"Holes" by Louis Sachar. Year 8 Lesson 1: context studying context.

1. “ ”
You will be working in English OneNote folder (in the “HOLES” section.)
Create a new page called ‘CONTEXT’

2. CONTEXT FOR “ ”

4. CONTEXT
Understanding the CONTEXT of a text is more than just knowing about
aspects of the setting (the location and time in which events occur.)
The context can include social ideas that reflect:
• Cultures
• People – especially relationships between people.
• Values/attitudes/beliefs.
Without a clear understanding of the context of a text, you cannot fully
comprehend the views and values of the author, nor the overall meaning of
a text.
When we consider the context of a particular text, like “Holes” by Louis
Sachar, we first need to consider the context –
What is the context of “Holes”?

5. Task 1.1. Explain why do you think Louis Sachar wrote the novel “Holes”?
(It should only be a short answer : at least 4-5 sentences)
Read the interview uploaded and/or watch the video interview with Louis Sachar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vUpO5cgZ1w. There are links to interviews on the next slide
.
There are three stories within in the novel ‘Holes’
I. Stanley’s modern day story about crime and punishment.
And, from the 1880’s:
I. The story of Miss Katherine/Kate Barlow whose life changed completely .
II. Elya Yelnats, his immigration to the US and “the curse” that followed him.
Task 1.2. Explain why you think the author included 2 stories from the past when
writing the modern-day story about Stanley? (Short Answer : at least 4-5 paragraphs)
CONTEXT

6. CONTEXT
Getting to know the Author: Interviews with Louis Sachar
• Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vUpO5cgZ1w
• Interview with author Louis Sachar at Home in Austin, Texas by Suzanne Freeman https://bit.ly/2wkrbQf
• Meet the Author recording (audio) https://bit.ly/2Vb83MV
TASK 1.3: After watching the video and reading/listening to the interviews:
Write a letter to Louis Sachar
You need to include five key parts: the heading, salutation, body, closing, and signature.
Things you could include in your letter might include:
What you enjoyed in the book
What you found difficult/didn’t like/understand (constructively put)
What were the things you would like him to explain/clarify
Aspects of his writing technique
You may use the Letter generator https://bit.ly/2XgTFWf
Or
Write a postcard from Stanley Yelnets to Louis Sachar (You may use the Postcard creator https://bit.ly/2RiNPQa)
Save your letter into your OneNote folder

7. CONTEXT
Some of the Facts about Holes
Tense: the tense often alternates between the present tense to flashbacks in Stanley's own
life, the life of Kate Barlow, or the life of Stanley's great-great-grandfather.
Setting (Time): Most of the story takes place at the end of the 20th century (1990’s) but
there are flashbacks to the mid and late 19th century.
Setting (Place): Most of the story takes place on Green Lake, in Texas. This fictional place
is described both as it was in the late 19th and late 20th centuries. There are also some
brief flashbacks to scenes in Latvia in the mid to late 19th century.

8. Louis Sachar use a literary device called a “FLASHBACK” when
he inserted the plot line for Kate Barlow into his main story.
USING FLASHBACKS
Before you begin the next task:
* Write down a definition that explains what a FLASHBACK is.
Example of an answer:
You first read about the origins of the curse on page 31:
We are now reading about a time when Stanley’s great, great
grandfather was a boy.
“Madame Zeroni warned that if he failed to do this, he and his
descendants would be doomed for all eternity."
WHY is the flashback so important to the story (Its connection to
the present)?
We now know the reason that the Yelnats family believe there is a
curse on them. They all have a strong belief in fate and do not put
up any fight in them when things go wrong for them.
A flashback is a literary
device used to show the
audience something that
occurred before the story.
It is used to help the reader to
better understand what is
happening now or to make us
think differently about why
certain events and decisions
are occurring.
Whenever the story stops the
present story and refers to a
moment in time from the past,
that's called a flashback.

9. Another example:
(written as a comic strip).
FLASHBACKS
Remember:
Before you begin the task on the next
slide:
* Write down a definition in your own
words that explains the use of
FLASHBACKs in your OneNote folder

10. .
Task 1.4:
Find two flashback sequences in ‘Holes’.
Describe the flashbacks you have chosen and explain how each is used in
telling the story, ‘Holes’. How do they link/connect to the story set in the present
day.
NOTE: You will need to note down the page number, quote some of the text then
explain why and how it has been used.
This only needs to be a short paragraph for each.
Task 1.5: Think about the many characters (from the past & present) in the novels.
Try to answer the following question:
What do you think the characters are trying to achieve in the novel “Holes”?
Explain your choices (with examples and if you can, find and quote the page)
{Choose up to 5 characters (minimum of 2) to discuss}
FLASHBACKS
REMEMBER:
A flashback is used to
help us better
understand what is
happening now or to
make us think
differently about why
certain events and
decisions are occurring.
Whenever the story
stops the present story
and refers to a moment
in time from the past,
that's called
a flashback.

11. I analysed the context for the story ‘Holes’.
To do this:
A. I defined the literary device “flashback
B. I demonstrated my understanding of “flashback” by
identifying a scene where the literary device is used and
explained how it worked and why is was used.
C. I made inferences about my chosen (how many?)
characters based on what I have read and understood
from the text.
Choose which
statement
applies to you.
Briefly explain
your choice.
Put your
answer at the
bottom of the
Lesson 3:
context page