A look at Bub Bridgers short story "The Wheeler's Jewel"

1. The Wheelers
Jewel
Bub Bridger
English 1.1: Show understanding of specified aspect(s) of studied
written text(s), using supporting evidence

2. The Oxford Companion to New Zealand Literature
Bridger, Bub (1924–2009), poet and short story writer, was born in
Napier of Irish and Ngäti Kahungunu descent, and lived in Wellington
for many years before moving to Westport.
Leaving school at 14, Bridger worked in a number of factory and office
jobs and did not begin writing until 1974 when she attended a writer’s
workshop. Best known as a poet, though some of her short stories have
also been anthologised, her work is characterised by its erotic
exuberance, comic fantasy and underlying melancholy.
Bub Bridger

3. “When Topaz found she was pregnant she went straight
down to the pie-cart and told Mr Wheeler.”
1. What is the link between the title and the first line?
2. What do you think this story will be about?
Pre reading (prediction)

4. A gemstone/jewel.
The topaz has been known for at least 2000 years and is one
of the gemstones which form the foundations of the twelve
gates to the Holy City of the New Jerusalem. These so-
called apocalyptic stones are intended to serve in protection
against enemies and as a symbol of beauty and splendour.
What is Topaz?

5. “When Topaz found she was pregnant she went straight down to
the pie-cart and told Mr Wheeler.
„Mr Wheeler,‟ she said, „you‟ve knocked me up!‟ “
1. First impressions, what is your first impression of Topaz?
2. Why did you think this?
3. Did you like her, why/why not?
4. What other quotes in the beginning of the story reinforce this
impression?
5. Why does Topaz call Bob Mr Wheeler?
Topaz

6. “She flopped on the bed and began to cry again. In the
middle of her tears she saw the new love comic she had
bought on the way to the doctor‟s surgery. She stopped
crying and reached for it.”
1. Does this quote change how you feel about Topaz? How
so?
2. What more does this say about her?
3. Do we now have empathy for her, why/why not?
Topaz

7. “„I‟m not innarested in anyya that, Mr Wheeler. You been
after me since I started at that pie-cart! Well, you got me
now – right in the shit! An‟ you can get me out!‟ Topaz
didn‟t really think he could.”
1. What does the way Topaz speak tell us about her?
2. Is it fair to judge her by her use of language, why/why
not?
Topaz

8. Frog Meanings and Symbolism
When the frog jumps into your life it may indicate now is a
time to find opportunities in transition. We see animal
symbolism of transition with the frog in its unique growth
cycle. The frog undergoes incredible transformations to
reach the destination of full adulthood, and so do we as
humans
The Frog

9. “Panic jumped about inside him like a mad frog…The frog
in his chest dived into his belly and leapt about in the tea he
had gulped.”
1. Why did Bridger use a frog when describing how Mr
Wheeler was feeling?
2. What does the frog symbolise in the story?
3. What technique is it when Bridger uses the frog to show
us how Mr Wheeler was feeling?
4. Why was this symbol so effective?
Bob Wheeler

10. “He began to rock back and forth, making small moaning
sounds.
„Shut up!‟ said Phyllis sharply. “You sound like a dog.‟ He
shut up. But he clutched his stomach tighter and rocked
harder”
1. What do we learn about Mr Wheeler in this quote?
2. What type of man is he?
3. What image does it give you when you read that he
rocked “back and forth”?
Bob Wheeler

11. “You‟ll have to move into the back room. I want that big
sunny one for her.
„My bedroom? he choked.”
1. What sort of relationship do Mr and Mrs Wheeler have?
2. Who has the power in the relationship?
Bob Wheeler

12. „I‟ll have to go Topaz,‟ he said. „I swear I‟ll talk to Phyllis
as soon as I get home. Phyllis‟ll know what to do.‟
1. Mr Wheelers first instinct was to get his wife to tell him
what to do, why?
2. What does this tell the reader about what type of person
Phyllis is?
3. Why would Phyllis, “know what to do”?
Phyllis Wheeler

13. “„I couldn‟t get pregnant in 16 years. She manages it in
three months. It‟s a funny world Arn, a bloody funny
world…‟”
1. Phyllis never could get pregnant, how do you think this
effected her reaction to Topaz’s pregnancy?
2. Do you think her reaction was reasonable?
3. What doe this tell you about Phyllis?
Phyllis Wheeler

14. Bob
Topaz
Phyllis Arnold
Relationships

15. • In the long mirror by the bed she looked at herself, running her
hands down her breasts and smoothing her flat little belly.
• Panic jumped about inside him like a mad frog.
• She watched him thoughtfully, probing her tongue under her
bottom dentures
• looks peaches and cream but she’s a bunch of razor blades.
• in the bath trying to ease the pain and stiffness of nine hours on
the kitchen vinyl
• She was bustling into the big room, intent on removing all
traces of him, singing like a bird.
Match the quote to the
character

16. Characters Themes
• What do you think Bridger
• The story is written from was trying to teach the
the view point of every reader?
character, we get to know • Was there a message in this
how they think and feel. story, what was it?
How was this effective in • Does this story relate to you
telling the story? in anyway?
• The relationships in the • Are you able to connect
story overlap yet some what you have learned from
people are closer than this story to any other text
others. Who have the closest you have studied in high
relationships? school, is so how?
• Why is Topaz The Wheeler’
Ideas

17. • Metaphor
• Short sentences
• Language choice: Vernacular / Colloquial / Phonetic
spelling
• Narrative Point of View (POV): 3rd person
• Symbols: Topaz / Pearl / Frog
Language Techniques

18. How is this story structured?
• Three act structure
Phyllis telling
Topaz saying Phyllis meeting
Bob that Topaz
she is pregnant Topaz
is moving in
• Character narratives
Paragraph 1: TOPAZ
Paragraph 2: MR WHEELER (BOB)
Paragraph 3: PHYLLIS
etc…
Structure

19. • Why is it important to read NZ texts?
• How is this a uniquely NZ text?
• Does the fact that it is a NZ text make it more
enjoyable/relatable?
• What links are there in the story to NZ?
A New Zealand story

20. You are expected to write a response paragraph describing
ONE aspect of the story (handout)
Aspects include: character (individuals or
relationships), main ideas, use of language
technique/s, structure, POV etc…
• IDEA+ response structure
Response Writing
(formative assessment)