Q1. Who do you think are the Scowrers?
Explain with reference to
Shafter’s conversation with her daughter, Ettie.
The Scowrers appear to be a dangerous secret society or gang that
uses fear to control people in the valley. From Shafter’s conversation with
Ettie, it is clear that they are violent and ruthless. Shafter is worried for
Ettie’s safety and warns her not to associate with McMurdo because she
fears he might be one of them. Her anxious tone, repeated warnings, and
references to how people “disappear” or are killed if they oppose the
Scowrers suggest that they are responsible for much of the terror and
lawlessness in the area.
Q2. “I couldn’t go while that snake was here”. Who is Shafter
referring to? Which literary device has been used here?
Shafter is referring to McGinty, the powerful leader of the Scowrers. She
uses the word snake metaphorically, comparing him to a venomous and
dangerous creature. The literary device used here is a metaphor. It
conveys Shafter’s fear and disgust, implying that McGinty is sly, poisonous,
and deadly—someone whose very presence makes her feel unsafe.
Q3. Authors often reveal traits of characters through actions and
conversation, indirectly. Identify two character traits of Ettie
revealed through indirect characterization from Act I – Scene 2.
Justify with evidence from text.
1 Courageous / Strong-willed – Ettie is not easily intimidated by her
father’s warnings. She defends McMurdo and is willing to stand up for
what she believes in, even though the Scowrers are feared by
everyone.
◦ Evidence: She firmly tells her father that he is being unfair in judging
McMurdo without knowing him.
2 Compassionate / Loyal – Ettie shows sympathy for McMurdo and wants
to support him despite the risks.
◦ Evidence: She continues to speak well of McMurdo, showing she
cares about him and trusts him more than she fears the Scowrers.
◦ Through her dialogue and reactions, we learn about Ettie’s moral
strength and emotional depth without the author directly
describing her personality.
Q1. Who do you think are the Scowrers? Explain with reference to
Shafter’s conversation with her daughter, Ettie.
The Scowrers seem to be a secret criminal organisation controlling the
valley through fear and violence. Through Shafter’s anxious dialogue,
Conan Doyle shows how deeply they have terrorised the community.
Shafter warns Ettie that she must “keep clear” of McMurdo if he is
connected to them, suggesting that anyone associated with the Scowrers is
in danger. His fear is heightened when he recalls how “men vanish” if they
cross the gang, which implies murder or forced disappearance. This
conversation builds an atmosphere of dread and foreshadows the danger
McMurdo will face, helping the audience understand the extent of the
Scowrers’ power and the climate of fear in which the characters
live.
Q2. “I couldn’t go while that snake was here”. Who is Shafter
referring to? Which literary device has been used here?
Shafter is referring to McGinty, the feared leader of the Scowrers. By
calling him a “snake,” Conan Doyle uses a metaphor to suggest McGinty’s
cunning and danger. Snakes are creatures associated with treachery and
poison, so the comparison reflects how Shafter sees McGinty as a lethal
threat, whose presence “poisons” the safety of his home. This choice of
imagery also heightens the tension for the audience, as it signals just how
powerful and sinister McGinty is in the community.
Q3. Authors often reveal traits of characters through actions and
conversation, indirectly. Identify two character traits of Ettie
revealed through indirect characterization from Act I – Scene 2.
Justify with evidence from text.
One trait revealed is that Ettie is brave and independent-minded. Rather
than silently accepting her father’s fear, she challenges him, telling him that
it is “not fair” to condemn McMurdo without proof. This shows that she is not
ruled by the terror that controls others in the valley. Another trait is Ettie’s
loyalty and compassion, as she consistently defends McMurdo, speaking
of him kindly and expressing faith in his character even though this could
put her at risk. Through Ettie’s dialogue, Conan Doyle uses indirect
characterization to show her as a moral and strong-willed figure, which
makes her a crucial emotional anchor for McMurdo and a symbol of integrity
within a corrupt environment.
These answers:
• Use precise literary terms (metaphor, foreshadowing, atmosphere, indirect
characterization).
• Embed short quotations naturally in the analysis.
• Link to author’s purpose and effect on audience
Q1. Who do you think are the Scowrers? Explain with reference to
Shafter’s conversation with her daughter, Ettie.
Point:The Scowrers are portrayed as a secretive and violent gang who
rule the valley through fear.
Evidence:Shafter warns Ettie that she must “keep clear” of McMurdo if he
is one of them, and recalls that “men vanish” when they oppose the gang.
Explanation:The phrase “men vanish” implies murder or forced
disappearance, creating an atmosphere of terror. Shafter’s anxious tone
and repeated warnings show how ordinary people live in fear of the
Scowrers, which builds tension for the audience.
Link:Conan Doyle uses Shafter’s fearful conversation to foreshadow the
danger ahead and establish the Scowrers as a powerful threat to both
McMurdo and the wider community.
Q2. “I couldn’t go while that snake was here”. Who is Shafter
referring to? Which literary device has been used here?
Point:Shafter is referring to McGinty, the leader of the Scowrers, and
describing him as a “snake.”
Evidence:The word “snake” is a metaphor, comparing McGinty to a sly,
poisonous creature.
Explanation:This metaphor suggests cunning, danger, and moral
corruption. Snakes are associated with venom, which symbolises the
poisonous effect McGinty has on the valley’s safety.
Link:By using this image, Conan Doyle heightens the sense of menace,
making the audience share Shafter’s fear and anticipate conflict.
Q3. Identify two character traits of Ettie revealed through indirect
characterization from Act I – Scene 2.
Trait 1 – Brave / Strong-willed
• Point: Ettie shows bravery by refusing to be silenced by fear.
• Evidence: She challenges her father, saying it is “not fair” to condemn
McMurdo without proof.
• Explanation: This shows she can think for herself and is not entirely
controlled by the terror the Scowrers spread.
• Link: Through this, Conan Doyle presents Ettie as a voice of reason and
courage, balancing the atmosphere of fear.
Trait 2 – Loyal / Compassionate
• Point: Ettie remains loyal to McMurdo despite the risk of associating with
him.
• Evidence: She continues to speak in McMurdo’s defence, showing trust in
his character.
• Explanation: This reveals her kindness and moral integrity, which makes
her a key emotional connection for McMurdo.
• Link: Conan Doyle uses Ettie’s loyalty to make the audience sympathise
with her and raise the stakes, since her safety becomes part of the
story’s tension.
