“A truly good book teaches me better than to read it.” (Thoreau)  This Themepage looks at how you can develop your understanding of and response to the set novels on your Leaving Certificate course.

Introducing the Novel

How to Read a Novel
This webpage looks at where to begin when you start studying a novel.

Writing about Novels
Learn to write about different aspects of a novel here, such as plot, setting and style.

Literary Genre 
Use this site to find out more about the different characteristics of the main literary genres.

Character Profiles 
Create detailed character profiles of the key figures in your novel by answering the questions outlined here.

Character Maps
Use these fantastic worksheets to analyse a character’s personality, relationships and role in the text.

Study Guides for Set Novels

Sparknotes
This website contains comprehensive notes on most novels, including chapter summaries, character analysis and sample questions.

Pink Monkey 
Another website filled with downloadable study guides to help you revise key characters and events in your novel.

NovelGuide
Another colourful website that provides free online guides to many set novels that can aid revision.

Meet the Author

Jane Austen
Excellent resource on the author’s background, life and works.  Ideal starting point for studying Austen’s novels.

Charlotte Bronte
Comprehensive account of Bronte’s life and work with excellent resources and literary criticism.

Tracey Chevalier
This beautifully designed website acts as an ideal portal to develop your appreciation for Tracey Chevalier’s novels.  Also contains reading group guides and an interview with the author.

Eugene McCabe
Useful interview with the author where he discusses key influences and issues arising from his novel “Death and Nightingales”.

Colm Toibin
Official homepage for the Irish author.  Read his biography, novel excerpts and essays in addition to learning about his life.

How to Teach Novels

Suggested Approaches to Teaching the Class Novel 
Concise leaflet that outlines a number of different activities to use in the classroom while teaching the class novel.

Still More Novel Ideas
Comprehensive list of activity ideas to try when teaching the novel.  Includes areas such as writing, drawing, poetry and image work to facilitate a Multiple Intelligences approach. 

Teacher’s Guide to “Things Fall Apart” 
Well-designed unit on Achebe’s novel that provides accessible lesson plans and materials for each stage of the novel.

Teaching Jane Eyre
Interesting essay on the different approaches available to the teacher when reading Jane Eyre with the class. 

Silas Marner – Lesson Plans
Detailed lesson plans for teaching “Silas Marner”, with notes, questions and suggested activities.

Wuthering Heights - Webquest
This interactive webquest requires you to use your knowledge of Bronte’s novel to respond creatively to a set task.

Pride and Prejudice - Webquest
How would events in the novel have turned out without certain characters?  Find out by following this webquest.

Key Events in Wuthering Heights
Take this short quiz to see how well you know the plot of Emily Bronte's novel.

How Many Miles to Babylon - Quiz
This ten question quiz tests aspects of "How Many Miles to Babylon" that are relevant for the Leaving Certificate comparative study.

Lies of Silence - Crossword 
Test your knowledge of important events and characters in the novel.