Lesson plan:

Narrative structure and characterisation

This is the first episode in the Round the Twist series. As with many television series there are three types of sub-plot to an episode of Round the Twist:

• the continuing narrative. This is a storyline that runs throughout the series and is developed further in each episode. In Round the Twist the continuing narratives include Mr Twist's love affair with Ms James the teacher, Pete Twist's infatuation with Fiona and the mystery of the haunting music.
• the recurring narrative. This is a storyline which is repeated in a different way in each episode. Examples of recurring narratives in Round the Twist are Mr Gribble's attempts to develop the area for tourism; the conflict between Pete Twist and young Gribble; and Linda's struggle against male chauvinism.
• the episode narrative. Each episode has a narrative which is introduced, developed and resolved within that episode. In this first episode this narrative concerns the mystery of the haunted dunny. This first episode establishes some elements of the recurring narrative as well as telling the story of the ghost in the dunny. The continuing narratives are established in the second episode.

Pre viewing

As a way of examining how this episode establishes elements of the recurring narratives, before viewing explain that this episode is the first in the series and as such needs to let the audience know about the characters who will appear regularly and the type of behaviour to expect from them.

As a whole class

View the episode Skeleton on the Dunny. After viewing, ask students to focus on such things as the ways in which:

• the Twist family is established as slightly zany, wacky or off-beat and who could be expected to be involved in odd situations. Points to note include:
  • their car
  • the bad singing of out-of-date pop songs
  • the choice of a lighthouse for a home
  • Pete's bad guitar playing
  • Dad's behaviour with the toy dinosaur on his finger.
• the Gribbles are established as trouble-makers. Points to note include:
  • their noisy arrival
  • loud clothing
  • pushy behaviour
  • invasion of other people's territory (including their personal space)
  • young Gribble's shifty looks.
• Mr and Mrs Gribble are established as objects of humour. Points to note include:
  • clothing again
  • Mr Gribble's puffing on the stairs.

Stereotypes

As a whole class

Both Mr and Mrs Gribble are constructed as stereotypes. Identify the stereotypical facets of their characters (focus on clothes, hairstyles, mannerisms).

The episode story in this episode, Skeleton on the Dunny is a combination of comedy and mystery.

Re-play the first five to ten minutes and ask students to identify those aspects of the opening which encourage audiences to expect a comedy and those which encourage them to expect a mystery. Points to note in regard to comedy include:

• aspects of the behaviour of the Twists and Gribbles mentioned in the previous activity,
• Bronson's farting
• use of light music.

Points to note in regard to mystery include:

• the use of dramatic music
• low lighting
• the first appearance of Nell.