More Diary Fun

 Well these Victorian diaries that my students are writing are continuing to be the main source of entertainment I have at school at the moment. So far they have been quite action-packed which was a little unexpected given that the assignment was focussed on covering living conditions and mundane facts.

The diaries have been filled with adventure, romance, gambling, and crime (predominantly stealing from the Cabin Class passengers or murder) which has made them fun to read. One of the most amusing aspects is the way the students have subtly crafted their exciting plots with the historical details of everyday life they are required to include.

One of the best examples so far:

Timothy was so handsome when he dressed up for the dance on the deck. [Timothy is a young passenger with whom the heroine of the diary has been spending a great deal of time with.] I think I am beginning to fall in love with him. But maybe it is just the weevils. The sea biscuits we have to eat have become full of weevils.

For those you are interested, she does become involved with Timothy. They are married when they arrive in New Zealand after they discover that she is pregnant.

There have also been difficulties with students having the character who is writing the diary murdered during the journey. It makes the required final entry, when they describe arriving in New Zealand, a little difficult.

Still I cannot complain. They have really done considerably better than I expected. Some of them have written nearly 3000 words which is impressive when they only have to write 500 words.