Page 19 - Knowledge Organiser Yr8 24-25

Knowledge Base: Tutor Reading The Ruby In The Smoke Year 8
1. Why this book?
Philip Pullman offers detailed descriptions of life in London at the height of the Industrial Revolution. It is mystery story with a strong and determined female protagonist who defies the Victorian societal expectations of women.
3. Characters
Sally Lockhart
The female protagonist (main character) who has recently lost her father.
Mrs Holland
The novel’s wicked antagonist. (a character who is against the main character) She runs a lodging house and has the young Adelaide working for her. Obsessed with getting hold of the Ruby of Agrapur.
2. Context
Industrial revolution
The rapid development of industry that occurred in Britain
in the late 18th and 19th centuries, brought about by the introduction of machinery. It was characterised by the use of steam power, the growth of factories, and the mass production of manufactured goods. Britain’s empire was spreading far across the globe, bringing in wealth, jewels, spices and drugs. With it came new ideas: feminism, socialism and new technologies.
Gender
During the Victorian period, men and women’s roles became more sharply defined than at any time in history. Women
had fewer rights than men, despite Queen Victoria being a woman. Mostly a woman’s place was ‘in the home’ or revolved around motherhood. Women who didn’t have a male or senior chaperone were vulnerable and were at risk of damaging their reputation.
Ruby
A precious stone, red in colour. In the novel it could symbolise (represent) greed and obsession.
Poverty
The population of Great Britain trebled during the 19th century. Most employment was to be found in newly industrialised cities, so many people abandoned their roots and moved to urbanised areas to seek work. Hideously overcrowded, unsanitary slums developed, particularly in London.
The Victorians and Opium Trade
The India-China opium trade was very important to the British economy. Britain had fought two wars in the mid 19th century known as the ‘Opium Wars,’ because of the immense profits to be made in the trading of opium. The trade of Opium formed an important part of India’s (and the East India Company’s) economy. Opium played and important part in Victorian life. It was possible to walk into a chemist and buy a number of drugs (considered illegal today) without a prescription.
Frederick Garland
Rosa Garland
Nicholas Bedwell
A handsome photographer who meets Sally by chance.
Fred’s outspoken sister.
Brother to Matthew. He is a religious man and is an expert boxer.
Jim Taylor
A young man who works at Lockhart and Selby shipping firm. He is a great amateur (non-professional) detective.
Matthew Bedwell
He worked for Sally’s father and was on board the ship that sank which downed Mr Lockhart. He has become an opium (drug made from the seeds of a poppy) addict which sends him into a downwards spiral.
4. Genre
Mystery- there is a problem that needs to be solved, usually a crime or serious conundrum. Features of a mystery:
• An intelligent detective or investigator.
• Clues for the reader throughout
• Red herrings (a clue that leads the reader down the wrong investigation path).
5. Setting
The novel is set in Victorian London and most of the action happens in the East End of London, specifically the Docklands areas of Wapping and Shadwell. London’s docks at the time were incredibly busy with imported goods arriving.
The areas of Shadwell and Wapping are presented as areas of extreme deprivation and highlight the crime that would have been seen in these areas of poverty.
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