Heat and Dust: Analytical Response Plan

Planning your analytical response

Activity

Plan your ideas by:

· Reading Heat and Dust and related texts(of your own choosing)

· Researching how meaning is created through textual features in each text.

· For each question come up with:

a) an introduction

b) a conclusion

c) at least six main topic sentences

d) your main ideas in point form underneath each topic sentence

e) key quotes that support your points

f) written body paragraphs for each paragraph

g) reference to at least ONE related text of your own choosing.

HSC-style question

Despite an individual’s desire to belong to a group or community, this is not always possible.

How do the texts you have studied represent the processes and results of belonging and/or not belonging?

Refer to your prescribed text and ONE other related text of your own choosing.

Activity

Before you begin writing, brainstorm ideas about the question and your possible approach to the question.

Thesis (introduction) ideas:

Introduction

Belonging to a community or group is complicated. Societies are made up of complex rules and codes of behaviour, determined by those in power, which the members of the society are expected to adhere to. However this is not always possible, especially when people live in a foriegn land, and are exposed to different cultural values. Often in these circumstances, individual’s values oppose those values of community members. The search for a sense of identity in a foreign community is explored in Ruth Prawer Jhabvala’s ‘Heat and Dust’, highlighting the significance of honouring the self in creating an individual’s sense of belonging. (Add your ideas about the related text here.)

Conclusion

As individuals, we struggle against the oppression of others who insist we blindly follow expected ways of behaving and belonging. Making a decision to rebel against expected ways of being can have a significant emotional impact on an individual’s sense of self. But ultimately pursuing individual dreams and self belief can lead to a powerful sense of belonging. This is especially true when individuals honestly express their personal values despite the possible consequences of not belonging within the framework of the dominant culture. The narrator in ‘Heat and Dust’ discovers a powerful sense of belonging through adopting these values and believing in herself. It is true however that honouring personal desires can lead to separation from society as shown through Olivia becoming a recluse.

First body paragraph

Topic sentence

In the section dated August 31st, the composer creates visual imagery of both the narrator’s and Olivia’s choice regarding having a child and the effect this has on their ability to belong in a foreign country.

Main points

• · Samadhi is a metaphor for pregnancy and what is usually associated with the joy of having children.
• · The narrator recognizes her pregnancy as the source of joy and does not want it terminated.
• · Juxtaposition of the narrator’s and Olivia’s decisions regarding having a child.
• · Olivia chooses not to belong in the world as a mother.

Key quotes

• ‘Maji was in a state of samadhi … to have reached a higher state of consciousness and to be submerged in its bliss.’

Body paragraph

In the section dated August 31st, the composer creates visual imagery of both the narrator’s and Olivia’s choice regarding having a child and the effect this has on their ability to belong in a foreign country. The narrator is surprised to be followed by another woman as she walks to the bazaar. She stops by Maji's hut, who is in a ‘state of Samadhi’ having reached a ‘higher state of consciousness submerged in its bliss’. This state of consciousness can be perceived as a metaphor for pregnancy and what is usually associated with the joy of having children. A mother and child’s relationship is regarded as a special bond in society, where belonging is established between the mother and child in pregnancy. Maji again reminds her that now would be a good time for a skillful massage which would induce a termination, if that is her choice. When the narrator asks her to stop the message, she does so immediately. The narrator recognises her pregnancy as the source of a completely new feeling and rapture and does not want it terminated. She appreciates the strong sense of belonging between a mother and child and wishes to honour this. The composer juxtaposes the narrator’s pregnancy with Olivia’s pregnancy in the section from 1923. The midwives instruct Olivia to lie down on a mat and begin massaging her abdomen. Finally though, Olivia closes her eyes to the pain, demonstrating that she chooses not to belong in the world as a mother.

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