Brighton Rock Reading Journal Entry No. 5

Read Pt 3 Ch 1 (pps 73-85)

The focus turns to Ida. She is back in Brighton and becomes a kind of amateur detective, investigating the circumstances of Hale's death. She speaks to Rose at the cafe and goes to the police to see the report on H's death. The police say it was 'natural causes'. Hale gave Ida a horse racing tip. She hopes it will win to improve her finances.

Make notes on Ida's character and what we learn about her in this chapter. Look pa

rticularly at pages 73, 81 and 84.

Then read Part 3, chapter 2 (pages 86-90)

Spicer is getting restless, anxious and even paranoid. He hears a story about Pinkie at the police station and Rose calls Frank's place. He seems to be trying to convince himself (too hard?) that he isn't and would never be a police informer (p.87).

There are two things worth considering in this chapter. There is the mention of the 'shaky banister' in Frank's place that is often mentioned when Spicer is around (this will become important later).

More importantly, the theme of fat

e is referred to. Consider Hale's tip and Ida's bet in the previous chapter. Consider how Spicer walks along the prom and at one point passes Ida. Spicer doesn't realise he has accidentally had his photo taken by a seaside photographer. All these things as well as others, seem to suggest that there's an inevitability about what will happen. Remember the first sentence of the book.

Brighton Rock Reading Journal Entry No. 4

Read Part 2 Chapter 2

A short but important chapter.

Two main things happen: the meeting with Colleoni; Pinkie is then questioned by a policeman.

Both these things serve to frustrate and antagonize Pinkie and to accelerate the action. The meeting with Colleoni confirms the suspicion that Pinkie may be out of his depth.

Make notes on the contrast between the two mob leaders. Begin with their living quarters. Look at the first paragraph for Pinkie and p.64 for Colleoni. Contrast their physical appearance. (Again focus on p.63 and p.64). Look, for example, even at the note paper they use. Make notes on how Colleoni speaks to Pinkie (p.66 and 67).

Having done this, consider whether there are any similarities between the two.

What is the policeman's attitude to Pinkie? Why does he dismiss the complaint from Brewer so readily?

Finally, look at the last paragraph of the chapter. How have these two meetings affected Pinkie? Look again at the last line. How might this set up the rest of the book?

Opening of Brighton Rock the film (1947)

Watch the opening of the 1947 film Brighton Rock.

Brighton Rock Reading Journal Entry No. 3

Read Part 2 Chapter 1 (pages 47-62)

The chapter is in two halves. The first part deals mainly with Pinkie and Rose. The meet at the pier and go to a dance. There are many contrasts in the chapter. For example: the characters of Pinkie and Rose; the poetry of the lyrics of the songs at the dance; heaven and hell (p.55); Pinkie and Rose's activities compared to Pinkie and Dallow's. There are also some rivalries and tensions evoked in the chapter: Pinkie and Colleoni; Pinkie and Spicer.

Questions and notes:

First of all make notes on the contrasts mentioned above. Also, make notes on how Pinkie's cruel and callous nature is portrayed in this chapter. How does Pinkie try to scare Rose? Make notes on Pinkie's attitude to Spicer and his attitude to Dallow.

Divide a page in two. On the left note some of the things that happen in the first half of the chapter esp. between Pinkie and Rose and on the right note some of the things that happen in the second half with the 'mob'.

Brighton Rock Reading Journal Entry No. 2

Read Chapter 2 and Chapter 3

Chapter 2 (pages 20-27)

Pinkie takes a more prominent role and we see him as the leader of the mob. Look at p.20 and the description of Pinkie which refers to the 'annihilating eternity from which he had come and to which he went'. What might the annihilating eternity mean and what impression does it give you of Pinkie? Continue to add to your notes on Pinkie as you read through the chapter. How do we get a sense of Pinkie's authority over the gang? Consider how he plans everything carefully. Also, what role do Kolly Kibber's cards play in the plot?

We are introduced to the members of Pinkie's mob. Make brief notes on Spicer, Cubitt and Dallow.

In the second half of chapter 2 we are introduced to Rose. Make brief notes on her character. Explain why Pinkie is interested in her.

Chapter 3 (pages 28-43)

Ida returns to the story. This time she is back in London and hears of Hale's death. Why does she think there might be more to Hale's death than what is reported?

Make brief notes on Ida's character. In what ways might she be said to be: inquisitive, generous, spiritual?

Brighton Rock Reading Journal No. 1

By now you should have bought your copy of the Brighton rock and a Reading Journal. Over the next 8 weeks you should read the suggested chapters and answer the study questions in your reading journal to keep track and have lots of notes for when we start the book in class after Christmas.

See the first set of study questions below.

Dr B.

Reading Journal Entry 1. (To be done by Friday 13th Nov.)

Read Part 1 Chapter 1. (Pages 3-18)

Look closely at the first sentence of the book. How effective is this as an opening to a novel?

The main characters in the story are introduced in the first chapter. These are Hale (the 'Kolly Kibber' character, aka Fred), Pinkie (the boy), Ida (the woman singing in the bar). Also, Brighton itself becomes almost like a character. The crowd of holiday-makers in the first chapter is also important as a comparison with Hale.

As you read you could write H, P, I, B or C in the margin any time these are described in any detail.

Then create a spider diagram for all 5.

Finally, make notes on how Greene conveys Hale's desperate attempts to find company in the second half of the chapter.