Powerpoint of The Destructors by: Graham Greene

8/18/2019 Powerpoint of The Destructors by: Graham Greene

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The Destructors

Aki E, Daniel F, Kaitlin B, Ethan X,Shervan G.


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Pre-Reading Questions

Title: The Destructors

Author : Graham Greene

Question 1: What is the significance of the title of the story?

Question 2: When was a time you witnessed inequality in society? How make you feel?

Question 3: How do you feel when people of higher status pity you? Howreact?


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Parody Video

https://youtu.be/TglOpqpUf60?t=122

https://youtu.be/TglOpqpUf60?t=122


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Summary

● Post WW2● Protagonist (Anti-hero):T● Antagonist (victim): Old Misery● Supporting Character: Blackie (leader)● Chocolate given by Old Misery●

T receives a tour of Old Misery’s house● Change in power● Plan to destroy Old Misery’s house● Destruction● Old Misery arrives early, attacked● Successfully destroy house


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Elements of the Story


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Rising Action

● T. talks about his tour● Tells gang Old Misery will be away● Suggests destroying it● The gang gathers tools● Gang breaks in● Destruction


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Climax

● T. discovers £ 70● Burns the money with Blackie● The gang is almost done

dismantling the house● They hear Mr. Thomas is about to

return early


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Falling Action

● T. comes up with an idea● The gang members trick Mr. Thomas

to go into the outdoor washroom● Buys them some time to finish their

plan


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Denouement

● House is tied to a truck● Driver arrives, and begins driving● House falls● Mr. Thomas’ heart shatters● Truck driver laughs


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External Conflict

Man vs Man

● Blackie vs T.

Man vs Environment

● Destruction

Man vs Society

● Class struggle


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Characters


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T.

● Newest recruit● Introverted, manipulative, calculative● Dynamic● Sparks conflict


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Blackie

● Supporting character● Leader● Insecure● Power Struggle● Selfless● Static


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Old Misery (Mr.Thomas)

● Victim● Represents time before the war● Prideful● Innocent● Generous● Naïve● Trusting● Dynamic


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Themes


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Theme: Luxury

● Lived without money or luxury● Luxuries are foreign● Old Misery has luxuries● Contrast● They don’t believe he deserves these things● A motive to destroy the house.


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Theme: Equality

● House is a representation of a better time● Post war-time resilience● “Foreign” to the members of the gang● The mansion didn’t ‘fit’● Destruction to create ‘equality’ and ‘conformity’● Did not steal● Bringing Old Misery to their esteem● No desire to bring themselves up


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Theme: Order in a disorderly world

● “Why would the Wormsley Gang commit such a horrible act?”● Children grew up in war● Traumatic events● Many youth lost family● Gang = comfort● Old Misery’s house represents order in their disorderly world● Solution for the gang was to destroy the house


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Important Quotes

“Destruction after all is a form of creation. A kind of imagination had sehouse as it had now become.” (P.8)

“Yet walls could be preserved...This could again be a home.” (P. 10)

“When he climbed out the whole landscape had suddenly altered.” (P.15


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So what? Now what?

Pride● Downfall of man● Related to Materialism/Achievements● Can be good/positive

“Life is too volatile to be prideful, so being humble dulife’s highs can pay off when you are experiencing lifelows.”


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Discussion


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Discussion

● Why were the gang members so skepticathe chocolate given by Old Misery? Whayou think this represents?


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Discussion

Who is the true protagonist in the story?


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Discussion

● What do you think Mr.Thomas did after mansion was torn down?

Documents

Powerpoint of The Destructors by: Graham Greene