Observing and describing in Storm Boy 3: Describing a crowd

When find yourself in or watching a crowd (you could be at school, a shopping centre, at a game, or even watching something in nature, like an ants nest), think about them as a single thing. Could you describe the overall feeling they present? The feeling they give you?

Look for a time when a crowd features in a story. How are they presented? Are they an angry mob? A crowd getting in the way of the main characters? People in trouble and needing help? An army about to attack? What part do they play in the story? How are you supposed to feel about them?

Storm Boy by Colin Thiele is a classic Australian story that follows friendship between Storm Boy and a pelican he raised called Mr Percival. The book concentrates on other relationships too - his dad Hide-Away Tom, their friend Fingerbone Bill, three rescued pelicans and the wild coastal environment where they live and enjoy a solitary life.

The story has been turned into a play, a film (twice!), and even a video game. The images you see in this course are from the first film version of the story.