IEB GRADE 11
STUDY/REVISION GUIDE
, NARRATIVE STYLE
The narrative unfolds through the eyes of various characters, with each brief chapter offering a
distinct perspective. Occasionally, a new chapter continues immediately from the last but shifts
to a different character's viewpoint. This method provides readers with fresh insights, allowing
their understanding to develop organically. Known as "attached third person," this style enables
the author to delve into the thoughts and emotions of multiple characters rather than relying
on a single, omniscient narrator. Each character tells their own story, inviting readers to piece
together the narrative themselves.
STRUCTURE
The novel is divided into five sections, mirroring the format of a five-act play:
Part 1: The Exposition
This section introduces the setting, key characters, and the central conflict.
Part 2: Rising Action
Tension escalates as characters encounter challenges and obstacles that lead to the story's
climax.
Part 3: The Climax
The turning point of the novel is filled with suspense and pivotal developments.
Part 4: Falling Action
As the narrative approaches its conclusion, unresolved issues are addressed, and mysteries
begin to unfold.
Part 5: Denouement or Resolution
In this final section, the outcomes of the characters' journeys are revealed, along with the
author’s reflections on the themes explored, often concluding with a moral lesson.
THEMES
• The shadow of the past
• Memory and truth
• Loss and disappointment
• Retribution and forgiveness
• Identity, belonging, and home
THE SHADOW OF THE PAST
The Dream House examines the influence of the past on the present, both personally and
nationally. Set in a country undergoing transformation, the characters’ struggles gain deeper
STUDY/REVISION GUIDE
, NARRATIVE STYLE
The narrative unfolds through the eyes of various characters, with each brief chapter offering a
distinct perspective. Occasionally, a new chapter continues immediately from the last but shifts
to a different character's viewpoint. This method provides readers with fresh insights, allowing
their understanding to develop organically. Known as "attached third person," this style enables
the author to delve into the thoughts and emotions of multiple characters rather than relying
on a single, omniscient narrator. Each character tells their own story, inviting readers to piece
together the narrative themselves.
STRUCTURE
The novel is divided into five sections, mirroring the format of a five-act play:
Part 1: The Exposition
This section introduces the setting, key characters, and the central conflict.
Part 2: Rising Action
Tension escalates as characters encounter challenges and obstacles that lead to the story's
climax.
Part 3: The Climax
The turning point of the novel is filled with suspense and pivotal developments.
Part 4: Falling Action
As the narrative approaches its conclusion, unresolved issues are addressed, and mysteries
begin to unfold.
Part 5: Denouement or Resolution
In this final section, the outcomes of the characters' journeys are revealed, along with the
author’s reflections on the themes explored, often concluding with a moral lesson.
THEMES
• The shadow of the past
• Memory and truth
• Loss and disappointment
• Retribution and forgiveness
• Identity, belonging, and home
THE SHADOW OF THE PAST
The Dream House examines the influence of the past on the present, both personally and
nationally. Set in a country undergoing transformation, the characters’ struggles gain deeper
