Morality as a theme. Definitions: Morals: Personal beliefs about certain things that guide your actions. Morality: Following the rules of moral conduct; having morality means that you always do what you think is right.

Reflect on your own morals: Remember, all texts are someone’s model of the real world. Being able to read a text and apply its message to your own life is an important skill to have when reading any text. Answer the following as best you can in about one paragraph each in full sentences: 1)How should people be judged by each other? 2)What are some things in world that you consider to be just ‘wrong?’ Why? 3)Where do you believe your own personal morality comes from? (e.g. your parents, your religion, your education, somewhere else?) Be prepared to share your responses.

Morality in Worldshaker Reflect as a class: If morality is a subject in Worldshaker, then what is the theme of it? In other words, what does the book teach us about doing what’s “right?”

Orris Porpentine: Orris Porpentine is a marginalised character, meaning that he does not have that big a part to play. Nonetheless, he is very important to understanding the key theme of morality in Worldshaker. Answer these questions as best you can: 1)Why is the position of Supreme Commander not being passed on to Orris (Sir Mormus’ son)? 2)How has Orris suffered throughout his life for his own sense of morality? 3)Do you think it is fair for him to feel so ashamed of his ‘failure?’ Why/why not?

Moral crisis! Colbert Porpentine: I must do the right thing by my family and do a good job as the next supreme commander. I must not fail like my father. But since meeting Riff, I can’t be sure of anything anymore. Could it be that they are wrong about some things? About everything? My tutor also tells me that morality and ethics are important… After all the terrible things I’ve found out, I need to make a decision.

Describe Col’s ‘moral crisis’ in your own words. (About a paragraph). Be prepared to share your answer.

Those without morality: Sir Mormus and Lady Ebnolia are the ‘twin pillars’ of Col’s world. Later, we learn that they are victims of their own unchanging sense of morality. Like all ‘evil’ people, they are convinced that they are doing the right thing by everyone. These two become the ‘evil’ characters that are the antithesis of Col and Riff’s sense of morality. They become the cause of the main conflict in Worldshaker.

Final reflection: Respond to the following in writing: 1)What is the author’s intended message about morality in Worldshaker? 2)How are these messages shown? E.g. in which sections of the book are they most obvious? Why? 3)In one sentence, name the theme (lesson/message) that you think Richard Harland wants you take away from reading his book.