Penguin Readers Factsheets level

T e a c h e r’s n o t e s 1

Lorna Doone
3

5
by R.D. Blackmore
6

INTERMEDIATE
S U M M A R Y
ohn Ridd of Somerset is 12 years old when his father is
ABOUT R.D. BLACKMORE
J killed by Carver Doone, one of a murderous outlaw band
who live in the Doone valley near John’s home. John vows Although his father came from the West Country, where Lorna
to avenge his father’s death but shortly afterwards meets Lorna, Doone is set, Richard Doddridge Blackmore himself was born in
who lives with the Doones. It is probably love at first sight. Berkshire near London in 1825. When he was still a baby, his
Certainly, years later, when he meets her again he falls in love with mother died of typhus and he went to live with an aunt rather than
her and she with him. accompanying his father, John, to the West Country but when John
Meanwhile the Doones are terrorizing the neighbourhood, but remarried, he went to live with his father and stepmother in the area
nobody will move against them, partly because they are too strong that he later made famous as Doone country.
and numerous and partly because they have the local authorities, in Richard loved the classics and won a scholarship to Oxford
the shape of Lord Wichehalse, on their side. University where he began his first novel and the one he always
But John’s uncle, Reuben, has a plan to defeat the Doones. He liked the best, The Maid of Sker, although it was not completed and
enlists the help of the famous Judge Jeffreys. He sends John to published until 1872.
London to tell the judge about the Doones. The judge is scandalised He was called to the Bar in 1852 but he gave up the law as a full-
about their behaviour but also wants to know if there is any talk of time occupation due to ill-health and worked first as a classics
rebellion in the air in Somerset. John says no, but he is to learn master at Wellesley House Grammar School in London. He married
quite soon that he is wrong when he returns to Somerset. shortly afterwards, in 1853.
He also discovers that Lorna is in danger – Carver intends to A big change came in 1857 when he inherited sufficient money to
marry her. John makes a plan to rescue her if the need arises, but purchase a house in the country with a large garden, the house
then events take a strange course. The leader of the Doones, Sir where he lived until his death. He established an 11 acre market
Ensor, sends for John. He makes it clear that he knows of the love garden where he grew fruit, especially peaches. Neighbours had a
between John and Lorna and that he accepts it. He gives Lorna a poor opinion of him, one remarking: ‘He is not a social man, and
necklace and a ring before he dies. seems wedded to his garden in the summer and his book writing in
For some reason, John and Lorna do not leave the valley at that the winter. That is all I know of him; except that he keeps the most
time, but eventually, in the depths of winter, John receives a sign vicious dogs to protect his fruit, and I would advise you to avoid the
that Lorna is in danger and he goes and rescues her. He carries her risk of visiting him.’
back to his house where she is safe until the snow melts, then the Blackmore eventually wrote 14 novels but it was said of him that
attacks begin. First, Carver’s brother and Lord Wichehalse and then he was prouder of his peaches than his works of literature.
Carver himself with some other Doones attempt to abduct Lorna.
John fights them off. It seems that they are not only after Lorna but
also Sir Ensor’s necklace, which is of immeasurable value. BACKGROUND AND THEMES
Eventually one of the Doones uses a subterfuge to recover the
necklace. Is Lorna Doone just a classic love story, or a piece of history with a
It is at this point in the story that we discover the truth about love story entwined? There seem to have been stories in the area
Lorna. She is not a Doone but the child of a rich English lord. She where Blackmore grew up about a band of outlaws living on Exmoor
is really Lorna Dugal. By marrying her, Carver will gain possession in the 17th century. They were said to have been a Stuart family
of her fortune. who lost their lands in Scotland and came south. Stories of
Finally, Judge Jeffrey’s men are ready to move against the Doone highwaymen and murderous cattle rustlers on Exmoor were also
valley but their attempt to defeat the Doones fails. Shortly common.
afterwards, rebellion begins in the area and John becomes The central event towards the end of the novel is pure history. The
involved, wrongly suspected by the King’s men of being one of the Monmouth Rebellion reached its bloody and pitiful end in the
rebels. Fortunately he is rescued from hanging by a man who ditches and dykes of Somerset and anyone living in the area at that
knows of his meeting with Judge Jeffreys and he is taken to London time would have been caught up in it, on one side or the other.
for the judge to decide on his fate. It is not death, but a knighthood. Judge Jeffreys is an historical figure, although he comes out of the
John returns to Somerset again and a new attack is launched on novel as a person wholly on the side of the angels when perhaps
the Doones. They are routed and all are killed except Carver. the truth is a little more complex.
John and Lorna get permission to marry but at the wedding the Whether the background is based in truth or not, Lorna Doone
inevitable happens. Carver appears and shoots Lorna, and is then has all the ingredients of a classic Victorian love story. The love is
chased by John into the marshland around the church. He perishes sustained over a long period and a secret past eventually
in the thick mud. John returns to the church to a happy ending. transforms the present. The love between John and Lorna seems
Lorna is badly injured but not dead. She recovers and John and destined to be unrequited, given the enmity between John’s people
Lorna live happily for a long time after. and Lorna’s. But the star-crossed lovers overcome all the odds to
meet, time and again, and eventually marry.A fabulous inheritance
ensures that they will live happily ever after.

© Pearson Education 2001

 level
Penguin Readers Factsheets 4
T e a c h e r’s n o t e s
Chapters 14–17
Communicative activities
Put students into groups and ask each group to choose one of the
The following teacher-led activities cover the same sections of text as action scenes from these chapters and act it out.
the exercises at the back of the Reader and supplement those
exercises. For supplementary exercises covering shorter sections of
the book, see the photocopiable Student’s Activities pages of this
ACTIVITIES AFTER READING THE BOOK
Factsheet. These are primarily for use with class readers but, with the Put students into groups to discuss these questions.
exception of the discussion and pair/groupwork activities, can also be Which part of the story did you think was:
used by students working alone in a self-access centre. 1 the most exciting?
2 the most interesting?
ACTIVITIES BEFORE READING THE BOOK 3 the most surprising?
4 the most difficult to believe?
Ask students to find these things in the pictures in the book: Elicit ideas and compare them.
beard boots fight flowers gun hat horse river sword

ACTIVITIES AFTER READING A SECTION

Glossary
Chapters 1–3
It will be useful for your students to know the following new words.
1 Put students into groups to act out the death of John Ridd’s father They are practised in the ‘Before You Read’sections of exercises at
(page 4) the back of the book. (Definitions are based on those in the
2 Draw a map of the area that John describes in Chapter 2. Longman Active Study Dictionary.)
Mark on the map:
• the Ridd’s farm Chapters 1–3
• the Bagworthy River bush (n) a plant like a small tree with a lot of branches
• the Lynn River carriage (n) a vehicle with wheels that is pulled by a horse
• the whirlpool county (n) an area of Britain, Ireland or the US with its own local
• the waterfall government
• the secret tunnel drown (v) to die by being under water too long, or to kill someone
• where John usually caught fish this way
• where John caught fish that spring morning duck (n) a common water bird with short legs and a wide beak
• where John fell in the water hang (v) to kill someone by dropping them with a rope around their
• where John met Lorna neck
highwayman (n) a person who in olden times stopped carriages or
3 Put students in pairs to work as follows:
riders and robbed them
Student A: Read again the story of the rescue of the duck (page
marsh (n) an area of soft wet ground
12). Tell your partner the story in your own words.
mist (n) a layer of cloud close to the ground that makes it difficult for
Student B: Read again the story of John and Winnie (page 13).
you to see very far
Tell your partner the story in your own words.
moor (n) an area of high land covered with rough grass and low
bushes
Chapters 4–6
outlaw (n) an old-fashioned name for someone who is hiding from
1 Put students into pairs to tell the story of Reuben from Chapter 4. the police or legal authorities
2 Put students into pairs to act out the second meeting of John and passage (n) a narrow area with walls on each side that connects
Lorna. Ask them to extend the conversation a little from the words one room or place to another
printed on page 19. waterfall (n) a place where water flows down over a rock from a
3 Put students into groups to consider these questions: high place
(a) What can you remember about Lorna’s life (Chapter 6)? weep (v) to cry very hard
(b) How do these people feature in her life? whirlpool (n) a powerful current of water that turns around very
Sir Ensor Doone quickly and pulls things down into it
The Counsellor wrestle (v) to fight by holding someone and trying to push them to
Carver Doone the ground
Aunt Sabina
Chapters 4–6
Gwenny Carfax
cannon (n) a large gun, fixed to the ground or on wheels
Lord Alan Brandir
counsellor (n) someone whose job is to advise people who have
problems
Chapters 7–9
guardian (n) someone who is legally responsible for someone
1 Put students into pairs to role play the meeting between John and else’s child
Judge Jeffreys (Chapter 7). hen (n) a fully grown female bird, especially a female chicken
2 Ask students to work in groups to consider this questions. seize (v) to take hold of something quickly and with a lot of force
Why is Chapter 8 called ‘Friends and Enemies’?
Chapters 7–9
duke (n) a man with the highest social rank below a prince
Chapters 10–13 loyal (adj) always faithful to a person, set of beliefs or a country
1 Put students into pairs to role play the meeting between John and nest (n) a place made by a bird to lay its eggs in
Sir Ensor (Chapter 10). rebel (n) someone who opposes or fights against authority
2 Ask students to retell Jeremy’s story (Chapter 12) in their own Chapters 10–13
words. They must answer these questions: battle (n) when two armies fight each other in one place
Why is Lorna Doone really Lorna Dugal? necklace (n) a piece of jewellery that you wear around your neck
wound (n) an injury, especially a deep cut made in your skin by a
Why does Carver really want to marry Lorna?
knife
3 Put students into pairs to draw the battle, showing what happened,
Chapters 14–17
as described on pages 48 and 49.
kneel (v) to move down onto the floor so that your weight is on your
4 Ask students to write a reply from John to Lorna’s letter (page 50) knees
– even though John probably couldn’t write! knight (n) a man with a high rank in the Middle Ages, who fought
while riding a horse

Pub lis hed an d dis tribut ed by Pe arson Educ atio n

Fa cts h eet wr itten b y Te rry Ph i lips
© Pearson Education 2001 Factsheet series developed by Louise James
Penguin Readers Factsheets level

Student’s activities 1

Lorna Doone 2

Photocopiable 4
Students can do these exercises alone or with one or more
other students. Pair/group-only exercises are marked. 5

Activities before reading the book 6

Read the first part of the Introduction. Work in pairs. What (a) It was early evening,
events do you expect to happen in the story? Make a note of (b) ‘Come away, come away, INTERMEDIATE
your ideas and keep the piece of paper! (c) ‘I won’t move a step,
(d) Lorna pushed the bushes to one side
(e) I followed her as well as I could,
Activities while reading the book (f) ‘Where are the fresh eggs
(g) She thought I had forgotten them
Chapters 1–3 (h) Lorna looked at them in surprise
Match the people from Chapter 1 (a–i) with the descriptions (i) Her tears embarrassed me
(i–ix). (j) Then she turned, sat down
(a) John Ridd (i) and began to cry.
(b) Tom Faggus (ii) and I said nothing.
(c) John Fry (iii) and Lorna Doone was standing between me and the
(d) Benita sun.
(e) Red Jem (iv) and showed me a small, narrow path through the
(f) The Doones rocks.
(g) Carver Doone (v) and started to tell me about her life.
(h) Annie and Lizzie (vi) but because of my great size I hit my knees and arms
(i) Sir Ensor Doone very often.
(i) a hanged thief (vii) but I had them in my bag.
(ii) a highwayman (viii)if you care for your life.’
(iii) a servant of a great lady (ix) unless you call me John.
(iv) a servant of the Ridds (x) you promised me, John Ridd?’she asked.
(v) John Ridd’s sisters
Chapters 7–9
(vi) the leader of the Doones
(vii) the man who shot John Ridd’s father 1 Match each statement (a–h) with a reply (i–viii) from the
(viii)the narrator conversation between John Ridd and Judge Jeffreys.
(ix) thieves, murderers and outlaws (a) Who are you?
(b) I want to go home. I have no more money.
Chapters 4–6 (c) In your part of the country, are there thieves who do a
1 In Chapter 4, why … lot of harm to people?
(a) did John’s mother think they should be friendly to (d) Why doesn’t Lord Wichehalse hang them all?
Reuben Huckaback? (e) What’s the name of these people?
(b) …was it best to travel in the morning? (f) How long have they been there?
(c) … did the Doones get up early on New Year’s Day? (g) Have you ever seen a man called Tom Faggus?
(d) … did John’s mother become anxious? (h) In your part of the country, are people talking about a
(e) … was the horse frightened? rebellion against our king?
(f) … was Reuben nearly dead from fear? (i) About thirty or forty years, sir.
(g) … had the Doones stopped chasing him? (ii) Haven’t you been paid for the journey and for your
(h) … didn’t the farmers join together and chase the costs in the city?
Doones out of their valley – according to Reuben. (iii) My name’s John Ridd.
(i) … didn’t the judge want to help Reuben? (iv) No, sir. We’re all quiet, good men and we’re loyal to
(j) … did the flowers make John Ridd sad? our king.
(k) … wasn’t John listening to Reuben on the top of the (v) These robbers are from a very good family.
high hill? (vi) They’re the Doones of Bagworthy forest, sir.
(vii) Yes, sir.
2 Who/What, in Chapter 5 …
(viii) Yes, sir. I’ve often seen him. He’s my cousin.
(a) were expensive and new?
(b) was very early that year? 2 Explain the words in italics from the end of Chapter 7.
(c) were fresh and young? (a) She looked away from me, with a cold look in her eyes.
(d) were small and yellow? (b) Lorna heard it and it told her everything.
(e) were sweet? (c) I like you very much when you don’t talk wildly.
(f) was lovely and dark? (d) You could even fight Carver and beat him.
(g) was soft? (e) …Carver and Charlie will fight because of me.
(h) pretended to be angry? 3 Work in pairs. Talk about the events in Chapter 9. Use
(i) was frightened? words from the list. They appear in this order in the chapter.
(j) was dangerous? rebellion
(k) was mad? signs
valley
3 Match the beginnings (a–j) and endings (i–x) of these
heavy tree
sentences from Chapter 6.

© Pearson Education 2001

 level
Penguin Readers Factsheets 4
Student’s activities

cannon (o) Tom Faggus went with Monmouth to fight against King
game James.
lamp 2 Match the beginnings (a–w`) and endings (i– xxiii) of these
song phrases from Chapter 15.
watchman
(a) living with (i) a great lord
grandfather
birds’nests (b) often went to (ii) a knight
wood (c) was not kept in (iii) a letter to the king
grass (d) hoping to (iv) church together
path (e) surrounded by (v) court
gun (f) serving (vi) each other
soldiers (g) look at (vii) her house
(h) visit her (viii) her mother’s uncle
Chapters 10–13
(i) replied to (ix) London life
1 All these sentences about the information in Chapter 10 are (j) marry (x) many lords and great men
false. Can you correct them?
(k) hated (xi) my letters
(a) The six nests meant that Carver had carried Lorna
(l) love me for (xii) my money
away.
(b) Lorna told John that Sir Ensor was dying. (m) waiting to go to (xiii) one knee
(c) When John arrived, Sir Ensor was already dead. (n) waiting in (xiv) open a large box
(d) John made Sir Ensor angry with his rude words. (o) hid in (xv) prison
(e) Sir Ensor gave John a necklace and a ring. (p) climbed in at (xvi) see Lorna
(f) John opened Lorna’s door by putting his finger through (q) trying to (xvii) some bushes
a hole. (r) ran across (xviii) the king
(g) Gwenny cut off his finger. (s) brought (xix) the queen
(h) Gwenny ate John. (t) wrote (xx) the room
(i) Carver and Lorna were married. (u) take me to (xxi) the same window
(j) When John went back to Lorna’s house, Gwenny was
(v) go down on (xxii) the shadows
on the floor, dead.
(w) made me (xxiii) the stick down on his head
(k) John threw Carver Doone out of the window.
2 Why in Chapter 11 … 3 Answer these questions about the information in
(a) did Lorna put the necklace away in a corner of the Chapter 16.
house? (a) Why was John Ridd glad to go back to his farm?
(b) was Tom Faggus covered in mud? (b) How had Tom Faggus got home?
(c) didn’t Carver Doone kill Lorna in the garden? (c) Who did the Doones kill at the Badcock house?
(d) didn’t John kill Carver Doone with his gun? (d) How did they get some Doones to leave the valley?
(e) did Carver run away? (e) Why were there no Doone men in the valley when John
Ridd’s group reached it?
3 Work in pairs. In the second part of Chapter 11, who
(f) Who did John Ridd take from Carver’s house?
was … ?
(g) What did John Ridd’s men do in the Doone village?
(a) stupid
(h) Who killed Charlie Doone?
(b) clever
(i) How did the men stop the Doones in the empty house
(c) honest
using their guns?
(d) dishonest
(j) Which Doone managed to escape?
(e) a good host
(f) suspicious 4 Find pairs of words and phrases from the box. Explain the
(g) grateful connection.
Explain your answers. (a) marriage (i) branch
(b) gun (ii) death
Chapters 14–17 (c) passage (iii) lady
1 Put in order these events from Chapter 14. (d) tree (iv) love and happiness
(a) James II became king of England. (e) marsh (v) mud
(b) Jeremy Stickles and John Ridd rode to London. (f) necklace (vi) narrow
(c) Jeremy Stickles rescued him by pretending to arrest (g) flowers (vii) neck
him. (h) hands (viii) pocket
(d) John Ridd fell asleep in a hut.
(i) life (ix) ring
(e) John Ridd followed Tom’s horse.
(j) son (x) school
(f) John Ridd fought the soldiers and escaped but was
caught by another group. (k) beauty and kindness (xi) shot
(g) John Ridd found Tom Faggus.
(h) John Ridd found Tom’s horse.
(i) John Ridd went to find John Faggus.
(j) King Charles II died. Activities after reading the book
(k) Monmouth came from France to the South of England.
(l) Some of the king’s soldiers caught John Ridd. Look back at the list of possible events that you made before
(m) Some of the King’s soldiers wanted to hang John Ridd. you read the story. Did you predict any events correctly?
(n) The battle began.

Published and di st ributed b y P ear son E ducat ion

Factsheet written by Terry Philips
© Pearson Education 2001
F act sheet s eri es d evel oped by L oui se J ames