A WIT CHAPTER 1 by Gavin and Isaac

1. A WIT CHAPTER 1 by Gavin and Isaac We are using the Puffin 40th anniversary edition

2. smugly Definition: contentedly confident of one's ability, superiority, or correctness; complacent. Quoted From: “Surely her mother must know what people were saying, must be aware of the smugly vicious gossip”. The author used “smugly vicious gossip” when Mrs Murry referred to what the people were saying, which was bad gossip about Meg’s father coming home. The word “vicious” was described as the way Meg was affected by the gossip and how it made her very depressed.

3. serenity Definition: the state or quality of being serene, calm, or tranquil Quoted from: “Nothing ruffled the serenity of her expression.” The author uses “serenity”, referring to the fact that Meg gave no “outward expression”, and that she was unruffled by the “smugly vicious gossip”. (previous slide)

4. constable Definition: a police officer Quoted from: “Suddenly she remembered that when she had gone to the post office to pick up the mail she’d heard about a tramp who was supposed to have stolen twelve sheets from Mrs Buncombe, the constable’s wife.” The author referred to the “constable” as Mrs Buncombe’s husband.

5. vulnerable Definition: capable of or susceptible to being wounded or hurt Quoted from: “He looked very small and vulnerable sitting there alone in the big old-fashioned kitchen…” The word “vulnerable” was cleverly used by the author to describe Charles Wallace in the kitchen drinking milk and eating bread and jam. He was alone all by himself in the kitchen, and, being six years old, he would be susceptible to anything that would harm him.

6. preliminaries Definition: something preliminary, as an introductory or preparatory step Quoted from: “… before Charles Wallace began to speak, suddenly, with none of the usual baby preliminaries, using entire sentences.” The author used “baby preliminaries” to describe the childish things normal babies would do. Charles Wallace did the opposite, using full sentences.

7. geometrical Definition: pertaining to painting, sculpture, or ornamentation of predominantly geometric characteristics Quoted from: “The curtains, red, with a blue and green geometrical pattern, were drawn, and seemed to reflect their cheerfulness throughout the room.” The word ‘geometrical’ was used to describe the curtains, with a blue and green pattern made up of shapes, and that portrayed the cheerfulness in the room as most curtains that have patterns on them are very pleasing to the eye.

8. impressive Definition: Making, or tending to make, an impression or having power to impress Quoted from: “ ‘Let’s be exclusive,’ Charles Wallace said. ‘That’s my new word for the day. Impressive, isn’t it?’ ” Charles Wallace used this word as he was pleased that he had used a complicated word – exclusive.

9. moderation Definition: Does not do too much or too little of what is reasonable Quoted from: “ ‘You don’t know the meaning of moderation, do you, my darling?’ Mrs Murry asked.” Mrs Murry used the word to tell Meg that she needed a happy medium. She wanted Meg to understand that she cannot overdo or do too little.

10. repulsive Definition: horrible and disgusting that one would avoid Quoted from: “ ‘ Maybe if I weren’t so repulsive-looking – maybe if I were pretty like you –’ ” The word was used by Meg to describe herself as being ugly and unattractive. “You” refers to Mrs Murry. Mrs Murry was a clever scientist, and yet is very beautiful, so Meg aspires to be like her in the future.

11. agility Definition: moving around quickly and easily Quoted from: “She moved with great agility for such an old woman.” The author used the word to describe that Mrs Whatsit was still very active, albeit being very old. Meg thought that she would be very weak, but she was not.