Penguin Readers Factsheets level

T e a c h e r’s n o t e s 1

The Moonstone
3

5
by Wilkie Collins
6

ADVANCED
S U M M A R Y
The Moonstone, written in 1868, is one of the considered to be a safe painkiller). Collins’ private life was
T greatest detective stories every written. The story
begins in 1791, when an Englishman, John
unconventional; he had two mistresses and married neither
of them, although he had three children by one of them,
Herncastle, steals a huge yellow diamond from a Moslem Martha Rudd. He died in 1889.
palace in India. The ancient diamond, called the
‘Moonstone’, had originally been in the possession of
Hindu priests. The stone was cursed; those who wrongly
BACKGROUND AND THEMES
possessed it had disasters befall them. The curse would The Moonstone first appeared in serial form in a magazine
only be lifted when it was returned to the priests. in 1868. It was hugely popular and readers anxiously
John Herncastle dies in 1848, leaving the diamond to his awaited the next instalment. This was not surprising, for
pretty niece, Rachel Verinder. Rachel receives the stone on with The Moonstone, Collins had written the first full-length
her birthday. That same night it disappears from the house. detective novel. The book had the necessary ingredients: a
Suspicion falls on a young maidservant who commits detective called in to solve a seemingly unsolvable mystery,
suicide some weeks later. But there are others in the house a complex plot, clues that leave the reader puzzled and
who may be involved. For example, two young men, curious, and a wonderfully unexpected ending. The poet
Franklin Blake, Rachel’s cousin, and the goodlooking T.S. Eliot called the story ‘the first, the longest and the best
Godfrey Ablewhite, both in love with Rachel, were both of modern English detective novels’.
present on the night of the theft. And then there are the Wilkie Collins was an undisputed master of this genre,
three Hindus who called at the house on Rachel’s birthday. and a previous novel of his, The Woman in White (1860)
But since the house was well locked up, it seems they written in this style, had also enjoyed great success.
could not have entered and stolen the diamond. The Collins’ advice to novelists, ‘Make them laugh, make them
mystery seems unsolvable. And what is it that Rachel cry, make them wait,’ was advice that he himself observed
knows but will not tell? to the full.
The Moonstone has a clever, intricate plot. Like The
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Woman in White, the story is told by different narrators,
under the direction of Franklin Blake as ‘editor’. (Franklin
Wilkie Collins can be described as the author of the first Blake is Rachel Verinder’s cousin and is in love with her.) In
full-length detective stories in English. Born in 1824, he this way, the reader is given different views of the same
was the son of a landscape painter. He was educated at characters and this adds to the interest of the story. The
private schools, but received his real education on a two solution to the mystery of the gem’s disappearance is quite
year tour of Italy with his family. He trained as a lawyer, but simply brilliant. The last thing the reader expects is that
became a full-time writer in his early twenties. During the Franklin Blake, the ‘editor’ of the novel, should be the
1860s he became a household name, with the publication culprit, the person who takes the moonstone. But there is
of novels of mystery, suspense and crime. Of these novels, a further twist to this, again wonderfully unexpected. All the
The Woman in White (1860) and The Moonstone (1868) clues to the theft are carefully embedded in the story; it is
were the most successful, and are still widely read today. simply that you do not see them as relevant. It is only at the
Collins was rated very highly by contemporary critics and end of the story that everything fits into place.
his books were widely read in both America and Europe. Collin’s portrayal of minor characters in the novel is
The famous author, Charles Dickens, was his friend and interesting. He portrays servants with great sympathy and
mentor, and like Dickens, Collins was a tireless social in this way is ahead of his time. For example, Rosanna, the
campaigner. Although Collins continued to write, after 1870 maidservant who falls under suspicion for the theft, is
his novels concentrated more on social issues such as described as ugly, with a misshapen shoulder. To her
prostitution and vivisection than on good storytelling. misfortune, she falls in love with Franklin Blake, who has no
Collins suffered from gout, and he was addicted to opium interest in her at all. But her unhappiness is described with
for the last 27 years of his life (at the time, opium was compassion; we are made to feel that this is a real person

© Pearson Education 2000

 level
Penguin Readers Factsheets 6
T e a c h e r’s n o t e s
deserving of love, despite her lowly status. Another minor Describe Rachel from the point of view of Godfrey’s
character who draws our attention is Miss Clack, a relative father.
of Rachel and narrator of a section of the novel. A religious 2 Imagine you are Rachel. Write a letter to a friend
fanatic, her continual attempts to force her religious books describing your feelings now that your mother is gone.
on her relatives and friends are genuinely amusing; Collins Tell your friend about Godfrey Ablewhite.
uses her to poke gentle fun at those who claim to be Pages 64–89
religious yet have no real charity. Write the titles of the chapters in the section on the board
The author incorporated his experiences with opium into (see below).
the novel and the effects of opium on a person play a key Then, in pairs or small groups, students have to put the
part in the story. In The Moonstone, a doctor, Ezra titles in the right order.
Jennings, is dying from a painful disease for which he takes Investigating Return to London Next June Lost
the drug. Thus, he understand its effects and is able to help Memory Instructions Franklin’s Return Opium
unravel the mystery. Rosanna’s Letter Witness Money-Lending
The Moonstone remains popular today; the most recent Pages 89–101
film of it was a BBC adaptation made in 1996. In pairs, students play Sergeant Cuff and Bruff discussing
the case of The Moonstone.

ACTIVITIES AFTER READING THE BOOK

C ommunicative activities Put students into groups of four or five. Taking turns, each
student thinks of a character in the book. They say
The following teacher-led activities cover the same sections something in the role of that character (For example, as
of text as the exercises at the back of the reader, and Sergeant Cuff, a student could say, ‘I should have realised
supplement those exercises. Supplementary exercises that Rachel is an honest young woman.’) The other
covering shorter sections of the book can be found on the students have to identify the character.
photocopiable Student’s Activities pages of this Factsheet.
These are primarily for use with class readers but, with the
exception of discussion and pair/groupwork questions, can
also be used by students working by students working Glossary
alone in a self-access centre.
It will be useful for your students to know these new words. They are
practised in the ‘Before You Read’sections at the back of the book.
ACTIVITIES BEFORE READING THE BOOK (Definitions are based om the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary
Write the following words on the board. In pairs, students English.)
try and put the words together below to make a story about Pages 1–23
the ‘moonstone’. cabinet (n) a piece of furniture with shelves and drawers
moonstone detective locked up house maidservant colonel (n) a high rank in the Army
curse India jewel Three Hindus disappearance deformed (adj) something that is deformed has the wrong shape,
especially because it has grown or developed wrongly
ACTIVITIES WHILE READING THE BOOK maid (n) a woman servant in a large house or a hotel
narrative (n) a story
Pages 1–23 quicksand (n) wet sand that is dangerous because it pulls you down
In pairs, students act the following roleplay: into it
smear (v) to spread a liquid over a surface, especially carelessly
Student A: You are Superintendent Seegrave. Discuss your telegram (n) a message sent by telegraph wire
suspicions about the theft of The Moonstone with your telegraph (n) an old fashioned method of sending messages
colleague. usingelectrical signals
Student B: You are a colleague of Superintendent Seegrave temple (n) a building where people pray to a god or gods
– he is your superior. Discuss the case of The Moonstone terrace (n) a raised level part of a garden or of a cafe
with him. Listen to his ideas and offer your own. will (n) a legal document that says who you want your money and
property to go to when you die
Pages 23–44 Pages 23–44
1 In pairs, students act the scene between Rachel and her cliff (n) a very high area of rock, often near the sea
mother, in which Lady Verinder tells her daughter that conspiracy (n) a secret plan involving more than one person, to
Rosanna s dead. She also tells Rachel of Sergeant commit an illegal act
Cuff’s suspicions. Tell students that they will find it nightgown (n) a piece of clothing, like a loose dress, worn in bed
helpful to look at Lady Verinder’s letter on pages 41-2. pawn (v) a way of getting money for something without actually
selling it
2 Have a class discussion on what Rosanna may have
Pages 45-63
said in her letter to Franklin. Write the class’s
inherit (v) to receive money. property, etc from someone after they
conclusions on the board. Then in pairs, students write have died
this letter.
Pages 64-89
Pages 45–64 delirious (adj) talking continuously in an excited way, especially
because you are ill
1 In pairs, students do the following: opium (n) a powerful illegal drug made from poppy seeds
Describe Drusilla Clack from Rachel’s point of view. trance (n) a state in which you behave as if you are asleep but you are
still able to understand what is said to you
Describe Godfrey Ablewhite from Drusilla Clack’s point
of view.

Publis h ed and dis trib ute d by Pea rson Education

F act s hee t w ri tt en by W S Fowle r
© Pearson Education 2000 Fac tshee t ser ie s dev elope d by Lou is e James
 Penguin Readers Factsheets level

Student’s activities 1

2
The Moonstone 3

Photocopiable 4
These activities can be done alone or with one or more
other students. Pair/group-only activities are marked. 5

Activities before reading the book 6

Put the lines below into the right order. Then read the 2 Put these sentences in the order of the story.
second and third paragraphs of the Introduction and ADVANCED
correct your answer. (a) Penelope says that the diamond is gone. __
(b) Rachel and her guests have dinner. __
But the jewel is not a gift – it is a curse. Because the
Colonel (c) Rachel is given her diamond. __
disaster will follow the thief of the stone and all who (d) Seegrave interviews Penelope for the second time. __
receive it (e) Superintendent Seegrave arrives. __
eighteenth birthday. (f) The Indians see the diamond. __
When Colonel John Hardcastle dies in England, a hated, (g) Franklin and Rachel finish painting Rachel’s
lonely sitting room door. __
stole the beautiful Moonstone from India and he knew that
2 Work in pairs. Answer these sentences.
after him.
(a) Why is Franklin nervous on Rachel’s birthday?
old man, he leaves a jewel to his niece, Rachel Verinder,
for her (b) Why do you think Godfrey Ablewhite says
‘Annoying’ after his conversation with Rachel in the
rose garden?
Activities while reading the book (c) Why do you think conversation is so difficult during
the birthday dinner?
PAGES 1–23 (d) Why does Mr Franklin annoy Dr Candy?
Pages 1–11 (e) Why can’t the Indians have stolen the diamond?
1 Answer these questions. (f) Why do you think Rachel won’t leave her room?
(a) Who steals The Moonstone from a palace in India? (g) Why does Franklin think that Rosanna is behaving
(b) Who is going to receive The Moonstone as a very strangely?
birthday present? (h) Why is Rosanna behaving so strangely, do you
(c) Who brings the Moonstone to a house in think?
Yorkshire?
(d) Who has a deformed shoulder?
PAGES 23–44
(e) Who is narrating the story? Pages 23–31
(f) Who claim to be travelling magicians? 1 Explain the part that these things or people play in the
story:
(g) Who works as a maid for Rachel Verinder?
a door with a smear on the paint a paintstained dress
(h) Who refused to allow her brother into her house? Rosanna
2 Explain the relationships between these people. 2 What do you think Sergeant Cuff means by these
(a) Gabriel Betteridge/Lady Julia Verinder words:
(b) John Hardcastle/Lady Julia Verinder (a) ‘Nobody has stolen the diamond.’
(c) Rachel Verinder/John Hardcastle (b) Rosanna is ... simply concerned with the
(d) Franklin Blake/Rachel Verinder disappearance of the diamond ... she’s simply an
instrument in the hands of another person.
(e) Rosanna Spearman/Lady Verinder
3 Why do you think Rachel wants a metal case and
3 Work in pairs.
chains?
Student A: You are Franklin Blake. Tell Betteridge about
your fears for the Moonstone and for Rachel. Pages 32–44
Student B: You are Betteridge. Tell Franklin about the 1 Imagine you are Sergeant Cuff. Write his notes about
three Indians who came to the house. Tell him about the the case of the moonstone after he has left the case.
shadow you saw and the bottle of black ink on the Write his notes about Rosanna.
ground.
2 Write down Cuff’s reasons for suspecting Rachel.
Pages 11–23 3 What part do you think Septimus Luker will play in the
1 Say what you know about these people: story? Write one or two paragraphs about this.
Godfrey Ablewhite Dr Candy Mr Murthwaite*

© Pearson Education 2000

 level
Penguin Readers Factsheets 6
Student’s activities

PAGES 45–64 metal case?

Pages 45–54 (f) Where did Rosanna first find the paintstained
nightgown?
1 Complete these sentences.
(g) What is her first thought?
(a) Miss Cuff is Lady Verinder’s .............. .
(h) Why did Rosanna hide the nightgown?
(b) Godfrey Ablewhite and Luker left a ............. at the
same time. 2 Work in pairs. Discuss these questions.
(c) Godfrey and Luder were ............... to a chair and (a) How do you explain the nightgown with Franklin’s
searched. name on it?
(d) Rachel says that Godfrey is ............... of the theft (b) How do you think Franklin feels about Rosanna’s
of the moonstone. letter?
(e) Lady Verinder is seriously ill with ............. (c) Can you explain Rachel’s actions now?
..................... .
(f) Drusilla Clack tries to give Lady Verinder some
Pages 76–89
............... . 1 Complete these sentences to make a summary of the
important points in the chapters.
2 Who says these words? Why, in his opinion, are they
true? Do you agree with Mr Bruff? Say why/why not. (a) Mr Bruff says that the evidence against Franklin
‘Miss Rachel’s innocence is without doubt. So is Mr falls down because .................
Ablewhite’s. So is Mr Franklin’s.’ (b) Rachel tells Franklin that .................
3 What do you think Ablewhite means by the words, ‘You (c) Franklin learns that Ablewhite .................
must do it today’? (d) Betteridge’s letter says that Dr Candy .................
Pages 55–64 (e) Ezra Jennings tells Franklin that he suffers from
................. and takes .................
1 Choose the right answer.
(f) Franklin learns from Jennings that Dr Candy gave
(a) Rachel agrees to marry Ablewhite because
him .................
(i) she loves him.
2 What experiment with opium does Jennings suggest?
(ii) he respects and admires her.
Why does he suggest this? Do you think it is a good
(b) Lady Verinder is found dead idea? Who do you think really stole the diamond? Say
(i) after Rachel breaks her engagement to why you think this.
Ablewhite.
(ii) just after Rachel agrees to marry Ablewhite.
Pages 89–101
(c) When Rachel ends her engagement to Godfrey Explain the meaning of the words in italics. Explain the
situation..
Ablewhite
(i) Godfrey does not seem very upset. (a) I believe she wants to be there to tell him, before
he goes through with the experiment, that she
(ii) Godfrey is brokenhearted. loves him.
(d) Godfrey Ablewhite’s father stops being Rachel’s (b) For a long time, he looked down at it emptily, until
legal adviser because suddenly his head sank down on to his chest.
(i) he is angry with Rachel for ending her (c) ‘I saw his hand move suddenly as he passed a
engagement to his son. short, fat man.’
(ii) he does not have enough time. (d) ‘I followed a tall man with a black beard, dressed
2 Work in pairs. Answer this question? like a sailor.’
Why do you think Rachel ended her engagement to (e) The landlord pulled him downstairs, arguing with
Godfrey Ablewhite? him, and threw him out.
(f) ‘He’s pulled off his hair!’
3 In pairs, act the scene between Mr Ablewhite and his
wife after Ablewhite says he will not be Rachel’s legal (g) ... he needed money quickly.
adviser any more. (h) ... he gradually realised he could keep the
diamond.
PAGES 64–89 2 Imagine you are Rachel. Write about your feelings when
Pages 64–76 you learn the truth about Godfrey Ablewhite.
1 Answer these questions.
(a) Why did Rachel end her engagement to Ablewhite? Activities after reading the book
(b) Why does one of the three Indians visit both Mr
Bruff and Luker? Imagine you are a journalist. Write a newspaper report
(c) Why is June 1849 an important date? about the death of Ablewhite and his theft of the
(d) Why does Franklin return to England? Moonstone.
(e) What is Frankliin horrified by the contents of the

Publ ished an d dist ri buted by P e ar son E duca tio n

Fa ctshe et wr itt en b y W S F ow ler
© Pearson Education 2000 Fa ctshe et se ri es devel oped by Lo uise J ame s