GRADE 10

SESSION (2024-25)

TERM 2

A SHADY PLOT– BY ELSIE BROWN

INTRODUCTION and SUMMARY

Author – Written by Elsie Brown, “A Shady Plot” is a humorous ghost story with elements of
the supernatural.

Genre – The story belongs to the horror-comedy genre, blending ghostly elements with humor
and irony.

Protagonist – The main character is John Hallock, a struggling writer known for his ghost
stories.
Plot Premise – John is tasked with writing a new ghost story but faces writer’s block until he
encounters a real ghost.

Supernatural Element – A ghost named Helen appears and reveals that she is part of a group
of spirits who are tired of being summoned for ghost stories.

Conflict – The ghost demands John to stop writing ghost stories, or they will take action.
Meanwhile, John’s wife, Lavinia, misunderstands the situation, thinking he is hiding
something from her.

Humorous Elements – The story uses situational irony, misunderstandings, and witty
dialogues, making the supernatural encounter amusing rather than terrifying.

Themes – The story explores writer’s inspiration, supernatural intervention, humor, and
marital misunderstandings.

Climax – The situation escalates when Lavinia threatens to leave John, and he must balance
convincing both his wife and the ghost.

Conclusion – The story ends on a lighthearted note, resolving the conflict through humor and
revealing the unpredictability of creative inspiration.

TITLE
1. Dual Meaning of “Shady” – The word “shady” has two meanings:

• Supernatural Aspect: It refers to ghosts or spirits, as the story revolves around a

ghost named Helen who interacts with the protagonist.

• Suspicious or Mysterious Aspect: It hints at secrecy and hidden truths, as John

Hallock’s interactions with the ghost lead to misunderstandings with his wife.

2. “Plot” as a Literary Term – The word “plot” can mean:

• A storyline – The protagonist, John Hallock, is a writer struggling to come up with a

ghost story.

• A secret scheme – The ghosts have their own agenda to stop people from writing
ghost stories.

Thus, the title “A Shady Plot” cleverly reflects both the supernatural and humorous elements of
the story.

Themes in “A Shady Plot”

1. Supernatural Elements – The story revolves around ghosts and their interference in the
human world, particularly through Helen, the ghost who influences John Hallock.

2. Writer’s Struggle – John Hallock, the protagonist, faces difficulties in writing and
depends on supernatural inspiration, highlighting the challenges faced by writers.

3. Humor and Irony – The story uses humor in the way John interacts with Helen and in the
misunderstandings with his wife, Lavinia.

4. Relationships and Misunderstandings – Lavinia suspects John of infidelity because of

his strange behavior, showcasing how miscommunication can lead to conflicts.

5. Mystery and Suspense – The presence of ghosts, the Ouija board, and the hidden motives
of supernatural beings create suspense in the story.
6. Power of the Supernatural – The ghosts assert their control by influencing human
actions, emphasizing that the supernatural world can interfere with reality.

1. The Power of the Unseen

• The story explores how invisible forces, like ghosts, can influence human lives.

• The ghost Helen has control over John Hallock’s writing, showing that unseen
elements can have real consequences.

2. Feminine Influence and Authority

• The story highlights strong female characters—Helen (the ghost) and Lavinia
(John’s wife).

• Helen manipulates John’s thoughts, and Lavinia asserts her dominance in their
household, demonstrating women’s power in different ways.

3. The Role of Fate and Coincidence

• John Hallock’s struggle to write coincides with Helen’s appearance.

• The introduction of the Ouija board leads to misunderstandings, showing how fate
can play a humorous yet unexpected role.

4. Satire on Popular Trends

• The story mocks the obsession with Ouija boards, which were popular at the time.

• The supernatural trend is portrayed humorously, as ghosts themselves protest against

their portrayal in fiction.
Messages
1. The Supernatural Can Be Unpredictable
• The story humorously suggests that ghosts are not just eerie figures but can
have their own grievances and problems, like Helen, who wants writers to stop using
ghosts in their stories.
2. Miscommunication Can Lead to Confusion
• John Hallock’s odd behavior, caused by his interaction with Helen, leads to
misunderstandings with his wife, Lavinia. This highlights the importance of clear
communication in relationships.
3. Creativity and Inspiration Can Come from Unusual Sources
• John struggles to come up with a ghost story until Helen appears. This
suggests that inspiration can strike in unexpected ways, but relying on it too much can lead
to trouble.

4. Superstitions and Fads Can Mislead People

• The story mocks the fascination with Ouija boards, showing how people
blindly believe in supernatural phenomena without questioning their logic.
5. The Power of Women in Different Forms
• Both Lavinia (John’s wife) and Helen (the ghost) exert control over John’s
life, showing that women can be dominant figures in both reality and the supernatural
world.
6. A Writer’s Life is Not Always Glamorous
• John Hallock struggles with writer’s block and unexpected challenges,
highlighting the reality that writing is not just about creativity but also about dealing with
external pressures.
 CHARACTER- SKETCH

JOHN HALLOCK

John Hallock is the protagonist and narrator of A Shady Plot. He is a struggling writer who
unexpectedly finds himself entangled with the supernatural. His character is developed through
humor, irony, and his interactions with other characters.

1. Profession and Struggles as a Writer

• John is a short-story writer who specializes in ghost stories.

• He faces writer’s block and struggles to come up with new ideas.

• His publisher, Jenkins, constantly demands ghost stories, pressuring him to produce
more.

2. Interaction with the Supernatural

• He encounters Helen, a ghost, who complains that writers are overusing ghosts in
their stories.

• Helen threatens him and warns that all ghosts are on strike, which creates a
humorous situation.

• He is frustrated and helpless, caught between his need for inspiration and the ghost’s
demands.

3. Relationship with Lavinia (His Wife)

• John is somewhat passive in his marriage.

• Lavinia is dominant, controlling household decisions and even bringing an Ouija

board, which worsens his situation.
 • Due to misunderstandings, Lavinia suspects John of infidelity after the Ouija board
spells out the name “Helen.”

• He struggles to convince his wife that he is innocent, leading to humorous chaos.

4. Personality Traits

• Sarcastic and Witty – John often makes humorous observations about his situation.

• Helpless and Confused – He has little control over events, whether it’s Helen’s
threats or Lavinia’s anger.

• Imaginative but Unlucky – He is a creative writer but suffers due to supernatural

interference.

• Fearful but Adaptable – Initially terrified of Helen, he eventually accepts the bizarre
situation.

5. Role in the Story

• John serves as the comic protagonist, navigating through a series of

misunderstandings.

• His dilemma between reality and the supernatural drives the plot forward.

• His interactions with Helen and Lavinia highlight the themes of miscommunication,
humor, and supernatural interference.

Conclusion

John Hallock is a humorous, unfortunate writer who finds himself at the mercy of ghosts and his
wife. His character adds to the satire and lighthearted nature of the story, making him a relatable
yet amusing figure.
Helen: The Ghost
Helen is a supernatural entity in A Shady Plot who plays a crucial role in the story’s humor and
conflict. She appears before John Hallock and reveals that ghosts are going on strike due to
excessive exploitation in ghost stories.

1. Role in the Story

• Helen is the source of John’s inspiration, as she had been helping him write ghost
stories in the past.

• She initiates the conflict by warning John about the ghost strike, putting him in a
dilemma.

• Her name appearing on the Ouija board leads to a misunderstanding between John
and his wife, Lavinia.

2. Personality Traits

• Sarcastic and Witty – Helen is not a typical scary ghost; she makes humorous
remarks and criticizes writers for misrepresenting spirits.

• Commanding and Assertive – She expects John to obey her demand to stop writing
ghost stories.

• Frustrated and Tired – She is exhausted from being overused in ghost stories and
wants to put an end to it.

• Mischievous Yet Non-Threatening – Though she causes trouble for John, she is not
malicious or harmful.

3. Contribution to Themes

• Highlights the humorous portrayal of ghosts, challenging traditional scary ghost

stories.
 • Represents the struggle between creativity and dependence – John relies on her for
ideas, but she wants independence.

• Creates misunderstandings and comic tension, making the story entertaining.

Lavinia: John Hallock’s Wife

Lavinia is John Hallock’s domineering and suspicious wife, who unknowingly adds to his
troubles. She is independent and strong-willed but also prone to misunderstandings and jealousy.

1. Role in the Story

• Lavinia is responsible for the introduction of the Ouija board, which leads to the
biggest conflict in the story.

• She misunderstands the situation and believes John is hiding something, especially
when she sees the name “Helen” on the board.

• She threatens to leave John, showcasing her dramatic nature.

• Her character resolves the story’s conflict when she decides to forgive John after
Helen disappears.

2. Personality Traits

• Dominant and Controlling – She makes household decisions without consulting

John, including buying the Ouija board.

• Suspicious and Jealous – She immediately assumes John is unfaithful when the
Ouija board spells “Helen.”

• Dramatic and Emotional – She quickly reacts to situations without trying to

understand them first.

• Strong-Willed and Independent – She is not afraid to challenge John and express her
thoughts.
 • Loving at Heart – Despite her misunderstandings, she eventually forgives John,
showing her caring nature.

3. Contribution to Themes

• Lavinia adds humor by overreacting and misinterpreting the situation.

• Her character highlights the theme of miscommunication in relationships.

• She represents the contrast between rationality and superstition, as she believes in
the Ouija board’s messages.

Conclusion

Both Helen and Lavinia serve as major sources of conflict for John Hallock. While Helen is a
ghost who humorously protests her treatment in ghost stories, Lavinia is a strong-willed woman
whose misunderstandings create further chaos. Their interactions with John drive the plot, adding
humor and irony to the story.

Character Analysis of Jenkins (The Editor)

Jenkins is the editor who frequently commissions ghost stories from John Hallock. Though he
appears briefly in the story, his character plays a crucial role in highlighting the challenges faced
by writers and the humorous elements of the plot.

1. Role in the Story

• The Catalyst for the Conflict – Jenkins demands a new ghost story from John
Hallock, triggering John’s struggle to find inspiration.

• A Symbol of Commercial Pressure – He represents the publishing industry’s

demand for content without concern for a writer’s creative struggles.

• A Recurring Source of Stress for John – His constant requests for ghost stories add
to John’s frustration, especially when he faces writer’s block.

2. Personality Traits
 • Stern and Business-Minded – Jenkins is solely interested in getting successful ghost
stories and cares more about sales than creativity.

• Demanding and Persistent – He always expects John to write ghost stories and does
not accept excuses.

• Practical and Straightforward – Unlike John, who struggles with supernatural

experiences, Jenkins simply wants results.

• Skeptical and Unimaginative – Though he profits from ghost stories, he does not
seem to believe in ghosts himself.

3. Contribution to Themes

• The Struggles of a Writer – Jenkins represents how writers are pressured to create
content without concern for their creative difficulties.

• Commercialization of Literature – He symbolizes how the publishing world values

profit over artistic expression.

• Irony and Humor – His insistence on ghost stories leads to John’s real-life encounter
with a ghost, adding a humorous twist.

Conclusion

Jenkins is an important secondary character who adds pressure, irony, and humor to the story. His
role highlights the challenges of creative writing and serves as the trigger for John Hallock’s
encounters with Helen, the ghost. Though not a villain, his insistence on ghost stories pushes
John into a bizarre and humorous situation.