‘Cue For Treason’ Journals

Written By: Zehra Nasirali

Date: 24^th March, 1997

February 28.1997

#1 Overview

A juvenile chap is 'Cue for Treason' because of one mere mistake he made- throwing a stone. Now he is going to pay for it; be swirled in confusion and with no choice, he'll have to tolerate his life as a blunder. The punishment he undergoes, he owes to many.

This solo lad is blocked from all routes. He can't determine who is on his side, but he has no choice as he carries secret information that's plotting against the Queen. He risks sharing his honesty with the passerby’s in the story. As a result, everyone's life depends on him because this enables his life to be at stake completely and unexpectedly.

Assume yourself to be in Peter's position, being a fugitive and experience the adventurous situations in foreign, exploring places. Each moment is different and unexpected. Read on to find out what happens next.

February 30.1997

#2 Forshadowing

The author of 'Cue for Treason' has an interesting way of foreshadowing events in the story. It may be about dangers, reactions or any other sort. For example, at the very beginning: 'If Snap had gone with us that night, as he wanted to, I should never have come into the peril of death, and this story would never have been told.' This foreshadows that Peter shall coma into the stake of death later in the story. Foreshadowing can also be camouflaged in a person's character. For instance, 'Sir Philip was a bad enemy to cross, though up to that time none of us knew just how bad an enemy he could be.' In compound with foreshadowing this phrase also brings to our understanding, that the author has undergone this as a past experience and narrating the story to us.

Also, when Peter was at watch while the men were at the wall and 'so the dawn drew near, and danger tool!' 'If there are two words together which still have power, after all these years, to strike a chill into my heart, those words are 'Virgin Mine.' Many a phrase foreshadows danger. It is put into a very puzzled and hidden form, but that is what varies the written structure of the story.

Foreshadowing may give away the story a bit, but it definitely builds up the suspense and indeed captures you into reading further on. This is what the author specializes in.

February 30. 1997,

#3 Character Sketch of Kit Kirkstone

Kit Kirkstone, or rather Katherine, was a smart, young lass who had runaway from home. She was very discreet and knew when to share her honesty and with whom. Otherwise, she was a liar and knew exactly how to react to her plans if ever suspicion were to arise. The time when she found Mr. Desmonds' company is a good example. She had lied about having five sisters just to cover up her knowledge of lady-like gestures and especially about the courtesy part. She was an orphan who knew how to take care of herself or she wouldn't have runaway from home. She could distinguish between right and wrong. We know this because Kit realized that Sir Philip's interest in very juvenile, unlady-like lass just for a piece of inherited land was a very wrong and hypocritical thing to do.

She was very witty when disguised as a boy. Also when the other boys in the actors company would tease and persuade her to join them in the rough, boy games they played. Kit refused to let her anger to take over her body. This was a smart reaction for a twelve year old .

She also knew how to handle situations swiftly; the time Kit and Peter were

With Mr. Armthwaite. She pulled out her pistol and knew exactly what he was up to.

She didn't let him take action even though he was double her size and probably triple

her age.

Kit was also a good actor, a realistic one. She was always very determined and knew exactly what she wanted to do- even if she ruined the play, even if she had a big part of Juliet, she knew that running away would solve her problem and she did this without hesitating.

Last but not least. Kit was very beautiful when dressed up like a complete lady. Peter wasn't even able to recognize her as she had a different but special identity when she sat beside the Queen.

In conclusion, Kit was a courageous, smart lass which without she wouldn't have gone any further. She was very lucky.

March 1. 1997

#4 Predictions

Many attitudes and reactions of Kit arose suspicion; suspicion that she was a girl. For one, not wanting to play with the boys, at a young age like twelve was probably considered as chicken or a retarded boy. The fact that she would not go swimming with them was probably because she feared that her clothes might cling to her body and reveal the feminine body parts she possessed. Or why she didn't do 'morning-wash-up' with the other boys and instead woke up early to do so.

In addition, even though she had a reason for her knowledge of lady-like gestures, that reason might be a lie. Perhaps it was because she was a. girl that she carried this knowledge. Moreover, also the fact that she scratched and bit Peter, which is what most girls do as defence, when she fought with him on the bridge, might add to my prediction.

In conclusion, I predict that Kit Kirkstone was a girl and not a boy simply because of the above clues.

March 4. 1997

#5 What a Scene!

Chapter 9 and 10: I really sympathized Peter when he was in this confused position;

the time when Kit ran away just before the play, 'Romeo and Juliet' and poor ol' Pete' was confused at why she did so. On top of that Burbage laid a burden on the poor boy that he would have to take her place without any rehearsal but just with the lines and actions he had seen during rehearsal. Everything was going so fast that Burbage put Peter in a dominant position. His mind was unable to comprehend the scenes that were taking place.

They were on a fat line of risk and the whole play depended on Peter like a heavy stone. I found this part of the play to be sympathetic. But when he went on stage and came face to face with Sir Philip, my bones jumped out of my skin as if I was in Peter's position. I can't imagine what Peter himself went through to come face to face with his hunter and bring himself as the target right in front of Philip. It seemed that all the time he spent running away from Morton went to complete waste. I was all hyped up and excited and couldn't control myself from reading further on without following the class. However, with all that confusion and anxiety, a bag of laughter is also fitted through that scene; when Sir Philip didn't recognize his target bull’s eye and instead he fell in love with the acting of Juliet that he even sent her a box of chocolates!!!

A hilarious action like that would certainly raise the hyper part of a person's character. Just how Peter broke up and as a matter of fact me too!! Moreover, Peter deserved something like that to relax his muscles and once again me too.

Lastly, Peter really played a good part. He was very brave and for that my hat is off to him!

March 4. 1997

#6 Speaking as Peter

In this experience I feel that I had really been through a lot. During the whole story I was a fugitive and carried information that would put a few Cumberland men life at stake, if revealed to Sir Philip Morton. However, I did get one thing in return.

It was an adventure that I'd always wanted to go through.

Walking for miles and miles taught me to appreciate Nathanial as my pony and working with actors to earn my living wasn't an easy thing either. I was thankful that I was a boy just then, under the care of my parents; I was dependant on them.

I learnt what kind of people there were in the world. They could be as warming and understanding as Shakespeare or they could act kind and trustworthy while they were just plain hypocrites for example Mr. Armthwaite. In the later phase of the story I also realized that carrying a burden all by yourself wasn't any good but sharing it with the right people and calling for help when you need it could do a great deal of good. The time when Kit and I called for help when Sir Philip and his men tried to force down the door in search of me is a good example. Also if Kit and I hadn't shared each other’s story, our journey would certainly not have been a smooth one, because by taking this action it helped a lot to react to each other in a completely different way and understand each other’s position, emotion and undergoing feelings.

I've also been through a great deal of confusing and frightening moments and that I thought was a lot to go through for a fourteen year old. For instance when I hid in the chest that Sir Philip tried to open or when Anthony Duncan took me captive.

Lastly and most importantly I learned that it is always better to keep out of trouble (like me) and not to keep your nose in the air (like Sir Philip)!!

March 5. 1997

#7 Clarification

Some scenes and parts of the story, I feel should be clarified and put in a straightforward way for the better comprehension and understanding of people. Some of the points may include reasons. For example, the actions the yeomen took against the wall was that Sir Philip had confiscated a piece of land that rightfully belonged to the yeomen. The question 'Well why didn't they take the matter to court,' might arouse to some readers. For one, these Cumberland natives didn't have much money to spend and especially on something they didn't trust; lawyers. They also thought that it would be out of the question to beg for something that was rightfully theirs and on top of that, they knew that Morton would have something up his sleeve and somehow he would win over their land.

Also questions like, 'How did Sir Philip know that the boy who threw the stone was Peter?' or 'Why did Burbage welcome Peter and Kit the second time?' or yet another question, 'How come Kit got to act all the leading feminine roles and what relation did she have with Sir Philip?' These common and important questions may be answered by: #1. Peter's green cap with his name written on it was the evidence, #2 because Burbage was inconsiderate and welcomed the chaps because of their special friend 'Shakespeare' who accompanied them, and #3. Kit got to act all the feminine roles because originally and secretly she was a female with natural feminine knowledge and furthermore. Sir Philip was to marry Kit but in discreet it was just for the land she was to inherit.

I feel that clarification should be as just as important as overviews and bibliographies and I recommend that they should always be added to books. This helps to further clarify a point, which will allow the reader to pursue the book with better understanding and comprehension. If major points such as why Peter is running away from home or even minor points such as why Peter joined the actor’s company when he was supposed to be in concealment, aren't understood, clarification will help clear that doubt, uncertainty or even query.

In conclusion, I feel clarification is very essential.

March 6. 1997

#8 Transformation

Transformation is the physical, emotional or mental change on the outlook of

a person. It is really interesting to notice the way this happens. For instance bf

Peter didn't drop his hat. Sir Philip wouldn't have had any evidence and if he didn't

run away then the family wouldn't have had any trouble with Philip, only Peter

would.

Transformation also helps in understanding changes; if Peter and Kit didn't find out about each other’s secrets, they wouldn’t have got along and their journey wouldn't have been a smooth one. Some other transformations are how the feelings and distress of Peter and Kit changed to hope when they met Shakespeare. Also when Mr. Armthwaite's mixed response caused Kit to take physical action. The change from Peter and Kit pleading with Armthwaite to ordering him not to touch the bell is transformation.

Sometimes looking at transformation in a negative way helps to understand this English concept even better. It may also lead to other consecutive transformations. For example, if Kit didn't run away, Burbage wouldn't have been outraged for an actor walking out on his company. As she ran away, this put Peter on the hot spot by acting as Juliet right in front of Sir Philip. Also if Peter didn't hear the conversation plotting against the Queen, Bess wouldn't have been saved. This causes Peter to be a hero. However, if he weren’t a hero, the Queen would not have chosen to see him.

These are few of the numerous transformations that occurred in the story, 'Cue

For Treason.’

March 8. 1997

#9 Irony

Irony is when the words and actions of a character is not fully understood by them, but the audience is given an inside meaning. For example, the scratching and biting action Kit took when she fought with Peter made suspicion arise about her being a girl. Apart from transformation, irony also takes place when the Desmonds wonder why Peter is treating Kit so nicely. We know that because Peter is a gentlemen and the fact that Kit is a girl, he treats her delicately.

Also when Burbage is worried that in a year or two, Kit being such a good actress, won't be as much as use as he/she will reach puberty, only we as the audience know that this will not happen as she is a girl. Another good example of irony happens when Peter returns home after a year or so and everyone of his family is there to be with him except his brother. Without even greeting Peter or welcoming him home, his brother goes off to work. By this action we come to know that his brother doesn't really care about Peter.

Sir Philip gives chocolates to Peter; this is irony, hilarious one. By this gift we come to know that Philip didn't recognize who Juliet really was, and instead of hunting Peter, he is amused by Juliet's/Peter's acting that he even gave him chocolates!!! Also when Morton thought himself to be caught by the army of the Queen when in fact it were the Desmond’s company. From this scene we learn that Philip isn't good at recognizing people under disguises. What disguise? The disguise the Desmonds were under.

Quite a few ironies are also found in the last chapter. When Shakespeare tells

Peter, 'You can't go like that,' and forces him to dress up, it puts us audience under

the impression that Peter wasn't in proper clothes for himself to be placed in front of someone of great honour. Also the tunes when the Queen is ready to fulfill any reward or wish that Peter might want, she looks at Peter and Kit at the same moment. This makes it obvious that she has plans for them in some time of their life.

In conclusion, irony gives our minds a chance to wander and figure out things by ourselves.

March 8. 1997

#10 The Whole Journey -

In the whole of 'Cue for Treason', Peter undergoes an adventure where he risks his life and experiences different kinds of awkward situations. His adventure lasts for over a year and the places he passes or visits are innumerable. To help understand the important places he visits and what events take place there, this journal is a summary.

It is in Cumberland where he lives and where the wall is. His journey started off to the Stronghold where he used to play around the big boulders when he was young. Passing Keswick, which is where his school and the marketplace are, he travels towards Penrith. He decided to rest here and instead he lends up in the actors’ chest, hiding from Sir Philip. It is only on the way to Kendal where he is discovered by the Desmonds. This is also where he meets Kit. After passing Lancaster, Kit and Peter save Mr. Desmond from drowning as he fell off the horse while riding on the becks of Oxford. As a result of this accident, Kit and Peter have to go to London to request Burbage to give only them two a chance to act. However, Shakespeare brings up their hope in time of despair. Also in London they are introduced to the Yellow gentle man who causes different scenes to their acting. They they report to Sir Joseph Williams about the mysterious sonnet that they discovered. After a group meeting, it’s decided that the two actors who are now secret agents to travel with Tom Boyd to Cumberland, to inspect on the Peel Tower.

After a long scene, Peter is captured by Anthony Duncan at Ullswater. Then after escaping he returns back to his family where Sir Philip insists on checking their home for Peter. This causes the two agents to travel to Keswick and meet Mr. Armthwaite. On the end of their journey, they travel to London. They stop at Lancashire where the inn is and then the next day they passed Virgin Mine, to the woods where the episodes with the red-bearded guy takes place. After escaping into Yorkshire, which is where they meet the Desmonds and expectedly Sir Philip as well. This is where Philip is finally captured. When they reach London, they act in a play and meet the Queen. This is the end of Peter's long year journey plus adventure.

Teacher’s Comments: I can see you have a very thorough understanding of the book. Well done!

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