GraffitiMoon CathCrowley

TeachersnotesbyRobynSheahanBright
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Contents
Introduction Themes Plot&Structure Characters StyleandUseofLanguage Setting WritingExercises ArtExercises QuotesforDiscussionafterReadingtheNovel FurtherReadingandorDiscussionIdeasforClassDiscussion FurtherIdeasUsingTechnology Conclusion AuthorNote FurtherReading

Introduction
ItmakesmethinkofawallthatLeoandmedidonce.Agraffitimooncutbythe shadowofpowerlines.Aprisonermoon,Leowrote.(p77) LucyDervishissearchingforShadowandPoet,theenigmaticgraffitiartistandwriter whohavelefttheirmysteriousworksonwallsallovertown.Shessmittenbythe ideaofShadow:Aguywiththeoceanpouringoutofhiscanandwordspouringout ofhismouth,sayingthingsshewantstohear.(p76) Itsthelastnightofhighschoolandherfriendsareupforaparty.Jazzwantstofind anewboyfriend;DaisythinksshewantstodumpDylan;LucywantstofindShadow; andLeohasagreatschemetogethimandEdoutoftheirfinancialtroubles. Theproblemisthattheschemeinvolvesrobbingfromtheirownhighschoolmedia lab,andalsothatitsaschemeorchestratedbyLeosveryunreliablebrotherJake. Leothinkshehasnochoice.HeowesmoneytotheveryscaryMalcolmDove. Edhaslittlechoice.SincehisemployerBertdied,heshadnojobandnowayof earningaliving. Dylanhassomechoice.Buthechoosestogoalongfortheride. EdandLeoarenottheclassicheroesofLucysimagining.Andwhenshe,Jazz,Daisy andDylansetofftofindShadowandPoet,withEdandLeointow,thingsreallyget interesting! LucyandJazzhavenoideahowcloseShadowandPoetreallyare.Andtheyhaveno ideawhattheseboysareupto.Buttheyhavecommittedthemselvestoanightof adventurewiththem.Truthordare? Itsgoingtobealong,meannight.

Themes
GraffitiMoon,indescribingateenagenightofadventure,dealswithanumberof themesobliquelyviarazorsharpcharacterdevelopment,andbyinvitingthereader intoseveraloverlappingthemes.Italsousessuggestivelanguageandnuanced descriptiveandlinguisticplayfulnessinanexhilaratingway. RiteofPassageintoAdulthood PastthesignthatsaysWrongWayGoBack.(p229) Mostyoungadultfictionsdealwiththethemeofmaturationinsomeway.Herethe brinkofadulthoodistelescopedinto24hours;theeventsofonelongnight(thefinal nightofschool)whichteacheseachoftheprotagonistssomethingabouttheirown characters,andofferseachofthemapossiblefuture.Eachoftheseteenagershave finishedgradetwelve,exceptforEdwhohasalreadyleftschoolandstartedwork. Choicesarepartofgrowingup;EdandLeofeelinitiallythattheyhavefewchoices. Lucythinksshesmadeachoice,butrealisesitsthewrongone.DaisyandDylanare grapplingwiththecompromisesittakestomakearelationshipwork. Question:EmmadumpedmebecauseIchosenotgrowingup.(p236)HasLeo grownupbytheendofthenovel? Question:Whoisthemostmatureofthesecharactersandwhydoyouthinkthatis? Activity:Readandcomparethisnoveltootherexamplesofthegenreinwhich teenagersareembarkingonpostschoollife.egTwelvebyNickMcDonnell;Night TrainbyJudithClarke;VigilbyNadiaWheatley;CatcherintheRyebyJ.D.Salinger; GoodOilbyLauraBuzo;ThePipersSonbyMelinaMarchetta. Outsiders Youeverfeellikethat?...Likeyourestucksomewhereandthelidsontight?(p 144) Teenagersoftenfeelthattheydontfitin,andyoungadultfictiongenerallyreflects thatfeeling.EdandLeoarenotachievers,despitetheirtalents.Edpaintspictures becausehecantexpresshimselfinwords.Berthashisnumberwhenhesuggests thatEdkeepshisidentityasShadowsecretfromBeth:youwonttellherbecause whatsonthatwalliswhatsgoingoninthere.(p143) CathCrowleyhaswrittenthat:IminterestedinartbutImevenmoreinterestedin howpeopleontheedgesfindawaytofitinandinwhathappenstothemifthey dont.

CathCrowleyTalksGraffitiMoon <http://content.boomerangbooks.com.au/perpetuallyadolescentblog/cath crowleytalksgraffitimoon/2010/08> Question:Inviteyourstudentstoconsidertheconceptofanoutsider,orthenotion ofbeingdifferent.Havetheyeverfeltlikeanoutsider?Inasenseweareall outsiders,asweareeachindividuals.Butsomepeoplefeelmoreisolatedthan others.Discussthepossiblereasonsforsuchisolation. Question:IwantLucytotellmesomethingthatchangeswhatIthinkaboutmyself. (p218)BytheendofthenovelhasEdbecomelessofanoutsider?Ishemore confidentandwhy? Relationships Maybekissingblindfoldedlikethisistheeasiestwaytostart. ImalittlejealousthatJazzdoesntseemtoneedasheetoverherfacetoavoidfirst dateawkwardness.(p100) Lucyischasingadream,andrefusestoacknowledgethatshesdeeplyattractedto Ed.Eversinceaccidentallybreakinghisnoseontheirfirstdateshehassteeredclear ofhim.ButnowtheyareforcedtogetherinthesearchforShadow,andsheis surprisedtofindthatheiswitty,intelligent,andeveninterestedinart!Shesbeen searchingforheridealliteraryhero,orasJazzputsitYourideaofaromance requiresacorsetandatimemachine.(p153)Jazzistheopposite:Illsettlefor action(p32).Shesupforanything;putsoutsignalslikealighthouse(p152),and tendstobetooeasilysatisfiedbyanyonewhopayshersomeattention.Daisyloves Dylanbutshehasdoubtsabouttheirlovebecausetheyvebeentogetherforsolong. Activity:Iguessloveskindoflikeamarshmallowinamicrowaveonhigh.Afterit explodesitsstillamarshmallow.But,youknow,nowitsacomplicated marshmallow.(p200)Discuss. Activity:Thenovelplayswiththeideaofromanceinateasingandenticingway.Lucy comparesEdunfavourablytoMrDarcy(p64,p108,p137)inPrideandPrejudiceby JaneAusten.JustlikeElizabethBennett,Lucyseemstoactivelyavoidrealisingthat Edisinfactheridealromantichero.Readthisclassicnovel,andthencompareEdto MrDarcy.Howaretheyalike?Howaretheydifferent? Class,WealthandEducationasSourcesofPowerandInequity IthinkaboutherbeingdisappointedbecauseImaguygoingnowhere,notaguy whossensitiveandsmartandfunny.Ithinkabouthergoingtouniandmakingglass andmestayingwhereIamsprayingwallsandscrapingrent.(p126) Theproblemsencounteredbycentralcharactersinthisnovelarecreatedby inequity.LeohassufferedanabusivechildhoodbeforebeingrescuedbyhisGran. HisbrotherJakeisalreadykneedeepinpettycrimeandLeoisonthebrinkof 5

becomingathiefaswell.Edliveswithhissinglemotherinarundownhouseand theyareperenniallyshortofmoney.Hislearningproblemshaventbeenidentified atschoolwhichhasledtohisfrustrationandabandonmentofhiseducation.He findsitdifficulttogetworkafterBertdies,ashehasnocontactsornetworksof support.BothLeoandEdhavehadwealthygirlfriendsEmmaandBethandboth havefoundthatproblematic.NowEdisattractedtotheartisticLucyagain,butfears thatshe,too,isbeyondhim.Lucysparentshavestruggledwithbeingartistsand sheshadtoworktotakelessonsfromAl.Butshesovercomeherdifficulties,and hastheconfidencetobelieveinherowntalents.Meannightsisthelifethesekids live. Activity:Discussthedifficultiesfacedbykidswhodonthaveeithereducationorthe wealthnecessarytoattaineducation. HopeandAspirationsinLife Whodoesfeelhoperoundhere?(p144) Hopeisoftendeniedtothosewhoaredisadvantagedorlackthebasiceducation necessarytoachieve.Edhashadhismomentsofdespairbutisluckythatartgives himasenseofcontrol.IdontknowifIeverfeelhopefulwhenIwork.Ifeelahigh kickinandthensortofafloatingoceaninsideandthenrelief.Maybethatshope... (p144) Thelittleyellowbirdwhichappearsinhispaintingsisalsosymbolicofthishope. Activity:Ishopeessentialtofuturesuccess?BerttoldEdthatdreamingstheonly waytogetanywhere.(p123)Isthattrueinyourexperience? TeenageCrime,DelinquencyorVandalism Wevegotatleastafirstoffencebeforethecopseventhinkaboutputtingusinjail. (p12) Theissueofteenagecrimeisalwaysafraughtonebut,asthisnovelpointsout,such pettycrimeisoftendrivenbyneed,disadvantage,impulse,misunderstanding,or peergrouppressure.Graffitiartistsareoftenaccusedofbeingcriminalsorvandals whichillustratesjusthowtenuousthenotionofcrimereallyis. Activity:ConductadebateabouttheethicsinvolvedintherobberythatLeoandEd nearlycommit,andthepossibleimpactsofwhatmighthavehappened. ArtasaTransformativeForceinLife Nothingaboutartisawasteoftime.Itsthetimewastingthatgetsyouthere,Al says.(p130)

Artiscentraltothisbookwhichcelebratesbothartinwords,andwordsinart. ShadowandLeoescapethetravailsoftheirlivesviatheirart,andexpresstheir feelingsinevocativewordpictures.Theyalsoenticetheirviewersintothe ambiguousdelightsofthearttheycreateonwallsallovertown.Graffitiisan egalitarianartform;itisnotcontainedwithinagalleryspace;ithasnoprice;andcan beenjoyedbyanyone.LucyisobsessedwithShadowsartbecauseitspeakstoherin wayswhichwordssimplycannot.Lucyisalsoobsessedwithherownartofglass blowing.Themagicofthisprocessgivesherthesamezingwhichtheboysfeel whentheyarecreatingwallart. Activity:Artismoreimportantthanmoney,Lucy(p129).Debatethistopic. Question:Graffitiisoftenviewedasaformofpettycrime;however,some communitieshavenowlegaliseditbyallowinggraffititobepaintedindesignated areas.Shadowsworkisexceptionalbutwontgivehimanyrecompenseunlessits commissioned.Isgraffitiartorvandalism?[SeealsoArtExercises5.below] SocialCommentary Youreright.Itstheanimals.(p121) Theimportanceofsocialcommentaryisconstantlysuggestedinthisnovel.Oftenthe artworksShadowandLeoputtogetherhaveastrongmessageaboutpeace,global warming,theenvironment,orindividualresponsibility. Activity:ReadthecaptionsPoetwritesforShadowsimagesdescribed(pp1212). Chooseanissuewhichisimportanttoyou.Thencreateyourownpictureandcome upwithapithylinewhichchallengespeoplesperceptionsaboutthatissue.eg Teenagecrime;alcoholabuse;treatmentofrefugeesetc. Memory ItsfivebottlescalledTheFleetofMemory.Alhelpedmewiththename.Insidethe bottlesarethingsIlikeremembering.(p123) Memoriesofchildhoodareperhapsthemostvividmemoriesweretain.Theycan assumesymbolicpowerinourlives,andbeeithercherishedorsuppressed dependingontheircontent. Activity:Howimportantareyourmemories?Whataresomeofyourmemories? Createyourownmemorybottleinavesselofyourchoosing.egAboxdecorated withsomeofyourmemories;analbum;awebpage. Parenting Mydadwasamagiciantoo.Gotinhiscaranddisappeared.(p124)

Parentsinthisnovelareamixtureofgoodandbad.EdsdadlefthismumandEd; Leosalcoholicparentsabusedhim;butLucysparentsforalltheireccentricityhave inspiredhertopursueherart,andEdsmumisalsosupportivedespiteherconstant moneyworries. Question:ShouldEdsmumhaveknownthathewashavingmoneytroubles?Should Lucysparentshaveworriedwhenshedidntcomehomeonthelastnightofschool? Wheredoparentsresponsibilitieslie? Question:BothLeoandEdarewithoutfathers.Howdoesthisaffectthem?WasBert afatherfiguretoEd? Truth Youshouldnthaveliedtomeallnight,shesays.(p260) LucyandEdtaunteachothertorevealtruthsaboutthemselves.Butthenightwill leadthemalltorevealtruthsaboutthemselves. Question:Lyingisamajorissueforthesecharacters.Theyviewtheconceptasan importantpersonalmeasureofthemselvesandofeachother.Istellingthetruth alwayseasy?Whenisitdifficultforyou? Question:Howmuchmoredifficultistruthwhencommunitiesandauthorities becomeinvolved? Activity:Truthordare?Challengetheclasstorevealonethingaboutthemselvesthat theothersmightnthaveguessed.(Monitorthisactivitysothatitsnottoo confrontingforthosewhomayhavepainfultruthstoreveal.) MoralResponsibility Nopointlivingifyoudontlivegood.(p155) Intheend,thisnovelisaboutthegoodguysandthebadguysandhowfluidthe differencecanbe.LeoandEdcouldsoeasilyhavebeenpaintedasbadguys;Lucy certainlyhadbeenpreparedtoseeEdlikethat;andiftheydgonethroughwiththe robberytheymayneverhaveescapedthelabel. Question:WhydoesEdsmumsaythatLeoisagoodguy? Question:Howwouldyoudefinemoralresponsibility?Whatvaluesaremost importanttoyou?

Plot&Structure
1.Thenovelisstructuredbyweavingtogetherthethreenarrativevoicesand pointsofviewofEdandLucy,andalsoofLeo(Poet)whowritesnotunexpectedly inpoetry,whiletheotherswriteinprose.Eachchapteroffersadifferent perspectiveontheaction.Sometimesthefollowingchapterpicksupwherethe previousoneended,andonotheroccasionsitpresentstheactionasitwas happeninginthepreviouschapter,butthroughopposingeyes.Forexample,inthe firstchapterLucy(pp13)isracingtocatchShadowpaintingoutsideAlsstudio;the nextistoldbyEd(pp415)anddescribeshisthoughtsashespaintingjustbefore Lucyarrivestofindhimgone,sothatittakesuptheactionsimultaneously.Later Lucy(pp1936)meetsEdagain,andtauntshimassheleavestheroom.The followingchapter(pp3740)hasEdwatchingherleave,soittakesuptheaction sequentially.Inthefollowingchapter(pp4152)Lucyagaintakesuptheaction simultaneouslytothepreviousone. Activity:Inchoosingtoplaywithtime,CathCrowleyhascreatedanarrative dynamismwhichisclearlyveryexcitingtothereader.Howdidyoufeelthethree storiesworkedtogether?Wasthereanotherwaythisstorycouldhavebeentold? 2.TensionorSuspenseareessentialtoanovelsstructureandheretheyare createdbygraduallyrevealinganswerstoseveralquestionsposedatthebeginning. Activity:Aretherequestionsunansweredinthisnovel?Whatarethey?Discuss. 3.Pacingastorytoachieveminorandmajorclimaxesisintegraltoanovels structure.Thisstorymovesatbreakneckspeed,partlybecauseofthemulti narrativetechniquedescribedabove.Thispaceisessentialtoitsmeaningbecause thesekidsarefeelingasenseofurgencynowthatonething(school)isoverandthe nextabouttobegin. Question:Howelseispaceachievedinthisnovel?Onetechniqueistheuseof dialoguetoadvancetheplot.Werethereanyothertechniqueswhichcontributedto paceinthisnovel?Readtheopeningparagraphinpreparationforaresponsetothis question. 4.Writerscreateturningpointsorkeyeventstodriveaplotincertaindirections. Activity:WhatmighthavehappenedifLucyhadntbrokenEdsnose?OrifEdhadnt metBert?OrifLucyhadntmetAl?OrifLeohadputpetrolinthevan? 5.Theeventswhichmakeuptheplotofanovelaredesignedbythewritertoflesh outanddevelopcharactersandthemes. Question:Whatwerethekeyeventsintermsofthethemeoftheoutsider?What werethekeyeventswhichrevealedEdscharacter?Whathavebeentheturning

pointsinLucyslife,andhowhassherespondedtothem?Whateventsgaveyouan insightintoLeoscharacter?

Characters
Theactioninthisnovelrevolvesaroundthreemajorcharacters: Narrators: EdSkye(Shadow):Asheddy,oneofthekidswhospentalotoftimeleaningagainst thebackshedsskippingclass.(p26)Hesalwayshadtroublewithreadingandwith school:FeellikeartstheonlythingIeverfiguredout.Words,school,Inevergotthe wholepicture.(p74)Thishasledtoaconstantfeelingoffrustation:Likeeverydoor intheworldwasopenandthesoundwaspouringin.(p75)Hencehesresorted secretlytohisart,andasLucysays:Heneedstobeseen.(p222) LeoGreen(Poet):Hesoneofthegoodguys,shealwayssaid,Justsometimeshes workingundercover.(p9)HestroubleandJazzknowsit.(p64) LucyDervish:Lucyswaitingforromance.(p32).Shespassionateaboutartandher desiretomeetShadowisbasedonthat.Shesalsoveryopentoexperiencesdespite hernaturaltimidity:Ilikehavingfriendsfromdifferentgroups.(p42).Shesoften fearlessinherexuberanceaswell:Iflirtlikechopperblades(p185). Eachofthesethreecharactershaveagroupofminorcharactersaroundthem: Lucy Lucysmother:Aparttimedentalnurseandparttimenovelist(p23). Lucysfather:Aparttimecomedian/magicianandaparttimetaxidriver(p23). LucysfriendJazzParker:Shesthesortofpersonwhoinvitesherselfplacesandshe doesntfollowtherulesofhighschoolgeography.(p42)Shealsothinksshes psychic(p37). Daisy:ShesanewfriendofJazzandLucys,whoisasheddy.Shesthesortofgirl whogetsstaredat.Shesthesortofgirlwholikesbeingstaredat.(p30) Al:TheowneroftheglassmakingstudiowhereLucyhasbeenworkingparttime sinceyearten:hermentorandemployer. Ed Edsmother:Abattlerwithagoodheart. BethDarling:Edsformergirlfriendwhomheconsiderstobetoowealthyandwell bredforhim. BertandValerie:OwnersofthepaintshopwhereEdusedtoworkfulltime,having leftschool.BertwasEdsmentor. Leo Gran,Leosgrandmother:ShehasbeentheonlysafehaveninLeoandhisbrother Jakeslives,andtheynowlivewithher. Jake,Leosbrother:Jakesgotawayoftalkingthatmakespeoplebelieve.(p11) Emma:Leosformergirlfriend,whocomesfromawealthierbackground. Dylan:MateofLeoandEds,andboyfriendofDaisy:Iliketobeneat(p87).

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MalcolmDove:Alocalthug,towhomLeoowesmoney:Malcolmdoesnthave friends.Hehasagroupofbadmenwhohangaround,doinghimfavours.(p11) 1.Charactersareoftendescribedintermswhichrelatethemmetaphoricallyto someoneorsomethingelse. Activity:Lucysnameissymbolic;shesawhirlingdervishmostofthetime!Edisa Shadowbecausehesstillsearchingforhisconfidence.Whatothermetaphorical descriptionsdidyounoticewhichdescribedthesecharacters? 2.Thedetailusedtocreateacharacteroftenincludesaspectsoftheirsetting whichechotheircharacteristics. Activity:Whatdodescriptionsofhousesinthisnoveltellyouaboutthepeoplein them?Forexample:Leoshouse:thezooinsidehishouse.(p117);Edshouse:Its thestainsonthecarpetfromsomeotherlifethatcameandleftbeforeours.(p10) 3.Dialoguecanalsoaddtothecharacterisationestablishedbyadescription,can progressaplot,andcanalsobeanopportunityforthewritertosimplyplaywiththe sheerwizardryoflanguage. Activity:Readpages1826wherethegirlsaretalkingaboutLucyalmostkissingEd. Thepaceofthisdialogueisrapierlike.Whatdoesitrevealaboutthethreegirls? 4.Writersgenerallycreateamixtureofmajorandminorcharacters,someintended toinvokesympathyinthereader,andothersnotto.Therearealsosome characterswhodefycategorisationwhosemotivesremainobscure.Which charactersdidyouhavesympathyforandwhy?Whichoneswereunattractive,or annoyedyou? Question:Werethereanyminorcharactersyouwouldhavelikedmoreinformation about? 5.Characterarcsarethecurveonwhichkeyeventsshowhowacharactergrowsor developsinresponsetoeventsandtointeractionswithothercharactersinthe novel. Activity:Chooseacharacterandtraceanarconwhichkeyeventsindicatesome aspectoftheirpersonalityorchangeintheirbehaviour.

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StyleandUseofLanguage
1.ThetwoprosenarrativevoicesofEdandLucyarewritteninfirstperson,andin presenttense.Poetwritesinacombinationofpastandpresenttenseinhispoems. Activity:Thisnarrativecouldalsohavebeenwritteninanothervoice.Forexample, Daisymighthavetoldherversionofevents.Describetheincidentattheschoolin Daisysvoiceinpasttense. 2.Voiceiscreatedbyarangeofdevicesincludingsyntax,grammar,arrangementof wordsinasentence,useofvocabularyandlanguage,etc. Activity:Colorlessgreenideassleepfuriously.LinguistNoamChomskycreatedthis sentencewhichisgrammaticallycorrectbutincomprehensibletodemonstrate thattherulesgoverningsyntaxaredistinctfromthemeaningswordsconvey. <http://grammar.about.com/od/rs/g/syntax.htm> Thetrainbeltsalongthelineandtheworldoutsidethewindowrocketsand blurs.(p76)Takethissentenceapartandworkouthowthelanguagehasbeen constructedtoachieveitseffectandmeaning. 3.Literarydevicessuchasmetaphorandsimilearefrequentlyusedasdescription. Forexample: wherehousesswiminpoolsoforangestreetlight(p1) wewatchthedirtysilkofthefactorysmokefloatacrossthesky.(p20) Itoldheryeah,buttherewasnoskinonmyvoiceandsheheardthebonesinmy wordslikeIdid.(p57) Iescapedontothewall,apaintedghosttrappedinajar.(p61) Ihadthisthought,thisfeelingthattherewasadroughtinme,liketherewasno waterformyinsidestofloaton.(p88) Youevernoticehowthenightchangesshape?IaskLucy.Itstartsoutthickwith peopleandsoundandthengetsthinnertillinthemiddletheresalmostnothinginit butyou.(p117) Thenightsmeaninthisplace,fullofsmogthateatsthestars.(p144) Activity:Chooseadescriptionwhichappealedtoyouandanalysehowitworksand whatdeviceswereusedtocreateitseffect. Activity:Wordplayisusedtoexplorethesuggestivenatureoflanguageandthe ambiguoustellingofstories,andthisnovelistdelightsinwords.egwestepovera guystillgoingnowherefromthenightbefore,determinedtogettheretonight.(p 117)OftenShadowsthoughtsarelikepoetryaswellegIhadthisurgetothrow cansatthewindowssoIcouldhearanoisethatsoundedlikeescape.(p145)Lucy saysofhergrowingattractiontoEd:ifEdisatoasterthenIamagirlwithaknife(p 178).Findotherexamplesofsuchwordplay. 4.Humourisanotherdeviceusedbythiswritertodealwithseriousthemesorto developcharacter.WhenLucymeetsEdagaintwoyearsaftershebrokehisnose

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duringadisastrousdate,theyplayfingerstofillthegapleftemptybytheirlackof conversation,inasequencewhichisveryfunny(pp346).WhenEdhearsthatLucy vomitedafterbreakinghisnosehesayshefeelsjaunty(p116)inanothervery amusingsequenceofhisthoughts. Activity:Humourwithoutsadnessisjustapieintheface.(p252)Howwouldyou describethehumourinthisbook?Isitpieinthefacehumourorsomethingelse? 5.LeospoetryappearsasthethirdvoicebetweenthevoicesofEdandLucy.These areLeospoems: WhereILivedBefore(pp167) Loveinhandcuffs(pp678) Thedaytimethings(pp823) Rememberlove(pp978) Maybe(pp1145) Thetickinginside(pp1278) Almost(pp1645) Losingher(pp2289) Here(p247) Activity:InRememberinglovehemakesapointaboutthedualityofloveasan emotion.Discussthemeaningofthispoeminrelationtohowyoufeelaboutlove. Activity:LeorecitesahaikupoemtoEd(p233).Trytowriteafunnyhaikulikethis one. Activity:ThesepoemsmakeupasmallcollectionofLeospoetry.Whattitlewould yougivethecollection?Designacoverforthiscollectionaswell. Activity:Ifyourclassisintomusictheymightwanttocreateasimpletuneto accompanyoneofthesepoemsandmakethewordsintosonglyricstoperform. Activity:Dylanwritesapoem(withLeoshelp)abouthislikeforDaisy(pp2456). WriteyourownpoembeginningIfmylikeforyouwas...

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Setting
1.Writerscreateavividsettingbymakingitcomealiveforthereader;byinvesting itwithanimatedetailsratherthandescribingastaticpicture.Thisnovelissetin innerMelbourneandisapaeantothebeautyofthatcitysnight.HosierLaneisa wellknowngraffitiareawhichisnotmentionedinthenovel,butisreferencedon CathCrowleyswebsite.<http://cathcrowley.com.au/writing/graffitimoonalittle ofedandlucy>HosierStreetisalsomentionedinanarticleongraffitibyFlorencia [SeebelowunderArtExercises5]. Activity:Readthepassagesonp2andp255ineachofwhichLucyisridingherbike toAls.ThewordsusedtodescribethecityaredeliberatelymetaphoricalegIsee thecityneonblueandrising (p2)andgreybuildingspointingatthestars(p255).Discussthesortofimagesof thecitywhichthesepassageevokeforyou.Drawthatcity. 2.JohnMarsdeninhisbookEverythingIKnowAboutWriting(PanMacmillan,1992) remindswritersnotonlytousedetailindescribingsetting(p113)butalsotouse wordswhichappealtoallthesenses(pp1216);nottosimplydescribewhatcanbe seenbutalsowhatcanbefelt,heard,touched,feltontheskin,smeltetc. Activity:Describeyoursuburborcityusingallthesenses. 3.Marsdensuggeststhatcontrastanddichotomyareusefulindescriptiontoo. Activity:Rewritethedescriptionyouwrotefor(3.)above,usingcontrasts. 4.Thisnovelissetinthecontemporaryworldandtime,inaparticularsocial milieu. Question:Whatcuesyoutothefactthatthisnoveliscontemporary?Rewriteone briefscenesettingitinthe1960s.Howwouldthischangethisscene? 5.Themoodofanovelisverymuchaboutsettingaswell.Thisnovelissetatnight whichlendsadreamlikeflavourtotheevents;thisisadownatheelsuburbbut underthestarsitassumesarealbeauty. Question:Howwouldyoudescribethemoodwhichisconveyedbysettingthisnovel atnight?

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WritingExercises
1.Thisisanovelwritteninthreevoices;itstwopartsdiaryoftheeventsofone night,toldbytwopeople,withthethirdvoiceofapoetaddinghisownreflections ontheevents.Recordsofeventscanbewritteninarangeofgenres.Hereboth proseandpoetryareusedtotellastory. Question:Whatothergenremighthavebeenused? Activity:Addafourthvoicetothenovel.Writeitinanygenreyoulike,forexample, Dylancouldtellthestoryinaseriesofemailstoafriend. Activity:WriteanewspaperreportofthecaptureofMalcolmDovebythesecurity guard. Activity:Writeanevenmorecrypticaccountofthenightinatweet. 2.Thecoverandthebackcoverblurbofabookmustofferthereaderaninsight intothecontents,styleandemotionalimpactofabook,withoutgivingtheending away.Examinethecoverofthisbook,assessinghowtheimageoftheaerosolcan, andthewordsonthefrontandbackcoverinteract,andwhethertheyare descriptiveofthenovelafteryouvereadit. Activity:Designyourowncoverusinganymediumyouchoose.Thenwriteyourown backcoverblurbsummarisingthethemesofthenovelin200words. 3.Thereisalsoalotofreferencetomusicinthisnovel. Activity:WritethelyricsforasongdetailingtheexploitsofShadowandPoetand friendsonthislong,meannight.Havefunchoosingafamiliarsongtunetogowith thewords.Examples: BalladofMacktheKnifefromTheThreepennyOperabyGermandramatistBertolt BrechtandcomposerKurtWeill,sungbySting <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8y7lbEMI0r4> JohnnyCashsTheNightTheyDroveOldDixieDown <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_Xk8Cp09aM> TheBalladofGilligansIslethethemesongfortheTVshowGilligansIsland <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiyIiPmppTY> SarahBlascoAllIWant <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QX1RgyCl1Xs> 4.LucywritesthatAddingthingstotheworldisagameMumandDadandIplay whenwerereallystrappedformoney.(p99) Activity:Addsomethingtoyourownworldinashortstory.

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5.EdandLucyflippantlylistarangeofthingswhichdisappointthemsuchasthe factthatpeppermintFreddoesdontcomeinkingsize.(p125) Activity:Makeupyourownlistofthingswhichcouldbebetter,egthatrailway stationscoulddisplaypaintingsandquotesbyartistslikeShadowandPoet,instead ofboringadsforinsurancecompaniesorbeers.

ArtExercises
1.Leowrites:ThedisappointedseaunderoneofEdspaintings. Activity:Paintyourownversionofadisappointedsea. 2.DuringthenightLucyandEdtalkaboutanumberofpaintings. Activity:YoumightliketoexamineanddiscusssomeofthemegMichaelZavrossTill theHeartCavesIn(p65);TheLoversbyRenMagritte(p100);WomanwithaCrow byPicasso(pp1312);VermeersWomanHoldingaBalance(p154);GirlwithaPearl Earring(p162);RothkosNo.301isdescribedbyEdveryeloquently(p167);The SpoilsbySamLeach(p168);AngelaBrennansEverythingiswhatitisandnotsome otherthing(pp2067). AbloggercalledPersnicketySnarkhasdonemostofthetrawlingforyou.The followingwebsitehasagallerythatfeaturesmostoftheseworks <yhttp://www.persnicketysnark.com/2010/10/graffitimooncathcrowleyart gallery.html> Activity:LucyalsooffersabeautifuldescriptionofBillHensonsphotographsof teenagersinthenight.WhenIlookedatthemIfeltlikesomeonegotit,like someonesawwhatitwasliketobebareskinshiningindarkness.(p141)Inviewof thecontroversyaboutHensonyoumightwishtodiscusshisworkwithyourclass. Visithiswebsite<http://www.billhenson.net.au/> Activity:ReadmoreaboutVermeersuseofcameraobscuratocreatehispaintings. 3.Shadowspaintingsareveryevocativelydescribedinthisnovel. Activity:ChooseanyoneofShadowspaintingsasitisdescribed,andtrytopaintor collageyourowninterpretationofit. 4.GraffitiArtisamajorsubjectinthisnovel. Activity:StudyGraffitiArtbyvisitingwebsitesaboutgraffiti[suchasthesiteslistedin theBibliographybelow]. Activity:YoumightalsovisitGraffitiArtistsWebsites[listedintheBibliography below].

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Activity:Apopulardebatequestionseemstobe:IsGraffitiArtorVandalism?Invite yourstudentstoeitherconductadebateorwriteanessaywithillustrationsto supportthepointsmade.Refer,forexample,tonewlawsbeinginstitutedinNSW whichtoughenpenaltiesforteenagegraffitiartists.[SeeBibliographybelow.] Alternatively,graffitihasalsobeenusedbyseverallocalauthoritiestosupportyouth culture.YoumightrefertobureaucraciescondoninggraffitisuchastheBrisbane CityCouncilsArtforceprojectwhichcommissionsthepaintingoftrafficsignalboxes alloverBrisbane.<http://svc169.wic021v.serverweb.com/artforce/default.asp> Activity:Conductanactivityatyourschoolallowingstudentstoexpressthemselves onadesignatedwallorfenceorotherfreestandingconstruct.VisitHowtoDraw Graffiti<http://www.wikihow.com/DrawGraffiti>forsometipstogetyoustarted. Activity:AccessthewebsitecreatedbyartistAndreasRehnbergwhichallowsyouto actuallycreategraffitiartworksonscreen.<http://graffiti.playdo.com/> 5.Lucysglassblowingisanotheraspectofartcelebratedinthisnovel. Activity:CathCrowleyhassaidthattheinspirationbehindLucysglasscame(inpart) fromanartistcalledBethanyWheeler.Visitherwebsite <http://www.bethanywheeler.com/>Studentsmaywishtoexplorethistopicfurther aswell.[SeeBibliographybelow.]

QuotesforDiscussionafterReadingtheNovel
Usethefollowingquotestoprovokediscussion: 1.MosttimeswhenIlookatShadowandPoetsworkIseesomethingdifferent fromwhatthewordsaresaying.Ilikethataboutart,thatwhatyouseeissometimes moreaboutwhoyouarethanwhatsonthewall.Ilookatthispaintingandthink abouthoweveryonehassomesecretinside,somethingsleepinglikethatyellow bird.(p19) 2.Lucy,youreluckyifromanceendsinsomethingyoucanaddwatertoand rehydrate.(p24) 3.Ifyoudontwantagenerationofrobots,fundthearts.(p24) 4.Ifyoutreatglassrightitdoesntcrack.(p200) 5.Somethingsarehardtosee,Isay. Everythingshardtoseewhenyouvegotyoureyesclosed...(p224)

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FurtherReadingandorDiscussionIdeasforClassDiscussion
1.Peoplesaygraffitiisugly,irresponsibleandchildish.Butthatsonlyifitsdone properly.Banksy,ananonymousandfamousEnglishgraffitiartist.Discuss. 2.ArethereenoughsupportnetworksforatriskyouthslikeEdandLeo?How couldEdsproblemswithreadingnothavebeenpickedup?Howcouldsuchabright boyhavebeenallowedtoabandonschool?WhyisLeohavingtopayforpoetry lessonswhenhesstillatschool?Hasthesystemfailedthem,anddoesitfail regularlyinyouropinion? 3.Havealookatsomeoftheonlinereviewsofthenovelwrittenbyteenagers,and discusswhatthewriterssay.AgoodplacetostartisatInsideadog< http://www.insideadog.com.au/books/graffitimoon>thesitemanagedbythe CentreforYouthLiterature. 4.OntheOverlandwebsite,thelaunchofthebookisreportedalongwithareview byClareStrahan:Thenovelembracessomedarkthemeshopelessness,poverty, fatherlessness,grief,illiteracy,violenceandmanagesthemwithupliftingpathos, temperingtheireffectswiththepowerofhope,art,friendship,humourandlove. Discussthissummaryofthenovel.<http://web.overland.org.au/2010/08/fiction reviewgrafittimoon/> 5.InareviewpostedbyPersnicketySnarkonherblog,shewritesareviewofthe novelincludingthisquote:GraffitiMoonisalovelettertotheartsandteachers(in alltheirforms)thatbewitchstudentswiththeirpassion. <http://www.persnicketysnark.com/2010/10/reviewgraffitimooncath crowley.html>Discussthisstatement.

FurtherIdeasUsingTechnology
1.Accesswebsiteswhichaddtoyourknowledgeofgraffitiart. 2.LocateonlineinformationaboutCathCrowley.Findoutasmuchasyoucanabout theauthor.Trytolocatebookreviewsandauthorinformation,suchasinterviews. [SeealsoAuthorNotebelow.] 3.CreateyourownFacebookgraffititextbannersattheYourGenwebsite <http://yourgen.com/graffiti> 4.WatchTheGraffitiArtistafilmdirectedandwrittenbyJamesBolton2004 MettrayReformatoryPicturesSeeTrailer <http://www.thegraffitiartist.com/trailer.php> 5.ListentomusicbyMelbournebandsorsingerstogetyouintothemoodfor readingthisnovel.egPaulKellysFromStKildatoKingsCross;orsongsbyMissy Higgins,StevenCummings,orClareBowditch.

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Conclusion
GraffitiMoonisacontemporarynovelofvisceralemotionalimpactandstunning poeticbrilliance.Itisaheartstoppingromanticadventure,whichsingswithaloveof artandlanguage,whileitexploresthechallengesofpersonalresponsibility.But mostofall,thisnovelisacelebrationofthesheerexhilarationofbeingreallyalive.

AuthorNote
CathCrowleygrewupinruralVictoria.Shecomesfromafamilyofseven:her parents,threebrothersandadogcalledElvis.Allofthemencouragedhertogiveup fulltimeteachingtowrite.CathstudiedprofessionalwritingandeditingatRMITand worksasbothafreelancewriterinMelbourneandaparttimeteacher.Shehaslived andtaughtoverseasbutnowlivesinKingsville/Elwood,inasunnyspotclosetothe beach.AlthoughCathhasonlyplayedsocceronce,andisveryclumsy,sheobserved kidsatschoolswhereshehastaughtandpouredallthatknowledgeintoher acclaimedtrilogybeginningwithherfirstpublishedworkTheLifeandTimesof GracieFaltrain,followedbyGracieFaltrainTakesControlandGracieColtrainGetsit Right(finally).Inbetween,shewrotehersecondnovelChasingCharlieDuskin. GraffitiMoonisherlatestworkwhichhasalreadyreceivedwideacclaim.Itwonthe EthelTurnerLiteraryPrizeintheNSWPremiersAwards,andtheYoungAdult categoryinthePrimeMinistersLiteraryAward2011,andhasbeenshortlistedfor theCBCABookoftheYear(OlderReaders)2011.VisitCathswebsite <http://cathcrowley.com.au/>Seealso:CathCrowley:InterviewTheTales Compendium<http://www.thetalescompendium.com/2011/02/authorinterview cathcrowley.html> CathCrowley:InterviewRollercoaster <http://www.abc.net.au/rollercoaster/therap/interviews/s1593482.htm> CathCrowleytalksGraffitiMoon <http://content.boomerangbooks.com.au/perpetuallyadolescentblog/cath crowleytalksgraffitimoon/2010/08> CathCrowleyGoodReadingMagazine <http://www.goodreadingmagazine.com.au/meettheauthor.cfm?hot=19> Insideadog<http://www.insideadog.com.au/books/graffitimoon> Strahan,ClareFictionReview:GraffitiMoon <http://web.overland.org.au/2010/08/fictionreviewgrafittimoon/> Review:GraffitiMoon/CathCrowley <http://www.persnicketysnark.com/2010/10/reviewgraffitimooncath crowley.html>

FurtherReading
GraffitiArt: ArtCrimes:TheWritingontheWall<http://www.graffiti.org/> 19

BennyMorrison,AvaNewLawsTargetGraffitiArtistsNorthernStar3June 2001<http://www.northernstar.com.au/story/2011/06/03/tarredwiththesame brush/> GraffitiArtGallery<http://www.graffiticreator.net/htm/gallery/artist.htm> GraffitiArtistHiredtoPaintJetSydneyMorningHerald15February2001 <http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/artanddesign/graffitiartisthiredto paintjet201102151au6x.html> GraffitiPlaydo<http://graffiti.playdo.com/> GraffitiRemovalMelbourne<http://www.graffitiremovalmelbourne.com/> Liguori,FlorenciaGraffiti:ArtorVandalism? <http://www.upstart.net.au/2009/09/11/graffitiartorvandalism/> MelbourneGraffiti.comAustralianGraffiti<http://www.melbournegraffiti.com/> MelbourneStencilFestival<http://www.stencilfest.com/> Stowers,GeorgeC.GraffitiArt(1997)<http://www.graffiti.org/faq/stowers.html> TributetoGraffiti:50BeautifulGraffitiArtworks <http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/09/14/tributetograffiti50beautiful graffitiartworks/> 38MarvellousGraffitiandStreetArtthatwillBlowyouAway <http://www.onextrapixel.com/2009/06/17/38marvellousgraffitiartandstreet artthatwillblowyouaway/> Yourgen<http://yourgen.com/graffiti> GraffitiArtists: Banksy<http://www.banksy.co.uk/> Duel(akaJohnWilliams)<http://www.duelsart.com/about0.0.html> Ghostpatrol(mentionedonp123)<http://ghostpatrol.net/> ReganTamanui<http://www.regantamanui.com/> Retna<http://www.digitalretna.com/> Saber<http://saberone.com/> GlassArtists: SculptureinGlassAustralianArtistsandArtGalleries <http://www.ozartists.com/ScGlassGN.html> BethanyWheeler<http://www.bethanywheeler.com/> GordonStudioGlassblowers <http://www.gordonstudio.com.au/outdoor_sculpture.html> LindaFraser<http://www.lindafraser.com/> MakingGlassSculpture<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JarOiqsunWQ> StudioGlassWikipedia<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Studio_glass>

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