‘Civil War’ Worksheet
Answers will be checked on Tuesday 15th
Plot Summary
Summarise the main points of the story in 100-150 words. Include details such as who are the characters involved involved, where the story takes place and what happens.
The exposition
o In the exposition we learn about the characters, the setting and the situation. Highlight these details.
o In addition to what is mentioned above, the author also establishes the mood of the story. What mood do you think O’ Flaherty is aiming to establish? Also, identify what elements of the exposition contribute to the mood.
o In the exposition the author aims to make the characters and events believable. What details in the text contribute to this? How do they make the characters and events seem plausible? (Highlight and annotate in the margin)
o The exposition often also includes examples of foreshadowing. Is foreshadowing included? If so, where and how?
Complication
This is the section of the story where the main character struggles with a problem. The purpose is to excite the reader’s interest through the development of conflicts, suspense, surprise and mystery.
o Identify complications in the text. Remember, conflict can be external and internal.
Climax
This is the event that ends the struggle with the problem. Emotionally the climax is powerful for the reader. Intellectually this is a moment of insight; the reader sees why the struggle ended in success or failure.
o Mark the climax in the text
Resolution
This is the section from the major climax to the end. It has many purposes which are dependent on the purpose of the text as a whole
Draw a diagram of the structure like the one below. Mark where each element of the plot occurs in the story
Homework
Research the Irish Civil War. Write at least a paragraph which answers the following questions.
o When was it fought?
o Who was fighting and what was the aim of each of the sides involved?
o What was the outcome?
Characterisation
The characters in ‘Civil War’ are two very different men: physically, mentally, and emotionally. Also, their motivations for remaining on the roof are very different.
Task One
o Draw up a chart to compare the two men. Provide evidence from the text.
Lieutenant Jim Dolan / Quartermaster Tim MurphyPhysical description and occupation
o A clerk
o Slim
o Twenty-two years old
o Young white face haggard and blotched
Emotional behaviour/Responses
Personality traits
Motivation for remaining on the roof / Physical description and occupation
o Enormous low-sized workman
o Neck like a bull
o Brown face
o Little grey eyes
Emotional behaviour/Responses
Personality traits
Motivation for remaining on the roof
Task Two
o Describe the relationship between the two men.
Task Three
Often short stories give us very few details of a character’s physical description. However this is not the case in this text. Much is made of the physical description of Murphy in ‘Civil War’.
o As with his other stories (Alien Skull, Civil War) O’Flaherty frequently uses similes. Identify all the similes that are used in the description of Murphy. Why have they been used? What effect do they have on the reader?
Task Four
We learn about characters through
o how others react to them/what others say about them
o what they say
o what they do
o what they think
However, we only learn about a character’s thoughts when a narrator chooses to reveal them. What kind of narrator is used in ‘Civil War’? (Hint: it’s the same sort as in ‘Alien Skull’)
o Which character does the story focus on? Why do you think this character is the focus of the story?
The focus of the story shifts on pg 124. ‘Waiting, he thought of Dolan. He would finish him off now, the traitor. He felt himself getting very weak.’ Why do you think the focus of the narration shifts in this way? What is the purpose of the change?
In the end the two men turn upon one another. Why do you think this is the case?
Murphy and Dolan are two quite clearly contrasting characters. How does this contrast add to or support the author’s purpose?