Penguin Readers Factsheets level

T e a c h e r’s n o t e s 1

Madame Doubtfire
3

5
by Anne Fine
6

PRE-
INTERMEDIATE
S U M M A R Y
adame Doubtfire, written in 1987, is a very modern philosopher called Kit Fine. They got married six weeks
M story about a ‘broken home’. Daniel and Miranda later.
Hilliard, parents of three children, have separated After leaving university, Anne worked as a teacher. She
and are ‘at war’ with one another. The book tells the wrote her first novel, The Summer House Loon, after the
amusing - and moving - story of how Daniel and Miranda birth of her first child; she and her husband had very little
become friends again. money, the weather was freezing, and she was suffering
Madame Doubtfire is already established as a children’s from post-natal depression. ‘I was writing for myself,’ she
classic. ‘Mrs Doubtfire’, the film based on the book, says, ‘to cheer and warm myself up. It was finished in

MADAME DOUBTFIRE
starring Robin Williams, was released in 1993. It achieved weeks. But I wasn’t surprised when the book was turned
worldwide success, having the same ingredients as the down.’ She later submitted the manuscript to a
book - warmth, fantasy, great humour, and an underlying newspaper competition for an unpublished children’s
wisdom and realism. book. It didn’t win, but was a runner-up. At the award
The story begins with Daniel and Miranda living apart. party she met an agent who was keen to represent her,
Miranda is a successful businesswoman, and is deeply and the book was published in 1978.
angry with her husband, an impractical and frequently Anne and her husband lived in Scotland, Canada and
out-of-work actor. Daniel’s saving grace is his sense of California. She continued writing children’s novels. At first,
humour - that, and his love of the children. Miranda is although she was well reviewed, she made little money
making it difficult for Daniel to see his children. However, from them. Then, with books such as The Granny Project
she decides to employ someone to look after them. Daniel and Bill’s New Frock, she began to achieve a wider
hits upon the plan of disguising himself as a woman - and popularity. However, Anne became tired of California - ‘All
gets the job! All goes well - Daniel is able to spend time that relentless blue and gold. I would wake up dreaming
with his children, who know perfectly well who Madame of a frosty morning ...’ - and she returned to England
Doubtfire is. But inevitably, in an amusing sequence of alone, with her two daughters.
events, Miranda discovers the truth. She met her second husband, a botanist who grows
The resulting row between Miranda and Daniel leaves orchards, on a train to Edinburgh. He had his two small
the children white and shaking. It seems there is nothing children with him - ‘I watched him all the way up and he
to be done, until Lydia, the oldest child, tells both parents was so nice to his kids’. It was love at first sight for her.
what she thinks of them. At last Daniel and Miranda see She gave him her telephone number but a year passed
sense. The story ends with the two parents making peace before they bumped into each other outside a
with one another - although it is obvious that they will not supermarket. They married and now live in a beautiful
get back together again. house with a huge walled garden, in County Durham in the
Madame Doubtfire is a rare book. It is written with an north of England.
instinctive understanding of a child’s point of view, and Anne Fine has now written about twenty-five books,
combines realism and fantasy in a way that appeals to mostly children’s books, but including three adult novels.
children and adults alike. Her children’s books have won many prizes. Anne says
that peace is essential to her writing. She takes her dog,
Ben, for a walk by the river, has breakfast, then settles
ABOUT ANNE FINE down to work. She writes in pencil, rubbing out frequently.
She has no need for a second draft. She considers herself
Anne Fine was born in England, the daughter of a post
extraordinarily lucky to be a writer. ‘You learn so much,’
office engineer. She had four sisters, three of them triplets.
she says. ‘Even if you have invented somebody not at all
She says she cannot remember a time when she could
like you, you are still shining a light into your own self and
not read; from an early age she was a voracious reader.
you are learning something.’
She was happy at secondary school, and went to
Warwick University. There, in 1968, she met a young

© Pearson Education 2000

 level
Penguin Readers Factsheets 3
T e a c h e r’s n o t e s
ACTIVITIES AFTER READING A SECTION
WORKS AND THEMES Chapters 1-3
Anne Fine is without doubt one of today’s most Teach the word ‘ingredient’. In small groups, students
discuss the following question:
outstanding children’s writers. Critics describe her books
Daniel and Miranda don’t have a happy marriage. What do
as witty, stylish and thought provoking. Her stories are you think are the five most important ingredients for a
comical, but nonetheless they deal with contemporary happy marriage?
issues such as divorce, step-parenting, bullying and Then have a whole class discussion about the question.
sexual-stereotyping. They have hopeful endings. Students can write their answers for homework.
Anne backs her decision to write about children from Chapters 4-6
broken homes with the following statistic: one in five of 1 In groups, students discuss the following question.
today’s population is either a step-child or a step-parent. Then have a whole-class discussion on the subject.
She says, ‘Divorce may be good for the parents, but it’s If parents are unhappy together, which do you think is
one of the worst things you can do to your children. better: to stay together because of the children or to
People of our generation were brought up with an overall divorce? Give reasons for your opinion.
sense that love was permanent; children growing up now 2 In groups, students write down all the things that they
find funny in these chapters. Then, as a whole-class
learn that it is conditional - conditional on sexual
activity, students agree on what they think is the
satisfaction, on job satisfaction ............ Sometimes I funniest thing.
wonder if in the past there was just as much pain but the
adults bore the brunt of it. Now it’s the children.’ Chapters 7-9
In small groups, students discuss this question. Then
However, the children in Anne Fine’s novels are not have a whole-class discussion about it.
victims. They are always articulate, and often wiser, more Do you think the Hilliard family can be happy now? What
MADAME DOUBTFIRE

heroic and more farsighted than their parents. ‘Somebody do you think their family life will be like in the future?
always pays for divorce,’ says Anne Fine, ‘and it’s often
the children with the fairy-tale virtues of courage and ACTIVITIES AFTER READING THE BOOK
generosity and an unfailing capacity to forgive.’ 1 Ask students to look up hero and heroine in their
dictionaries. Then discuss the following question as a
In 1993 the film ‘Mrs Doubtfire’, starring Robin Williams, whole class activity:
and based on the novel Madame Doubtfire, achieved Every story has a hero or a heroine. Who is the hero or
massive, worldwide success. The film, though plainly heroine of this story, in your opinion? Perhaps there is
based on the book, differs in some respects. However, it more than one. Give reasons for your opinion.
has the same warmth, rich humour, and underlying 2 In pairs, students discuss the following questions.
wisdom. Anne Fine is now at the forefront of children’s Then the class votes on the questions.
(a) Which is the funniest chapter in the book?
writers.
(b) Which is the saddest chapter?
Give reasons for your opinions.

Communicative activities
Glossary
The following teacher-led activities cover the same
sections of text as the exercises at the back of the reader, It will be useful for your students to know the following new words.
and supplement those exercises. For supplementary They are practised in the ‘Before You Read’ sections of exercises at
the back of the book. (Definitions are based on those in the Longman
exercises covering shorter sections of the book, see the Active Study Dictionary.)
photocopiable Student’s Activities pages of this Factsheet.
Chapters 1-3
These are primarily for use with class readers but, with the advertisement (n) a notice or short film which is offering something
exception of discussion and pair/groupwork questions, for sale
can also be used by students working alone in a self- annoy (v) to make someone angry (annoyed: to be angry)
access centre. hamster (n) a small animal like a mouse
housekeeper (n) someone who is paid to cook, clean and look after
ACTIVITIES BEFORE READING THE BOOK your house
mess (n) many things mixed up together in a dirty, untidy way
Find out whether any students have seen the film ‘Mrs
model (v) to sit in the same position while people paint or draw
Doubtfire’. Put students who have seen the film into pictures of you
groups together. Get them to tell the story to each other, naked (adj) not wearing any clothes
each student saying one sentence at a time. pretend (v) to do something so that people believe something is real
when it is not real
Put those students who have not see the film into groups quail (n) a small bird; it is shot for food
together. Ask them to: quarrel (v) when one or more people shout angrily about something
shock (v) to give somebody a bad surprise
(a) describe the woman on the front cover of the
tears (n) when we cry, tears fall from our eyes
book.
Chapters 4-6
(b) guess at her character. make-up (n) women put this on their face so that they look better
(c) guess at her job and the kind of life she has. divorce (v) to end a marriage by law
God (n) the maker of the world
Chapters 7-9
strike (n) when people say they will not work because they want
more money

Published and distributed by Pearson Education

Factsheet written by Mary Tomalin
© Pearson Education 2000
Factsheet series developed by Louise James
 Penguin Readers Factsheets level

Student’s activities 1

2
Madame Doubtfire 3

Photocopiable 4
Students can do these exercises alone or with one or more
other students. Pair/group-only activities are marked. 5

Activities before reading the book 6

1 Read the Introduction in your book and answer these (b) What is his new job?
questions. (c) How does Miranda feel about it? PRE-
(a) Why are Daniel and Miranda Hilliard at war? INTERMEDIATE
(d) How much will Miranda pay her cleaning
(b) Who has the house and children? woman?
(c) The cleaner will clean Miranda’s house. What (e) What other things will the cleaning woman do for
other job will the cleaner do? Miranda?
(d) What is strange about the women who telephone (f) Why does Miranda need a cleaning woman?
about Miranda’s advertisement? (g) Why doesn’t Miranda want to leave the children
(e) What do you think could happen when the with Daniel?
cleaning woman arrives?
2 Work in pairs. Answer these questions.
(f) When did the book Madame Doubtfire come
(a) Describe Daniel.
out?
(b) Do you like him? Say why/why not.

MADAME DOUBTFIRE
(g) When was the film ‘Mrs Doubtfire’ made?
(c) Why do you think it could be a problem to be
(h) Who plays the part of Mrs Doubtfire in the film?
married to him?
2 Talk with another student.
3 Work in pairs. Discuss this question.
Have you seen Robin Williams in any other films? If
you have, which films have you seen him in? Did you What do you think Daniel means when he says, ‘I
enjoy them? think I’ll try something different?’ What do you think
he will try to do?

Chapter 3
Activities while reading the book 1 Complete these sentences.
CHAPTERS 1-3 (a) Daniel is angry with Miranda because she comes
................................. to get the children.
Chapter 1 (b) Miranda works as a ................................. .
1 Are these sentences right or wrong? If they are wrong, (c) Miranda wants a cleaner who can also
correct them. ................................. children.
(a) Daniel is the father of Lydia, Christopher and (d) Daniel writes his ................................. on the
Miranda. advertisement.
(b) Daniel doesn’t live with Miranda. 2 Work in pairs. Answer these questions.
(c) Daniel likes Miranda a lot. (a) Why does Daniel change the advertisement, do
(d) Miranda wants Daniel to see the children a lot. you think?
(e) Miranda phones to say the cat has killed two (b) What do you think his plan is?
hamsters. (c) Do you think it will be successful?
(f) In the letter, Miranda says she will bring the
3 Work in pairs.
children to see Daniel on Friday night.
Student A: You are Christopher. Talk to Lydia about
2 The children don’t like their father to be angry with your parents. Say what you feel.
their mother. Write down four things that show this.
Student B: You are Lydia. Talk to Christopher about
3 Work in pairs. your parents. Say what you feel.
Student A: You are Daniel. When Miranda comes to
pick up the children, tell her that you are angry with CHAPTERS 4-6
her. Explain why.
Chapter 4
Student B: You are Miranda. You come to pick up the
children at Daniel’s home. You do not want to talk to 1 Answer these questions.
Daniel. (a) Why does Natalie go to sleep so quickly?
Chapter 2 (b) Why does Lydia look hard at Madame Doubtfire
and look excited?
1 Answer these questions.
(c) Why does Miranda think that Madame Doubtfire
(a) What kind of work does Daniel do? is strange?

© Pearson Education 2000

 level
Penguin Readers Factsheets 3
Student’s activities

(d) Why does Miranda give Mrs Doubtfire the job? (e) Why does Daniel say, ‘I’m not a happy pig’?
2 Work in pairs. Have Lydia’s and Christopher’s (f) Why does he decide to stop being ‘Madame
conversation after they go upstairs. Then write it. Doubtfire’?
Chapter 5 (g) Do you think it’s better to be an unhappy thinker than
a happy pig? Say why/why not.
1 Put the two parts of the sentences together.
(a) The children clean their bedrooms so that . . . Chapter 8
(b) Christopher and Lydia know that . . . 1 Answer these questions.

(c) Miranda is angry because . . . (a) How does Miranda discover that Daniel is Mrs
Doubtfire?
(d) Lydia and Miranda say that . . .
(b) Do you think Miranda is right to be angry with
(e) Natalie says she likes her father and Madame him? Give reasons for your opinion.
Doubtfire . . .
(c) Do you think Daniel is right to be angry with
(i) Madame Doubtfire is a little strange. Miranda? Give reasons for your opinion.
(ii) just the same. (d) How do the children feel? How do you know?
(iii) Daniel and Madame Doubtfire are the same 2 Work in pairs. Play Christopher and Lydia after they
person. have gone upstairs at the end of the chapter. Talk
(iv) Daniel wants to take the children out on Saturday together. Discuss what you could do to help things.
afternoon. 3 What do you think is going to happen? How do you
think the story will end? Write one or two paragraphs
MADAME DOUBTFIRE

(v) Daniel can do the washing and help with the

children’s homework. about this.

2 Work in pairs. Chapter 9

Student A: You are Miranda. Talk about Madame 1 Answer these questions.
Doubtfire to a friend.
(a) Why does Daniel clean the house when he gets
Student B: You are a friend of Miranda. Listen to her home, do you think?
and ask questions.
(b) Who comes to see him first?
Chapter 6 (c) What does Lydia say is the most important thing
1 Who says these words? Why do they say them? for Daniel to do?
(a) ‘You’re wonderful, Madame Doubtfire.’ (d) What does Lydia tell Miranda?
(b) ‘Just look at this! Mr Hooper brought it round a (e) Why does Miranda come to see Daniel?
few days ago.’ (f) How has Miranda changed?
(c) ‘Oh, why was I so stupid?’ 2 Work in small groups. Discuss this question.
(d) ‘I’m so glad I don’t come on Tuesdays.’ What does Lydia mean when she tells Miranda: ‘You
(e) ‘This is one of those times when I must have you can give people orders and still not win? You can try
here.’ to control people and still lose them’?
(f) ‘Not here, Dad . . . ’
2 Work in pairs. Answer this question.
Activities after reading the book
Daniel has a problem. What do you think he could do
to make things all right?
1 Work in groups. Discuss these questions.
How do children feel when their parents have an
CHAPTERS 7-9
unhappy marriage? How do they feel when their
Chapter 7 parents quarrel? What do you think an unhappy
marriage does to children?
Work in pairs. Answer these questions.
(a) Why do Lydia and Christopher think the play is 2 What kind of person do you think Daniel could be
wonderful? happy with? Write a description of this person. Do the
same for Miranda.
(b) Why does Daniel get so angry with Christopher?
(c) Why doesn’t Daniel want to pretend to be happy with
Miranda?
(d) Do you agree with him? Say why/why not.

Published and distributed by Pearson Education

Factsheet written by Mary Tomalin
Factsheet series developed by Louise James
© Pearson Education 2000