Comparing dystopian voices
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can compare Ishiguro's presentation of his dystopian voices.
Key learning points
- Ambiguous novel openings can be disconcerting for the reader.
- Kathy's narrative voice is full of contradictions, which may also be disconcerting for the reader.
- The disconcerting voice of 'Never Let Me Go' may add to the dystopian feel.
- Kathy and Klara, two of Ishiguro's narrators, are perhaps not traditional dystopian voices.
- Kathy and Klara both reflect dehumanised worlds.
Keywords
Disconcerting - unsettling, worrying
Euphemism - a substitution of a mild word or phrase for one that may be considered unpleasant
Ambiguous - having no obvious meaning; unclear
Dehumanise - deprive someone of human qualities e.g. dignity
Compelling - if something is compelling, it makes you believe it because it is so strong
Common misconception
Dystopian voices have to fit the archetype (e.g. rebellious, overly critical) in order to be compelling.
Ishiguro subtly crafts his voices to allow the reader to reflect on their own world.
Teacher tip
You may want to spend some time discussing what it means to be human to allow pupils to recognise how the voices in the texts are dehumanised.
Equipment
You will need access to the opening of 'Never Let Me Go' and 'Klara and the Sun' by Kazuo Ishiguro for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does ambiguous mean?
Q2.Which of the following scenarios might be the most disconcerting for a character?
Q3.How can we define a dystopia?
Q4.What is register?
Q5.Which of the below contains a euphemism for being ill?
Q6.Which of the below might reflect a dehumanised world?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following describes Kathy's narrative style in Ishiguro's 'Never Let Me Go'?
Q2.What feelings does Kathy show in the opening of 'Never Let Me Go'?
Q3.What makes Kathy's world in 'Never Let Me Go' dehumanised?
Q4.What is one similarity between Klara of 'Klara and the Sun' and Kathy of 'Never Let Me Go'?
Q5.What is one difference between Klara of 'Klara and the Sun' and Kathy of 'Never Let Me Go'?
Q6.How are Kathy are Klara not typical dystopian narrators?
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Comparing dystopian voices, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Comparing dystopian voices, 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.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 English lessons from the Fiction: inner musings unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.