Identifying and analysing Anthony Horowitz's use of resolution in 'Moriarty'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify and analyse Horowitz's use of symbolism and setting to create resolution in 'Moriarty'.
Key learning points
- Potentially, crime fiction is a popular genre because people want to explore the darkness without experiencing it.
- Stereotypically, crime fiction is resolved by the crime being solved and the criminal facing justice.
- While the criminal is apprehended in his story, Horowitz subverts the genre by having another criminal capture him.
- Arguably, Horowitz creates a reassuring resolution through the use of setting, light imagery and symbolism.
Keywords
Resolution - the conclusion of the story's plot where all unanswered questions are solved
Idyllic - a place or experience that is extremely pleasant, beautiful or peaceful
Crime fiction - a fictional narrative where a crime is committed and investigated by a professional or amateur
Stereotype - a set idea that people have about what someone or something is like
Symbolism - the idea that things (images, people etc.) represent other things
Common misconception
Some people think that crime fiction is a trivial genre.
Crime fiction explores the dark side of human psychology and reading crime fiction where the crime is solved can help reassure us that society is a safe place and criminals are punished.
Teacher tip
To extend the lesson, you may wish to consider why Horowitz chose to subvert the crime fiction genre by having another criminal apprehend Devereux - what might he be suggesting about society?
Equipment
You need a copy of the 2014 Orion Books edition of 'Moriarty' by Anthony Horowitz for this lesson (not provided).
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.'A fictional narrative where a crime is committed and investigated by a professional or amateur' is the definition of fiction.
Q2.'A set idea that people have about what someone or something is like' is the definition of which word beginning with 's'?
Q3.In crime fiction, who do we stereotypically expect to solve the crime?
Q4.To subvert something means to ...
Q5.To call somewhere idyllic suggests that it is somewhere ...
Q6.Place these settings in order from most to least idyllic.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.'The idea that things (images, people, etc.) represent other things' is the definition of which word beginning with 's'?
Q2.'The conclusion of the story's plot where all unanswered questions are solved' is the definition of which word beginning with 'r'?
Q3.Horowitz uses an idyllic setting at the end of 'Moriarty' and the image of sunlight. How do you think he wanted the reader to feel at the end of the story?
Q4.In Horowitz's 'Moriarty', who brings the criminal, Charles Devereux, to justice?
Q5.At the end of 'Moriarty', Horowitz describes Devereux as ...
Q6.In Horowitz's 'Moriarty', our final image of the criminal, Devereux, is of him ...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Identifying and analysing Anthony Horowitz's use of resolution in 'Moriarty', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Identifying and analysing Anthony Horowitz's use of resolution in 'Moriarty', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 4 English lessons from the Fiction: ending stories unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.