TE X T PUBLISHING TE ACHING NOTES

for the aus tr alian curriculum

The Road to Winter

MARK SMITH

ISBN 9781925355123
RRP AU$19.99
Fiction, paperback
RECOMMENDED SCHOOL YEAR LEVEL: 8–10

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TEXT’S TEACHING NOTES FOR THE SYNOPSIS

AUSTRALIAN CURRICULUM ‘I want to say it’s not fair. I want to say we’re only kids
and we shouldn’t have to deal with this stuff, that there
 Text’s teaching notes are designed for teachers
should be more adults like Ray to help us.’ (p.219)
to explore the novel in line with the Australian
Curriculum: English. Finn is alone in Angowrie, relying on his survival skills
and affinity with the natural landscape to remain alive
 Questions are divided into stages: from pre-reading in a world torn apart by a deadly virus and threatened
to post-reading and include suggested tasks for by violent gangs. Apart from his loyal dog, Rowdy, and
assessment. contact with the elderly Ray, Finn’s life is lonely. He
keeps himself busy hunting and gathering, and surfing
 Refer to the legend below and the accompanying
to keep his grief at bay. Rose, a Siley, pursued by the
Australian Curriculum: English Scope and Sequence
brutal Ramage and his Wilders gang, arrives and Finn’s
reference chart to decipher these codes.
life is once again thrown out of balance. He needs to
 An ACARA coding system connects each task to draw on every ounce of resilience and initiative to help
the Australian Curriculum: English. It includes links find Rose’s missing sister, Kas. Along the way, Finn’s
to strands, modes, general capabilities and cross- encounters with characters who represent the best
curriculum priorities. and worst of humanity teach him much about the adult
world of prejudice, violence and self-interest, as well
Strands
as bravery, honour, kindness and love. Finn’s journey
LA – Language LT – Literature LY – Literacy
of courage and survival in a harsh social and natural
Modes W – Writing L – Listening R – Reading S – Speaking environment provides many valuable lessons on life for
the reader.
General Literacy
capabilities
Intercultural understanding AUTHOR’S NOTE
Personal and social capability I decided to write The Road To Winter after talking to
a class of Year 9 boys before viewing the film of John
Information and communication technology
Marsden’s Tomorrow When The War Began. None of
Critical and creative thinking them had heard of the book and very few among them
read at all unless they were required to as part of the
Numeracy
curriculum. With this in mind I wanted to write a book
Ethical behaviour that would appeal to YA readers in a way that would
both encourage them to read and engage them in a
Cross-
curriculum
Sustainability thrilling story. I didn’t specifically write it for boys—there
priorities are equally strong female characters—but I wanted it
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories
and cultures
to be a page-turner written from the perspective of a
boy they could relate to. Finn has all the insecurities of a
Asia and Australia´s engagement with Asia teenager but also the resilience I think many adolescent
boys are capable of demonstrating.

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I also wanted to highlight issues of concern to YA • The best of people put the needs of others before
readers—friendship, loyalty, conflict and relationships. their own needs.
Having the two principal female characters—Kas and • People require companionship in order to live a
Rose—as escaped asylum seekers also allowed me happy life.
to discuss this prescient issue without beating young
• Everyone should learn how to fend for him or
readers over the head with it.
herself in the outdoors.
Lastly, I have lived on the coast for more than 35 years • While reading
and the ocean and its environs have influenced me
deeply. Hence Finn is a surfer, a swimmer and a diver— 6. Consider what you learn about Finn in the first
a boy who grows up by the beach, who understands the chapter. What is your initial response to the words,
moods of the ocean and who respects its power. Every ‘before the virus’? Why do you think law and order
surfer worth their salt (pardon the pun) can tell you at have fallen away? What do the changing weather
any time of day which way the wind is blowing, whether patterns suggest to you? Who could the Wilders be?
the tide is rising or falling and how the banks are setting Describe the relationship between Finn and Rowdy.
up at their favourite break. When all the chaos breaks What do you suspect about the role of the girl Finn
out around Finn, the place he feels the most at home, encounters at the end of the chapter? (ACELT1621)
the place he feels safest, is in the water. L R S LT

7. How does the author create tension in Chapter 2 as

BEFORE READING Finn and Rose escape? Comment on the description
of the physical landscape and how a sense of both
1. Explore students’ understanding of Australia’s stillness and movement is created. How are Finn’s
response to asylum seekers. Find some contrasting strong observational skills made clear? (ACELA1545)
points of view to consider in class discussion. L R S LA
(ACELA1721) L S LY
8. When Finn and Rose first speak, what do you notice
2. Examine an online topographic map of the Great about the interaction between them? Why is Finn
Ocean Road area of Victoria, looking for features concerned about bringing Rose to the house?
such as small towns, main roads, tracks, rivers, (ACELT1620) L R S LT
valleys and other geographical elements. Ask
students to work out the route they would take, 9. What is a Siley? How has the author re-imagined the
without a car, from either Anglesea or Lorne to get current asylum seeker situation in Australia? How is
to the Cape Otway Road to the north. (ACELT1629) Rose’s attachment to Kas made clear? What do Finn
W L R S LT and Rose have in common? (ACELT1627)
L R S LT
3. Explain to students that they will shortly begin
studying a text about human behaviour in the 10. ‘Something about the way she looks, the way
face of adversity. Ask them to discuss in groups she talks. She’s no threat.’ (p.39) Why does Finn’s
what personal attributes and behaviours are most intuition tell him he can trust Rose? What is her
important for survival in a time of crisis. (ACELA1804) reaction when Finn shows her the garage? (ACELT1622)
L S LA L R S LT

4. Discuss why disaster and personal loss can cause 11. ‘I did some things I’m not proud of.’ (p.47) How
a change in individual and group morality. Think of do Rose’s words reflect the wider plot of the text?
specific situations where people’s morals could be (ACELT1637) L R S LT

tested. What implications could there be for society 12. ‘I close my eyes and breathe in the smell of people,
when conflict arises because of different moral the smell of a home.’ (p.129) Why is this Finn’s
stances? (ACELY1719) L S W LY reaction to Harry’s and Stella’s home? What words
5. Put a sign up at either end of the classroom, one and phrases highlight that it is a ‘home’? (ACELT1621)
that reads ‘Agree’ and the other ‘Disagree’ in order W R LT

to create a spectrum. Have students stand in the 13. What purpose do the frequent references to the
middle of the room and explain that you will read north and the south serve? (ACELT1803)
a series of statements that each relate to a theme/ L R S LT
idea from The Road to Winter. They should move
to the side of the room that best corresponds with 14. Rose describes Kas as ‘fierce’. (p.49) How do the
their opinion of each statement. At the end of sisters describe each other? Does Finn end up
the activity, discuss with students what they have agreeing with them? (ACELY1723) R LY
learned from the exercise. (ACELY1730) L S LY 15. Reread page 108 when Finn does everything in
• Trust is the most important aspect in a his power to stop Ramage. Why does he decide
relationship. not to kill Ramage and what does this reveal about
his character? Compare this passage to Finn’s
• There’s always something good in everyone.
discovery of the man killed by Rose. (ACELA1542)
• It is possible to live without the Internet, phones, R LA
television and radio.

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16. At what stages of the novel are Finn and Rose, 26. What events have shaped the characters of Rose
and later Finn and Kas, able to indulge in normal and Kas? Consider how and why readers might
teenage chat? Why are these moments so respond differently to each sister. Decide on three
important? (ACELY1722) R LY quotes which best represent each girl.
17. ‘It keeps me sane. I don’t say what else I’m thinking: 27. ‘I can’t leave them to fight on their own.’ (p.151)
that it’s about the only thing I do that isn’t about What does this quote demonstrate about Finn’s
staying alive.’ (p.55) What is Finn referring to here? character? Also discuss why Stella entrusts Willow’s
Each time Finn surfs or swims in the ocean, the tone care to Finn and Kas. What has she understood
and language choices of the writer differ from the about their characters? (ACELT1621) R LT
language in the scenes of tension and brutality.
28. ‘What’s wrong with people in this country, Finn?
Reread these passages and find examples of similes,
Even before the virus it was so beautiful here; you
personification and carefully chosen verbs and
had everything. But you were so cruel.’ (p.198)
adjectives. (ACELT1620) L R S LT
Reread Kas’s conversation with Finn on this page.
18. ‘…I never thought there’d be someone else on my What do her words demonstrate about her character
side – someone I’d want to fight for.’ (p.98) There are and her outlook on life? (ACELT1621) R LT
a number of examples of taking, or not taking, sides
29. ‘We’re a team, the two of us.’ (p.4) How does
in the novel. Consider why the author emphasises
Rowdy complement Finn’s character? Does Kas’s
this idea. (ACELT1620) L R S LT
affinity with Yogi add further understanding of her
19. ‘Most have died, I reckon. You’ve done a bloody character? Ask students to discuss why the bonds
good job just to stay alive.’ (p.122) Explain this between animals and humans can be so significant.
statement. (ACELT1620) W R LT Do animals have their own character? (ACELT1620)
R LT
20. Reread pages 131-135. Consider how language
and tone are used to create tension and show the 30. Finn’s father dies as a result of trying to prevent
different viewpoints of Harry and Tusker. Carefully the looting of the supermarket. What clues does
note how the other people in the room are the reader gain about Finn’s father’s character?
influenced by the words of each of them. (ACELY1721) What elements of his father’s character are reflected
W R LY in Finn? Which other character represents the
opposite of Finn’s father. Which character is the
21. Harry insists on Finn telling him the truth: ‘No more
most similar (other than Finn)? (ACELT1807)
lies.’ (p138) How does Finn’s revelation of the truth
W R LT
link with other elements of the plot? (ACELT1620)
R LT 31. At what point in the novel does the reader begin
to realise that the female characters are presented
22. Rose’s determination to remove the tracking device
in a different light from the males? Provide specific
from her hand ultimately leads to her death. What
examples to support your ideas.
is the significance of her self-inflicted wound and
how does it influence Finn’s actions? What does she 32. Discuss why Finn breaks down and cries in front of
mean when she says, ‘At least it’s one I can see’? Harry, Tusker and Jack on page 118. How does this
(p.73) (ACELT1620) L R S LT position the reader to feel about Finn?
23. Discuss students’ reactions upon reading Ramage’s 33. How does Finn change and mature throughout
response to Rose’s death. Do they feel surprised, the novel? What is responsible for this growth?
confused, revolted, etc? What theories do they have (ACELT1627) W R LT
about Ramage’s ability to track the teenagers down
34. Consider the role Ray plays in the novel. Use
each time? (ACELT1627) L R S LT
evidence from the text to support your response.
24. ‘I’m going to hunt him down and kill him.’ (p.229) (ACELY1734) W L R S LY
Do these words from Kas surprise the reader?
35. There are a number of ‘good’ characters whose
Discuss whether Kas is justified in this response
actions are crucial to the plot. Which adult
and also comment on her determination to reclaim
characters prove to be the most admirable? Provide
Hope. (ACELT1627) L R S LT
specific examples. (ACELY1723) W R LY

36. ‘The girl’s a Siley. She’s got no rights. She’s our

AFTER READING property now.’ (p.133) Discuss how prejudice against
the Siley’s is represented in the novel. What types of
CHARACTER characters are likely to be the most unsympathetic
25. Construct a map of the major characters in the to the asylum seekers? Find several examples to
novel. Be sure to group characters according to support your view. (ACELY1733) R LY
families/clans so that the relationships between
37. ‘It’s like we’re doing some sort of weird dance,
them are clear. Include the Wilders, Ramage’s
gang, the valley people, the Swan’s Marsh people, trying to avoid each other but not really wanting
the Sileys, the drifters, Finn, Ray, Rose, Kas, etc. to.’ (p.191) Explain the relationship between Finn
(ACELY1723) W R LY

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and Kas and comment on how their relationship 2. Rose and Kas, as Sileys, have endured a different
changes. (ACELT1627) L R S LT fight for survival from Finn. Consider how life has
been doubly tough for them. (ACELT1621)
38. Make a list of quotes that represent Ramage’s
R LT
character. How is language and action used to
portray him as dangerous? Is the level of brutality 3. Ramage’s methods of survival are brutal and
used to depict Ramage justifiable? (ACELT1621) self-serving. How does Ramage survive? What
W R LT observation is the author making about people like
Ramage? (ACELT1620) L R S LT

STYLE AND STRUCTURE 4. Harry admires Finn’s capacity to fend for himself.
How has the valley location helped Harry and his
1. The novel is written from only Finn’s perspective.
group to provide for themselves? Hypothesise as
How does this shape the reader’s understanding of
a class whether or not Harry and Stella survive the
the unfolding storyline? (ACELA1553) R LA
attack by Ramage’s gang. (ACELY1723) R LY
2. The physical landscape, as well as the local flora and
The Environment
fauna – and the weather, are an essential part of the
novel. Find specific examples where the interactions 1. How does Finn show his respect for the
between humans and their surroundings add to the environment? How does he use the landscape and
power of the story. (ACELA1553) R LA vegetation to his advantage? (ACELT1627)
L R S LT
3. Comment on the use of italics in the novel.
(ACELA1556) L R S LA 2. Develop a theory to explain why the animals appear
to be unaffected by the virus. Consider if the author
4. Create a map detailing the different settings of
is deliberately focusing on human suffering. Why he
the novel: Angowrie, Ray’s place, Longley and
might do this. (ACELT1771) L R S LT
the feedstore, the valley farm, etc.) Now add in
the routes that Finn takes in his quest to find Kas 3. To what extent has the ocean and its marine life
and protect Rose. Use another colour to show the been affected by climate change? (ACELT1627)
locations where Ramage and his gang turn up in L R S LT
the story. What point is the author making about
Community Interest vs Self-interest
the advantages of closely knowing a local area.
(ACELT1622) W R LT 1. Reread the passage where the supermarket in
Angowrie is looted. Analyse the reasons why
5. Consider the juxtaposition between life and death
people’s moral compass has shifted. Compare
in the novel. Why does the author end with both a
Scully’s response to that of Finn’s father. (ACELT1620)
birth and a death? (ACELY1733) W L S R LY
L R S LT
6. Comment on the author’s possible reasons for
2. The valley community provides a contrast to the
not giving a title to each chapter. Examine how
anarchy of the outside world. What is the purpose
each chapter starts and ends. Can any pattern be
of the community meetings? Consider how Harry
observed? (ACELA1553)
and Tusker differ in their responses to Finn and Kas.
7. The author has used fictional locations and not Find supporting quotes for your answer. (ACELT1627)
specifically referred to Victoria or Australia in L R S LT
the novel. Does this decision affect the reader’s
3. Which characters demonstrate the courage to
response to the story? How does the reader know
stand up to those who seek to exploit others?
the setting actually is Australia? (ACELA1553)
Discuss which characters are the most loyal to
8. Discuss the author’s use of the ocean as a metaphor others. (ACELT1771) R LT
for Finn’s sanity. Finn refers to everything being
Loss, Loneliness and Friendship
‘out of balance’ in his life. Locate the references to
‘balance’ in the novel and consider why this term is 1. How is language used in the novel to convey Finn’s
used. (ACELA1553) grief at losing his parents? (ACELY1721) R W LY

9. There are several recurring symbols in the novel. 2. Modern forms of communication have been
What are they? Explain their significance to the lost since the devastation caused by the virus.
overall story. (ACELA15560) W R LA Discuss the impact lack of communication and
companionship has on Finn? What role does
Ray play in Finn’s life? (ACELT1621) L R S LT
THEMES
3. Why is Finn able to establish a close bond with both
Survival, Courage and Conflict
Rose and Kas? (ACELT1771) L R S LT
1. ‘I didn’t know it at the time, but everything I learned
4. Finn is not the only character to have lost loved
back then would help me survive.’ (p.3) What are the
ones. Which other characters have reason to grieve?
various strategies Finn uses to ensure his survival?
How is this grief expressed? (ACELT1803) R LT
(ACELT1807) L R S LT

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5. Why is the idea of a ‘home’ significant in the novel? 5. How does Mark Smith’s The Road to Winter
Provide several examples. (ACELT1627) L R S LT demonstrate the human need for love and
companionship? (ACELT1628) W R LT
Truth, Trust and Secrets
6. Rewrite a section of the novel from the perspective
1. ‘You don’t know anything about me. You don’t know
of another character. Stay true to the events but
what I’ve done. You wouldn’t like me if I told you.’
develop a clear voice for the character and include
(p.75) What enables Rose to trust Finn before she
their reactions to Finn. (ACELT1632) W R LY
can trust him with some of her story? (ACELT1621)
R LT 7. The Road to Winter is primarily a speculative text
about possible social changes in the future and the
2. Why is it so important to Harry that Finn tells the
differing ways in which people will respond. What
truth? (ACELY1734) R LY
conventions of the genre does the novel adhere to?
3. Discuss what the key secrets are in the novel. Do How is a sense of both present and future created
characters hold secrets of different kinds? (ACELT1803) by the author? What other genres does the novel
L R S LT draw upon? (ACELT1772) W R LT

8. What is the significance of the final stage of the

RESPONDING novel? Discuss in relation to the novel’s title, The
Road to Winter, and consider why the arrival of
1. Who is the real hero in The Road to Winter? Justify
winter is important in a literal and metaphorical
your answer with evidence from the text. (ACELT1771)
sense for Finn and Kas. (ACELY1732) W R LY
W R LT
9. With a partner create a storyboard for a sequel to
2. There are many references in the novel to the
The Road to Winter. In order to plan your story, list
‘feedstore’. How do these references create a
the major events, dilemmas and decisions that Finn,
constant feeling of discomfort for the reader?
Kas, Willow and Ray will face in their quest to rescue
ACELA1556
Hope from Ramage. Students may present this in a
3. How does The Road to Winter demonstrate the multimodal form. (ACELY1736) W R S LY
importance of initiative, resilience and loyalty
to increase one’s chances of survival? (ACELT1807)
W R LT

4. ‘I want to say it’s not fair. I want to say we’re only

kids and we shouldn’t have to deal with this stuff,
that there should be more adults like Ray to help
us.’ (p.216) What has Finn learned about the adult
world from his experiences in the novel? Discuss.
(ACELT1771) W R S LT

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