has a nasty experience with some other students. Explain what happens and discuss why

this incident surprises us from what we know of Ettie.

Chapter 4: Reader1. Discuss the irony in the Posh voting for someone who ‘looks honest’.2. Explain the Mangerian elections. 3. Ettie is a petty thief and a proficient reader. Discuss the contrast in these characteristics from what we know of her as

a person. 4. Discuss the relationship between Ettie and Me.5. Explain the deal that exists between Ettie and Reader. How do they lie to each other? Why?6. Explain why you think books are so rare and valuable in this age of human existence. 7. How is Ettie similar in Dorothy in “Wizard of Oz”. How is she different?8. Why is Ettie’s reaction to the wizard surprising?9. Ettie pretends to be emotionally disconnected, and constantly hides behind masks in an attempt to be obscure.

Discuss why she does this, identifying the various masks she has worn in the novel so far. 10. How does this society deal with people no longer considered useful? Explain.11. Why does Ettie freeze in fear at the end of the chapter? Why could she get into trouble?

Chapter 5: PoshTrouble1. Why is Ettie’s interaction with the Locust surprising?2. Why did Ettie spend the night “pacing, cracking (her) knuckles and toes, hoping”?3. Why did Kitty not want to drink the bug juice when they were younger?4. Explain why Handler Xavier uses Ettie for this particular game, and not Kitty.5. Discuss the irony in the name of the building: Justice and Peace.6. Briefly explain the Game Handler Xavier and Ettie play in the market.7. Comment on Handler Xavier’s choice of plastic characters.8. What is it about the young Posh boy that makes him ‘trouble’ for Xavier and his game? 9. The Posh boy can read. This is highlighted as a significant fact in the chapter. Explain the significance in the context of

the story. 10. Ettie refers to Nicolas as “Nicolas, Nic, Nici, Nice”. How is this surprising?11. Once the game is over, Ettie slips back into her own character. Do you think she really wears these masks, or does she

actually pretend not to feel or express her emotions? 12. Describe the character of Handler Xavier in detail from the beginning of the novel until now. Use incidents in the

story to illustrate your answer. 13. How does this chapter end anti-climactically for Ettie?

Chapter 6: The Festival1. Explain the purpose of the festival.2. Identify the incident of propaganda used by the Mangerian Government. 3. Explain the contrasting feelings of the girls about the festival. 4. How does diction create Kitty’s character? How do her actions reinforce this?5. Briefly describe the incident that takes place at this year’s festival. 6. Define the term ‘going down the river’.7. Ettie surprises us once again with her reaction to seeing Nicolas. Explain.8. Why does she introduce herself as Juliet?9. Describe how you feel about the concept of fate-mates and the festival. Focus on advantages and disadvantages, and

use the unfortunate incident as a reference to support your argument.

Chapter 7: The Riot1. Describe how the riot began.2. What is strange about the prisoners’ spines?3. Which event, related to the riot, upsets Ettie? Why? How does she feel about the prisoners accused of burning the

trees? Explain.

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4. Explain how Kitty got her burn scar on her arm. 5. Who is Cockroach? Describe him.6. Explain the consequences of the riot on people of Slum City. 7. Discuss the treatment of the criminals at the hands of the Locusts and the crowd and compare it with today’s stories

of police brutality. 8. There are at two parallels between the riot in the book and the riots in Apartheid South Africa. Identify and explain

them in detail. 9. Ettie and the others seem opportunistic and selfish as they scurry around for free unprotected goods during the riot.

Do you think they are justified or are they stealing and deserve to be punished?10. What does Ettie see at the end of this chapter?

Chapter 8: The Experiment1. Describe what Ettie sees on the rooftops.2. Ettie helps a Reject. How is this (once again) contrary to how she views herself?3. Name at least five members of the group in the secret meeting. 4. Describe what happened to the three criminals who were killed in the riot.5. Explain what happens in The Laboratory.6. What does Ettie learn about the mark on her spine?7. Explain why Ettieis shocked as the meeting unfolds. 8. How is the Hadeda’s cry misinterpreted?9. Discuss your feelings about the actions of The Laboratory and the Locusts. Reference your feelings with incidents in

the chapter.

Chapter 9: Graduation1. Why does Kitty not drink any of the alcohol/bug juice in the pleasure clubs?2. When did Kitty stop holding Ettie at night? Why?3. Why are the buildings in Section PT set alight? Why whom?4. Explain why Ettie needs to follow Kitty’s every move, and why she is worried that she will be away from Kitty after

graduation?5. Why does Ettie break into the Orphan Warden’s office?6. Discuss the revelations that are made about Ettie’s and Kitty’s past. 7. The mood and tone of this chapter are very different to the previous one. Account for the change and explain how it

reflects Ettie’s own feelings. 8. What motivation do the girls have to take action against The Laboratory and the Mangerians, and how do you think

they will come up against the ruling class? 9. For most young people, graduation is an exciting day that marks the beginning of independence and freedom and

endless possibilities. Compare Ettie’s reaction with Kitty’s and account for the differences.10. What does Ettie discover when she visits the Tree Museum?11. How has the Hadeda changed her prophesy?

Chapter 10: The Plan1. Ettie describes Kitty as “mistress of the mask”. Discuss.2. Why does Kitty try to convince Handler Xavier NOT to let Ettie join them in that day’s Game?3. How does Kitty try to protect Ettie in the Game?4. Who is Festis Four?5. Describe what happens to the girls at the hotel when they are caught. 6. Ettie asks a pertinent question of Nicolas: why does he help her? Explain his reasons. 7. Suggest how Nicolas knows where to find Ettie.8. Why, do you think, did Handler Xavier try to get Ettie caught by the Locusts when she escapes from the hotel?9. What do you think of the letter that Kitty left for Ettie? Is it sincere? Why does Kitty continue to lie to Ettie?10. What does Ettie find when she goes to look for Reader? How does she react?11. Discuss what you think the future holds for Ettie, now that she is graduated and separated from Kitty.

Chapter 11: The Drudges1. Why does Ettie say that ‘families are overrated’?2. Ettie thinks of Kitty and apologises (in her head) for ‘being yellow’. What does that mean?3. Why did the resistance movement wait for Kitty’s 15th birthday before executing the plan to get her arrested?4. Describe Ettie’s feelings as the chapter progresses. 5. Who is Madam Merriem?6. Discuss the character of Dora in detail. Include the details from the end of the chapter.

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7. Explain the ambiguity in Ettie’s reply to Dora’s comment, “Adorable. I could just squeeze the breath out of them,” Dora says. “I tell her I have had the same thoughts on occasion.”

8. Describe the Mangerian family for whom the girls work now. 9. What is Ettie’s first reaction to seeing Mistress?10. Why is Ettie surprised to see dirt under Mistress’s fingernails?11. Why does Ettie interrupt Master? Why is this dangerous? 12. Why is Mistress happy about Ettie’s news?13. What do you think is in store for Ettie while she is in this house? Elaborate with evidence from the text. 14. Compare the life Ettie had with Kitty in Section O to the life she is going to have with Dora in Section D. 15. Evaluate the relationship between Mistress and Master as introduced in this chapter.

Chapter 12: The Party1. Briefly describe a typical day in the Number 3 Mangeria Compound. 2. By referring to at least one extract from this chapter, describe Ettie’s conflict with

- Dora- Nicolas- Little Miss- Madam Merriem- Herself

3. Describe Master’s treatment of the drudges. 4. Describe Mistress’s treatment of the drudges.5. Describe the relationships between:

- Master Hylton and Mistress- Madam Merriem and Mistress- the parents and Larissa

6. How does a Mangerian home differ from the homes in Slum City? Refer to two aspects.7. Who is Bartholomew and what is his Guardian position?8. Explain the power relationships among Mangerian families. 9. Discuss how life has changed for Ettie since becoming a drudge.10. Why does Ettie fear Nicolas’s testimony in Kitty’s trial?

Chapter 13: The Trial1. How does Madam Merriem try to comfort Mistress?2. Do you agree with Ettie when she says she does not know Kitty and states that she is “not really lying”?3. Discuss how the servants at Number 3 exploit each other. 4. Refer to the character of Mistress. Identify and describe the kind of person she is using past and present behaviour. 5. How do outside drudge workers and Locusts take advantage of other drudge workers in order to make money on the

side? 6. Describe Kitty’s appearance when she enters the courtroom.7. Briefly describe how the trial unfolds. 8. Why is Festis Four not in court to deliver his testimony?9. Why does Cockroach not want Nicolas to testify?10. How does Ettie change her nicknames for Nicolas? Why?11. Ettie experiences internal conflict now. Nicolas is becoming a feature in her life, Handler Xavier will not think twice

about exposing her to Master and Mistress, and Hylton himself seems to have deep secrets.Discuss how Ettie can use all three men to free herself and rescue Kitty.

12. What does Ettie find in the Tree Museum? How does this link to Kitty?13. What does Handler Xavier ask of Ettie? How does she respond? Why?14. Describe Ettie’s tone when she says, “I am back in the game. But this time, I play alone.” Explain.15. Considering the entire chapter, discuss to what extent corruption is rife in this society.

Chapter 14: Porridge1. Describe and account for Ettie’s mood at the beginning of the chapter. 2. Name the three things she wants to do whilst Master and Mistress are away.3. Discuss how the relationship between Master and Mistress has changed since the dinner party. 4. Describe the plan Ettiehas to get the servants of Number 3 out of her way in order for her to do what she wants in

the house. 5. What does it say about Ettie when she does not want to poison Larissa’s porridge?6. Explain what Ettie finds in Master’s library. 7. How does Ettie react to Larissa being unwell?

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8. Why does Ettie tell Larissa the “Magic Faraway Tree” story?9. Describe the garden to which she takes Larissa for their stroll. 10. Explain what is done to hadeda chicks. Why?11. Why does Ettie help Larissa to hide Princess Fanny?12. Discuss Ettie’s strategy to use Larissa for information. Do Ettie’s actions in this chapter shock you, or could you justify

her poisoning the servants and using an innocent little child to get what she wants?

Chapter 15: The Laboratory1. Describe how Ettie came to be Larissa’s caregiver. 2. How/Why does Ettie “taste power” (pg 193)?3. Compare the attitude of Master and Mistress towards Ettie in this chapter. 4. Explain how the relationship between Ettie and Larissa is evolving, from beginning to now. 5. Describe your reaction when you found out that Mistress and Master are fate-mates (chapter 12), and that Larissa

has a mark on her back too. 6. Summarise the main events of the visit to The Laboratory.7. Describe your impression of The Laboratory and the type of work that is done there. 8. What evidence is there of the Mangerians’ indifference to others?9. What signs are there that Ettie is genuinely becoming fond of Little Miss?10. Why does Ettie refer to the doctors are Frankensteins?11. What does Ettie espy between Mistress and Handler Xavier?12. How does she feel about Nicolas at this stage?

Chapter 16: Apple Juice1. Why does Little Miss never leave the house?2. Describe what happened at the start of the chapter betweenMaster and the servants of Number 3.3. How and why does Little Miss lie to protect Ettie?4. What happy news does Ettie hear at the store where she buys the apple juice? 5. Ettie learns something important about Reader. Explain. 6. Discuss the reasons for the president’s visit to Number 3. 7. What does Ettie learn about Kitty?8. What has been planned for Nicolas and Little Miss? How do they feel about this?9. What is Bartholomew’s new project?10. Briefly explain what transpires in the meeting between Ettie and Nicolas in the secret garden. 11. Which major theme is developed in Nicolas’s confession to Ettie?12. How does Ettie react to Nicolas’s invitation? Why?

Chapter 17: Deathbed Confession1. Why does Handler Xavier come to Number 3?2. The second time Mistress and HandlerXavier meet, they seem to have an intimate connection. Explain.3. Discuss the civil unrest going on in Slum City. 4. Who do you think poisoned the food? Why?5. Discuss in detail the deathbed confession. 6. Account for Ettie’s response to the information about her parents.7. ‘She is the one. She is the one!’ Where and when did we hear this phrase before? Explain what it means. 8. Describe Ettie’s visit with Reader. 9. Ettie tells Reader a lie at the end of the chapter. Identify the lie and explain why she lies.

Chapter 18: The Procedure1. Master calls Larissa a ‘savage’. Discuss the connotations of this word. What does he imply? What does Ettie mean

when she calls herself ‘savage’?2. Describe the circumstances that lead to the procedure having to take place at Number 3, and not The Laboratory. 3. Explain the effects of Mistress’ calling Kitty a “common criminal” onEttie. 4. Why is there no hot water at Number 3?5. How does Ettie learn of Nelson’s death?6. What does Bartholomew admit?7. Describe the evolving relationship between Ettie and Nicolas at this point. 8. Why does Nicolas call Ettie a fraud?9. Why is Madam Merriem particularly mean to Ettie now?10. Mistress calls Ettie a “dull little drudge”. How does Ettie react? Why?11. Why is Ettie so determined to help Kitty, even at the expense of her own life?

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12. Why does Ettie encourage Larissa to ask that Kitty come to her room before the procedure?13. Explain the plan.14. Why does Madam Merriem not ‘bust’ Ettie when she realises she has taken Kitty’s place?15. How does the chapter end?

Chapter 19: Golden Goose1. Where is Ettie as the chapter starts? Who is with her?2. Explain Ettie’s description of the man who is carrying her? How is this ironic?3. Account for Handler Xavier’s attitude from the beginning of the chapter until he seesEttie behind the mask. 4. Draw a brief character analysis of Me (from the beauty parlour) from all that you know of him. 5. Recount the plan that the organisation created to save Kitty and the doctors. 6. How is Ettie a danger to the plan?7. Why is it fatal to the plan when the doctor dies?8. How does Ettie convince Handler Xavier to let her go?9. What are the Locusts doing in Slum City?10. Describe how Kitty seems to have changed when she meets Ettie again. 11. Ettie is at a cross-roads. Explain. What decision does she make?12. How does Kitty describe Handler Xavier? Why does this make Ettie angry?13. Kitty and Nicolas address Ettie by different names. Explain the implications of each.14. Discuss the challenges that Ettie and Nicolas will now face as they become fugitives of Mangeria. 15. Discuss the appropriateness of the chapter’s title.

Chapter 20: The Machine1. What news does Ettie hear at the start of the chapter? Why is she relieved? Why is she scared? 2. What is Nicolas’s plan to get them into the building? 3. Compare the reaction of Nicolas’s father to his son’s kidnapping, to Master Hylton towards his sick daughter. 4. List all the fatalities of the explosion at Number 3. 5. Describe how Ettie keeps calm in a crisis. What tactics does she use to avoid detection?6. Ettie refers to Larissa as her sister for the second time. She also makes a secret wish for Larissa to become whatever

she wishes to be. Explain the significance of this, considering Ettie’s attitude towards Larissa when they first met. 7. Ettie considered throwing away the list of people Handler Xavier wanted her to save. But when Nicolas asks her for it,

she hands it over. Discuss how their relationship progressed and how they changed each other. 8. Why does she pause before removing Handler Xavier’s name from The Machine?9. When Ettie removes her name from The Machine, she says it feels like “an invisible piece of wire has been snapped

from (my) spine”. Explain this metaphor. 10. How does this chapter fulfil the words of the epigraph?

Chapter 21: The Journey1. What significance does Ettie see in Nicolas’s comment, “It’s the way they control us” (pg 257)?2. Why is Ettie still wary to walk in the streets of Slum City?3. Describe the encounter between Mistress and Ettie. 4. To what extent to you agree with Ettie when she says that she sees her mother “clearly”. Explain.5. Do you think Larissa is right to blind Princess Fanny? Justify your answer. 6. What has happened to Larissa since the explosion, with Nicolas’s departure, and her father dying? What is going to

happen to her now? 7. Describe how the character of Mistress changed. Account for the change. 8. Why does Ettie board the seacraft with Reader?9. Why did Ettie leave Nicolas behind? What do you think will happen to him now? 10. Summarise the news of what is taking place at Slum City and Mangeria following the uprising. 11. What future storyline in a sequel is hinted at in the final section of the novel?12. What is the title of the sequel to “The Mark”?

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Contextual 1:

TEXT AWe disperse into our classrooms, according to our trades. The room for drudges like me is the largest in the education centre. We shuffle behind our desks, and I pick the peeling skin off my knee as we wait for the teacher to arrive. She will spend the day teaching us how to look after the homes and children of the Posh. This is going to be my trade when I turn fifteen.We are all assigned a trade at birth. Our trade numbers are spewed out by The Machine and branded on the back of our spines. You can scrub as much as you like and it never comes off. I know, because I have tried.My trade is right down there in the gutter, with the Drainers who clean the streets. I should have grown used to it by now, I have known about my fate for nearly ten years. Ever since the day Kitty and I turned five, when the orphan warden packed us off for our first day at school.We arrived together, but got separated after the scholar warden examined the marks on our backs.Was it random? Or did The Machine somehow know Kitty would be beautiful and that I would have large hands rough enough to mop up dirt? The people who know things in Slum City could never give me the answer to this.“You were born to serve as drudges. You will work for the Posh until you are of no further use,” the drudge teacher told us. “This is the trade that has been chosen for you.”Everyone clapped and cheered. Not me. I held my claps in my fists and my tongue behind my teeth.The drudge teacher is as old as my trees in the museum. She is retired from her trade and has been tasked by the Mangerians to prepare the next generation for their jobs. At the beginning of the day we are made to recite the drudge pledge.“Louder,” she instructs, scrutinising our faces to make sure we are chanting the oath with pride: “I am proud to work in the homes of the Posh and to raise their children and clean their homes.”Hiding my fury, I spit out the words.

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1. Place the extract in context. (2)2. Refer to line 2 (‘I pick the peeling skin off my knee.’). What feature of the environment is being alluded to here? (2)3. What does Ettie’s reaction in line 14 suggest about her character and the role she will fulfil in the remainder of the

novel? Quote to support your answer. (3)4. What mood is being set in lines 17-19 and why is this significant to the novel as a whole? (3)

ANDTEXT BThey are herded in by the Locusts. In the front. At the back. On the sides. There is no getting away. I search the faces of the fate-mates. Many smile and laugh. They are happy Oompa-Loompas in Willie Wonka’s chocolate factory. Some seem unsure whether to smile or cry. They have fallen down the rabbit hole with Alice and wonder if they are living a dream or a nightmare. If they breathe out hard enough, like Alice with the Queen’s soldiers in Wonderland, will the Locusts fold like a pack of cards? Others have been swept up in a tornado with Dorothy and Toto and all they want is to go home, back to Kansas where the sky is grey.The band stops playing, and the dancing dies. The Guardians straightens the scarf on his head and appears at the podium. He clears his throat and waits for silence.Some at the back push forward. “Shhhhh. Be quiet,” they hiss, their fingers tapping their lips. Many have sons and daughters in the pens, and want to hear. Will my daughter bag a Pulak or a teacher? Will my son pull a pleasure worker or a Drainer?Anxious to hear, the Posh agitate their fans. Will their sons and daughters be matched to someone close enough to the Mangerian family tree? What advantage might they gain from this match?Not everyone who has turned sixteen is paired with a fate-mate. There are exceptions. Especially if you are among those making the rules. So the Mangerians keep their children out of the festival. They use negotiation and barter to match their offspring with other Mangerians. In this way, they keep their blood pure and untainted. And power stays with them, where it can never be challenged.The noise stills to a murmur and the Guardian reads from a slate. People call out as they hear the names of their sons and daughters. “That’s him. That’s my son,” a woman at the back shouts. “Nice one, my boy.”Some Posh stand as they recognise a name, but they do not cheer and shout. They acknowledge their offspring with smiles and discreet taps of their fans.As the names of the couples are twinned, they walk onto the stage to meet their fate-mates. Bare feet either drag or skip across it. They offer themselves. Posh and trader alike. Are you beautiful? Are you kind? Will I like you and will you like me?

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1. What theme is being represented in both texts? Substantiate your answer with close reference to the text.(3)2. Suggest how the diction in lines 1 – 2 (‘They are herded… Willie Wonka’s chocolate factory’) reflects the nature of

2.1 The fate mates (2)2.2 The Locusts (2)

3. Provide two more examples from the novel that prove that the Posh do not listen to their own rules. (2)4. What tone is created by the use of the word “offspring” in lines 15 and 20 and what does it suggest about Ettie’s

knowledge of familial relationships? (3)5. What is meant by “they offer themselves” (line 23) and why do you think this would make Ettie angry? (3)

(25)

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Contextual 2:QUEENSTOWN GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL

Grade 10 September 2018 Mrs Miles

25 Marks English HL: ‘The Mark’ 1 hour

Extract A

1. My face, squashed against the moist arm of a Market Nag grows numb. Sleep whispers to me. But I must stay alert. The wound on my spine warns me. I claw at my back and the pain jolts me awake. Rule Number Four: never shut your eyes until you are home safe. If I obey Handler Xavier’s rules of the game, I will not get caught.

2. The Pulaks drag us through the gates and over the bridge that spans the river separating the ghetto from Mangeria City. Water the colour of vomit and thick with debris spills from the sewers.

3. The taxi empties at the entrance to our ghetto from Mangeria City. Slum City we call it – its official name rejected and long forgotten. My spine tingles. I check to see if anyone is following me. Check again. I am safe. I fix my eyes to the ground and trudge past the Locusts manning the booms.

4. “Where’s your pass?” a Locust says. I stop. He reaches past me and grabs a man trying to slip under the boom. “We’re on curfew. You can’t leave the ghetto without a pass.”

5. “I’ll be real quick,” the man says. The Locust silences him with a gloved fist and turns him back.6. I stop outside a block of flats in Section O. Home.

…7. I dismiss her sorries. “She won’t learn. I’m sick of her.” I set my face in stone, avoiding her swollen eyes.

“She flies too close to the sun and I always have to risk the burn for her when she messes up. I won’t pay the price for her stupid mistakes anymore.”

8. I know it’s not going to work, but I try anyway. I want the handler to take Kitty off the game. To let me work alone so that she will be safe. One day I will not be there to protect her.(Chapter 1)

Refer to Extract A:

1 Refer to paragraph 1.1.1 Explain the particular ‘game’ that has just been played at the start of the novel. (2)1.2 Why is there a ‘wound’ on Ettie’s spine? (2)1.3 How is it that Handler Xavier has managed to be so successful at using children

for his game? Provide two reasons. (2)

2 Refer to paragraph 6. At this point, why does Ettie believe Section O is her home? (1)

3 Refer to paragraphs 7 and 8. 3.1 Discuss how Ettie’s words link to the theme of deception. (2)3.2 What does it mean to ‘fly too close to the sun’? (1) 3.3 Why does Ettie feel such a strong desire to protect Kitty? (2)

4 Refer to the whole extract. Provide two examples which highlight the inequality in this society. (2)

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Extract B 1. I whisper the word. Freedom. It feels strange on my lips. It is not a word we are

taught in drudge school. Without a mark on your spine, the Locusts cannot track you. You become as invisible as Bilbo Baggins who wore the precious ring.

2. Without my own mark I would not be a drudge. I would have no fate-mate. Without the marks there would be no control. It would be chaos, like the olden days. Savage. My lips like the feel of the word, so I whisper it again. Freedom.

3. “We must get into The Laboratory and find out what experiments they’re doing. And discover how the mark is being erased,” Nelson says. “We need a volunteer. No, two volunteers. The experiments are conducted in pairs.”

4. In my experience, the volunteer word is a mood killer. No one wants to do work that they do not have to do. Or in this case, be a candidate for a dodgy experiment that gets you nabbed by Locusts and beaten to a pulp by a crowd. They cannot see me, but instinctively I lower my head into my shoulders. Me volunteer? No, thank you very much. In situations like this, I find it useful to listen to music in my head, it gives the impression that I am occupied with something else.

5. The room is silent. I imagine them looking down, fiddling in their bags, avoiding eye contact.

6. “I volunteer. Let me be a part of this,” a voice says. (Chapter 8)

Refer to Extract B:

5 Place this extract in context. How has Ettie come to be here and why are these people meeting?(2)

6 Refer to paragraph 1.

6.1. Who has been tracking Ettie and how exactly does he do this? (2) 6.2. Why does Ettie make references to ‘Bilbo Baggins’ and other stories throughout the novel?(1)

7 Refer to paragraph 2. The word ‘savage’ has different connotations depending on who uses it. Contrast the way that the Posh and Ettie use this word. (2)

8 Refer to paragraph 7.8.1 Who is this volunteer and how has she helped the movement? (2)8.2 What does this volunteer plan to do next? (2)

/11/

Write 300-350 words onthe following topic:

Discuss the theme of appearance versus reality with reference to 3 characters from ‘The Mark’.

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