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A House On Fire Essay | Essay on A House On Fire for Students and Children in English

February 12, 2024 by Prasanna

A House On Fire Essay – Given below is a Long and Short Essay on A House On Fire of competitive exams, kids and students belonging to classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. A House On Fire essay 100, 150, 200, 250, 300 words in English helps the students with their class assignments, comprehension tasks, and even for competitive examinations.

You can also find more Essay Writing articles on events, persons, sports, technology and many more.

Short Essay on A House On Fire 300 Words for Kids and Students in English

One day, as I was returning from the playground, I saw a house on fire on the way. I rushed towards the burning house. When I reached there, I saw many people outside the house. Some of them were pouring buckets of water on the fire while others were throwing sand and dust. It was a horrible sight.

The house was a double-storeyed. Some of the inmates of the house were in the rooms on the first floor. They were crying for help as they were surrounded by the flames. The fire was spreading. Some of the inmates came out of the house with burns and injuries (blisters). But those, who were on the top floor, could not get out.

Meanwhile, the fire brigade arrived. The neighbours tried their level best to extinguish the fire but they could not. There was no fire extinguisher system in the house. The staff of the fire brigade fought bravely with the fierce flames. Water pipes were laid and the fire brigade officials made an effort to control the fire. One of the officials set a staircase that led to the windows of the upper storey. He took a great risk. He brought out the inmates and came down through the stairs amidst flames. The moment he got down along with two inmates, he fell down unconscious. The inmates whom he had rescued had severe burn injuries. They were immediately rushed to the nearest hospital in a serious condition.

The fire did great damage to the house. Clothes, furniture and other valuable articles were reduced to ashes. The fire brigade brought the fire under control after one hour of valiant efforts. When the flames were controlled, the house was found to be badly damaged. All the wooden materials were reduced to ashes. The kitchen, from where the fire had started, presented a dismal picture. The dining room, the drawing room and the store were badly damaged too.

But thank God that there was no loss of human life. After enquiry, it was found that the bursting of gas cylinder in the kitchen was the cause of the fire.

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Short Essay on a House on Fire [100, 200, 400 Words] With PDF

In this lesson, dear students, you will learn to write a narrative essay on ‘A House on Fire’ in three different sets. It will help you prepare for your upcoming examinations.

Table of Contents

Short essay on a house on fire in 100 words.

• Short Essay on a House on Fire in 200 Words

Short Essay on a House on Fire in 400 Words

It was late at night, and a loud noise awakened me. My mother arrived at that same moment to wake me up. Due to faulty wiring, the house just across the street from mine caught fire. It was the home of my friend Roshan. My mother and I rushed over to assist and calm them.

Black flames erupted from various locations across his home. Firefighters were doing everything they could to put out the blaze. My father was assisting Roshan’s father in saving crucial documents. I learned that we must always keep an eye on our wiring and not be careless or postpone when it comes to critical tasks.

Short Essay on a House on Fire in 200 Words

It was late at night, and a racket broke my sleep. It was naturally dark, but when I uncurtained my windows, I saw glowing lights everywhere. At that very moment, my mother came to wake me up. I could spot my father outside the window along with other neighbours. The house opposite my house had caught fire due to bad wiring. It was my friend Roshan’s house.

My mother and I immediately went to help and console them. Black flames that looked like smoky giants came out from different parts of his house. Firefighters were working their best to put off the fire. My father, along with other neighbours, was helping Roshan’s father to save important documents, among other flammable objects.

The fire had broken into their kitchen, but the other part of the house that included Rohan room and his parents’ room were not heavily destroyed. For one week, Rohan and his family stayed with us in our apartment while their house got repainted and refurbished. Their house was in dire need of renovation, and it looks like the newest house on the street. I learnt that we must always check our wiring and neither be negligent nor procrastinate on important activities.

It began when I was softly treading in the fairyland. I say this because my sweet dream was suddenly broken, and I woke up to a haywire sight before me. I was in my father’s arms. He was grabbing me tightly, and we were on the run. I was wondering if the wicked fairies were chasing us.

Everything felt so hot, and I could smell a mixture of strong body odour stinking from our bodies. I decided it was too much to bear and decided to sleep again. I was forced to reopen my eyes in a matter of two minutes. This time it was the sound of loud alarms that wouldn’t allow my mind the peace it so deeply craved.

I decided to take a look around the vicinity. I didn’t have to do a lot of neck work. We were not running anymore. We ran outside of our house and came on the road. It was at this moment that I spotted the red trucks. The source of the loud alarm was this truck. It was a fire engine. Our class teacher taught us the fireman lesson yesterday.

She told us that firefighters are brave people who have the lives of the burning people without caring about their life. At that moment, I heard the sobs of my mother. She stood next to us. She was crying. I looked at her and put my hands forward. She took me in her arms and wrapped me tightly. At first, I couldn’t understand a word that she was saying. Eventually, it occurred to me that she was trying to say that our house was on fire and the firemen were trying to put it off. I was shocked! I looked forward to seeing my house burning.

Little by little, the fire was perishing and consuming the whole of it. There was only one fire engine. The neighbours were trying their best to help. My father, along with some of the neighbours, had rushed inside the house to save important documents among their precious things from getting destroyed. We were later told that the source of the fire was the poor wiring of the house.

We had been negligent on that account. Poor wiring is risky, and it somehow caused the fire. One thing leads to another. We are staying at my maternal grandparents’ house for the time being. Our house is getting painted again. We have changed the wiring.

Dear students, hopefully, after this lesson, you have a holistic idea of writing a narrative essay on a house on fire. I have tried to be as descriptive as possible in the given word limit. If you still have any doubts regarding this session, kindly let me know through the comment section below. To read more such essays on many important topics, keep browsing our website. 

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Essay on “A house on fire” Complete Essay for Class 10, Class 12 and Graduation and other classes.

Essay No. 01

A house on fire

6 Best Essays on ” A House on Fire”

On the evening of last Saturday, we were having a tea party in our house. All of a sudden, the happy atmosphere of the party was disturbed by a loud noise. The guests at the party started running out of the house in great confusion. I came outside and found that one of our neighbors had caught fire. The flames were rising high up towards the sky. Everybody feared that a big fire would spread in the whole colony. We got anxious to bring the fire under control. The wind fanned the flames. People want to put out the fire with buckets full of water and bags of sand.

The lady of the house was weeping bitterly. Her cries were heart-rending. Her only son was sleeping on the upper story. The fire had not yet reached there. But clouds of smoke were summing out of the window of that room. Going to that story to save the boy meant sure death. I wanted to rush to the help of the injured boy but I had an injured leg. A young boy offered to risk his life. The people put a ladder against the wall. The boy ran up like an arrow. He brought down the child out of the flames. Both the boy and the child were choked with smoke.

The fire began to die down. It took two hours to bring it down. The building was reduced to ashes. It was a terrible sight. Our neighbor was in great distress. None could say how the fire broke out. Some said that the fire was started by some mischievous people in the colony. Others said that it was due to the carelessness of the servant of the house who left a burning cigarette near some clothes. In any case, the owner of the house suffered a heavy loss. But God is thankful there was no loss of life. Everyone praised the young boy for his bravery.

Essay No. 2

A House on Fire

It was midnight when the hands of the clock join palms. There was deep silence everywhere. I was enjoying a sound sleep in my room with my younger brother. All of a sudden, I was awakened by the noise of footsteps outside. It appeared as if the people were running in the street. I got up and peeped down from the window. I came to know that the house of my friend Roshan was ablaze. I at once hurried to the spot.

The house was completely enveloped in flames. A strong wind formed the fire. The flames leaped to the sky giving out the clouds of smoke. The owner of the house was beating his breast, crying “ I am undone!, I have lost all!” the articles were lying scattered in the street. There were endless hurry and excitement. Many were busy in bringing buckets of water while others poured it on the fire.  I, too, joined them, we tried our best to put out the fire, but all our efforts were in vain. 

Soon the whole building with everything in it was burnt to ashes.

The fire brigade was rung up. In no time it was there. A crew of active men in brass helmets got to work and the fire was brought under control in half an hour. God be thanked, the neighboring houses were saved.

 It is said that it was all due to the carelessness of the servant who was a heavy smoker. While smoking his pipe, he dozed off to sleep. The burning ashes from the pipe fell down and set fire to the bed. Soon the fire spread in the whole building.

The loss was estimated at more than five lakhs. Everyone had sympathy for the affected family. They were shifted to a nearby house and an emergency meeting of all the elders of the colony was called. It was decided that the house will be repaired as a joint venture by people.

 God save everybody from such a calamity but we have to be very vigilant to keep away from such an event and when we face one face it boldly as life is another name of a struggle.

Essay No. 03

A House on fire

I have often heard that smoking is injurious to health. It was, however, last Sunday that I realized that it could destroy a whole house and endanger the life of the dwellers.

Last Sunday, as I got up a bit late in the morning, I heard a loud noise outside in the street. At first, I dismissed it taking it for a noisy brawl between two quarrelsome neighbors who had recently shifted in our street from some other town.

The noise, however, was so loud that I could not help going out. To my great surprise, I found the people running towards the eastern side of the street. They had buckets of water and sand in their hands.

As I looked towards the east, I saw tall, forky flames of fire and clouds of smoke. Without wasting a moment, I rushed towards the side of the flames.

I was greatly shocked to learn that the famous tailor, Mr. Rahmat Ali’s house was on fire. It was learned that Ali being a chain smoker, could not resist smoking even while stitching costly clothes. They caught fire as a speck of burning cigarette fell on the silk and polyester clothes. The fire spread to the other occupant of the house, Mr. Pritam Kumar who happened to be a cloth merchant and had dumped bundles of cotton, silk, and polyester cloth in his rooms. He like Ali was also a tenant in the house.

Needless to say that the fire engulfed the whole house and within a short period of time, not only the costly cloth and stitched clothes but also all the furniture and wood articles such as doors, windows, ventilators, etc. were reduced to ashes. Meanwhile, the landlord also arrived. He beat his breast in vain. All the people’s efforts to control fire were also futile. I rang up the fire brigade. It came within a few minutes and controlled the fire after a hard struggle of about two hours.

Essay No. 04

In the evening of last Sunday, I found that the house of our neighborhood caught fire. The flames were rising to the sky.

Suddenly I heard shouts of “Fire, Fire!” I woke up at once and looked out in the street. I saw a house on fire.

I ran downstairs and reached the place. Many people had collected there. They were running with buckets full of water and bags full of sand. What a terrible scene I saw that day!

But it did prove of much help. A strong wind was blowing. Some cries were heard from inside the house. The house belonged to a doctor.

Soon some fire engines reached the spot. Two firemen entered the burning house. They helped the doctor’s family to come out. Fortunately, no one was killed.

The fire was brought under control. The building was reduced to ashes. The shopkeeper had suffered a great loss. It was a very fearful sight.

Essay No. 05

It was a winter night I was sleeping in the bedroom of my house. “A loud noise woke me up. I hurriedly put on some warm clothes and came down into the street. There were many people running helter-skelter.

One of the people stopped and told me that a big fire had broken out and that he was rushing to give a helping hand. I also joined him. We soon reached the house that had caught the fire.

It was a big fire. The whole house was engulfed in smoke. Flames were rising to the sky. Many people were throwing water on the fire. There was a strong wind. It fanned the fire and made spread to new areas of the house.

I rushed back and telephoned the fire brigade. The residents of the house were in a bad way. Women and children were crying. They were also shivering in the cold. Their cries touched every heart. Some of the people escorted them to a sheltered place.

One child was caught in the fire. Everyone feared for his life. Meanwhile, the flames were rising higher and higher

Luckily the fire brigade arrived in good time. The firefighters surrounded the house from all sides. They quickly placed the ladders and brought out all they could save from the fire. The child was also saved. Another big ladder was placed against the burning wall. A firefighter dressed in fire-proof clothing rapidly climbed up the ladder and went on the roof of the burning house. Therewith the help of an axe he broke the water tank of the house Three gallons of water rushed out from the broken water tank. It doused the fire from above. The firemen meanwhile doused the fire from below by spraying water from their water hoses.

The whole operation lasted about half an hour. The fire was brought under control. Soon it was put out. Fortunately, there was no loss of life. The loss to the property was estimated to be about fifty thousand rupees.

We came to know the cause of the fire three days later. It seemed that the residents of the house had left an angeethi burning to ward off the cold. A spark of fire from it had ignited a curtain and before anyone could react the whole house was on fire.

Essay No. 06

It was the night of June. I was sleeping on the roof of my house. Suddenly I woke up hearing a loud noise. I came downstairs and reached the street. I saw many people running.

I stopped a man. He told me that a big fire had broken out in a house nearby. I also ran with him and saw the house on fire.

It was a big fire. The whole house was engulfed in smoke. Soon flames were seen rising high. Many people were busy in throwing buckets of water on the fire. A strong wind fanned the fire.

The inmates of the house had come out. Women were crying loudly and children too were crying. Someone has rung up the fire station. The cries of the women and children were heart-rending. Everyone was moved by their utterances. One child was caught in the fire. None had the courage to go in and bring the child out. Everyone was worried for his life.

The fire-brigade bells echoed in the area. Soon the fire: men surrounded the house from all sides. One of them got into the burning house followed by another with a hose pipe of water pouring in the house. The child was first of all brought out of the burning house. The firemen, the water tank were placed on the roof of the house. Water gushed out from the rooftop which too helped in bringing. The fire is under control. The whole operation just took half an hour. Soon it was put out completely. Thanks to God that there was no loss of life. The loss of property was estimated to be more than eighty thousand. The cause of the fire was not known.

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commentscomments

I want to know composition

Big house/night/all sleep/loud cries/the house of fire/flames rise/wind blows/terrible sight/people try… To stop fire/throw water… Sand/child….catch…in the house/ parents.. Cry/ young man bring.. Child out/ praise young man/ fire Brigade.. Arrive control fire/ loss… Property/ but all lives… Saved/ ok

Sir send me immediately story in composition I send to u. Plz send to my mail id

it helps much

I want to need for 9 th class essay ‘A house on fire’

Hi Momina Khan Essay on ” A House on fire”

http://evirtualguru.com/essay-on-a-house-on-fire-complete-essay-for-class-10-class-12-and-graduation-and-other-classes/

Nice 😀😀😀😀😀🖒🖒🖒🖒🖒🖒🖒🖒🖒👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌 It will increase other students level of junior class 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😃😃😃🖒

Very interesting story but can I want building fire. ANYBODY DO YOU KNOW HOW TO DO THAT

Great sir quaid.azam ka essay bhi likhe class 6 ke liye

intresting but i want that it was not happend to me or near me i want that it was happened on that road or that country like that but surely it is goood

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Essay on A House on Fire

Students are often asked to write an essay on A House on Fire in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on A House on Fire

The unexpected incident.

One sunny afternoon, I witnessed an alarming scene. A house in my neighborhood was on fire. The flames were fierce and frightening.

People were panicking, running around to save themselves and their belongings. The fire was swallowing the house, turning everything into ashes.

The Brave Firefighters

Soon, the firefighters arrived. They fought bravely against the raging fire. Their quick actions saved the day.

The Aftermath

In the end, the house was severely damaged, but thankfully, no one was hurt. It was a terrifying experience, reminding us all of the power of nature.

250 Words Essay on A House on Fire

The unexpected inferno.

Fire, an element that signifies purification and destruction, can become a ruthless destroyer when uncontrolled. A house on fire is a sight that instills fear and a sense of helplessness, a spectacle of devastation that leaves an indelible mark on the observer.

The Awakening

It was a chilly winter night, the streets were deserted and the neighborhood was plunged into the peaceful embrace of sleep. Suddenly, the tranquility was shattered by a cacophony of frantic screams and the ominous crackling of fire. A house in the neighborhood was ablaze, the fire dancing menacingly, consuming everything in its path.

The Battle Against Time

The fire brigade was alerted immediately and they arrived in haste, their sirens piercing the night. The firefighters, the unsung heroes, plunged into action, battling against the clock and the raging inferno. The intensity of the fire, fueled by the wooden furniture and various household items, made the task daunting.

The fire was eventually subdued, leaving behind a charred skeleton of what once was a warm, welcoming home. The sight was heart-wrenching, a stark reminder of the transient nature of material possessions. The family, though safe, was left with the monumental task of rebuilding their lives from the ashes.

Reflections

A house on fire serves as a grim reminder of the unpredictability of life and the power of nature. It underscores the importance of fire safety measures and the need for preparedness. It also highlights the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity, and the inherent human capacity to rebuild, recover, and rise from the ashes.

500 Words Essay on A House on Fire

Introduction, physical manifestation and impact.

Fire, one of the four fundamental elements, is a paradoxical entity. It is both a life-giver, providing warmth and facilitating cooking, and a life-taker, causing devastation when uncontrolled. A house on fire is a stark representation of this destructive side. The sight of a house ablaze, with flames consuming everything in their path, is a testament to the relentless and indiscriminate nature of fire. It reduces a structure that once provided shelter and comfort to a charred skeleton, a grim reminder of its former self.

Psychological Implications

A house on fire elicits a profound psychological response. The home, often seen as a sanctuary, is suddenly transformed into a source of danger. This shift can trigger intense feelings of fear and helplessness. Furthermore, the loss of personal belongings, many of which hold sentimental value, can lead to a deep sense of grief and loss. This psychological trauma can be as damaging as the physical destruction, if not more so.

Sociological Perspective

Fire as a metaphor.

Beyond the literal interpretation, a house on fire can also serve as a powerful metaphor. In literature and art, it often symbolizes upheaval, change, or destruction. It can represent personal turmoil, societal chaos, or even the destructive consequences of unchecked power and ambition. This metaphorical use of a house on fire expands its significance beyond the physical and into the realm of the abstract.

In conclusion, a house on fire is a multi-faceted concept. It is a physical event, a psychological trigger, a sociological litmus test, and a metaphorical device. The sight of a house ablaze can evoke a wide range of responses, from fear and sorrow to fascination and introspection. It serves as a stark reminder of the destructive potential of fire, the fragility of our homes, and the complex interplay of community dynamics. Ultimately, a house on fire is not just an event, but a powerful symbol with deep and far-reaching implications.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

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• Paragraph Writing
• A House On Fire Paragraph

A House on Fire Paragraph - Check Samples for Various Word Limits

Building a house takes a lot of pain. It is not only about building a pucca house or a kutcha house. Having a shelter over your head is a blessing but when it is wasted within a few minutes, it feels as if the whole world has been destroyed. All the struggles and all the pain vanishes within a few minutes.

A House on Fire Paragraph in 100 Words

A house on fire paragraph in 150 words, a house on fire paragraph in 200 words, a house on fire paragraph in 250 words, frequently asked questions on a house on fire.

Writing your feelings after seeing a house on fire? Check the samples provided below before you write the paragraph.

Having a shelter over our heads is a blessing. It takes a lot of pain to build a house. It is not only about the money but also the physical labour we take to build a house. But when there is a fire outbreak and the whole place is burnt down, nothing can be more heartbreaking than this. All the pain and struggle vanishes within a few minutes. While walking down the street in 2018, I saw a small spark near the slum, and suddenly, one of the houses caught fire as it was a kutcha house and then within a few minutes, the entire house was burning. Being scared, I screamed out to help, and before the people could save the house, it was completely burnt down. The pain was seen in the eyes of the owner, and I could see the fire in his eyes.

Building a house is a labour of love. It is not only about the money; it is also about the physical labour required to construct a home. It is a blessing to have a roof over our heads. But nothing can be more terrible than a house fire that ultimately consumes the entire structure. All of the troubles you took and struggles you underwent vanish in a matter of minutes. Once I was returning from my tuition classes in the evening, and suddenly, someone shouted for help in my neighbourhood. It was a lonely place, and I got scared listening to the scream. Before I could turn back, I saw a bright light, and after turning back, I saw my neighbour’s house was on fire. I could see him trying to save his house by throwing water, and his wife was coming out of the house with two children. Thanks to the fire brigade who came immediately and saved more than half of the building.

Having a place to call home is a blessing and is a major boon to have your own home. Many people are homeless, and we can never understand the hardships they face every day. When someone constructs their own house, they go through a lot of grief and suffering that is concealed from the public eye. Nothing is more terrifying than discovering your home is on fire. All of your suffering and anguish are buried deep within you. I was studying in my room one day when I heard a loud explosion in my neighbourhood. I bolted from my room and dashed downstairs to see what had happened. Almost all of my neighbours were running towards the end of the lane, where a huge flame was blazing. I could not really distinguish if it was someone’s house or just a fire. When I arrived, I noticed that one of my neighbours’ houses was on fire, and the owner was crying. I phoned the fire department right away, and they arrived with a long siren and quickly evacuated the entire building. They attempted to save the cook and the owner’s wife, who were trapped inside. His house was half burned down, but there were few other casualties. The people who were saved are grateful to the fire department.

A house can catch fire due to various reasons. When a person builds his house, he takes a lot of pain which is hidden from the rest of the world. He puts in all his efforts to build the house, and nothing in this world can be as terrifying as seeing your house set on fire. A lot of people are homeless, and their pain is incomparable. Something happened when I was in 5th grade and was learning about the emergency contact numbers in my school. While returning from the school, I saw a huge flame from one of the houses in my neighbourhood. My father and I ran to the place to see if it was my house which caught fire, but fortunately it was not my house. It was my neighbour who was a very close friend of my father. I saw him running out of his house and screaming out for help. Without wasting a minute, I called the fire brigade. The flames were spreading, and the owner of the house lost his consciousness due to the gases and flames. The fire brigade reached the site immediately and saved the lives of the people who were trapped inside the house and saved almost sixty percent of the house from burning. Although the fire crew spared his home, the owner’s eyes are permanently scarred by the wreckage. He burst into sobs as he realised what had happened. Even though he repaired his home, the devastation it caused is indescribable.

How does a house catch fire?

A house can catch fire due to various reasons. Fire is unstoppable. Therefore, it can spread quickly inside a house. It can be caused if a gas cylinder bursts, if there is an electric spark, etc.

How can we save a house on fire?

If a house catches fire, the best thing to do is to call the fire brigade immediately. It is not easy to stop the fire from spreading without the help of fire extinguishers.

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A House on Fire Essay for Students and Children in English

January 3, 2021 by Sandeep

A House on Fire Essay – A burning house attracts many shocked spectators trying to take care of the situation. People come out with buckets of water, sand and dust trying to control the growing flames. Neighbours can be seen trying to help victims holed up inside the house and trying to care for their burns and injuries. Rescue personnel and fire engines from fire brigade with long water pipes would be deployed immediately to extinguish the fire.

Essay on A House on Fire 200 Words in English

Below we have provided a house on fire essay, suitable for class 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

One evening, I was peacefully studying in my room because I had an important test the next day. I was so engrossed in my studies that I could not hear the noise of people shouting fire! fire! outside my house. My sister entered my room and told me that a home in our neighbourhood had caught fire. I panicked and screamed. We rushed outside along with my mother and father to help our neighbour.

The entire community were pouring buckets of water and dry sand to extinguish the fire. Many even tried to cover some area of the house by a blanket to control fire, but it was blazing. The view was horrifying. People were trying relentlessly to put out the fire but to no avail. The fire brigade was taking a lot of time to arrive on the spot because of which the fire caused considerable damage to the house.

Since the house was a three-storey structure, the inmates were trapped on the third storey and were crying for help. Their lives were in danger as the flames were encroaching them rapidly. We were helpless and at a loss to help the victims who were screaming for help. All of us were praying and waiting anxiously for the fire brigade. Meanwhile, the fire brigade turned up. People took a sigh of relief. The secretary of that area explained the scenario and efforts made to extinguish the fire to the staff.

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We’ve explored historical context, themes, essay planning and essay topics over on our Like a House on Fire by Cate Kennedy blog post. If you need a quick refresher or you’re new to studying this text, I highly recommend checking it out!

1. Dissecting the prompt

2. Essay Topic and Body Paragraphs Breakdown

3. Resources

Like A House On Fire  is currently studied in VCE English under Area of Study 1 - Text Response. For a detailed guide on Text Response, check out our  Ultimate Guide to VCE Text Response .

Dissecting the Prompt

Dissecting a collection of short stories can be very challenging due to the many characters involved, and the different themes. But what most students don’t realise is that almost all the stories in the anthology have common and overlapping themes. And that’s what you need to focus on when you’re building your essay. I’m going to go through one essay topic to demonstrate how you’re expected to dissect and plan the essay. This is how I planned my essays ate the beginning of the year when I was still struggling with writing an essay on short stories and wanted everything to be clear to me before I start writing so that I know exactly what I will be covering. 

Although many of the characters in like a house on fire are dealing with physical and emotional pain, it is their resilience that will be remembered by the reader. Do you agree?

So first of all, you need to highlight all the important aspects of this question.

Although many of the characters in like a house on fire are dealing with  physical and emotional pain , it is  their resilience  that will be remembered by the reader. Do you agree?

Now that we have highlighted the important parts that the question is inviting us to discuss, we know that we need to mention characters who are dealing with physical and emotional trauma yet rise above their tribulations, leaving the readers hopeful and optimistic. In doing so, you’ve pretty much discussed everything the prompt wants you to, but you can always go one step further and have a rebuttal paragraph. What I mean by that is: find a character who is faced with physical or emotional trauma yet gives up and becomes trapped in his/her imperfect reality. That way you show the assessor your knowledge of the text because you show them that even though Kennedy focuses on the resilience of her characters, she also sheds light on the reality that some people don’t have the strength to recover from such traumas.

Detailed Plan

What I personally do after dissecting my prompt is have a plan of what I’m going to be covering in each paragraph. The aim for a high scoring essay is to cover 5-6 short stories, if you chose to cover only 3-4 then from my experience the maximum you can score is an 8/10.

I’m going to split my essay into three sections each covering a certain aspect of my prompt.

First paragraph

Which characters struggled with physical trauma yet rose above it? 

1. In ‘Flexion’, Kennedy explores the pain and anguish Frank feels as he fights his injury, determined not to let it destroy him through her use of linguistic imagery whereby the slimily of Frank ‘[clawing] himself up onto the machinery’ as he is ‘growling like an animal’ depicts the sheer resolve that he exhibits as he tries to overcome the physical pain and handicap that threaten his independence. Thus, his resilience becomes admired by the readers who realise that despite almost dying, he chooses to alter his imperfect circumstances.

2. In the eponymous story ‘Like a House on Fire’, the unnamed protagonist suffers from a herniated disc that hinders his ability to carry out his role as a husband and a father yet he chooses to alter his imperfect reality by working his ‘teeth gritted way up the stairs’ not once but twice, in hope of finding a solution to the stagnation taking place in his own marriage.

Second paragraph

Which characters struggled with emotional trauma yet rose above it? 

1. In ‘Waiting’, the protagonist is waiting in a cold clinic whereby she will be told that she has suffered yet another miscarriage. Despite the harrowing pain she feels and the feeling of something ‘ebbing away’ leaving her once again without a ‘viable’ child, she chooses to move forward and declares that she is ‘not a martyr, just someone who sees what need to be done and does it’.

2. Michelle in ‘Five-Dollar Family’, has to adjust all her dreams of Des becoming the perfect father and boyfriend when she realises, he’ll be going to jail. Thus, Michelle’s epiphany that ‘she is got everything this baby needs now’ and no longer sees any value in Des allow for self-growth and ultimately the ability to cope with single parenting.

Third paragraph

Which characters are unable to show resilience and become prisoners of their imperfect circumstances? 

1. In ‘Sleepers’, Ray becomes a sleeper in his own life in the aftermath of his break up. Unlike many of the short stories in the collection, Sleepers is one that does not end with the optimism of a new start but rather ends with Ray being trapped again in his life waiting ‘to take what was coming to him’ thus signifying the damage his loneliness has cost him; whereby his life has become a series of lethargic and meaningless events.

After planning which stories, we want to discuss in the essay, we can now begin the writing process. So essentially the most important part of writing your essay is planning it and making sure you understand properly what you need to answer in your essay.

Later in the year when you are doing EAL/English practice papers, it is quite unrealistic for you to create such a detailed plan considering the time restrictions. So, I will run you through how I planned my essay in an actual exam situation.

So just like we did with the detailed plan, we highlight the important parts of the question that will need to be discussed in the essay.

Then you need to think of the stories that represent physical pain yet the characters rise above their tribulations:

2. Like a House on Fire

Then you need to think of the stories that represent emotional pain:

2. Five-Dollar Family

Then you need to think of the rebuttal story whereby the characters suffer but do not exhibit resilience:

1. Sleepers

So essentially in the short plan you just outline the stories that you would like to mention and split them up according to which aspect of the prompt they will be answering rather than actually writing dot points on each one. So your plan becomes less detailed but rather just an outline so you stay on track and do not ramble.

If you found this essay breakdown helpful, then you might want to check out our Like a House on Fire Study Guide which includes 5 A+ sample essays with EVERY essay annotated and broken down on HOW and WHY these essays achieved A+ so you reach your English goals!

By the way, to download a PDF version of this guide for printing or offline use, click here !

Download a PDF version of this blog for printing or offline use

VCE Text Response Study Guide

Like a House on Fire by Cate Kennedy

Like a House on Fire Essay Topic Breakdown

Close analysis of 'Cake' from Like a House on Fire

'Cake' from Like a House on Fire YouTube Video

The Ultimate guide to VCE Text Response

How to embed quotes in your essay like a boss

How to turn your Text Response essays from average to A+

5 Tips for a mic drop worthy essay conclusion ‍

Get our FREE VCE English Text Response mini-guide

Now quite sure how to nail your text response essays? Then download our free mini-guide, where we break down the art of writing the perfect text-response essay into three comprehensive steps. Click below to get your own copy today!

Access a FREE sample of our Like a House on Fire study guide

• Learn how to brainstorm ANY essay topic and plan your essay so you answer the topic accurately
• Apply LSG's THINK and EXECUTE strategy , a clear and proven method to elevate the quality of your text response writing
• 5 sample A+ essays with EVERY essay annotated and broken down on HOW and WHY these essays achieved A+ ‍
• Think like a 45+ study scorer through advanced discussions on symbols & motifs, views & values and character analysis

Alfred Hitchcock’s classic thriller Rear Window was released nearly 65 years ago. Back then, Hitchcock was a controversial filmmaker just starting to make waves and build his influence in Hollywood; now, he is one of the most widely celebrated directors of the 20th century. At the time of its 1954 release, Rear Window emerged into a world freshly shaken by World War II. The fear of communism riddled American society and Cold War tensions were escalating between the two global superpowers, the USSR and USA. Traditional gender stereotypes and marital roles were beginning to be challenged, yet the ‘old way’ continued to prevail. The culture of the 1950s could hardly be more different to what it is today. Within the Western world, the birth of the 21st century has marked the decline of cemented expectations and since been replaced by social equality regardless of gender, sexual preference and age. So why , six decades after its original release and in a world where much of its content appears superficially outdated , do we still analyse the film Rear Window ?

Rear Window is a film primarily concerned with the events which L.B. (Jeff) Jefferies, a photographer incapacitated by an accident which broke his leg, observes from the window of his apartment. He spends his days watching the happenings of the Greenwich Village courtyard, which enables Jeff to peer into the apartments and lives of local residents. The curiosities which exist in such an intimate setting fulfil Jeff’s instinctual need to watch. The act of observing events from a secure distance is as tempting as reality television and magazines. To this day, these mediums provide entertainment tailored to popular culture. At its roots, Jeff’s role as a voyeur within Rear Window is designed to satisfy his intense boredom in a state of injury. As the film is seen through Jeff’s voyeuristic eyes, the audience become voyeurs within their own right. Until relations between Thorwald and his wife simmer into territory fraught with danger, Jeff’s actions are the harmless activities of a man searching for entertainment.

So, if Rear Window teaches us that voyeurism is a dangerous yet natural desire , does the film comment on the individuals who consent to being watched? Within Greenwich Village, Jeff’s chance to act as an observer is propelled by the indifference of those he observes. Almost without exception, his neighbours inadvertently permit Jeff’s eyes wandering into their apartments by leaving their blinds up. The private elements of others’ lives, including their domestic duties, marital relations and indecencies, are paraded before Jeff. Greenwich Village is his picture show and its residents willingly raise the stage’s curtains . This presentation of Hitchcock’s 1954 statement remains relevant today. Jeff’s neighbours’ consent to his intrusion into their lives bears striking similarities to current indifference. The prevalence of social media enables information to be gathered as soon as its users click the ‘Accept Terms & Conditions’ button. Rear Window is a commentary on social values and provokes its audience to examine habits of their own, especially in a world where sensitive information is at our fingertips. Just as Hitchcock’s 1954 characters invite perversive eyes to inspect their lives, society today is guilty of the same apathy .

The characters of Hitchcock’s thriller are a pivotal element of the film’s construction. They add layers of depth to the text and fulfil roles central to the plot’s development. One of Hitchcock’s fundamental directorial decisions was leaving multiple characters unnamed – within Greenwich Village alone, we meet Miss Lonelyhearts, Miss Torso and Miss Hearing Aid. The stereotypical nature of these labels, based on superficial traits that Jeff observes from his window, exemplifies the sexism prevalent in the 1950s. Jeff’s knowledge of these women is limited to such an extent that he does not know their names, yet considers himself qualified enough to develop labels for each of them. The historical background of stereotypes is imbedded within Rear Window and shares vast similarities with the stereotypes we recognise today.

Hitchcock’s 1954 thriller Rear Window portrays a little world that represents the larger one . Its themes, primarily voyeurism, and character profiles illustrate Hitchcock’s societal messages and provide a running commentary on issues which govern America during the 1950s. In the six decades since the film’s release, the Western world has undergone significant developments both socially and culturally. L.B (Jeff) Jefferies’ perception of women and married life is inconsistent with the relations between men and women that we observe today. Regardless, the timeless views that Hitchcock’s conveys through Rear Window continue to speak volumes about our society. Jeff’s voyeurism, which comprises much of the film’s major plotline, is a channel for Hitchcock to comment about the instinctual desire for individuals to observe others. Additionally, Hitchcock delves into the flip side of this matter, presenting the theory that those he watches are just as guilty of allowing his intrusion into their private lives. Apathetic mindsets in today’s digital world are responsible for the same indifference that Hitchcock explores within his film. Let’s not forget the sexist stereotypes that Jeff develops to label certain women within Greenwich Village. Miss Lonelyhearts, Miss Torso and Miss Hearing Aid are all victims of Jeff’s narrow mindset towards women, emphasised by these superficial and demeaning names. Stereotypes remain as apparent within society today as they were within the world of Rear Window and can be identified within the media’s diverse presentation of social issues. It is easy to assume that Hitchcock’s 1954 thriller, Rear Window , lacks the relevancy we expect from films. Contrary to this perception, its ingrained messages are fundamentally true to this day.

Updated 30/12/2020

• What Are Quotes?
• Why Use Quotes?
• What You Want To Quote
• How Much You Want To Quote
• How That Quote Will Fit into Your Essay
• There Are Also Other Ways of Using Quotation Marks
• Questions You Must Ask Yourself When Weaving Quotes into Sentences
• How To Find Good Quotes

1. What Are Quotes?

Quotations, better known by their abbreviation ‘quotes’, are a form of evidence used in VCE essays. Using quotations in essays helps to demonstrate your knowledge of the text, and provides solid evidence for your arguments. The discussion on quotations in this study guide can be applied to all three areas of study in the VCAA English course which have been explained in detail in our Ultimate Guide s to VCE Text Response , Comparative and  Language Analysis .

A quotation is the repetition of a group of words taken from a text by someone other than the original author. The punctuation mark used to indicate a repetition of another author’s work is presented through quotation marks. These quotation marks are illustrated by inverted commas, either single inverted commas (‘ ’) or double inverted commas (“ ”). There is no general rule in Australia regarding which type of inverted comma you must use for quotations. Single inverted commas are preferred in Australia as they follow the British standard. The American standard involves styling quotations with the double inverted comma. You can choose either style, just be consistent in your essays.

2. Why Use Quotes?

The usage of quotations in essays demonstrates:

• Your knowledge of the text
• Credibility of your argument
• An interesting and thoughtful essay
• The strength of your writing skills.

However, quotations must be used correctly, otherwise you risk (and these frequent mistakes will be discussed in detail later):

• Irrelevant quotations
• Overcrowding or overloading of quotations
• Broken sentences

How You Integrate a Quote into an Essay Depends on Three Factors:

• What you want to quote
• How much you want to quote
• How that quote will fit into your essay.

3. What You Want To Quote

As you discuss ideas in a paragraph, quotes should be added to develop these ideas further. A quote should add insight into your argument; therefore, it is imperative that the quote you choose relates intrinsically to your discussion. This is dependent on which aspect of the text you are discussing, for example:

• Description of theme or character
• Description of event or setting
• Description of a symbol or other literary technique

Never quote just for the sake of quoting. Quotations can be irrelevant  if a student merely adds in quotes as ‘sentence fillers’. Throwing in quotations just to make your essay appear more sophisticated will only be more damaging if the quotation does not adequately reinforce or expand on your contention. Conversely, an essay with no quotations will not achieve many marks either.

4. How Much You Want To Quote

A quotation should never tell the story for you. Quotations are a ‘support’ system, much like a back up for your ideas and arguments. Thus, you must be selective in how much you want to quote. Generally speaking, the absolute minimum is three quotes per paragraph but you should not  overload  your paragraphs either. Overcrowding your essay with too many quotations will lead to failure to develop your ideas, as well as your work appearing too convoluted for your assessor. Remember that the essay is  your  piece of work and should consist mainly of your own ideas and thoughts.

Single Word Quotations

The word ‘evaporates’, used to characterise money and happiness intends to instill the idea that happiness as a result of money is only temporary. (VCAA ‘Can Money Buy Happiness’ Language Analysis)

Single worded quotations can often leave the largest impression on the assessor. This is because you are able to demonstrate that you can focus on one word and develop an entire idea around it.

Phrase Quotations

Sunil Badami ‘still found it hard to tie my Indian appearance to my Australian feeling', showing that for Sunil, his culture was not Indian, but Australian due to his upbringing. ( Sticks and Stones and Such-like, Sunil Badami in Growing Up Asian in Australia )

A phrase quotation is the most common quotation length you will use in essays.

Long Quotations

The multitudes of deaths surrounding Anna began to take its toll on her, burdening her with guilt as ‘sometimes, if I walked the main street of the village in the evening, I felt the press of their ghosts. I realised then that I had begun to step small and carry myself all hunched, keeping my arms at my sides and my elbows tucked, as if to leave room for them.’ ( Year of Wonders, Geraldine Brooks )

Long quotations comprise of more than one sentence – avoid using them as evidence. Your assessor will not mark you highly if the bulk of your paragraphs consists of long quotations. You should aim to keep your quotations to less than 2 lines on an A4 writing page. If you have a long quotation you wish to use, be selective. Choose only the important phrases or key words, and remove the remaining sentence by replacing it with an ellipsis (…).

Here is the same example again, with the student using ellipsis:

The multitudes of deaths surrounding Anna began to take its toll on her, burdening her with guilt as she felt ‘the press of their ghosts…[and] begun to step small and carry myself all hunched…as if to leave room for them.’ ( Year of Wonders, Geraldine Brooks)

In this case, we have deleted: ‘sometimes, if I walked the main street of the village in the evening’ and ‘I realised then that I had’ by using an ellipsis – a part of the quotation that is not missed because it does not represent the essence of the student’s argument. You would have noticed that a square bracket ([  ]) was used. This will be discussed in detail under  Blending Quotes.

5. How That Quote Will Fit into Your Essay

You must never take the original author’s words and use them in your essay  without  inserting them in quotation marks. Failure to do so leads to ‘plagiarism’ or cheating. Plagiarism occurs when you take someone else’s work and pass it off as your own. You must make sure that you use quotation marks whenever you use evidence from your text.

The following is plagiarism:

Even a single flicker of the eyes could be mistaken for the essential crime that contained all other crimes in itself – thought crime.  (1984, George Orwell)

Using quotation marks however, avoids plagiarism:

Even ‘a single flicker of the eyes’ could be mistaken for ‘the essential crime that contained all other crimes in itself – thought crime.’  (1984, George Orwell)

There are serious consequences for plagiarism. VCAA will penalise students for plagiarism. VCAA uses statistical analysis to compare a student’s work with their General Achievement Test (GAT), and if the cross-referencing indicates that the student is achieving unexpectedly high results with their schoolwork, the student’s school will be notified and consequential actions will be taken.

Plagiarism should not be confused with:

• ‍ Paraphrasing : to reword or rephrase the author’s words
• ‍ Summarising: to give a brief statement about the author’s main points
• ‍ Quoting : to directly copy the author’s words with an indication (via quotation marks) that it is not your original work

Blending Quotations

You should always aim to interweave quotations into your sentences in order to achieve good flow and enhanced readability of your essay. Below is a good example of blending in quotations:

John Proctor deals with his own inner conflict as he is burdened with guilt and shame of his past adulterous actions. Yet during the climatic ending of the play, Proctor honours his principles as he rejects signing a false confession. This situation where Proctor is confronted to ‘sign [himself] to lies’ is a stark epiphany, for he finally acknowledges that he does have ‘some shred of goodness.’ ( The Crucible, Arthur Miller)

There are three main methods in how you can blend quotations into an essay:

1. Adding Words

Broken sentences  are a common mistake made when students aim to integrate quotations into their sentences. Below are examples of broken sentences due to poor integration of a quotation:

‘Solitary as an oyster’. Scrooge is illustrated as a person who is isolated in his own sphere. ( A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens)

Never write a sentence consisting of  only  a quotation. This does not add insight into your argument, nor does it achieve good flow or readability.

Scrooge, ‘solitary as an oyster’, is illustrated as a person who is isolated in his own sphere.  (A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens)

This example is better, however the sentence is still difficult to read. In order to blend quotations into your sentences, try adding in words that will help merge the quotation and your own words together:

Described as being as ‘solitary as an oyster’, Scrooge is illustrated as a person who is isolated in his own sphere.  (A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens)

Scrooge is depicted as a person who is ‘solitary as an oyster’, illustrating that he is isolated in his own sphere.  (A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens)

Tip: If you remove the quotation marks, the sentence should still make sense.

2. Square Brackets ([   ])

These are used when you need to modify the original writer’s words so that the quotation will blend into your essay. This is usually done to:

Change Tense

Authors sometimes write in past  (looked) , present  (look)  or future tense  (will look) . Depending on how you approach your essay, you may choose to write with one of the three tenses. Since your tense may not always match the author’s, you will need to alter particular words.

Original sentence: ‘…puts his arm around Lewis’ shoulder’ ( Cosi, Louis Nowra)

Upon seeing Lewis upset, Roy attempts to cheer him up by ‘put[ting] his arm around Lewis’ shoulder’. ( Cosi, Louis Nowra)

Change Narrative Perspective

The author may write in a first  (I, we) , second  (you)  or third person  (he, she, they)  narrative. Since you will usually write from an outsider’s point of view, you will refer to characters in third person. Thus, it is necessary to replace first and second person pronouns with third person pronouns. Alternatively, you can replace first and second person pronouns with the character’s name.

The original sentence: ‘Only now can I recognise the scene for what it was: a confessional, a privilege that I, through selfishness and sensual addiction, failed to accept…’  (Maestro, Peter Goldsworthy)

When Keller was finally ready to share his brutal past with Paul, the latter disregarded the maestro, as he was too immersed in his own adolescent interests. However, upon reflection, Paul realises that ‘only now can [he] recognise the scene for what it was: a confessional, a privilege that [he], through selfishness and sensual addiction, failed to accept’.  (Maestro, Peter Goldsworthy)

Insert Missing Words

Sometimes, it may be necessary to insert your own words in square brackets so that the quotation will be coherent when incorporated into your sentences.

The original sentence: ‘His heels glow.’ ( Ransom, David Malouf)

Achilles, like Priam, feels a sense of refreshment as highlighted by ‘his heels [which] glow.’ ( Ransom, David Malouf)

It is important to maintain proper grammar while weaving in quotations. The question is: does the punctuation go inside or outside the final quotation mark?

The rule is: If the quoted words end with a full stop (or comma), then the full stop goes inside the quotation marks. If the quoted words do not end with a full stop, then the full stop goes outside the quotation marks.

Original sentence: 'Sagitty’s old place plus another hundred acres that went from the head waters of Darkey Creek all the way down to the river.’ ( The Secret River, Kate Grenville)

Punctuation inside:

During the past decade, Thornhill became the wealthiest man in the area, owning ‘Sagitty’s old place plus another hundred acres that went from the head waters of Darkey Creek all the way down to the river.’ ( The Secret River, Kate Grenville)

Punctuation outside:

During the past decade, Thornhill became the wealthiest man in the area, owning ‘Sagitty’s old place plus another hundred acres’. ( The Secret River, Kate Grenville)

6. There Are Also Other Ways of Using Quotation Marks

Title of text.

When including the title of the text in an essay, use single quotation marks.

Directed by Elia Kazan, ‘On The Waterfront’ unveils the widespread corruption among longshoremen working at New Jersey docks. ( On The Waterfront, Elia Kazan)

Alternatively, you can underline the title of the text instead of using single quotation marks. Many teachers and examiners prefer this option.

Quotation Within a Quotation

When you quote the author who is quoting someone else, then you will need to switch between single and double quotation marks. You firstly need to enclose the author’s words in single quotation marks, and then enclose the words they quote in double quotation marks. If you're following the American standard, you'll need to do this the opposite way - that is, using double quotation marks for the author's words and and then single quotation marks for the quote. We recommend sticking to the preferred Australian style though, which is single and then double.

Original sentence: ‘…something bitter and stringy, too difficult to swallow. “It’s just that – I – um, I hate it…It’s too – it’s too Indian!”’ ( Sticks and Stones and Such-like, Sunil Badami in Growing Up Asian in Australia)

Sunil’s unusual name leads him to believe that it is ‘…something bitter and stringy, too difficult to swallow. “It’s just that – I – um, I hate it…It’s too – it’s too Indian!”’ ( Sticks and Stones and Such-like, Sunil Badami in Growing Up Asian in Australia)

As you can see, the student has quoted the author’s words in single quotation marks. The dialogue used by the author is surrounded by double quotation marks. This demonstrates that the dialogue used in the text still belongs to the author.

Using Quotations to Express Irony

When you wish to express irony, you use quotation marks to illustrate that the implied meaning of the actual word or phrase is different to the normal meaning.

As a young girl, Elaine is a victim of Mrs Smeath and her so called ‘friends’. Her father’s interest in insects and her mother’s lack of housework presents Elaine as an easy bullying target for other girls her age who are fit to fulfill Toronto’s social norms. ( Cat’s Eye,  Margaret Atwood)

In this case, ‘friends’ is written in inverted commas to indicate that Elaine’s peers are not truly her friends but are in fact, bullies.

7. Questions You Must Ask Yourself When Weaving Quotes into Sentences

1.  Does the quote blend into my sentence?

2.  Does my sentence still make sense?

3.  Is it too convoluted for my readers to understand?

4.  Did I use the correct grammar?

8. How To Find Good Quotes

Tip One: Do not go onto Google and type in 'Good quotes for X text', because this is not going to work. These type of quotes are generally the most famous and the most popular quotes because, yes they are good quotes, but does that necessarily mean that it's going to be a good quote in your essay? Probably not. But why? Well, it's because these quotes are the most likely to be overused by students - absolutely every single person who has studied this text before you, and probably every single person who will study this text after you. You want to be unique and original. So, how are you going to find those 'good quotes'? Recognise which quotes are constantly being used and blacklist them. Quotes are constantly used in study guides are generally the ones that will be overused by students. Once you eliminate these quotes, you can then go on to find potentially more subtle quotes that are just as good as the more popular or famous ones. Tip Two: Re-read the book. There is nothing wrong with you going ahead and finding your own quotes. You don't need to find quotes that already exist online or in study guides. Go and find whatever gels with you and whatever you feel like has a lot of meaning to it. I had a friend back in high school who was studying a book by Charles Dickens. I haven't read the book myself, but there was a character who couldn't pronounce the letter S, or he had a lisp of some sort. What my friend did was he found this one word where, throughout the entire book, the guy with the lisp only ever said the S one time and that was a massive thing. So, he used that. This is something that is really unique and original. So, go ahead and try to find your own quotes. Tip Three: Realise that good quotes do not necessarily have to come from the main character. Yes, the main character does often have good quotes associated with whatever they're saying, but just know that you do have minor characters who can say something really relevant and have a really good point too. Their quote is going to be just as strong in your essay as a main character's quote, which will probably be overused and overdone by so many other students. Tip Four: Develop a new interpretation of a famous or popular quote. Most of the time, the really popular quotes are analysed in very much the same way. But if you can offer a new insight into why it's being said or offer a different interpretation, then this is automatically going to create a really good quote that's going to offer a refreshing point of view. For example, if we look at The Great Gatsby , one of the most famous quotes that is constantly being used is, 'He found what a grotesque thing a rose is and how raw the sunlight was upon the scarcely created grass.' What most people will do is they will analyse the part about the 'grotesque thing a rose', because that's the most significant part of the quote that stands out. But what you could do instead, is focus on a section of that quote, for example the 'raw'. Why is the word raw being used? How does the word raw contribute extra meaning to this particular quote? This way you're honing in on a particular section of the quote and really trying to offer something new. This automatically allows you to investigate the quote in a new light. Tip Five: Just remember that the best quotes do not have to be one sentence long. Some of the best quotes tend to be really short phrases or even just one particular word. Teachers actually love it when you can get rid of the excess words that are unnecessary in the sentence, and just hone in on a particular phrase or a particular word to offer an analysis. And also, that way, when you spend so much time analysing and offering insight into such a short phrase or one sentence, it shows how knowledgeable you are about the text and that you don't need to rely on lots and lots of evidence in order to prove your point. Those are my five quick tips on how to find good quotes from your texts!

Need more help with quotes? Learn about 5 Ways You're Using Quotes Wrong .

Resources for texts mentioned/referenced in this blog post:

Comparing: Stasiland and 1984 Study Guide

A Killer Text Guide: Cosi (ebook)

Cosi By Louis Nowra Study Guide

Cosi Study Guide

Growing Up Asian in Australia Study Guide

A Killer Text Guide: On the Waterfront (ebook)

A Killer Text Guide: Ransom (ebook)

Ransom Study Guide

The Crucible by Arthur Miller Study Guide

A Killer Text Guide: The Crucible (ebook)

‍ The Crucible and Year of Wonders Prompts

Comparing: The Crucible and Year of Wonders Study Guide

The Great Gatsby Study Guide

‍ A Killer Text Guide: The Secret River (ebook)

The Secret River by Kate Grenville Study Guide

Montana 1948 is narrated by David Hayden, now a middle-aged history teacher, reflecting on the summer of 1948 that changed his entire life.

It begins with David noticing that his Native American babysitter, Marie Little Soldier is unwell. Gail and Wesley, David’s parents, attempt to enlist the help of Wesley’s brother Frank, a well-respected doctor in the community. However, Marie reacts to this idea with fear, anxiety and resistance. Gail concludes that something sinister must be happening for her to have such a reaction and she presses Marie for why she is so afraid. Marie then reveals to Gail that she has heard that Dr Frank has been sexually abusing many of his female Native American patients. Gail immediately confides in Wesley who is both the Sheriff of their town and Frank’s brother. This becomes the central source of tension, as Wes must decide between his duty as the Sheriff and his loyalty to his family.

This is all told from the perspective of David, our protagonist, who has to watch his father confront his Uncle Frank about these taboo accusations. Eventually, it seems they reach an agreement with Frank to stop the abuse.

Marie is discovered dead the next day in her bed when Gail goes to check up on her. Later that night, David admits to his parents that he saw Frank go into their home in the afternoon and immediately, Wesley concludes that Frank “is guilty as sin” for murdering Marie. As the Sheriff of the town, Wesley is obligated to arrest Frank, but in order to spare Frank the embarrassment, he keeps Frank in their basement instead of sending him to jail.  

Upon hearing this news, David’s grandfather, Julian, orders Wesley to release Frank. Julian accuses Wesley of arresting him out of jealousy and he threatens to use his power within the community to set Frank free. At this point, Wesley realises that the power of his father would only be matched by the law, and he decides that he must officially prosecute his brother.

That next day, David, Wes and Gail wake up to find Frank dead, having used broken glass to slit his wrists and commit suicide. Young David believes that this was the right action and hopes that everything would go back to normal. But as the story goes, this is not the case.

Prejudice, discrimination and the abuse of power

Another key theme is prejudice, discrimination and the abuse of power. Frank’s abuse of the Native American women is both an abuse of his power and responsibilities as a Doctor and a way to take advantage of his personal belief in White “racial superiority.” Julian and Frank embody the toxic, violent and bigoted mentality prevalent during that time period, which Watson deplores as reprimandable and unacceptable. Even at the novel’s close, Frank’s death is symbolic in two ways. Firstly, it means that Frank managed to escape persecution, public denouncement and jail time. But more importantly, he is still revered in the community as a “respected man” and a “war hero. '' Therefore, while he physically passes away, his ‘legacy’ and façade of heroism remains alive.

Law vs Justice

One of the central themes of ‘Montana 1948’ is the conflict between abiding by the law and doing what is just. Due to the institutionalised racism that existed in the 1940’s, Frank’s actions were not considered technically illegal, however, by intuitive standards of morality , his rape of Natives in his practice and his subsequent murder of Marie clearly warrant punishment. Thus, Watson touches on the failures of the judicial system to consistently hand out judgements that are morally fair and instead reveals the flaws within the legal system of the time that reflect widespread and corrupt social attitudes .

Loyalty vs Morality

Watson also touches on the conflict between loyalty and morality. This, as we know, forms the crux of narrative’s tension . Should Wes arrest and prosecute his brother Frank or not? Should he stay loyal to his family or uphold the moral values that he must stand by as the towns Sheriff? Gail, David’s mother, embodies all the virtues of morality that we all stand by and she is appalled by Frank’s behaviour and demands that he be persecuted regardless of his relationship with Wes. In sharp contrast, Julian believes that Frank can be excused for his actions because the victims were merely “red meat ” Native American women who he views as subhuman.

Characters 

Gail is David’s mother and Wesley’s wife. She is a compassionate, idealistic and courageous woman. This can also be seen as she stands up for Marie, despite the prejudices in the society at the time. She also spends a ‘good deal of energy’ protecting herself and her family.  She also doesn’t take part in Wesley’s racist jokes. For example, when Wesley makes a joke about Marie, ‘never been to anyone but the tribal medicine man’, David responds with ‘my mother didn’t laugh.’

David is Wesley and Gail’s son and is the narrator of the text. He doesn’t share Wesley’s beliefs surrounding race and forms his own moral perspective. This is demonstrated when he makes a fuss about wanting to wear moccasins (which Gail sides with him on) while his father says will make him ‘as flat-footed and lazy as an Indian.’ 

Unlike his father, we don’t see David conflicted with his loyalties and he is particularly critical of his father. This is best demonstrated when he ‘was beginning to already think of Uncle Frank as a criminal’ upon hearing sexual assault accusations against Frank. When Wesley spares Gail the details of his investigation into Frank, David believes it could be because he is ‘trying to protect his brother and keeping the number of witnesses to the accounts of his crime to a minimum’. After Wesley arrests Frank and takes him to the basement for imprisonment, David assumes his father killed Frank despite Wesley not being depicted as a particularly violent person in the novel.  All it takes is an indistinct noise from the basement for David to conjure up ways his father could have killed his Uncle Frank.

Frank is Wesley’s brother and is described as a ‘witty and charming’ doctor, and war hero who is widely loved by the community -particularly by his dad, Julian. In reality, Frank is a criminal who abuses his power - both a white man and a doctor to sexually assault Indian women - which he believes he can get away with.  This is compounded when he states, “I am not concerned about social progress.” Through Frank, Watson demonstrates how some individuals can abuse their positions of power and privilege, and to not lose any sleep over it (‘at smiling ease with his life and everything it’).

Wesley is Julian’s son, Gail’s husband, and David’s father and the sheriff of Mercer county. He dislikes Native Americans and frequently makes jokes about them and stereotypes them. He even uses the fact that Marie Little Soldiers is a Native American to belittle and doubt the credibility of her experience. 

Wesley’s conflicting loyalties become more complex and difficult once you consider the prejudices at the time, his job as an officer of the law, Frank’s station in the family and community, Gail’s strong opinions and his constant need to seek validation from his father. An instance that mirrors Wesley’s conflicting loyalties is when he tells Gail, “I wish you wouldn’t have told the sheriff.” When she told informed him of Marie’s sexual assault allegations against Frank. However, in Wesley’s eyes, Frank’s murder of Marie Little Soldier, is where the latter crosses the line. The magnitude of his brother’s crime is too large for him to let his previous conflicting loyalties as a sheriff and a brother hold him back from arresting Frank. After convicting Frank and having to argue about it with his father, we learned ‘for the first time how this experience with his brother was ruining him physically.’ 

Julian is a bigoted racist man who has an unconditional love for his son Frank and unfairly favours him over his son Wesley. When he learns of Franks charges he exclaims, “What kind of bullshit is this?” He belittles the sexual assaults as Frank just ‘feeling them up’ and ‘assaulting an Indian’. At this point, Julian taking Frank’s side exposes how irrationally loyal he is to his son and suggests that even if the women were not Indian, he may still stand by Frank's actions. He protests that the only reason Wesley convicted Frank was that ‘ever since the war, ever since Frank came home in uniform and he [Wesley] stayed here [home],’ he’s ‘been jealous’. However, this comment seems to say more about Julian’s feelings than Wesley’s - perhaps, this is why Julain felt this inclination towards Frank. After this argument, we see Wesley’s feeling of defeat and heartbreak - that despite Frank being a murderer and a rapist, his father still seemed to pick his side over Wesley’s. 

Quotes on Prejudices, Discrimination and the Abuse of Power

• “He wears those and soon he'll be as flat-footed and lazy as an Indian" - Discrimination is evident in Montana 1948 where Wesley uses stereotypes of Indians to imply they are inferior to them, and that David shouldn’t be like them.
• "She's an Indian- Why would she tell the truth?”  
• “Your mother and I thought we’d have more to show than just one grandchild … and white- we want them we want them white”
• “Screwing an Indian. Or feeling her up or whatever. You don’t lock up a man for that.”
• “You know Frank’s always been partial to red meat.”  
• “Well if Sheriff Hayden says it's so, it must be so.”
• “Wesley, your brother is raping these women. These girls. These Indian girls.”

Quotes on Law vs Justice

• “Why did my grandfather first run for sheriff? … He wanted, he needed power. He was a dominating man who drew sustenance and strength from controlling others.” This quote shows that many people in society at the time held positions of power such as lawyers or sheriff but didn’t enforce the law or worry about the morality of their actions. Thus creating an unjust legal system that would allow these people to shape how the law is enforced with their own prejudices.
• “You know what your Grandad said it means to be a peace officer in Montana? He said it means knowing when to look and when to look away.”  
• “I think the problem has been taken care of. Frank said he’s going to cut it out”

Quotes on Loyalty vs Morality

• "David, I believe that in this world people must pay for their crimes. It doesn't matter who you are or who your relations are; if you do wrong, you pay. I believe that. I have to."
• “I wish you wouldn’t have told the sheriff.” 
• “You don’t lock up your brother. A respected man. A war hero.” “This is a legal matter.” “Bull sh*t. ” “Then why have you got him locked up here and not over at the jail? This is your brother here. My son! ”

Quotes on Destruction of Innocence

• 'I had gone back into the house -to the kitchen, to my room, out the backdoor, I had left the porch and followed frank's steps down the front walk - I never would have heard the conversation between my father and mother, and perhaps I would have lived my life with an illusion about my family and perhaps the human community’ - page 33
• “The shock of hearing this about Uncle Frank was doubled because my mother was saying these words. Rape. Breasts. Penis. These were words I never heard my mother use-ever- and I’m sure her stammer was not only from emotion but also from the strain on her vocabulary.”
• “But I was on a trail that would lead me out of my childhood.”

With contributions from Fae Saberi.

Hey everyone!

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Be able to successfully identify language techniques in articles and images

Be able to successfully identify tones adopted in articles and images

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Be able to apply your new skills coherently and clearly in essay writing

You will be able to accurately describe HOW an author uses language to persuade

You will be able to plan and write a language analysis essay structure (single article/image)

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For a deep dive into the Creative and what it entails, check out our blog post: VCE English Unit 3, Area Of Study 2: Creating Texts - What Is It?

Leo Tolstoy wrote his magnum opus, War and Peace , over the span of six years. It took Harper Lee two and a half years to write To Kill A Mockingbird . Anthony Doerr’s All the Light We Cannot See took ten years to complete.

The incredibly intricate and complex nature of stories means that it often takes time to fit all the elements in harmony. But for those of you studying VCE English Units 1 and 3 , you don’t have the luxury of two or six, let alone ten years to write your Creative. The time constraints you face can mean that it’s harder to put the metaphorical puzzle pieces together. 

Luckily, we can simplify the process for you by breaking down what makes a good story (using Cinderella to demonstrate).

The Skeleton of a Good Story (With Steps!)

In primary school, we were all taught the “beginning-middle-end“ approach to stories. Aside from being kind of vague, this overused approach doesn’t ensure a clear transformation between the “beginning” and the “end“. If nothing changes between the beginning and the end of your story, you have no story.

The skeleton approach is an effective alternative to other forms of story writing because it guarantees that your character has fundamentally changed by the end. Think of the following as criteria when you write your Creative - if you have (even slightly) addressed all of the following aspects, you can be sure you’ve written a story worth telling (and a Creative that’s going to score highly).

1) The Status Quo

Most stories feature a main protagonist, and your Creative piece should too! This is the main character who is in a zone of comfort/familiarity with some obvious shortcoming. This shortcoming can be a character flaw or something in the setting. This is Cinderella: she is used to her ordinary life in her small house, with her shortcoming being that she’s a servant to her evil stepsisters.

2) The Want

Additionally, your character has to want something (or at least, think that they want that thing). Since your time is limited, keep the desire simple. For instance, Cinderella’s main desire is to escape her life of servitude and be supported.

3) The New Situation

After you have established the character’s “want”, your character has to enter an unfamiliar situation that addresses their shortcoming. Continuing the example of Cinderella, this unfamiliar situation is the royal ball, which offers her the chance to marry the prince and live with him instead.  

4) The Plan

After the new situation is presented, the character must carry out a plan to get what they want, be it explicitly or subconsciously. This plan can either succeed or fail in getting them what they want. Cinderella plans to present herself as a viable option for the prince by ensuring she is well-groomed and presentable - a plan she fulfils.

However, the character must pay a very heavy price for it - mentally, physically or emotionally. This is the climax of the story, where the character is challenged and maybe even forced to change. For Cinderella, the clock striking midnight signals a limit on the amount of time she can maintain the princess persona and interact with the prince.

5) The “Eureka” Moment

This part of the story is potentially the most vital: when the character is forced to look within and reflect on who they are, what they actually need and want, and who they must be to achieve these things. Cinderella's initial reluctance to claim ownership of the shoe suggests her acceptance of a life of servitude, implying that she views the "aristocratic dream" as unachievable.

6) The Resolution

Finally, the character either returns to their familiar situation or a new situation is born. In Cinderella , a new situation arises when Cinderella marries the prince and escapes her previous life. This is when the situation has been “resolved ”, not “ended”.  

Experiment!

The other benefit of the skeleton approach is that you have the room to experiment with your Creative piece. For instance, you can do an allegorical text (like Animal Farm ) or maybe even a cyclical structure ( Gone Girl , film). Your Creative piece is inspired by your experiences and no one else’s so have fun with your creative control!

[Video Transcript]

‘Liz sits there helpless’

• From the beginning of the short story we can see that Liz isn’t, or doesn’t feel in control of her situation. The step by step process where she needs to ‘put the key in the ignition and turn it. Fire up the car and drive away’ showcases how the smallest details of starting the car, something that should be so simple instead requires immense mental effort on her behalf.

‘And he’s in there, alone, where she’s left him’.

• Her guilt bubbles to the surface here because it’s as though she’s the villain here, and she’s to blame for leaving him alone.

‘Abandoned him to a roomful of rampaging strangers’

• What’s really interesting here is her description of the other children. Instead of seeing this as an opportunity for Daniel to befriend others and have a great time, she describes them as ‘rampaging strangers’, giving us a sense that Daniel is subject to an unfamiliar environment that is wild, frenzied, rioting.

“Guerilla warfare”, “Jungle gym”, "seasoned commanders”

• These "fighter” phrases reveal Liz’s anxious mindset, as she imagines a world where her son is almost in the wilderness, every man for himself, as though it’s the survival of the fittest - and which Liz so fearfully express, “not that there’s going to be anybody with enough time to notice that Daniel needs help”, is not an environment where Daniel belongs.

“She digs in her bag for her lipstick, her fingers searching for the small cylinder, and pulls out a crayon, then a battery, then a tampon, then a gluestick.”

• Her everyday objects are splashed with Daniel’s belongings - the crayon, the gluestick, and demonstrate how intertwined her life is now with her child. This foreshadows her return to her pre-baby life - that things will not be the same.

“The smell of the place, that’s what throws her, the scent of it all, adult perfumes, air breathed out by computers and printers and photocopiers.”

• Even her sense of smell betrays her being away from Daniel. There’s a sense of alienation, of nausea that shows readers like us that Liz doesn’t feel like she belongs. This is in contrast to later in the story when she is reunited with Daniel and is comforted by ‘inhaling[ing] the scent of him again’.

“Same computer, same shiny worn spot on the space bar…"

• The repetition of ’same’ actually heightens how much has actually changed for Liz. Her entire world is now Daniel, whereas everything in the office is as it used to be. Therefore, there’s this sense that the people’s lives in the office remain unchanged, highlighting again Liz’s alienation.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, they’re right, of course they are.”

• This sarcastic internal monologue reflects Liz’s current state of mind, where she’s experiencing a disconnect from her coworkers, and ’the land of the living’.

"Delete, she presses. Punching the key like a bird pecking. Delete, delete, delete.”

• We can feel Liz’s exasperation at this stage. The simile ‘like a bird pecking’ automates Liz’s actions in the workplace, as though she is doing it by switching to a ‘mechanical form’ of herself. The repetition of ‘delete, delete, delete’ gives us the sense that she’s frustratingly attempting to ‘delete’ her self-acknowledged, perhaps over-the-top anxiety surrounding Daniel, or trying to delete herself out of her situation. Whichever is unclear and left up to interpretation. Perhaps both ring true.

‘Returning to work after maternity leave’

• Liz’s narrative interspersed with new mum’s pamphlet. The juxtaposition of the pamphlet’s words ‘being a stay-at-home mum can begin to seem mundane and repetitive’ is contrasted with Liz’s love of motherhood - she is at odds with what society tells her she should be feeling.

‘[Daniel]’d have his thumb in his mouth right now. Not smiling, that’s for sure.’

• There’s a self-projection of anxiety here with Liz  assuming that the childcarers are unable to look after Daniel properly, and that he’s suffering.

‘God, these endless extended moments where you’re left in limbo, the time dangling like a suspended toy on a piece of elastic.’

• This simile highlights how her mindset is completely consumed with Daniel, as she likens her daily experiences with objects and things related to Daniel and childhood. She struggles to switch between her identity as a mother, and her previous identity as a colleague in the workplace.

‘Caroline, Julie and Stella had laughed dutifully enough, but their faces had shown a kind of pained disappointment, something faintly aggrieved.’

• Perhaps this is Cate Kennedy's commentary on society and motherhood. The expectations others have on you as a new mother, and how you should be feeling.

‘He doesn’t run over when he sees her’.

• The opening of this chapter is blunt and brutal. Liz has longed to see Daniel all day, her anxiety getting the best of her, and yet at the moment of their reunion, it’s not as she expects. In this sense, we can to feel that Liz is very much alone in her anxiety and despair and, not the other way around with Daniel.

’She’s fighting a terrible nausea, feeling the sweat in the small of her back.’

• Unlike other stories in this collection, her pain isn’t because the absence of love, but because of its strength. Her love for Daniel is so intense that it’s physiological, making her unwell to have been away from him.

• The symbol of cake represents her pre-baby life, a time when she was concerned with the ‘account of Henderson’s’ and ‘delete fourth Excel column’. Her priorities have now shifted, and the celebrated ‘cake’ tradition in the workplace, one that is at the centre of several conversations, is no longer to significance to Liz. Her husband, Andrew’s attempt to celebrate Liz’s first day back at work with cake is highly ironic. The societal expectation that Liz is happy to be back at work even extends to her husband, and heightens how Liz is very much alone in her experience.

If you found this close analysis helpful, then you might want to check out our Like a House on Fire Study Guide where we analyse EVERY story in the text and pinpoint key quotes and symbols!

Watch our YouTube Video on Like A House On Fire Essay Topic and Body Paragraphs Breakdown

How To Get An A+ On Your Like A House On Fire Essay

Close Analysis Of 'Cake' From Like A House On Fire

The most overlooked aspect of English is probably the actual reading of your English novel. Shockingly, there are some students who believe that they can still do well in English without reading their texts – but that’s a topic for another blog post. Since VCE is about strategy, you should think about how you can maximise your learning while minimising the time spent reading. Some students only read their text once, while others read up to 5 or 6 times! For some one reading may be sufficient but in most circumstances it is definitely not enough. Conversely, reading more than 5 times might be a bit excessive. After asking ex-VCE students who have excelled in English, the overall consensus is that you should read your text 3 times before the English exam. Here’s why:

Reading 1  : The first reading should be done in the holidays prior to your school year. Yes, it is during the holidays but you will be thankful you started early when you’re in the middle of numerous SACs, assignments and homework during the year. You should take your time with the first reading in order to let the information soak in. Focus on exposing yourself to the characters and themes. Since many essay topics are based on characters or themes, this will help you foresee the types of prompts you’ll be asked. If it is a more difficult text to understand (such as Shakespeare), rather than pushing through your reading and trying to understand the plot, have a look at study guides first in order to gain a better understanding from the outset.

Reading 2  : This should be done while you are studying your text at school. Using the new information taught in class (such as character, theme, context and metalanguage analysis), a second reading will help you build on the knowledge from your first reading. During the reading, you should start to take note of key passages and draw out important quotes. This will set you up for the SAC and mean that you have read your text twice before your SAC.

Reading 3  : Your third and final reading is to be completed before your English exam. An ideal time is the term 3 holidays. Since it may have been a while since you studied the text, the third reading is crucial for knowledge consolidation. You should watch out for things that you missed during first two readings – usually small pieces of information that are unique and when used in essays, will separate you from other students. These include: not-so-popular quotes, passages that haven’t been discussed in class, fleeting descriptions of characters etc. Remember that the best essays involve interesting and original discussion of the text.

Summary 

Reading 1  : Initial exposure to the text and an idea of what prompts may be asked in SACs and the English exam.

Reading 2  : Essential for identifying key details for SAC preparation.

Reading 3  : Vital for consolidation prior to the English exam and finding information that will distinguish yourself from other students.

So with this in mind, figure out how you will approach your readings throughout the year, and most importantly – get started early!

It’s time your conclusions got the attention they deserve! So grab a massive piece of chocolate, a glass of water and prepare to be taught about the beginning of the end (of your essay, that is).

Having a rushed conclusion is like forgetting to lock your car after an awesome road trip- that one rushed decision could jeopardise the whole experience for your assessor. A mediocre conclusion is the same as powering through a 500 metre race then carelessly slowing down seconds before the finish line! Dramatic comparisons aside, the way you choose to end your text response either leaves the marker with a bad taste in their mouths or increases your chance of hitting a home run. On the other hand, if you’re feeling discouraged by how your essay has shaped up to be, having a killer conclusion could set you up for a pleasant surprise.

5 Tips for a mic-drop worthy conclusion

1. make a plan for the conclusion.

It has been said many times, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail” and it could not be more true when it comes to crafting a killer conclusion. By setting a few minutes aside before even beginning your essay to plan everything out, you get to see the necessary elements which you will want to address in your conclusion. In simpler terms, an essay plan reminds you of your contention and your main points, so that you are able to start gathering all of your arguments and create the perfect concluding paragraph. Planning for each paragraph sets you up for a win as you begin to refine key ideas and explore the many ways of expressing them, which is crucial for a conclusion.

2. Don't tell the reader you are concluding!

Time and time again I have seen people fall into the trap of using phrases such as “in conclusion” or “in closing”. The person marking your work may be blown away by the majority of your response, then reach those rotten words and will reconsider this thought. Being this ‘obvious’ with opening a conclusion does not earn any points. In fact it’s simply not sophisticated. The main reason many students are tempted to begin in such a clumsy way is that they don’t know how to begin their conclusion. If you are having difficulty to start and experiencing a bit of writer's block, simply go back to your essay plan and start to unpack the contention - it’s that easy! Rephrase your answer to the actual essay question.  In most cases, you can just cut out those nasty little words and the opening line of your conclusion will still make perfect sense.

3. Rephrase, not repeat

The definition of a conclusion is literally to “sum up an argument”, thus your last paragraph should focus on gathering all of the loose ends and rewording your thesis and all of your arguments. It’s great to reinstate what you have said throughout the body of your response but repeating the same phrases and modes of expression becomes bland and bores the reader. Instead, aim to give them a fresh outlook on the key ideas you have been trying to communicate in the previous paragraphs. All it takes is a little time to change the way you are saying key points so that the conclusion does not become tedious to read. Conclusions are there to unite all of your points and to draw a meaningful link in relation to the question initially asked.

4. Keep things short and sharp

Your closing paragraph is NOT for squeezing in one or more ‘cool’ points you have- no new points should be brought into the conclusion. You should focus on working with the arguments and ideas that have ALREADY been brought up throughout your response. Introducing new arguments in that last paragraph will cause a lack of clarity and may cause the paragraph to become lengthy. A long conclusion will slow down the momentum of your piece and the reader will begin to lose interest and become impatient. Having a clear aim before writing your conclusion will help avoid a lengthy paragraph as your final thoughts will be more concise and refined.

5. The last line is where you get to really shine

Your closing sentence is the ultimate make or break for the entire essay so it is a shame to see many responses ending awkwardly due to students running out of time or becoming lazy with that final sentence. Last words are so important but don’t spend too much time on it! One awesome way to finish is with a very well thought-out phrase which summarises your contention one last time. Imagine dropping the mic after the final sentence of your essay, your conclusion needs to be stronger.

If you need further help on Text Response (including essay structure), check out our Ultimate Guide to VCE Text Response .

Black Diggers & The Longest Memory are studied as part of VCE English's Comparative. For one of our most popular posts on Comparative (also known as Reading and Comparing), check out our Ultimate Guide to VCE Comparative .

Here, I will be breaking down a comparative analysis. You will get to know exactly how I write one! Specifically, I will be focusing on the two texts, The Longest Memory and Black Diggers . I have also included my own essay as an example to follow through.

But firstly, if you haven't watched our The Longest Memory and Black Diggers introductory video which details themes, characters and more, check it out below:

This is the prompt that I have decided to approach:

‘The hopes and dreams of oppressed characters rarely eventuate.’ How do Black Diggers and The Longest Memory explore this idea? ‍

Let’s break it down!

The Introduction

Firsts things first, we need an introduction. Here is an example of my one:

The hopes and dreams of oppressed individuals can be fulfilled to a certain extent. This degree of fulfilment, however, can ultimately become restricted by the entrenched beliefs and dictations of society; and thus, this process of fulfilment is presented to be difficult and rare to achieve. In Fred D’Aguiar’s novella, The Longest Memory, the hopes and dreams for equality and racial acceptance is revealed to coerce oppressed individuals to subvert social norms, all in an attempt to gain liberty and fairness. Similarly, Tom Wright’s play, Black Diggers, explores the collective yearning of oppressed Indigenous Australians who seek to gain a sense of belonging and recognition in society. Both D’Aguiar and Wright expose how the obstacles of social inequality, deep-rooted prejudice and beliefs can essentially restrict the fulfilment of such desires and dreams.

Okay, now let’s take a closer look at it and see exactly how I constructed my introduction:

The hopes and dreams of oppressed individuals can be fulfilled to a certain extent.

Here, I have immediately addressed the topic question in my first sentence and provided my standpoint.

This degree of fulfilment, however, can ultimately become restricted by the entrenched beliefs and dictations of society; and thus, this process of fulfilment is presented to be difficult and rare to achieve.

In my next sentence, I went on to elaborate about my viewpoint of the prompt. I highlighted how society’s perceptions and beliefs restrict individuals’ hopes and dreams to occur.

In Fred D’Aguiar’s novella, The Longest Memory, the hopes and dreams for equality and racial acceptance is revealed to coerce oppressed individuals to subvert social norms, all in an attempt to gain liberty and fairness.

I then went on to introduce the first text, The Longest Memory . I explained the role of hopes and dreams, and how they drive individuals to gain their own freedom.

Similarly, Tom Wright’s play, Black Diggers, explores the collective yearning of oppressed Indigenous Australians who seek to gain a sense of belonging and recognition in society.

Next, I introduced the second text, Black Diggers , by using the transition comparing word, 'similarly', I briefly explained how Black Diggers is similar to The Longest Memory , in that they both have individuals who have yearnings and desires.

Both D’Aguiar and Wright expose how the obstacles of social inequality, deep-rooted prejudice and beliefs can essentially restrict the fulfilment of such desires and dreams.

I finished off my introduction by addressing the two writers, and the message they convey about hopes and dreams.

Body Paragraphs

Now moving on to the body paragraphs!

In Comparative, there's an emphasis on your ability to draw insightful connections between the two texts. That’s why in How To Write A Killer Comparative , we show you how to use the LSG  CONVERGENT and DIVERGENT strategy to identify and discuss unique points of comparison. In the study guide, which has been written by 45+ study scorers, we also explain how to strengthen your comparative discussion through Advanced Essay Paragraph Structures which truly showcase the power of the CONVERGENT and DIVERGENT strategy. You can check it out here .

Here is an example of one paragraph I wrote for my essay:

The ambitions of the oppressed are achieved to a certain extent. However, they are not maintained and thus become restricted due to the beliefs and conventions entrenched in society. D’Aguiar asserts that a sense of liberation can indeed be achieved in the unjust system of slavery, and this is demonstrated through his characterisation of Chapel. His depiction of Chapel serves as a subversion of the conventional type of slave; he is 'half a slave, half the master' and belongs to 'another way of life'. His defiance and rebellion against the dictations of society is exemplified through his speech, which consists of rhythmic and poetic couplets, filled with flowery language; which ultimately challenges the idea of illiterate slaves. D’Aguiar also associates the allusion of the 'two star-crossed lovers' in regards to the relationship between Lydia and Chapel; who were 'forbidden' to 'read together'. Despite this, the two characters take on a form of illicit, linguistic, sexual intercourse with each other, as they 'touch each other’s bodies in the dark' and 'memorise [their] lines throughout'. Here, D’Aguiar illustrates their close intimacy as a form of rebellion against the Eurocentric society, who believed such interrelation between blacks and whites was 'heinous' and 'wicked'. The individualistic nature of Chapel is also paralleled in Black Diggers, where Wright’s portrayal of Bertie expresses the yearning for a sense of belonging. Just like Chapel, Bertie desires free will, and he decides to 'fight for the country'. This aspiration of his however, is restrained by both his Mum and Grandad; who in a similar manner as Whitechapel, represent the voice of reality and reason. Wright employs the metaphor of the Narrandera Show to depict the marginalisation and exclusion of Aboriginal people, as they will never be 'allowed through the wire', or essentially, ever be accepted in Australia. This notion of exclusion is further reinforced through Bertie’s gradual loss of voice and mentality throughout Wright’s short vignettes, as he soon becomes desensitised and is 'unable to speak'. Here, Wright seems to suggest that the silenced voices of the Indigenous soldiers depict the eternal suffering they experienced; from both the horrors of war, but also the continual marginalisation and lack of recognition they faced back home. Consequently, D’Aguiar and Wright highlight how the ambitions of young individuals are limited by the truths and history of reality, and are essentially rarely achieved.

Now let’s take a deeper look into this paragraph:

The ambitions of the oppressed are achieved to a certain extent. However, they are not maintained and thus become restricted due to the beliefs and conventions entrenched in society.  

I started my paragraph by briefly explaining how the hopes and dreams of individuals are achieved, but they are not maintained due to social beliefs and conventions.

D’Aguiar asserts that a sense of liberation can indeed be achieved in the unjust system of slavery, and this is demonstrated through his characterisation of Chapel.

I went on to highlight the first text, The Longest Memory , and started to discuss about D’Aguiar’s characterisation of Chapel.

His depiction of Chapel serves as a subversion of the conventional type of slave; he is 'half a slave, half the master' and belongs to 'another way of life'. His defiance and rebellion against the dictations of society is exemplified through his speech, which consists of rhythmic and poetic couplets, filled with flowery language; which ultimately challenges the idea of illiterate slaves.

Here, I provided evidence and emphasised on the language D’Aguiar has used to construct his character of Chapel, and further explained how he did it in order to portray Chapel as non-standard type of slave.

D’Aguiar also associates the allusion of the 'two star-crossed lovers' in regards to the relationship between Lydia and Chapel; who were 'forbidden' to 'read together'. Despite this, the two characters take on a form of illicit, linguistic, sexual intercourse with each other, as they 'touch each other’s bodies in the dark' and 'memorise [their] lines throughout'.

I continued to discuss about the relationship between Lydia and Chapel, as they are both characters who defied society’s expectations and ideals.

Here, D’Aguiar illustrates their close intimacy as a form of rebellion against the Eurocentric society, who believed such interrelation between blacks and whites was 'heinous' and 'wicked'.

I have highlighted D’Aguiar’s characterisation of Chapel and Lydia, and further explained how he uses their relationship to demonstrate defiance and rebellion against society.

The individualistic nature of Chapel is also paralleled in Black Diggers, where Wright’s portrayal of Bertie expresses the yearning for a sense of belonging.

Then, I have addressed the second text by discussing the similarity between the characters of Chapel and Bertie.

Just like Chapel, Bertie desires free will, and he decides to 'fight for the country'. This aspiration of his however, is restrained by both his Mum and Grandad; who in a similar manner as Whitechapel, represent the voice of reality and reason.

I explained the similarities between Chapel and Bertie, but also included some comparisons with Mum and Grandad and Whitechapel.

Wright employs the metaphor of the Narrandera Show to depict the marginalisation and exclusion of Aboriginal people, as they will never be 'allowed through the wire', or essentially, ever be accepted in Australia.

I went on to explain how Wright used the construction of a metaphor, to convey the marginalisation and exclusion Aboriginal people faced.

This notion of exclusion is further reinforced through Bertie’s gradual loss of voice and mentality throughout Wright’s short vignettes, as he soon becomes desensitised and is 'unable to speak'.

I have further emphasised how Wright characterised Bertie to become silent throughout the play.

Here, Wright seems to suggest that the silenced voices of the Indigenous soldiers depict the eternal suffering they experienced; from both the horrors of war, but also the continual marginalisation and lack of recognition they faced back home.

I explained Wright’s portrayal of the silent Indigenous soldiers, in which he conveyed their exclusion and lack of recognition in society.

Consequently, D’Aguiar and Wright highlight how the ambitions of young individuals are limited by the truths and history of reality, and are essentially rarely achieved.

I ended my paragraph by explaining how both of the writers reveal how the ambitions of individuals are rarely achieved due to the truth of reality.

The Conclusion

And lastly, we need to end our comparative analysis with a conclusion. Here is my conclusion:

D’Aguiar and Wright both illustrate oppressed individuals fighting against the beliefs and conventions of society; in order to gain their freedom and achieve their hopes and dreams. However, both reveal the harsh truths of reality that ultimately inhibit and restrict the capacity of people’s ambitions. D’Aguiar and Wright compel their readers to try and grasp an understanding of the past of slaves and Aboriginal soldiers, in order to seek remembrance and closure of this fundamental truth. They both convey the need for memories and the past to never be forgotten; and instead remembered and recognised in history.

Here, I will explain how I constructed my conclusion:

D’Aguiar and Wright both illustrate oppressed individuals fighting against the beliefs and conventions of society; in order to gain their freedom and achieve their hopes and dreams.

I begin my conclusion by explaining the similarities between the two writers, in which they both presented oppressed individuals who desire freedom and have defied social beliefs.

However, both reveal the harsh truths of reality that ultimately inhibit and restrict the capacity of people’s ambitions.

I then further emphasised how Wright and D’Aguiar convey the message that hopes and dreams are restricted due to the truths of reality.

D’Aguiar and Wright compel their readers to try and grasp an understanding of the past of slaves and Aboriginal soldiers, in order to seek remembrance and closure of this fundamental truth.

I elaborated on the message that both writers conveyed to their audience, in which they wanted their readers to acknowledge the history and truth of slavery and war.

They both convey the need for memories and the past to never be forgotten; and instead remembered and recognised in history.

I ended my paragraph by highlighting the main purpose of the texts and the writers’ intention; which was to convey to their audience the significance of memories, and the need for the past to be remembered and recognised in history.

And that’s all folks! That’s the total rundown of my comparative analysis. I hope you were able to learn a thing or two from this article. Now, go on and begin writing!

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Essay on “A House on Fire” for School, College Students, Long and Short English Essay, Speech for Class 10, Class 12, College and Competitive Exams.

A house on fire.

3 Best Essays on “A House on Fire”

Essay No. 01

It was midnight when the hands of the clock join palms. There was deep silence everywhere. I was enjoying a sound sleep in my room with my younger brother. All of a sudden, I was awakened by the noise of footsteps outside. It appeared as if. the people were running in the street. I got. up and peeped down from the window. I came to know that the house of my friend Roshan was ablaze. I at once hurried to the spot.

The house was completely enveloped in flames. A strong wind formed the fire. The flames leaped to the sky giving out the clouds of smoke. The owner of the house was beating his breast, crying “I am undone!, I have lost all !” The articles were lying scattered in the street. There was endless hurry and excitement. Many were busy bringing buckets of water while others poured it on the fire. I, too, joined them. We tried to best to put out the fire, but all our efforts were in vain.

Soon the whole building with everything in it was burnt to ashes.

The fire brigade was rung up. In no time it was there. A crew of active men in brass helmets got to work and the fire was brought under control in half an hour. God be Thanked, the neighbouring houses were saved. It is said that it was all due to the carelessness of the servant who was a heavy smoker. While smoking his pipe, he dozed off to sleep. The burning ashes from the pipe fell down and set fire to the bed. Soon the fire spread in the whole building.

The loss was estimated at more than five lakhs. Everyone had sympathy for the affected family. They were shifted to a nearby house and an emergency meeting of all the elders of the colony was called. It was decided that the house will be repaired as a joint venture by people.

God save everybody from such a calamity but we have to be very vigilant to keep away such an event and when we face one face it boldly as life is another name of a struggle.

Essay No. 02

Fire is that force and factor which has greatly contributed to the development of human civilization. It has helped man in many ways. It helps him to run factories, cook food and keep his home warm. It is man’s enemy also. It destroys houses, shops and lives. It is both a blessing and a curse.

Last night I was lying fast asleep. A noise suddenly woke me up. I opened the window of my room. I looked into the street. I saw many people running towards one direction. They were carrying buckets full of water. I opened the door of the house and came out. I found that the house of one of our neighbour had caught fire.

The owner of the house and all the members of his family were standing in the street. They were standing as a helpless lot. The people were trying to pull out their household things. They were throwing water and sand on the fire. They were trying to control the fire in every possible way. The flames were rising high. In the meanwhile, the fire brigade reached there. The firemen fought bravely and brought the fire under control in half an hour.

Fortunately, there was no loss of life. But there was a big loss of property. All the furniture was reduced to ashes. The doors and windows of the house were burnt. No food, no clothes could be saved. All the neighbours came forward to the rescue of the family. They contributed substantially to the relief of the family. Later on, it was found that the cause of the fire was short-circuiting.

Essay No. 03

It was a summer night. Every other member of the family had gone to bed. Only I was awake writing a short story for the school magazine. All of a sudden, I heard an uproar. I came out and found that a building in the street was on fire. I rushed to the spot. I had no time to inform anyone.

My fears proved to be true. It was my friend’s house that was burning. The inmates had come out and were throwing bucketfuls of water and sand on the flames. The sympathetic people had joined them.

But the fire refused to be extinguished. It was being helped by the strong wind that was blowing at the moment. Despair gripped every heart.

However, hope returned with the arrival of the fire brigade. The firemen were soon at work. They put their sliding ladders against the walls and climbed them up. They directed their hoses against the flames.

It took the firemen nearly two hours to bring the fire under control. But by that time half the building had burnt down. There stood my friend crying bitterly beside the ashes. I tried to console him but could not check my own tears.

It could not be known how the fire was caused. The damage done to the property was estimated at two lakh rupees. God be thanked there was no loss of life.

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A House on Fire Essay | Essay on A House on Fire for Students and Children in English

A House on Fire Essay: One night, I was sleeping on the terrace and around midnight suddenly there were shouts of “Fire! Fire!” I woke up at once and looked out into the street. A house in our lane was on fire.

Students can find more English  Essay Writing  Topics, Ideas, Easy Tips to Write Essay Writing and many more.

Short Essay on A House on Fire 200 Words for Kids and Students in English

Below we have given a short essay on A House on Fire is for Classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. This short essay on the topic is suitable for students of class 6 and below.

I quickly rushed out to see, a large number of people had already gathered there. Everyone was trying to put out the fire with water and sand.

But this did not seem to help much. We heard many, screams from inside the house, which belonged to Mr. Williams, a shopkeeper.

Soon, two fire engines arrived on the scene and the firemen got down to work quickly. While some of them used the hosepipe to squirt jets of water on the fire, two firemen entered the house and rescued the family. A child appeared to have received minor injuries. But fortunately, there was no casualty in the fire.

It took the firemen about half an hour to control the fire but much of the house was reduced to ashes. Mr. Williams suffered a great loss that night.

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Like a House on Fire

Table of Contents

Introduction, techniques and metalanguage, alienation and loneliness, fantasy versus reality, physical trauma, communication, character analysis, quote analysis, essay 1: “the characters in these stories are all finding ways of keeping up appearances.” discuss..

• Essay 2: “The room is stiff with a charged awkwardness, with languages I can’t speak.” How does Kennedy show communication issues to be central in these stories?
• Essay 3: “Characters in these stories have little control over their lives.” Do you agree?
• Essay 4 : “Like a House on Fire shows that family relationships are never perfect.” Discuss.
• Essay 5 : Cate Kennedy warns her readers of disparities between fantasies and reality in Like a House on Fire, particularly regarding families and relationships. Discuss.
• Essay 6 : Discuss the role of despair in these stories.
• Essay 7 : In Like a House on Fire, Kennedy shows that women are most adversely affected by gender roles. To what extent do you agree?
• Essay 8: Like a House of Fire finds isolation and loneliness in all its stories. Discuss.

Like a House on Fire is a collection of short stories by acclaimed Australian author Cate Kennedy. The collection was published in 2012 by Scribe, and subsequently won the Queensland Literary Award in 2013.

Kennedy crafts fifteen short stories. She takes as her main focus the personal lives of ordinary people. She has a keen interest in families, and is particularly interested in exploring the destructive tensions which run through even the most seemingly content of families. She is similarly invested in relationships, and frequently depicts the complexities of love in its many forms. Despair at fading relationships or lost relationships is also a recurrent theme. The stories essentially focus on the importance of ordinary, tiny things. They are rarely dramatic, and even the stories which focus on life-changing trauma are more interested in the emotional aftermath of that trauma than they are in depicting the act itself. Essentially, all the stories depict events which would signify nothing to an outside observer, but which through Kennedy’s deft characterisation are shown to be absolutely vital to the people involved. The two most common settings are the household or the workplace.

All the stories are set in Australia. Kennedy gives her stories a genuine, realistic feel through attention to Australian vernacular and to specific objects or customs. The stories are clearly Australian, but the themes they touch on – of love, despair, family, the tension between earning a living and staying true to principles, disadvantage and communication – are universal. With one or two exceptions, a non-Australian would have no difficulty in comprehending any element of the text.

The stories are told from a range of perspectives; men, women, children, mothers, fathers, sisters. The characters also come from a range of socio- economic backgrounds. Ideas of poverty and social class are present in the stories, and Kennedy does not shy away from those themes, but overwhelmingly she is interested in depicting individuals with highly particular and individual experiences, rather than critiquing social systems and structures. What can be said as broadly true for the collection is the attention to detail in the creation of her settings. In Flexion the reader is told exactly how the parched grass feels under Mrs Slovak’s feet; in Whirlpool the precise difference in light is described as Anna walks from her backyard into the cool and quiet house; in Laminex and Mirrors Kennedy conjures a world of clinical sterility. This attention to detail, combined with the determined realism of the plots and characterisations, means that Like a House on Fire could be described as a “slice of life” collection. That is, the stories are realistic, detailed and accurate, as if they are a slice of real, lived life which happens to have been recorded in a short story.

The stories often depict characters at a low point in their life. Loss – from death or more often separation – is a recurring theme, as is disadvantage, trauma and emotional paralysis. Despite this, there is a fierce vein of hope and optimism which runs throughout the collection. Kennedy almost always ends her stories on a note of hope, or at least depicts characters who for all their suffering are still prepared to carry on and overcome their woes. For this reason, the stories can be thought of as affirming of humanity and life.

Like a House on Fire is a collection of highly literary stories. “Literary” in this context means that they tackle fundamental and universal themes, and that they are written in a sophisticated and technically adroit fashion.

One of the keys to Kennedy’s mastery of the short story form is her knack for characterisation. In a short story, with limited space and limited opportunity for character development, character must be established quickly and unmistakeably. Kennedy achieves this by crafting unique voices for each character. Chris in Ashes thinks in complex, scathing sentences, and with a sophisticated vocabulary, highlighting his university education. In Static , the sardonic observations of Anthony instantly establish him as witty but world- weary, and the entirety of Seventy-Two Derwents is written in the simple, naïve style of its child protagonist. Closely connected to characterisation are Kennedy’s choices regarding perspective. Many stories are written in a limited version of the third person – that is, the narrative voice speaks in the third person but is only aware of that which the character is, and picks up the inflections of that character’s voice. This allows the reader to understand the protagonist’s thought process, but also provides an important distance from them. In Sleepers, for example, the reader can sympathise with Ray because they can understand why he makes the choices he does; however, the reader is also keenly aware that he is making the wrong decision. In Whirlpool , Kennedy evokes the claustrophobia of her domestic setting by writing in the second person, and stories such as White Spirit are written in the first-person, which gives the most opportunity for conveying character voice.

The stories employ a substantial amount of evocative, descriptive language. This helps to place the reader in the setting of the story, and almost let them feel the setting in the way the characters do. In Flexion , for example, describes the “dry furrowed earth rising and falling and crumbling” under Mrs Slovak’s feet. In Cross-Country , it is little details described pointedly, such as clothing going mouldy in a basket, which best highlight the despair of the protagonist. Connected to this style of prose is metaphor and symbolism. The final lines of Whirlpool , for example, describe the “unshed tears” of the swimming pool. The figurative description of the pool can be read as a metaphor for the characters in the family who all hold their own unspoken (“unshed”) resentments against other members of the family. Structurally, many of the stories spend the majority of the text exploring the tensions between the protagonists and their surroundings or other characters, building this tension to a seemingly insurmountable level. However, the stories often then end with a sense of emotional release. That tension is usually alleviated by a small gesture of intense human connection.

Examples include:

• The Slovacks clasping hands in Flexion
• Chris wiping the ash from his mother’s lapel in Ashes
• The narrator wheeling Moreton through the hospital in Laminex and Mirrors
• The narrator letting down the hair of his wife in Like a House on Fire
• Michelle breastfeeding her baby in Five-Dollar Family
• Liz breastfeeding her son in Cake
• The photo/embrace in White Spirit

Some stories, such as Static and Sleepers , do not end with a comfortable resolution to the tensions built up over their course, and thus end on a somewhat bleaker note.

The stories are extremely self-contained, and do not make much reference to texts outside of the collection. There are allusions to various other cultural touchstones – both Five-Dollar Family and Cake make reference to iconic Australian children’s entertainers the Wiggles, for example. There are nevertheless some references to other texts. Ashes is reminiscent of the Book of Common Prayer (“Ashes to ashes, dust to dust”), and Flexion is so similar to the iconic Australian short story The Drover’s Wife by Henry Lawson that it almost reads as a retelling of that story. Overwhelmingly, however, the texts are too closely connected to the minds of their protagonists to indulge in any serious instances of intertextuality.

THEME ANALYSIS

Many of the characters feel an intense sense of alienation and loneliness. Sometimes this sense of disconnection is a result of their workplace. In White Spirit , for example, the unnamed protagonist attempts to bridge cultural differences on the council estate where she works. Amongst the wildly diverse inhabitants of the estate she finds herself to be a “dowdy, sad sparrow among peacocks.” Similarly, the narrator of Laminex and Mirrors is working at her job, cleaning in a hospital, in order to save money to fly to London. She envisages herself “absorbing culture and life” in the great capitols of Europe, and feels a strong sense of alienation from her co-workers, who find the fact that she reads for pleasure so remarkable that they refer to her as “the scholar.” Another example is Liz in Cake , who on her first day back after her maternity leave finds herself at odds with her colleagues, who all insist that working is far superior to child-rearing, an assessment Liz herself does not agree with.

It is alienation within the family unit, however, which is perhaps most striking in Like a House on Fire . In Whirlpool , Kennedy examines the unspoken divisions and allegiances of a small family. Twelve-year-old Anna finds herself growing ever distant from her mother, who clings to an idealised image of what she imagines her family to be, symbolised by her obsession with taking the perfect photo of them all to send to her distant friends. Anna finds herself unable to communicate with her own mother, who is “grim with the need to plot exile and allegiance” within her own family. In Ashes , Chris and his mother must navigate a complex history. They scatter the ashes of Chris’ father, who could never understand Chris’ lack of interest in traditionally masculine pursuits such as fishing, or his homosexuality. Indeed, his father’s final conversation with Chris was a request not to “throw” his homosexuality in his mother’s face. This inability to be open with his family led to Chris breaking up with his boyfriend Scott, compounding his loneliness. In Static , Anthony finds himself utterly alienated from his parents and his wife during their

Christmas lunch, where the follies of both parties are clearly displayed.

Alienation in the wake of relationships is also common in Like a House on Fire . In Sleepers , Ray finds himself in a state of paralysis, under employed in a half-time job, and beholden to a strange “lethargy” following being dumped by his girlfriend Sharon. This sense of alienation and paralysis results in him making the disastrous decision to assert some degree of control by stealing some sleepers from a construction site, for which he is arrested. Similarly, in Cross-Country , Rebecca is unable to break out of her lethargy following her divorce, and isolates herself from society.

As much as the stories are characterised by isolation and alienation, many of them do end optimistically. Laminex and Mirrors , Ashes , Flexion , White Spirit and many more all end in images of intense and intimate human connection.

Many of the characters in Like a House on Fire have unrealistic expectations or fantasies which inevitably result in disappointment. In Whirlpool , Anna’s mother is driven by the desire to create a perfect image of her family as a harmonious and happy entity which she can advertise to obscure connections in her annual Christmas cards. Ironically, her desire to take the perfect photo results in an exacerbation of the sort of unspoken resentments and divisions she hopes to hide. Similarly, Anthony in Static is attracted to his wife Marie because of the little physical imperfections, such as a crooked tooth, which make her beauty real and human, whereas Marie can only see beauty in perfectly posed photos which present “a perfected study of herself.” The desire for a false, physical connection is also evident, occasionally, in Laminex and Mirrors , both in the cosmetics which the narrator’s co-worker sells and in the brief description of the rhinoplasty ward. In Cross-Country , Rebecca inhabits a dream world in which she will compete against her ex-husband in a race, and beat him. She describes this fantasy as a “short film looping” in her head, and marvels at the extent to which “we’ll invent what we need.” Her illusion is shattered, mercifully, and the story ends with her decision to symbolically shut down the computer with which she had attempted to stalk her ex-husband and leave the house.

In some stories, the illusions which characters had clung to are well and truly dispersed by the time we meet them. In Tender , Christine recalls the imagined future she dreamt up, of domestic bliss, “a golden halo of lamplight, polished floors…everything clean and wholesome as a cake of handmade soap.” Instead, the house is “makeshift and unfinished,” a “more prosaic reality” full of ideas which “buckled in the face of reality and time.” Her and Al’s dream, of a super-sustainable and ecofriendly house existing without the benefits of electric heating or even toasters, has long since had to adapt to reality, and practicality. Another character who has broken out of her illusions by the time she enters a story is Michelle. The discovery that her boyfriend Des had been sleeping with other women while she was pregnant is the final, obvious truth that he is not going to be the husband she needs or the father that her child will need. She describes the process of realising this as an epiphany. After she has given birth, she feels the certainty that Des is a no-hoper flood into her “like a door opening.”

Illusions and fantasy are not presented as being exclusively dangerous, however. In White Spirit , the unnamed narrator fantasises that the mural she has commissioned for the council estate where she works will be a joint effort bringing the diverse occupants of the estate together. When it fails in that respect, she is disheartened; however, the story ends with a moment of connection with some of the estate’s inhabitants. Her expectations may not have been met in the way she anticipated, but the effort brought her closer to the community she works for. Similarly, the final story in the collection, Seventy- Two Derwents , can be read as a metaphor for the power of hope. Twelve-year- old Tyler lives with her mother, his boyfriend and her older sister in poverty, and Shane, the boyfriend, is violent and on parole. After he nearly murders her, the account, written as a series of journal entries from Tyler, ends with a solemn “promise” to collect a baby bird from her teacher to nurture, and a declaration of her intention to keep writing and to become an artist. Thus, the ability to envisage a better world is shown to be a positive trait, and even a necessary one for survival.

Kennedy pays much attention to gender, and is deeply sympathetic to the plights of both men and women. Several of her stories revolve around women trapped in unfulfilling relationships; occasionally, these relationships are even dangerous. The first story in the collection, Flexion , depicts a woman so tied down to her thankless marriage to Frank Slovak that she is literally defined by it: she is only ever referred to as Mrs Slovak or Frank’s wife, and by the townspeople in their rural community as “the quiet one.” After a terrible accident cripples Frank, her immediate sensation at his surviving it is not joy but resentment that she must now serve him even more intently than before; she feels “cheated.” She takes some control over the farm, and orders him to “get on that phone” and thank the well-wishers who have worked on the house in his absence. However, Mrs Slovak learns that Frank’s reluctance to accept help is not because he is misanthropic but because he himself is trapped in his own gender role, as a rugged, stoic man who is entirely self-dependent and always in control. Their quiet reconnection at the end of the story is mirrored in Waiting , in which the trials of the unnamed narrator attempting to become pregnant are paralleled by her husband’s equally futile efforts to grow a bountiful wheat crop.

In Tender , Christine is infuriated by her husband Al, who is in his own way loving and dutiful but vague to the point that everything “seems to be teetering on the verge of coming apart.” Christine loves her children and her house and probably Al, but the potential cancer in her body throws her role in the world into sharp relief over the course of the story, prompting a reflection on her life. In Five- Dollar Family , as discussed above, the Michelle’s reflections on her relationship with Des are much further developed, and she has no interest in maintaining a connection with him – especially since he will almost certainly be sent to prison. Whilst in Five-Dollar Family Des is presented as clearly thuggish but has never directly threatened Michelle, in Seventy-Two Derwents Shane rapidly moves from being seedy, spying on Tyler in her sleep and asking about “boyfriends,” to actually threatening murder. In the story’s climax, he pulls a knife on Tyler, her sister and her mother after the authorities learn that he has broken the terms of his parole. The scene shows at once the worst of masculinity and the strength of womanhood: the two girls and their mother face Shane down, and Tyler’s mother stabs him with her sewing scissors.

Kennedy also displays a keen awareness of the limitations and expectations of masculinity. In Ashes , Chris reflects on his late father’s inability to accept his lack of interest in traditionally masculine pursuits such as fishing. He recalls his father angrily declaring that he doesn’t “know what’s bloody wrong” with him. Chris’ homosexuality also sits well and truly outside of his more conservative parents’ notions of masculinity. Ashes at least ends on a positive note, suggesting reconciliation between Chris and his mother. By far the bleakest depiction of masculinity in the collection is Ray in Sleepers , who, along with many of the men in his town, find himself unemployed or underemployed owing to the outsourcing of major infrastructure projects. The story charts his decline into hopelessness, until, desperate to assert himself in some way upon the world, he makes the disastrous decision to steal a few of the redgum sleepers being unearthed at the construction site, leading to his arrest. Ultimately, Kennedy’s writing stresses the importance of respect and equality, and argues that any gender role, male or female, which encroaches on the autonomy of its subject, is harmful.

Many of the stories focus on bodily damage or trauma; or rather, on the implications of physical trauma rather than the act itself. In Flexion , Frank is crushed by his own tractor, and has his spine snapped: “not dead… but might as well be.” Miraculously, he survives, but this makes him so dependent that his wife, Mrs Slovak, can only feel barely contained “choking rage” burning through her. He cannot walk or wash unaided and is in constant pain. The sudden change in their relationship, as Frank, who had longed played the role of a bloody-mindedly stoic and self-sufficient Australian male, suddenly becomes completely dependent on his wife, forms the main part of the story. The honesty they find, as Mrs Slovak takes control of their farm, is foreshadowed neatly in the early image of a “strongbox” full of “every emotion he’s withheld from her in the last eighteen years” breaking open. Physical damage also looms over Laminex and Mirrors in the form of Mr Moreton, who is dying from cancer. The unnamed protagonist takes it upon herself to sacrifice her job in order to make his final days a little more joyous and human. In Little Plastic Shipwreck , Roland spends his days working at a pathetic aquarium complex in order to provide for him and his wife Liz, who suffered brain damage after falling from a balcony. He also sacrifices his job, although in this case it is that rather than mutilate the dead body of a dolphin. The ending of this story is less triumphant than Laminex and Mirrors , however; the protagonist of the latter is only potentially sacrificing a trip to Europe, whereas Roland must now find some new means of income to support his desperately ill wife. Finally, Like a House on Fire charts the tragi- comic feelings of helplessness that its protagonist feels as he impotently tries to maintain his household following a work injury which makes standing or walking agonisingly painful. He spends much of his story on the floor, “like a beaten dog,” attempting to get his sons to help decorate the Christmas tree. The focus of the stories is never the injury itself; indeed, in the case of Laminex and Mirrors or Like a House on Fire the exact nature of the injury is left reasonably ambiguous. Rather, the focus is on the aftermath of these injuries, and especially their ramifications for human relationships.

Poverty and Class

Cate Kennedy’s stories are focussed largely on very private human interactions, and display little in the way of political attitudes. Nevertheless, she exhibits a keen awareness of class and disadvantage. Sometimes this is through the perspective of more educated, presumably wealthier characters. Chris in Ashes for example is university-educated and thinks in a precise and eloquent fashion, conveyed in long, multi-clausal and lightly ironic sentences: “He thinks of them in formidable capitals: the Book Club Women. Women perennially sitting around modular lounge suites, criticising someone’s book.” He exhibits a certain disdain for his parents, and his desire to read rather than fish with his dad combined with his parents’ quiet disappointment with his homosexuality suggest that he is a more educated, progressive individual than his parents. In Laminex and Mirrors a similar tension exists between the narrator, who years to travel Europe and drink in the “culture” and her co- workers, who have no ambitions further than their cleaning work and find the fact that the protagonist reads for pleasure to be remarkable.

Other stories are told from the perspective of disadvantage or poverty. Five- Dollar Family does not stress so much as imply the low socio-economic status of its characters. Michelle does not mention any work awaiting her after giving birth, and Des exhibits distinctly “lower-class” tastes. Certainly they find the idea of a family photo for $5 extremely enticing. They are not mocked for their status, however: Kennedy’s stories are always compassionate. In Seventy- Two Derwents , however, some of the grimmer realities of poverty are on display. Tyler’s mum seems to have lived a life characterised by early pregnancy, estrangement, and terrible boyfriends, the latest of which is the violent Shane. The mother must prove that she can work by creating and selling luxury dolls in order to access a benefit scheme. Ellie, the older sister, is upwardly mobile, aiming to study, and this at times earns the resentment of her mother, who sees her daughter’s success as mere “showing off.” Whilst told with Kennedy’s usual warmth and humanity – possibly even more than usual – the story still emphasises the potential catastrophe of poverty; Shane almost kills Tyler.

Kennedy often takes the family unit as the focus of her stories. She is particularly interested in the divisions and tensions which simmer away under the surface of families. In Whirlpool , Kennedy presents a family riddled with unspoken resentments and bitterness. The setting, of a hot, interminable Australian summer, captures the sense of unbearably building distaste the young protagonist Anna feels for her family, and especially her mother. As discussed above, her mother obsesses over capturing the perfect photo of her family, often in such a way as to blind her to the reality of the family’s actual level of cohesion. The sense of a group of people mindlessly performing the rituals of a happy and loving family is also captured in Static . Anthony spends much of the story reflecting on the lack of love apparent in his marriage. The sense of performing the role of loving son to his parents is captured when his nephew asks why he must appear incredibly pleased with his grandmother’s lacklustre gift, and Anthony finds himself at a loss as to why he should bother pandering to “the domineering old harridan.” The title has several meanings, one of which is to be static, or still – and Anthony’s state, stuck in a seemingly joyless family unit, captures that meaning.

In Ashes , it is Chris’ homosexuality and lack of interest in traditional masculine pursuits such as fishing which drives a wedge between him and his family. He finds his mother’s determination to whitewash her strained relationship with their dead father and husband, and to rewrite history so that the pair of them went on many fishing trips which they both enjoyed, to be utterly “nauseating.” Even with Alan dead, his ghost seems to linger and strain the relationship between mother and son. A similar strain is even more evident in Seventy- Two Derwents , between Ellie and her mother. The pair frequently argue with each other and the mother seems to deeply resent Ellie’s determination to pull herself out of her family’s disadvantage by working hard, saving money and aiming to go to TAFE or university. However, the pair and the younger sister Tyler eventually face down the abusive Shane, and seem to be growing stronger by the end of the story. This vein of hope runs throughout the entire collection. In Ashes Chris, for all his (understandable) bitterness, seems to yearn for reconciliation with his mother, symbolised in his brushing ash from her shoulder in the final lines. Like a House on Fire and Five-Dollar Family both depict fraught family situations which end on positive, hopeful notes. Kennedy seems to hold that no family is perfect, but that very few families are broken beyond hope of repair.

Many of the stories in this collection feature breakdowns in communication between characters. White Spirit depicts its unnamed narrator struggling to communicate with people who speak “languages I don’t understand,” and who feels a profound disappointment that she cannot communicate as readily as she would like to with the people she ostensibly works for. Cake features a similar predicament. Liz is unable to express to her grief at having to leave her son in the care of strangers. Her co-workers are adamant that working is far superior to staying at home and tending to the needs of children. Liz disagrees, finding herself vaguely surprised at just how pointless and meaningless her work at her office really is; when she attempts to explain that she likes spending time with her son to her co-workers, however, she can tell that “this is not the answer they want.”

More commonly, however, Kennedy depicts this broken communication within relationships and families. Whirlpool vividly depicts the growing alienation between twelve-year-old Anna and her mother. Anna speaks rarely throughout the story. When she does, it is often in a whisper. Instead she finds herself giving a “traitorous” smile to her mother, who she can barely bring herself to speak to. The final image of the story is of a pool filled with “unshed tears” – symbolic of the unspoken tensions rife in the household. In Static Anthony is constantly making sardonic observations about both his wife and his mother, suggesting his growing estrangement from both of them. Flexion depicts a relationship in which no meaningful emotional connection has been made for eighteen years, and Like a House on Fire vividly explores the effects of chronic pain on a marriage in which tensions are more frequently expressed by stony silence than they are through words.

Kennedy frequently takes her characters into places where language alone no longer suffices. However, she never leaves them stranded there. The stories frequently end with a non-verbal affirmation between two characters; clasped hands, an embrace or something similar. This suggests that for Kennedy there are forms of connection and communication which run deeper than language.

Frank and Mrs Slovak

Frank Slovak and his wife, who is never named, are one of many uneasy relationships in the collection. Frank is brooding, domineering, and emotionally repressed. It takes a horrific accident – being crushed by his own tractor – to open up the emotional “locked strongbox” he has kept shut for so long. He is stubborn and wilful, and resents being compelled to accept aid from anybody. His wife is not given a name, reflecting her status in the relationship; similarly, the townspeople refer to her as “the quiet one.” The strain on their already frosty relationship is initially exacerbated by Frank’s injury, to the extent that she resents his survival. However, when he himself confides sorrowfully that his death would have been a gift he “could give [her],” she understands his own emotional turmoil, and the story ends on a hopeful note.

Ashes depicts Chris struggling with the memory of his father, who was uneasy with Chris’ homosexuality. Chris is an articulate, university-educated young man who never fit into his father’s vision of a typically masculine son. Chris also struggles not to resent his own mother, who engages in a wholesale “revisionism” of Chris and his father’s relationship. She reinvents their incredibly awkward fishing trips as cherished memories, despite the fact that they were few and deeply unsatisfactory. Chris also struggles with the memory of his ex-boyfriend. The story ends with his unspoken acceptance of his mother’s grief.

The narrator of Laminex and Mirrors

The narrator of Laminex and Mirrors is a recent high-school graduate working a temporary job as a cleaner at a hospital in order to fund her planned holiday in Europe. She is something of a fish-out-of-water character within the hospital; she yearns for Europe and is nicknamed the Scholar by her co- workers owing to the fact that she occasionally reads for pleasure. She is also frustrated by the arbitrariness of the hospital; she resents being told to clean an old wing which is “about to be demolished” and she feels uncomfortable about the strict rules which forbid any fraternising between staff and patients. She befriends the terminally ill Mr Moreton and eventually gifts him a final morning in the sun with a cigarette, presumably at the cost of her own job.

Christine is another character in the collection who is embedded in a long- term relationship which has not panned out precisely as she had anticipated. She and her husband Al attempted to create an eco-friendly, anti-modern family home, which Christine “loves” but concedes seems permanently “unfinished.” Many of their plans for the house and their lifestyles have been abandoned for practical reasons. She has a lump which must be surgically excised, and this brush with mortality serves to highlight the issues in her life – her vague husband, unfinished house and unruly children – but also reaffirms her love of her family.

The narrator of Like a House on Fire

The narrator of the titular story is a husband and father who is left crippled and helpless after a severe back injury. He must try to organise Christmas from his position on the floor of his loungeroom, where he parks himself in order to exert control over his children while his wife, Claire, works extra shifts. Like all the stories involving bodily trauma in the collection – and there are many – the focus is not on the injury itself but its repercussions, and the effect it has on the emotional life of the person who suffers it. In this case, it is the strain put on the husband-wife relationship and the emasculating effects on the narrator which Kennedy explores.

Like many female characters in Like a House on Fire , Michelle is in a relationship with a useless man. Des is a philanderer, a drunkard and a thug. The story focusses on Michelle’s experience as a new mother, who gives birth to a son and has an epiphany about Des, and determines to live a more fulfilling life once he is out of the picture – and judging by his impending court date, that will not be far off. Through Michelle, Kennedy again affirms the relationship between mother and child creates a hopeful portrait of a young woman taking control of her life.

The narrator of Cross-Country

In Cross-Country , Kennedy paints an often darkly wry and comic portrait of post-breakup depression. The central character has been divorced by her husband, and spent most of her period of leave sitting in her own home, amidst mess and chaos, and obsessively attempting to track him down on her computer. She convinces herself that he has joined a cross-country club and fantasises about competing against him and humiliating him. When she realises that she has fooled herself she feels a metaphorical “cool and unexpected breeze” and seems to determine to re-join the outside world.

Ray is a sensitively-drawn no-longer-young male. He can only find work for a few days a week in a town where much of the male population is unemployed, partially due to outside contractors being given most of the new infrastructure projects. He has also slumped into a deep lethargy following being dumped by his former girlfriend. He lives in the shed of a friend. The rail project in his town becomes a fixation for many of the un- or underemployed men, who attempt to engage in some small act of defiance by stealing the old redgum sleepers which are being pulled up. Ray convinces himself to steal some and the story closes with the police surprising him.

Anna is a twelve-year-old girl with a fraught relationship with her mother, who fixates on appearances and obsessively attempts to create the perfect family Christmas photo. Anna’s mother seems intent on creating tiny rifts, loyalties and divisions within the family. It is a deeply unhealthy dynamic for Anna, who is self-conscious about her weight and body-image. Anna is an extremely sensitively-drawn portrait of a young girl on the cusp of adolescence, and Whirlpool expertly creates a sense of menace and paranoia in a suburban Australian home.

Liz, the central character of Cake , is a first-time mother who has just returned to work after maternity leave. She is horrified at the prospect of leaving her son in the care of others, and is forced with the realisation that her office job is full of banal and completely pointless tasks. Worse, she feels a sense of alienation from her co-workers, who universally agree that maternity leave was stressful and exhausting and that they couldn’t wait to get back to work. Liz is an interesting example of a woman who finds more “liberating” gender roles to be in their won way as constrictive as traditional gender roles.

The narrator of White Spirit

The narrator of White Spirit is a well-meaning but exhausted and alienated manager on a housing estate for immigrants. The story focusses on her futile effort to create a sense of community by commissioning a huge painted mural. However, her despair is challenged by a moment of connection with her charges at the end of the story.

Roley is a typical character for Like a House on Fire . He is working a casual job he hates in order to support his brain-damaged wife as she recovers. Also like many characters in the collection, the story peaks with a small moment of defiance. Ordered to cut up the body of a dead dolphin at the aquarium at which he works, he eventually snaps and loses his job, putting his sense of decency above his economic needs.

Anthony lives with his beautiful wife Marie in a beautiful home. Their perfect life is something of a façade, hiding various tensions – the luxury of the house depends on credit and debts, Marie is ashamed of any little humanising imperfection in her body, they want children but cannot conceive and eventually Anthony is faced with the fact that his economically poorer sister and her husband might actually be happier than he is. He has a biting, ironic sense of humour, particularly when critiquing the actions of his domineering wife.

The reader experiences young Tyler’s perspective on the world through her journal which she keeps for school. She is perceptive, articulate and very artistic, but also dangerously naïve, considering her disorderly family house, characterised by poverty and abuse. Her mother’s boyfriend, Shane, clearly takes a sexual interest in the two daughters, and turns violent by the end of the novel. However, Tyler and her sister and mother overcome Shane and the story – and thus the collection – ends on an optimistic note, with the voice of a creative young girl pledging to follow her dreams.

• “Not dead, they said, but might as well be. Caught him straight across his spine.” (1) – Bodily trauma is a recurring motif throughout the collection. Kennedy uses damage to the body for a number of purposes, often, as in this case, as a metaphor for emotional paralysis. Frank’s incapacity represents his inability to connect to other people, especially his wife.
• “Yeah, his wife, they said finally, nodding. The quiet one.” (2) – In Flexion , Kennedy begins crafting her motif of women in unfulfilled marriages. Mrs Slovak is defined by her unhappy marriage – literally so; she is never given any other name than Mrs Slovak or, more frequently, Frank’s Wife.
• “As she runs she kicks off her slippery town shoes and feels dry furrowed earth rising and falling and crumbling under her bare feet all the way to where he’s lying.” (2) – Kennedy writes most of her stories in the present tense. Combined with vivid details such as the texture of the “dry furrowed earth,” this makes them feel immediate and relatable.
• “It’s as if the locked strongbox inside has burst open…” (3) – Kennedy creates a vivid metaphor of a “strongbox” bursting open and repressed thoughts bursting out and “writhing” around. This is symbolic of the way in which physical trauma unlocks repressed emotions in many of the stories.
• “The year she’d lost a baby…” (4) – See Lawson, The Drover’s Wife : “One of the children died while she was here alone. She rode nineteen miles for assistance, carrying the dead child.” In the original story, the Drover is physically distant from his wife. In Flexion , he is emotionally distant. Kennedy frequently uses infants and childbirth as symbols of the female experience, and as ways for women to feel a connection to others which they might otherwise lack. The repression of the story of the baby is thus symbolic of the repression of Mrs Slovak generally.
• “…and she sits composing her face into relief and optimism while inside, truth be known, she feels cheated.” (6) – The image of the wife “composing” her face to hide her shameful disappointment is a powerful example of the sort of secret inner lives which Kennedy presents throughout her stories.
• “It’s easier to nod and agree, to pretend to take his advice about what she should be doing about the farm work.” (7) – In these stories men, boyfriends and husbands are often portrayed as dominating women, physically or emotionally (this is most true of Seventy-two Derwents ). However, it is rarely that simple. The implicit suggestion in these lines that Mrs Slovak has no interest in actually following her husband’s advice, but rather does things her own way, reveals the complexities of their relationship. Frank, particularly in his debilitated state, needs to feel he has control over something; his wife maintains the illusion whilst seeing to it that the best courses of action are taken. The relationship is not a happy one exactly, but it is a functioning one.
• “And while the physio shakes her head in admiration… she can’t trust herself to open her mouth.” (8) – This long, multi-clausal sentence is characteristic of Kennedy’s stream-of-consciousness style. We watch the scene unfold, from the doctor’s perspective and then to Mrs Slovak’s, and the manner in which Kennedy piles clauses on top of each other mimics Mrs Slovak’s train of thought.
• “… choking rage burns like a grass fire, like gasoline.” (8) – This metaphor evokes the setting, of a farm, by comparing Mrs Slovak’s rage to quintessential rural objects/experiences.
• “…tormented by something as incomprehensible and enraging as kindness.” (10) – Meaningful human connection is one of the hardest things for characters to experience in Like a House on Fire . Frank has walled himself off from the world so effectively that he is completely unable to understand why someone might do something out of sheer generosity.
• “…and get on that phone.” (13) – Mrs Slovak takes control here – she forces Frank to acknowledge that they cannot continue in isolation; he must accept the kindness of others.
• “Now would be a good time to die, while you weren’t there. That’s what I could give you.” (15) – Mrs Slovak realises here how aware of his own, self-imposed entrapment Frank is. His surliness is not evidence of an antisocial nature but rather a terrible fear of being a burden to others. This is true to the extent that he would have preferred to free his wife by dying. This is evidence that for Kennedy, traditional gender roles are as debilitating for men as they are for women.
• “She places his hand wordlessly, determinedly, over his heart, and holds it there.” (16) – Kennedy uses a moment of intimate physical connection to symbolise the underlying unity of Frank and his wife.
• “He thinks of them in formidable capitals: the Book Club Women. Women perennially sitting around modular lounge suites, criticising someone’s book.” (18) – A good example of the subjective third person narrative voice Kennedy writes in for several stories. Although not in first person, the narration still captures something of Chris’ character; his cynicism, and his University education. He thinks in complex sentences with a complex and self-aware vocabulary.
• “As he straightened up after putting his father’s ashes inside the cabinet, longed so much to be with Scott that it almost hurt.” (20) – Chris’s conflictions over his relationship with his father and his failed homosexual relationship with Scott are very closely bound, and this association is particularly strong in this sentence, explicitly linking the two ideas. The story can be read on one level as an exploration of what it means to be male, and the turmoil Chris feels over not being “manly” in the way his father envisaged him..
• “The words rage in his head, smoking like acid in behind his clamped mouth.” (27) – Kennedy employs a powerful image of “smoking” words “clamped” behind Chris’ mouth to metaphorically represent his emotional repression.
• “And it’s not as if you have a wife and children at home waiting, is it?” (28) – The longstanding resentments of Chris’s family – at least in his mind, for this line is from an imagined, future conversation with his mother – lead back to his homosexuality. However, the “morose passivity” of his father, describes on pages 26 and 27, suggest that part of his father’s resentment is due to his own failure to be a stereotypically successful head of the family.
• “He can’t believe this is all that’s left, this dust and grit…” (32) – ‘Ashes to ashes, dust to dust’ from the Book of Common Prayer. This passage reflects the Christian view of human life as a temporary, earthly state – the body is merely crude matter – and the afterlife as the true beginning of life. In Ashes , Chris reflects on the brevity of life, and the fact that we are all destined to turn to dust and ash, and he asks himself why he could not have been a little more patient with his father while he was still alive.
• “…without interrupting her, he brushes it off.” (33) – In Like a House on Fire , small and seemingly inconsequential physical acts take on an immense significance, as a symbol of connection and love. Chris brushing the ash from his mother’s shoulder is one example of this.

Laminex and Mirrors

• “The smell will stay hanging on me all day, burned and stale…” (36) – Kennedy brackets the first (and what is implied to be the last) day of the narrator’s hospital job with cigarettes.
• “Feel like that thing’s choking me.” (38) – Entrapment is a common motif in Like a House on Fire , and is presented in a physical, literal depiction in Moreton, who cannot move.
• “You can’t tell if she’s pretty or not because of the swelling and bruising…” (39) – The rhinoplasty patients appear as a sharp contrast to Moreton; one with (presumably) lung cancer, and the others undergoing elective surgery in order to fit into society’s stringent beauty standards. Both stand as examples of the many and varied ways that individuals can be pressured into or trapped within physical or social frameworks.
• “But it’s about to be demolished.” (45) – The petty order from the matron for the narrator to clean a bathroom which will be demolished in a week is an example of the pointlessness the narrator feels in her job.
• “There’s nothing to it in the end, just a steadying grip to help lift him up and over the rim.” (51) – In one of many powerful moments of physical touch representing emotional connection, the narrator lifts Moreton from the bath.
• “…in the no-man’s-land of the hospital’s thermostatically cool interior, its sterilised world of hard surfaces…” (56) – The cold inhumanity of the hospital is a sharp contrast to the utterly reckless but poignant act of rebellion by the narrator. In this story, the hospital with its rules and regulations takes on the role of a physical entity which entraps the characters; in other stories, characters are trapped by less tangible forces.
• “Christine had fantasies when the kids were babies…” (58) Christine’s fantasies of a “clean and wholesome” house with polite and loving children has given way to the more mundane realities of family life. As with many characters in Like a House on Fire , she must learn to reconcile expectations with reality, and learn that there is no such thing as a perfect family.
• “Everything, on the contrary, seems to be teetering on the verge of coming apart.” (63) Christine’s exhausting experience of a domestic life forever on the verge of collapse is a reflection of the randomness of life in Like a House on Fire . Many characters find themselves in situations where they can barely cope with dramatic changes or disasters in their lives.
• “But he’s so vague , that’s the trouble, so blind to how much organising she has to do around him to keep it all running.” (64) Christine’s frustration at her husband, who is not a bad man as such but just “vague,” is typical of the pent-up frustrations and resentments which characterise family life in the short-story anthology.
• “She feels the ardent rush of helpless, terrible love.” (65) In Tender , the shadow of the narrator’s own mortality throws the mixed emotions of her family life into relief, including irritation at her thoughtless husband and intense “helpless” love for her children.
• “They are eyes, it strikes me, that are all too familiar with endlessly compromised plans, as if life is already revealing itself to her as a long trail of small disappointments and changeable older brothers.” (76) The narrator, albeit with a light ironic tone, hits upon a central theme of the anthology when he describes his young daughter as already becoming aware of the “long trail of small disappointments” which characterise life. “Compromised plans” – or visions, or goals – are common throughout the anthology.
• “…just to make sure I well and truly kill the occasion now that I’ve poisoned it.” (77) The narrator’s faintly comic, self-mocking tone reveals his nascent sense of shame and guilt at being so debilitated and helpless before is children.
• “…and that’s the extent of how we communicate these days, in the tiny squeezed and inflamed gap somewhere between slippage and rupture.” (79) Like the image of Frank’s emotions pouring out of a “strongbox” in Flexion , this image metaphorically locates the relationship between Clair and her husband in the context of his damaged body.
• “Well, it can’t be helped,’ she says, and there it is, the sound of everything she’s really talking about, echoing in the big, hollow silence under her words.” (86). As when the narrator imagines a string of rebukes he would never actually say to his wife, he imagines “everything she’d really talking about” when she answers him bluntly. Close relationships between characters in the collection are frequently communicated non-verbally, illustrating the depth of connection humans can create between one another.
• “Definition of psychosomatic: something originating in the mind or the emotions rather than through a physical cause.” (88) The narrator’s definition of psychosomatic pain as something “originating in the mind or the emotions” echoes much of his own sense of shame and paranoia, which is largely due to his own sense of guilt rather than genuine resentment on the part of his family.
• “….and I reach up to pull the elastic band and grips out of her hair.” (93) Like many of the stories in the collection, Like a House on Fire ends with a symbolic moment of physical connection between to characters, suggesting a deeper connection which is capable of surviving the difficulties life throws at them.

Five-Dollar Family

• “The person she’d been before the birth, in fact, seems like a dopey, thickheaded version of who she’s become now.” (102) Whereas most of the characters in the first half of the anthology find themselves reconnecting in the wake of trauma or sudden change, Michelle finds herself finally accepting that she cannot rely on Des for anything.
• “She couldn’t believe she’d ever needed him for anything.” (104) In Five-Dollar Family and later, in Seventy-two Derwents , Kennedy presents the bond between mother and child as infinitely more fulfilling than that between a woman and a “useless” man.
• “First one thing, and then another thing, and the click when it happens, like a door opening.” (105) Michelle’s description of the way in which the birth of her child led to an important sense of finality about Des echoes the structure of many stories in the collection, where a sudden change or trauma leads to an epiphany.
• “Felt herself as indulgent and forgiving and tolerant as his mother, like it was a club women belonged to.” (108) Michelle’s notion of the “club women belonged to” is a powerful example of the way in which women are trapped by society – in this case, through their emotional attachment to manipulative and uninspiring men.

Cross-Country

• “There’s a short film looping in my head” (120) The narrator, like many characters in the collection, is a victim of her own fantasies, which threaten to distance her dangerously from the real world.
• “It’s amazing, isn’t it, the level to which we’ll invent what we need.” (125) The narrator of Cross-Country , like Chris’ mother in Ashes , fulfils her desires in part by imagining a world in which they are met. For the narrator, this means imagining her ex-husband ringing her in the night, whilst for Chris’ mother it means imagining a version of the past in which her son and husband enjoyed a fulfilling relationship.
• “…my face cools as if lifted to a merciful and unexpected breeze.” (125) The narrator of Cross-Country is one of the starkest examples of a character who is trapped by their own mind and their own fantasies. It is implied that the narrator of this story is, however, eventually set free by a “merciful” revelation.
• “Ray was stuck in traffic” (127) Ray’s physical state at the opening of the story is a metaphor for his emotional and mental state of paralysis or, as he puts it, “the lethargic kind of trance he’d felt himself lapsing into more and more recently.”
• “…passing another man who was pretending to be doing a job of work, bored shitless and leaning on a one-word sign.” (129) Ray’s appraisal of the road worker reflects his own exhausted view of life as consisting of pointless drudgery, a feeling shared by the narrator of Cross-Country .
• “Frank, who hadn’t worked for fourteen months.” Kennedy explores the social effects of underemployment and poverty in Sleepers , charting the collapse of Ray’s life, and depicting various male characters who seem to struggle to find work and are reduced to petty theft and drink.
• “His mind swam over this bit…” (136) Like many of Kennedy’s characters, Ray blurs the line dangerously between fantasy and reality, and his fate in Sleepers suggests that Kennedy is highly critical of this approach to life.
• “…hauled up and discarded but with so much life in it, still, it just broke your heart to see it go to waste” (139) The final comment on the redgum is clearly metaphorical for the state of Ray and many of the underemployed men in the unnamed town who can feel their lives draining away.
• “I can’t send one of these – every one’s a disaster.” (142) The mother in Whirlpool , like many characters is the collection, is obsessed with a fantasy of her family, and feels compelled to project an impossibly perfect image of them – even, ironically, as the pressure she applies actually puts strain on that same family.
• “You hover there clenched, rooted to the spot.” (143) The description of Anna, silent and “rooted to the spot” as she listens to her mother, suggests that she is yet another character who feels a strong sense of alienation and paralysis, brought about by her sense of distance from her own family.
• “You’re barely twelve, you’re nowhere near old enough for that.” (147) Anna’s mother’s obsession with envisaging an ideal family results in her denying reality, such as the fact that her daughter is maturing physically and emotionally. This denial of reality results in a sense of alienation and paranoia in Anna.
• “You’re all touching and it feels weird.” (150) Unlike in many other stories in the collection, where physical connection is symbolic of emotional connection, Anna finds the proximity to her family discomforting and intrusive.
• “…grim with the need to plot exile and allegiance…” (153) The schemes of “exile and allegiance” constantly gyrating in Anna’s mother’s head suggest that for Kennedy the family unit is as much a place of tension and division as it is love and unity.
• “She senses, as they nod and smile, that this is not the answer they want.” (161) Like many of the stories in Like a House on Fire , Cake demonstrates Kennedy’s keen interest in the minutia of social interactions, and particularly the way thoughts and feelings are conveyed non-verbally.

White Spirit

• “I don’t understand why this whole process hasn’t worked out like I thought, like I said it would on my grant project description.” (191) The narrator, like many characters in Like a House on Fire , must come to terms with reality as it is, rather than as she imagines it should be, or as it is idealistically depicted in “grant descriptions” and other such bureaucratic paraphernalia.
• “…I feel two arms on either side of me, stretching tentatively round my waste, drawing me tighter, and in spite of everything I smile.” (195) Like many stories in the collection, White Spirit closes on an image of physical connection, which temporarily breaks through the narrator’s sense of alienation.

Little Plastic Shipwreck

• “You fucking do it.” (207) Like the narrator of Laminex and Mirrors , Roley finds a small degree of comfort and release in a small act of defiance, placing his principles above his economic needs.
• “Her hand there for comfort. Warmth and pulse flowing between us, skin to skin.” (213) In Waiting , the cold and clinical hospital is made human through physical human connection – a motif which appears time and again in Like a House on Fire.
• “…lips closed and chin raised like a model of cool serenity, a perfected study of herself.” (226) Marie, like many of Kennedy’s characters, obsesses over a perfect, unattainable image of herself. This is often reflected in the myth of the perfect family, as in Static , where a group of people who clearly dislike each other must play at happy families for the occasion.
• “Why indeed? Why is he pandering to the domineering old harridan?” (231) One of Kennedy’s many flashes of humour, this line illustrates the absurdity of the fictions which characters create and maintain in order to survive.
• “Does she love him? She lets him see her in the morning without make-up, does that count?” (233) Anthony’s bitingly ironic tone skewers the level of artifice and make-believe which characterises his life, suggesting that allowing him to see her without make-up is the closest thing to genuine affection Marie shows him.

Seventy-Two Derwents

• “Maybe that’s why Shane comes over to our place to have a shower and get changed.” (250) Kennedy creates an almost unbearable sense of tension in Seventy-Two Derwents through Tyler’s innocent and naïve child voice. The dramatic irony, whereby the reader can see that Shane is a despicable character long before the narrator can, helps build a sense of dread.
• “I’m right behind you, Ty. Right here.” (275) Throughout the collection, there are occasional hints of a sort of female solidarity, of women characters who bond through the ineptitude of the men in their lives. It is most vividly portrayed in the set-piece at the end of Seventy-Two Derwents , of three girls and women standing up to a violent male.
• “I kept writing mine these holidays so that you will know you were right.” (277) The collection ends with a powerful affirmation of the power of literature, and an image of Tyler collecting the budgie’s egg, suggesting hope and renewal. The overall effect is to affirm the power of art and literature to provide solace and hope.

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Essay on A House on Fire in English For Students & Children

We are Sharing an Essay on A House on Fire in English for students and children. In this article, we have tried our best to provide a Short Essay on A House on Fire for Classes 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12 in 100, 150, 200, 300, 400, 500 words.

Essay on A House on Fire in English For Students & Children

Short Essay | Paragraph on A House on Fire ( 100 to 150 words )

It was the month of April. I was having a sound sleep. Suddenly cries of Fire! Fire! woke me up. People are running on the street. It took me a few minutes to realise that a house had caught fire. I went downstairs in hurry and rushed to the affected house. There were clouds of smoke. The flames were running to the sky. One baby was left sleeping in the upper house. Her mother was crying bitterly. Her cries touched every heart. Showing some courage, I put the ladder against the wall and saved that child. She was happy to see the baby. Everyone thanked me. The lady blessed me again and again. People started throwing buckets full of water and sand. In the meantime, the fire brigade rushed to the affected houses and controlled the fire.

Essay on A House on Fire for students ( 300 words )

Last Sunday, I went to bed a bit late. I had slept just a few minutes when I heard loud cries outside.

I came out of my house and looked out in the street. I found the people running hurriedly in one direction. I learned from n of the runners that Mr. Kirpal Chand’s house in the neighbour. ing street had caught fire. I bolted the house from outside and began to move quickly in that direction.

As I reached Danny’s house, I was shocked to see that the flames of fire were touching the sky. Mr. Danny was a cloth merchant. He was in the habit of keeping bundles of cloth in his house before being taken to his shop for sale in the market. I was told that the entire stock of cloth in his house had been engulfed by the fire which had started from an unextinguished butt of a cigarette.

Danny was a chain-smoker. It was a strange combination for a cloth merchant to be a chain-smoker also, and this fact was being discussed by the by slanders.

Danny’s wife was in a state of frenzy. She was crying loudly. I learned that her little child who was sleeping in its cradle had been left in the house.

Nobody, dared go and fetch the child, as there was real risk involved in the venture. But it was, at the same time, difficult to hear the loud pathetic wails of the lady. Moreover, it was a question of human service and humanity had been thrown a true challenge by the circumstances.

For a few moments, I looked at all the bystanders and then without a warning, jumped straight into the fire.

Within a few minutes, I brought the child out and handed it over to the poor lady. She was so overwhelmed with gratitude that she could hardly utter a word. But her silence and sobbing were more eloquent than any speech, and the bruises and slight burns that I got seemed sweet slich a noble venture for which I needed no recompense.

# Speech | Paragraph on A House on Fire for kids # A House on Fire composition

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House On Fire Essay: Suitable for all students

• Abdul Aouwal
• May 21, 2024

Fire is one of the following elements of the universe namely the earth, water, air, and other. Fire is useful to us in our day to day life to cook food, burn bricks, melt leads and pitches, to run mills and factories. But one-hour unguarded moment fire can cause untold suffering by burning life and property into ashes.

Source of fire : Man's first discovery.is fire by a heavy collision or rubbing a piece of stone with another. Men used to eat uncooked food before the invention of fire. So fire discovery.marked the beginning and developing of civilization and industry. Now life cannot be imagined without fire. The fire appears in various forms. The sun is a force and energy. Without fire, the whole creation and modern civilization remain to a grinding halt.

Fire-double edged sword: Fire is like a double-edged sword. It is an obedient servant but a disobedient (bad) master. It can serve us in our day to day life like an obedient and a tireless servant if it is handled carefully. But it is not used wisely and carefully it may result in doom and disaster as many fire accidents have proved. It is a blessing and a curse as well. Damages caused by fire are really huge and irreparable.

House on fire: One day I saw a big house while I was returning with my friend from visiting another friend. I failed to resist the temptation for a while to see the burning fire consuming whatever it could. Seeing this tragic fire many men from the surroundings ran towards the house with buckets full of water, wet quilts, baskets of sand and fire putting out elements.

The whole house was engulfed in thick columns of smoke and high flames. They went on pouring buckets of water on the flames and fire, others were throwing sands and dust but the fire kept on Increasing with the heavy blow of wind.

Conditions of fire: Most houses were thatched made. Some houses were fenced with wood, tin and walled of bricks but they were roofed with straw, hay, golpata, and weeds. The burning fire assumed the appearance of the monster and spread unbearable heat around it.

The monster or fire god seemed to be throwing heavy fireballs towards those who were striving to put out the fire or bring the fire under control. It was really risky to put out the fire. Meanwhile, the fire brigade service appeared and poured water heavily on and around the fire with the help of heavy tubes and pipes. They fought bravely to control fire and flames. A fireman also sustained some severe burns and got his legs burnt.

Damages caused by fire: The putting out of fire took more than half an hour. No belongings of the house owner escaped from this monstrous fire. The entire house was burnt into ashes. The gluttony and cruel fire left nothing unburnt. Luckily no men and domestic animals were burnt or killed by this serious fire accident.

Causes: Later, it was found that the fire was caused by short-circuiting in one of the shops near the burnt house. There were some combustible materials at the point of the short circuit and it soon turned the shop into a conflagration which ultimately engulfed the entire house.

Conclusion: Fire burnt the entire house and the belongings were in the house. I came back to my house after the cruel fire had been put off.

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From Bangladesh, I am a blogger who writes about educational topics. My passion is to share knowledge and insights to help others learn and grow

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Like a House on Fire

By cate kennedy, like a house on fire summary and analysis of "sleepers".

The story begins with the protagonist, Ray, sitting in traffic, which rarely exists in his small town. But developers from out of town are redoing the roads, and now there's a line of cars. Kennedy describes Ray's stalled, languished state of mind as mirroring the traffic. He thinks that if the developers were from the town, he could be working on a road crew right now; but they're not, so instead he works a part-time job and lives in his friend's shed. Seeing the road crew reminds him of the time he and his ex-girlfriend, Sharon, were driving to his sister's place for a barbecue, and they were also faced with traffic and a road crew. In the memory, a man holding a stop sign lets traffic through little by little, and Sharon comments on how the job must be the easiest out there. Ray feels like this comment is meant to be a subtle dig at him, because he used to work on a road crew. He replies by explaining how the job does, actually, have its challenges. People harass the sign holder, sometimes even run them down.

Ray then reflects on the end of their relationship. When Sharon broke up with him, he hadn't seen it coming, but to her, it was so obviously not working. In the moment, when he assumes she's moving out, "she’d rolled her eyes like he was the thickest kid in the class. ‘Not me, Ray,’ she’d said. ‘You. You’re the one moving out’" (128-129).

Ray finally rolls up to the sign-holder, acknowledges him, and drives on. The word SLOW drills into his brain as he watches the sign turn, let a few cars through, turn to stop, and turn back again. This monotonous process repeats until Ray passes through. Up ahead, he hears the loud cracks and rumbles of excavators breaking ground. He thinks he'll definitely be late for work, but he doesn't care. "So what if he was late?" Kennedy writes. "How many nested imitation terracotta pots could the public want in one morning?" (129)

Later that day, Ray finds himself at the pub with a few of his friends. They're all discussing the new development, particularly the fact that in tearing up the railroad tracks, the developers have made stacks of redgum railroad sleepers—long, wooden beams that Ray's friend Frank is sure would make fantastic firewood. The developers have cordoned off the area with orange flags, and the men in the pub agree that they're trying to salvage the wood to resell. If it were a local developer, the men are certain that they would allow residents to help themselves to the wood, but Frank has faith that people will take matters into their own hands. "You watch this town," he says. "Winter coming on and a pile of scrap wood like that. A little string of orange flags isn’t gunna stop anyone" (131). Talking about the sleepers makes Ray think about how his ex, Sharon, always wanted to do some landscaping to their house. Ray had seen yards trimmed with redgum sleepers and thought it looked quite nice, but he never saw the point in landscaping the yard of a rental home.

For weeks, Ray hears his friends and co-workers brag about how they've variously managed to take some of the redgum for themselves. They give him advice on how he should go about it. His friend, Steve, lines his yard with the sleepers, and Ray sees his handiwork at a barbecue that night. Ray admires Steve's work as Steve turns steaks on the grill. Ray feels awkward and lethargic, and Steve notices and asks him if everything is okay. Ray thinks to himself that he should probably get a blood test, exercise, diet—generally take care of himself. He can feel himself being observed by the women at the barbecue—wives and long-term girlfriends. He realizes that he's the only single one among his friends.

He reflects on earlier that evening, when he drove by Sharon's house. There was a car in her driveway, and Ray thinks it must mean that she's moved on. He thinks that he should probably move on too. That perhaps if she hears he's moved on, she'd contact him. Ray takes stock of his situation and concludes that he's not a very appealing option to the women around. They all know he's provisionally employed and that he lives in his friend's shed. The living arrangement began as a temporary thing, but slowly Ray has made the shed his home, adding a rug, furniture, and a space heater. He tells himself he's there to save money until he gets back on his feet and recovers from the breakup, but it becomes less temporary by the day.

As Ray ruminates around the barbecue, Steve's teenage son Sean calls him over. Sean is looking at the sky through a telescope, and he asks Ray to take a look. Steve calls over that it's not dark enough yet, but Ray looks anyways. Sean thinks he sees Mars through the telescope. Ray sees a blur of something in the sky. As he stands there with Steve's son, he thinks about when his father had a heart attack, "the way he'd staggered across the lounge room, his arm out, wordless" (135). Ray makes a passing commitment to calling the doctor the following day for a check-up.

After he leaves Steve's house, he considers driving past Sharon's place, where they used to live together. He imagines how she'd react to him pulling up to her driveway, and concludes that she would simply dismiss him as "just Ray" to whomever she's with. Ray then considers driving to the construction site and taking a few sleepers for himself. He imagines bringing the pile of sleepers to Sharon and building little flowerbeds with them, filling the beds with mulch to plant a garden, the way she always wanted him to when they were together.

He drives to the site and parks near the stacks of wood, get's a pair of work gloves from the bed of his ute, and loads the bed with ten sleepers. He thinks this should be more than acceptable, given the amount of wood he's heard about other people taking. After he finishes loading, he stands back to admire his work, and as he's looking at his truck full of wood, a police cruiser rolls up near him, blue lights quietly flashing. Kennedy writes, "he knew that they wouldn’t bother with their siren, because they could see that it was just him. Just Ray. They knew he’d turn around like this, and take what was coming to him" (138-140). The story concludes with the image of Ray standing down, awaiting arrest, and gazing at the pile of wood that would now be sold by the developer, instead of put to use by him.

Although the name of the town is never mentioned, Kennedy particularly evokes a sense of what Barry Lopez calls "literature of place" in "Sleepers," which, on the surface, is the story of a man in his mid-thirties struggling to get back on his feet after his girlfriend breaks up with him and he moves into his friend's shed. From an aerial view, though, the story expresses the fighting spirit and resilience—and at times the futile resistance—of a rural Australian town against encroaching corporate developers.

The story engages in parallelism in the sense that both the town and Ray are at a transitional moment, a juncture that will, depending on how they respond to the prompts to change, determine their indefinite future. Both the town and Ray toy with the prospect of their agency. Ray passively thinks about his "bottomed-out energy, the sapped, exhausted feeling as he watched Steve turning steaks on the grill," and as a way to address this, thinks, "he'd go and have a check-up. A blood test" (132). Later on during Steve's barbecue, Steve's teenage son, Sean, calls Ray over to look at what he thinks is Mars through his telescope, and Ray's sensory encounter of the boy puts him in physical distress: "The smell of him—grass and suncscreen, sweat and energy, all of it barely contained—registered in Ray's head with a sudden painful awareness. This shortness of breath, the pressure on his chest ... He thought of his old man's heart attack, the way he'd staggered crabwise across the lounge room, his arm out, wordless. Take him five weeks to get a doctor's appointment, anyway. He'd ring tomorrow" (135).

In addition to these moments of Ray fixating on his health, we also have moments where he fixates on how his ex-girlfriend, Sharon, would receive him if he tried to get back together with her. He imagines her dismissing him, imagines his own humiliation as she downplays his existence to the new person in her life. He imagines solutions, too—similar to the blood test and phoning the doctor—in which he could steal the redgum sleepers and landscape her yard like she always wanted him to do while they were together. However, these solutions are pre-determined to fail by Ray's own imagination. The same with his concerns about his health—the notion that even if he calls, it'll take five weeks to get an appointment, and the sense that he probably won't call at all, just like his promise that living in his friend's shed would only be temporary. To top off the fatalism, Ray remembers his father's heart attack, the moment of which Kennedy portrays in subtle, but aching detail. This gesture to Ray's genetic predisposition to heart failure introduces an inevitability to his personal narrative that we can then map onto the greater inevitability of corporate development of Ray and his friends' rural Australian town.

The town's collective effort to resist total domination and disregard by the corporate interlopers by stealing the redgum sleepers is, in a sense, similar to Ray's vague promise to himself to call a doctor, or to make amends with Sharon—grand but ultimately hollow gestures. The final line of story—"He waited there for them, next to the sleepers, lowering his bare hands for comfort onto weathered, solid old redgum, hauled up and discarded but with so much life in it, still, it just broke your heart to see it go to waste" (140)—gestures literally, of course, to the redgum wood, but also both to Ray and to the small town, waiting, powerlessly, but with a defiant spirit, to be "wasted" by the forces of time and capitalism.

Like a House on Fire Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Like a House on Fire is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Why does this make their father sad?

THe fact that he is no longer mobile because of his bad back. He cannot even help lift the Christmas tree onto the car.

What caused Frank's inability to get around in Flexion?

Frank was weakened by pneumonia.

What is suggested about resilience in this story? Are husband and wife both fighters?

Which of the stories in the book does your question pertain to?

Study Guide for Like a House on Fire

Like a House on Fire study guide contains a biography of Cate Kennedy, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Like a House on Fire
• Like a House on Fire Summary
• Character List

Lesson Plan for Like a House on Fire

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to Like a House on Fire
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• Like a House on Fire Bibliography

How to protect your home from wildfires – advice from fire prevention experts on creating defensible space

Graduate Student Researcher, Fire Center, University of Montana

Post-doctoral Researcher, Fire Center, University of Montana

Disclosure statement

Bryce Young receives funding from University of Montana. He also works for Pyrologix and Vibrant Planet.

Christopher Moran also works for Pyrologix, a wildfire threat assessment research firm, and Vibrant Planet.

University of Montana provides funding as a member of The Conversation US.

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Extreme heat has already made 2024 a busy wildfire year. More acres had burned by mid-July than in all of 2023 , and several communities had lost homes to wildfires .

As fire season intensifies across the West, there are steps homeowners can take to make their homes less vulnerable to burning and increase the likelihood that firefighters can protect their property in the event of a wildfire .

We research wildfire risk to homes and communities. Here’s what decades of research suggest homeowners in high-fire-risk areas can do to protect their properties.

Small improvements make big differences

A structure’s flammability depends on both the materials that were used to build it and the design of the building. In general, the vulnerability of a house is determined by its weakest point.

The roof, windows, siding and vents are all vulnerable points to pay attention to.

Roof: The roof provides a landing pad where airborne embers can accumulate like snowflakes. Roofs with lots of valleys can collect pine needles and leaves, which can be ignited by flying embers. This is why it’s important for the roof itself to be made of Class A non-flammable material like clay tiles or asphalt shingles, and why roof maintenance, including cleaning gutters, is important . Embers can easily find their way under peeling shingles, through gaps of clay tiles , or into gutters where pine needles and leaves can accumulate.

Windows: If windows are exposed to heat, they can shatter and allow fire inside the home, where curtains can easily ignite. Even double-paned windows can be shattered by the heat of a burning shed 30 feet away, unless the window glass is tempered, making it stronger. Fire-resistant shutters made of metal, if closed before a fire arrives, can offer additional protection.

Siding: Materials like stucco are non-flammable, while cedar shake siding will burn. Your exterior siding should be non-flammable, but the siding is only as strong as its weakest point. If there are holes in the siding, plug them with caulk to prevent embers from reaching the wooden frame in your walls. Ideally, there will be a 6- to 12-inch concrete foundation between the ground and the bottom of your siding material.

Vents: Reducing risk from vents is easy and affordable and can drastically reduce the flammability of your home. Make sure that one-eighth inch or finer metal mesh is installed over all vents to keep embers out of your attic and your home’s interior.

Controlling your home ignition zone

A home’s vulnerability also depends on the area around it, referred to as the home ignition zone .

The risk in your home ignition zone depends on things such as the slope of your land and the ecosystem surrounding your home. Here are a few guidelines the National Fire Protection Association recommends, both to reduce the chance of flames reaching your home and make it easier for firefighters to defend it.

Zone 1 – Within 5 feet

From the home’s exterior to 5 feet away, you want to prevent flames from coming in contact with windows, siding, vents and eaves. The gold standard is to have only non-flammable material in Zone 1 .

The most common risks are having flammable mulch, plants, firewood, lawn furniture, decks and fences. These items have been a primary reason homes burned in many wildfires, including the 2018 Camp Fire that destroyed much of Paradise, California, and the 2012 Waldo Canyon Fire near Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Replacing mulch with gravel or pavers and having only short, sparse plants that don’t touch the house can help reduce the risk.

Wooden decks and fences can burn even if they are well-maintained. Replacing them with non-flammable materials or installing a thin sheet of metal on the house where the siding touches a wooden deck or fence can help protect the home. Mesh screens can prevent the accumulation of debris and embers under the deck.

Zone 2 – 5 to 30 feet away

In the next ring, between 5 and 30 feet from the home, the lawn should be green and short. This is Zone 2.

Be sure to rake up pine needles and leaves and take care to prune the lowest tree branches at least 6 feet high.

There should be about 18 feet of space between trees on a flat slope, and the spacing should increase with slope because steeper terrain drives faster, more intense fires. Walks, pathways, patios, decks and firewood can be kept in this zone.

Zone 3 – 30 to 100 feet away

Beyond Zone 2 and out to about 100 feet from the home is Zone 3. In this area, be sure to give sheds and propane tanks their own defensible space, just like around the house, and prune all low branches to 6 feet.

You can contact your local emergency management office or community wildfire nonprofit to learn more about grant funding that can offset the costs of pruning and removing trees on a forested property.

Beyond 100 feet may extend past your property boundary, but the adjacent house can still be fuel for a wildfire. That’s why it’s smart to plan with your neighbors as you’re reinforcing your own home. Once one house catches fire, house-to-house fire spread is facilitated by closer distances between buildings .

Be prepared

While most U.S. government spending aims to mitigate wildfire hazard on national forests, it is up to residents and communities themselves to reduce their vulnerability to a wildfire disaster.

Following the guidelines required by your community or state and those outlined above can help. Communities can also take steps to reduce fire risk and make fires easier to control by developing a community wildfire protection plan , exploring their wildfire risk , and adopting wildfire-specific building codes .

As the nation rolls into fire season , make sure your property is prepared . And when the call to evacuate comes, know where to go and get the heck out.

• Natural disasters
• Risk management
• Construction
• Extreme weather
• Fire safety
• Home building
• Disaster risk
• Construction materials
• US wildfires
• Wildfire risk

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Essay on “A House on Fire” for Students and Children, 1000 Words Best Essay, Paragraph, Speech for Class 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12.

A house on fire, fire – a good servant..

To say that “Fire is a good servant but a bad master”, is a cliche. Fire is worshipped as a god in some countries. It is said that Prometheus stole it from heaven and brought it down on earth for the welfare of mankind.

There is no doubt that fire is important for us and we cannot live without it. But, we should remember that fire is a double-edged weapon. I saw the bad side of it last Sunday.

A tailor’s home

It so happened that a tailor’s house on one street caught fire. Mr. Sunil Trehan is a poor tailor. He is about forty years old and has to work hard for his family comprising six persons including himself and his four school-going children. Mr. Sunil is not a skilled tailor according to modern standards, as he cannot stich ladies suits or gents’ woolen suits or fashionable dresses for the guys. He has to content himself with the stitching of simple pajamas, salwar, kurtas, and shirts for the common people. Hence, he does not get much work. It is also so because he has no money to get a shop even on rent in the market and has to content himself while working in the small drawing-cum-bedroom in his house. In short by all standards, Mr. Sunil is a very poor man. But, he is a very God-fearing honest man.

Previous bridal clothes

Last week Sunil got orders, and for the first time in his life, to stitch some costly dresses in large numbers from two parties whose daughters were going to be married in the near future.

Deeming it a good augury as the Dame Luck seemed to be smiling on the family, at last, Sunil’s wife brought the stove near the stacks of expensive silk, woolen, and polyesters lying in stacks, near Mr. Sunil’s small board dais on which he had planted his sewing machine in a mood of intense hilarity and delectation. She wanted to prepare some sweet dishes as a mark of good luck. In a highly Jocund mood, Sunil lighted a costly cigarette for the first time in his life.

As chance would have it, as Sunil was giving a shake to his lighted cigarette a spark fell on a piece of precious cloth. Sunil’s wife discerning the devastating blunder, rushed forward to pick up the burning speck of tobacco. She tumbled against the lighted stove and all the kerosene in it fell on the “highly expensive pieces of cloth which caught fire instantaneously.

Fire flames rise to the ceiling

The fire flames rose high in the room. They swallowed the precious clothes in no time and even reached and engulfed the other sewn and unsewn clothes lying in the open almirah situated nearby.

Wooden doors and windows catch fire

The flames touched the roof which was built of wooden material, iron girders and bricks. All the door and window planks were reduced to a cinder in a short period.

Sunil became extremely nervous and similar was the condition of his wife. A large number of people gathered outside the house. They brought the middle-aged couple outside the house in a semi-conscious state. The children too were shocked and speechless.

People threw lots of water and sand at the burning flames but the fire could not be controlled. I too was doing my best to bring the flames under control by pouring buckets of water and bags of sand on them, but seeing all my efforts futile, I felt greatly upset.

Child left – in the house – rescued.

I kept my presence of mind and rang the fire brigade. Meanwhile, it was realized that the poor couple’s youngest child who was still asleep on a cot in a corner of the room was left behind. This fact was known when the lady opened her eyes and asked for the presence of the little “Rosy”. Everybody was answerless.

Understanding within no time that the poor little child had been left in the room, she rushed forward towards the flaming house. She was held back by the people there. Then she began to cry hysterically.

It was, indeed, a most moving spectacle, perhaps, never witnessed even in an imaginary, fictitious film or T.V. serial.

It was early morning and I was in my sleeveless vests. Everybody began to look at my biceps and triceps with disdainful eyes. At a moment’s propulsion in my soul, I jumped into the burning flames to the amazement of all the on-lookers.

Everybody looked towards me with hushed breath and within a few moments as I came out with the crying child in my highly scalded arms and handed it over to the hapless mother, all present there, heaved a sigh of relief and began to look at my red and black face.

Tears of joy gushed out of the mother’s eyes. Meanwhile, the fire-brigade arrived and controlled the fire after a struggle of about one hour.

Immense loss

The loss was estimated immense from the economic standing of the poor tailor. Everybody admitted that the tailor was a thoroughly honest man who had never committed a sin or crime in life. Then why had God been so ruthless to him?

Everybody was reminded of the story of Job in the Old Testament. Job too had been a good and honest man who had been ruined by bad luck. But, ultimately, God had showered His mercy on him. Will he, at last, do the same with Sunil? It was now simply a hypothetical matter, fit better to be left to conjecture. But, we the residents of the locality decided to do as much as we could to restore the loss of such a good and honest man as Sunil. His wife wanted to give me her silver earrings but I simply declined to accept any reward for any selfless service.

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Essay on A House On Fire – Short Essay & Long Essay upto 1500 Words

Essay on A House On Fire: A house on fire is a terrifying and devastating event that can leave a lasting impact on those who witness it. In this essay, we will explore the causes and consequences of a house fire, as well as the emotional and physical toll it takes on individuals and communities. From the chaos and confusion of the flames to the aftermath of loss and rebuilding, a house fire is a powerful reminder of the fragility of our homes and the importance of fire safety measures.

Table of Contents

A House On Fire Essay Writing Tips

1. Start with a strong introduction that grabs the reader’s attention. You can begin with a vivid description of the scene of a house on fire to set the tone for your essay.

2. Provide background information about the incident. Explain where and when the fire occurred, and how it started. You can also include details about the people involved and the extent of the damage caused by the fire.

3. Describe the events leading up to the fire. You can talk about any warning signs that were ignored, or any actions that may have contributed to the fire spreading quickly.

4. Discuss the response to the fire. This can include the actions taken by the residents of the house, as well as the efforts of the firefighters and other emergency responders. You can also talk about any challenges they faced in trying to extinguish the fire.

5. Reflect on the impact of the fire. Discuss the emotional and physical toll it took on the people involved, as well as the community as a whole. You can also talk about any lessons that were learned from the incident.

6. Conclude your essay by summarizing the key points you have made and offering any final thoughts on the topic. You can also suggest ways to prevent similar incidents in the future.

7. Make sure to proofread your essay carefully to check for any spelling or grammatical errors. You can also ask someone else to read it and provide feedback before submitting it.

8. Use descriptive language to paint a vivid picture of the scene of the house on fire. This will help to engage the reader and make your essay more compelling.

9. Include quotes or anecdotes from people who were directly involved in the incident. This can add a personal touch to your essay and make it more relatable to the reader.

10. Be sure to stay focused on the topic of the house fire throughout your essay. Avoid going off on tangents or including irrelevant information that does not contribute to your main points.

Essay on A House On Fire in 10 Lines – Examples

1. A house on fire is a devastating and terrifying event that can cause immense destruction and loss. 2. The sight of flames engulfing a home can evoke feelings of fear, helplessness, and sadness. 3. The sound of crackling fire and sirens blaring can create a sense of chaos and urgency. 4. Firefighters work tirelessly to extinguish the flames and save lives, risking their own safety in the process. 5. The smell of smoke and burning materials can linger long after the fire has been put out. 6. The aftermath of a house fire can leave families homeless, with their belongings and memories reduced to ashes. 7. The community often comes together to support those affected by a house fire, offering shelter, clothing, and emotional support. 8. The process of rebuilding and recovering from a house fire can be long and challenging, both physically and emotionally. 9. Fire safety measures, such as smoke alarms and evacuation plans, are crucial in preventing and minimizing the impact of house fires. 10. The resilience and strength of those who have experienced a house fire can serve as a reminder of the importance of preparedness and community support in times of crisis.

Sample Essay on A House On Fire in 100-180 Words

A house on fire is a terrifying sight that can leave a lasting impact on anyone who witnesses it. The sight of flames engulfing a home, the sound of crackling fire, and the smell of smoke can create a sense of panic and helplessness.

The first thing that comes to mind when seeing a house on fire is the safety of the people inside. The thought of someone being trapped in the burning building is a horrifying one. The sight of firefighters rushing to the scene, battling the flames and trying to rescue anyone trapped inside, is both heroic and heart-wrenching.

The aftermath of a house fire is devastating. The loss of personal belongings, memories, and the feeling of security can be overwhelming for the victims. The community often comes together to support those affected by the fire, offering shelter, food, and emotional support.

In conclusion, a house on fire is a tragic event that can have a profound impact on all those involved. It serves as a reminder of the importance of fire safety and the need to be prepared for such emergencies.

Short Essay on A House On Fire in 200-500 Words

A house on fire is a terrifying and devastating event that can happen unexpectedly. The sight of flames engulfing a home is a distressing scene that can leave a lasting impact on those who witness it. The sound of crackling flames and the smell of smoke can create a sense of panic and helplessness as people try to escape the danger.

When a house catches fire, it can spread rapidly, consuming everything in its path. The flames can quickly engulf the entire structure, leaving nothing but ashes and debris in its wake. The heat from the fire can be intense, making it difficult for firefighters to approach the blaze and extinguish it.

The cause of a house fire can vary, from electrical faults to cooking accidents or even arson. Regardless of the cause, the result is always devastating for the homeowners and their families. The loss of personal belongings, memories, and the sense of security that comes with a home can be overwhelming.

In addition to the physical damage caused by a house fire, there is also the emotional toll that it takes on those affected. The trauma of witnessing a loved one’s home go up in flames can be difficult to process. The sense of loss and helplessness can linger long after the fire has been extinguished.

Firefighters play a crucial role in responding to house fires and saving lives. Their bravery and quick response can make a difference in minimizing the damage caused by the fire. They work tirelessly to extinguish the flames and ensure the safety of those trapped inside the burning building.

Prevention is key when it comes to house fires. Taking precautions such as installing smoke detectors, keeping flammable materials away from heat sources, and having an evacuation plan in place can help reduce the risk of a fire breaking out in the home. It is important to be vigilant and proactive in ensuring the safety of your home and loved ones.

In conclusion, a house fire is a devastating event that can have a lasting impact on those affected. The loss of property, memories, and sense of security can be overwhelming. It is important to take precautions to prevent fires from breaking out and to be prepared in case of an emergency. The bravery and quick response of firefighters are crucial in minimizing the damage caused by a house fire. It is important to raise awareness about fire safety and to educate others on how to prevent fires in order to protect our homes and loved ones.

Essay on A House On Fire in 1000-1500 Words

A house on fire is a terrifying and devastating event that can happen to anyone at any time. It is a situation that can cause immense panic, fear, and loss for those involved. The sight of flames engulfing a home, the sound of crackling fire, and the smell of smoke can be overwhelming and traumatic. In this essay, we will explore the causes and effects of a house fire, as well as the importance of fire safety and prevention measures.

A house fire can be caused by a variety of factors, including electrical faults, cooking accidents, smoking in bed, candles left unattended, and even arson. Whatever the cause, the result is often the same – destruction of property, loss of belongings, and in some cases, loss of life. The speed at which a fire can spread is astonishing, and it is crucial to act quickly and decisively in order to minimize damage and save lives.

When a house fire breaks out, the first priority is to ensure the safety of all occupants. This means evacuating the building as quickly as possible and calling the fire department for help. It is important to have a fire escape plan in place and to practice it regularly with all members of the household. This can help to ensure that everyone knows what to do in the event of a fire and can evacuate safely.

Once everyone is safely outside, it is important to stay away from the burning building and wait for the fire department to arrive. Attempting to re-enter a burning house can be extremely dangerous and should never be done. Firefighters are trained professionals who have the equipment and expertise to handle the situation safely and effectively.

The effects of a house fire can be devastating. Not only is there the physical damage to the property, but there is also the emotional toll that it can take on those involved. Losing a home and all of its contents can be a traumatic experience, and it can take a long time to recover from such a loss. In addition, the financial burden of rebuilding or replacing what was lost can be overwhelming.

Fire safety and prevention are key in avoiding the devastation of a house fire. There are many simple steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of a fire breaking out in the home. These include installing smoke alarms on every level of the house, testing them regularly, and replacing the batteries as needed. It is also important to have a fire extinguisher on hand and to know how to use it in case of an emergency.

In addition, it is important to be cautious when using appliances and to never leave them unattended. This includes things like stoves, ovens, space heaters, and candles. It is also important to keep flammable materials away from heat sources and to never smoke in bed. Taking these precautions can help to reduce the risk of a fire breaking out in the home.

In conclusion, a house fire is a devastating event that can have far-reaching effects on those involved. It is important to be prepared and to take steps to prevent fires from happening in the first place. By practicing fire safety and having a plan in place, we can help to protect ourselves and our loved ones from the dangers of a house fire.

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450 words essay on A House on Fire

Free sample essay on A House on Fire.  One day, I was studying at home. Suddenly there was a loud noise. I came out of my house to know what had happened in the neighborhood.

What I saw, I could not stop my scream. A house in my neighborhood had caught fire; people from the neighboring areas were rushing towards the house. They were pouring buckets of water to extinguish fire. Many people were throwing sands and dust over the fire. A few people were trying to control fire by throwing blankets on it. But the fire was ravaging. It was a horrible sight.

This house was a three-storeyed building. Some inmates of the house were on the second floor. The fire started from the ground floor. Soon, it spread to the first floor. The inmates of the house who had been entrapped on the second floor were crying for help. Someone in the crowd informed the fire brigade. The flames were rushing towards them. Their lives were in danger. Some of entrapped inmates of the house took the risk of rushing out through the ravaging flames. They sustained minor burn injuries. Those who were on the second floor had no way to escape their lives. They were just crying for help. The people outside were at a loss how to help the victims to come out.

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Meanwhile the fire brigade arrived. People took a sigh of relief, because despite their best efforts they could not extinguish the fire. The staff of the fire brigade fought bravely with the fierce flames. Water pipes were laid to extinguish the fire. A staircase was set to the window of the first floor. He took great risk. He brought out the inmates and came down amidst flames. By doing so he himself was injured. The moment he brought down one of the inmates, he fell unconscious. Even the rescued inmate had serious burn injuries. The injured were immediately rushed to the hospital.

However, with a great deal of efforts fire could be extinguished but it caused great damage and destruction to the house. Furniture, valuable articles and other belongings worth lakhs, of rupees were burnt to ashes. The whole house presented a dismal picture. The kitchen, the dining room, and the drawing room were badly affected.

But thankfully no life was lost. The inmates were rescued with timely help and assistance by the staff of the fire brigade who put their lives to risk saving them. In course of which he sustained injuries. Later, when investigation was made, it was found that the leakage in the gas pipe had led to the outbreak of the devastating fire. However, government offered free treatment to the victims and the inmates were also compensated.

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Video shows dog chewing on a lithium-ion battery and sparking house fire in Oklahoma

A dog chomping on a lithium-ion battery sparked a serious house fire in Oklahoma, footage taken from the home shows, as the dog bit down and sparks began to shoot from the battery. (AP video: Javier Arciga)

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TULSA, Okla. (AP) — A dog chomping on a lithium-ion battery sparked a serious house fire in Oklahoma, and video of the moment the sparks began to fly has been enlisted by a fire department to show the potential dangers of those batteries.

The footage taken from the home and posted last week on the Tulsa Fire Department’s Facebook page shows the dog gnawing on its choice of a chew toy atop one of two cushions set on the floor of a living room. Another dog can be seen on a couch and a cat on the floor as the dog bites down and sparks begin to shoot from the battery.

The dog pulls back and soon the cushions are ablaze. Both dogs watch the growing fire at one point.

The fire department said the Tulsa-area home was significantly damaged by the fire in May but the two dogs and the cat escaped through a pet door.

Fire department spokesman Andy Little said in the post that the battery the dog was chewing was intended for charging cell phones. He said lithium-ion batteries can store “a significant amount of energy in a compact space” but when that energy “is released uncontrollably, it can generate heat, produce flammable and toxic gasses and even lead to explosions.” He said the batteries can possibly become dangerous when they are damaged, overcharged or exposed to extreme heat.

Fortunately for the pets, Little said, all escaped the flames uninjured.

Watch CBS News

Video shows moment dog starts house fire after chewing on lithium-ion battery

By Christopher Brito

August 7, 2024 / 1:41 PM EDT / CBS News

Video shows the moment a dog accidentally started a house fire in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by chewing on a lithium-ion battery that sparked the blaze. 

The footage, recently released by the Tulsa Fire Department, showed how the fire began after a dog bit through the housing of a portable lithium-ion battery power bank intended to charge cellphones. In the clip, the pet was seen biting on the battery while another dog and a cat rested nearby, until sparks begin to fly out of the battery. The fire continued to grow as the confused pets appeared to panic. Officials said the animals were able to leave the home unharmed.

"While the home was significantly damaged, their two dogs and cat escaped the home uninjured through a dog door," Tulsa fire authorities said. 

The Tulsa Fire Department shared video of the May incident and information to warn people about the dangers of lithium-ion batteries, which are known for storing a significant amount of energy in a compact space, sometimes causing deadly fires .

"When this energy is released uncontrollably, it can generate heat, produce flammable and toxic gases and even lead to explosions," the department's spokesperson Andy Little said. "These incidents can occur due to various reasons, such as exposure to extreme heat, physical damage to the battery, overcharging or even using incompatible charging equipment." 

Little said the "outcome could have been much worse" if there was no way for the pets to escape or if a family was sleeping. 

"It is crucial that you adhere to manufacturer guidelines when using lithium-ion batteries, only using approved chargers and storing them out of reach of children and pets," Little said, adding that the batteries should also be disposed of properly and should not be tossed in household garbage or recycling bins.  

Local veterinarian Dr. Troy McNamara told CBS affiliate KOTV  that pets chewing on or swallowing batteries could lead to several dangers besides fires. Battery acid is toxic, and biting on the batteries could cause physical harm, McNamara said, and if a pet swallows a battery and it gets obstructed, it could get stuck in their stomach or intestines. 

McNamara said to go to the veterinarian immediately if your pet exhibits signs of battery poisoning, which includes vomiting, diarrhea and trouble breathing. 

Christopher Brito is a social media manager and trending content writer for CBS News.

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Video shows dog chewing cellphone battery pack, igniting fire in Oklahoma home

A video shows a house fire in Tulsa, Oklahoma, ignited after a dog nibbled on a cell phone battery pack.

In May, members of the Tulsa Fire Department responded to a blaze caused by a damaged lithium-ion battery . In the video, a dog is seen chewing on the battery, which ultimately exploded and burst into flames on what appears to be a pet bed.

Two dogs stood by as the fire and smoke filled up the home. According to the fire department, the dogs and a cat escaped uninjured through a dog door.

"Fire departments all over the country are seeing fires related to these batteries and we want the public to learn about usage, safe storage and proper disposal of these potentially dangerous batteries," the department noted.

Wildfire: Officials probe cause of wildfire that sent residents fleeing in San Bernardino

Tulsa Fire gives more information about lithium-ion batteries

Tulsa Fire warns how lithium-ion batteries, the culprit behind fires across the country , can escalate to deadly situations.

"Lithium-ion batteries are known for storing a significant amount of energy in a compact space. However, when this energy is released uncontrollably, it can generate heat, produce flammable and toxic gasses, and even lead to explosions," Tulsa Fire public information officer Andy Little.

"Many individuals keep these batteries in their homes for convenience unaware of the potential dangers they pose."

Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA Today. You can reach her at [email protected].