Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries
Student Activities
English
Senior Secondary
Language, Texts and Contexts
Q. 1
In discussing the Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries television series, producer Fiona Eagger says, "The
wonderful thing about Phryne – the series and the books – is that it's a delightful world. There's a lot
of fun, a little bit of sexual tension, the wit, the charm of the characters, but it's also set against the
backdrop of real social issues of that time."
In a 150-word paragraph for each, describe the historical and social context in which the
Phryne books and television series are set.
Explain how this context affects the language style in which the books and screenplays are
written.
Identify three examples of social issues and three historical events that are integral to the
series.
Q. 2
In Video 2 co-producer Deb Cox explains, "The beauty of doing drama with a playful spin on it … is
that life is playful. For me it feels a much more natural mix of reflecting life on the screen, and to be
able to skate from that playful, sort of ‘tongue-in-cheek’ look at the world into quite moving, serious
issues".
Explain what Deb means by drama with a “playful spin" and "tongue-in-cheek look" at the
world”.
Analyse the excerpts from the television series shown in this video and describe in 200 words
how the producers achieve this natural mix of drama and playfulness.
Dialogue aside, name two other devices used to realise this mix of drama and playfulness,
explaining how they help reflect life on the screen.
Q. 3
Read the excerpt below from the script for Episode 9 Queen of the Flowers and then answer the
questions. Prior to this scene, Phryne, Jack and Hugh had found Rose in the bathing shed at the
beach, where she had swallowed a bottle of sleeping pills and had passed out on the bed. Rose has
been revived in hospital and they are now all seated in the parlour at Phryne's house.
JACK
Who made you take all those pills, Rose?
Was it the same person who killed Kitty?
Rose looks afraid.
JACK (CONT’D)
That’s what you were coming to tell us,
isn’t it? When you ran to the police
station yesterday?
PHRYNE
We can keep you safe from him.
Rose shakes her head.
ROSE
If I tell you, we’ll lose everything. The
house, we’ll have nowhere to live,
nothing left.
PHRYNE
The Mayor helped your grandfather, when
he was disgraced. When no-one else would.
Rose stares at Phryne, realising she’s closing in.
PHRYNE (CONT’D)
Why would he do that?
JACK
And it was the Mayor who was there when
you ran away in fear.
FLASHBACK TO: the moment of stand off between the Mayor, Derek
and Rose at the police station, this time registering Rose
looking directly at the Mayor.
PHRYNE
And the Mayor who was so helpful in
choosing all the Flower Maidens.
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FLASHBACK TO: the newspaper photograph of the Mayor smiling at
Phryne and his flower maidens - this time registering that the
Mayor is looking directly at Kitty.
JACK
Did he force you to write that note,
Rose?
FLASHBACK TO: Rose in the bathing shed, crying, with a gun held
on her, being forced to write her farewell note...
ROSE
He set Kitty up in our old bathing shed.
He paid her money so he could visit
whenever he felt like it - but Kitty
changed her mind - she wanted to tell on
him - disgrace him - that’s what we
argued about. But when I found out Kitty
was pregnant, I knew why. And I knew it
was the Mayor who drowned her.
Rose looks at Phryne.
An extract from Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries Series, Episode 9, Scene 65, Queen of the Flowers
In this scene, Rose had been determined not to confess to the police, however Jack and Phryne
persuade her to change her mind and tell them what happened.
What methods do they employ to achieve this?
Write a 200-word paragraph to explain how language is used to create tension in this scene,
illustrating your answer with two examples.
Describe the part language plays in creating the pace of this scene, giving two examples.
Q. 4
When a writer writes a script narrative he/she may choose to increase the dramatic effect for the
audience by manipulating the way in which the story unfolds.
Explain what the terms linear and non-linear narratives mean.
Why do you think flashbacks are used in the excerpt above?
Describe the purpose of the non-linear style of this scene and evaluate its overall effect.
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Q. 5
Scripts for plays and screenplays contain more information than the dialogue actually spoken by the
characters. Read the excerpt again to find answers to the following:
How does the non-dialogue language help the script?
Writing one paragraph for each character, describe the different emotions you think Phryne,
Jack and Rose are feeling in this scene.
Rewrite the scene in the past tense or third person, as it would appear in a novel.
Representation
Q. 1
In the first video, Kerry Greenwood, author of the Phryne Fisher books, talks about changing values
and attitudes in the 1920s. Watch the video, and then answer the questions:
Identify three key differences for women in the 1920s and explain how these changes came
about.
Write a paragraph to explain how men treated women in polite society, with a second
paragraph to describe how and why this treatment has changed in contemporary times.
What imagery does the author use to illustrate the values and attitudes of the 1920s?
Q. 2
In the same video Greenwood states, "The voices are correct. Nobody says, 'OK', nobody says, 'I'll
check'. There are no wrong words. Vocabulary is terribly important if you want to convey a historical
message."
Explain what the author means by voice, and why voice is so important in storytelling, giving
three examples to illustrate your response.
Describe in a paragraph for each character the differences between the type of voice
(including tone, vocabulary and structure) used to convey the characters of Phryne, Aunt
Prudence and Dot.
Identify three key ways in which voice has changed since the 1920s and explain what has
caused or influenced these changes.
To use terms such as “OK” or “I’ll check” would be anachronistic. Explain what this term
means. Provide some other examples of “anachronisms” which might mistakenly be placed
in a drama set in the 1920s.
Q. 3
Essie Davis plays the part of Phryne Fisher in the television series of Kerry Greenwood's novels. Read
the following questions and then watch the interview with Essie then address the following tasks:
Write a 250-word description of Phryne Fisher, including facts about her past life, what she
looks like, how she behaves and her personality.
In your opinion, how well does Essie Davis portray the character of Phryne? Give at least
three examples to back up your opinion.
As a member of the audience, describe in 150 words how and why you respond to this
character.
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Q. 4
The Phryne Fisher book series belongs to a specific literary genre.
Write a paragraph that identifies and defines the genre of these works of fiction, and list five
examples of other works from the same genre.
Research the origin of the genre, its key characteristics, and three different styles of the
genre. Write a 250-word essay that outlines the reasons for its popularity.
Explain in a couple of paragraphs why you think Kerry Greenwood chose this genre for her
novels.
Q. 5
Watch Video 5 where the author, Kerry Greenwood, tours the Miss Fisher Murder Mysteries set. She
introduces the video by saying, "The art department has done a beautiful job. The bed is perfect, the
décor is gorgeous, and every single detail is correct. It's the sort of thing where I think, 'Did I write
that? No, I didn't write that. Yes I did, I did write that, and it's there!'"
Write a couple of paragraphs to explain why this attention to detail is so important to the
author in transferring her novels to the screen.
List ten examples of attention to detail in Phryne's house, explaining how each of them
contributes to the historical accuracy of the setting.
Look carefully at Phryne's 1928 kitchen set-up and describe the similarities and differences
between it and the kitchen where you live. Include a couple of sentences about who uses the
kitchen area in both situations, and for what purpose.
Making Connections
Q. 1
Read the following excerpt from Episode 2 of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. The train to Ballarat
has been stopped, following the discovery of a murdered woman. The first class passengers,
including Phryne, had been playing cards in the first class dining car to while away the time. A local
rural policeman, Sergeant Brent, has just appeared on the scene, along with the train guard.
An appalled babble from the assembled passengers as Phryne makes a
bee-line for Sergeant Brent, handing over her business card.
PHRYNE
Hello, Sergeant? I just wanted to offer
my assistance.
Sergeant Brent glances briefly at her card, dismissing it.
SERGEANT BRENT
I wouldn’t worry your pretty head about
police work. You leave that to us.
He walks off.
PHRYNE
Inspector Jack Robinson has found my help
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invaluable.
Sergeant Brent stops, turns.
SERGEANT BRENT
Who?
PHRYNE
Senior Detective Inspector Jack Robinson,
City South. He’d be thrilled to think I
could be of assistance.
Sergeant stares at her, dubiously.
SERGEANT BRENT
Well, I’ll be telephoning through my
report shortly - so I’ll ask him direct.
Phryne looks less certain as she watches him walk away.
An extract from Episode 2 Scene 13 of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries
With reference to this extract, answer the following questions:
Describe how Phryne looks and feels at the beginning of this excerpt compared with the end
and explain how this difference is achieved with so few words. Illustrate your answer with
examples.
Describe Sergeant Brent's attitude towards Phryne. Why do you think he behaves in this
way?
In your opinion, would Sergeant Brent's attitude have been different if Phryne had been an
older, less attractive woman? And what if she had been a gentleman? Give reasons to
support your opinions.
Q. 2
Phryne Fisher is used to being in charge of all situations, so it is unusual for her to be seen on the
back foot.
What makes Phryne so sure of herself?
How does Phryne generally take control of situations?
What character flaws, if any, does Phryne have?
Q. 3
Language can be used to include or exclude others. In the excerpt above:
What type of language do Phryne and Sergeant Brent use when addressing each other? Give
examples.
What does Sergeant Brent's and Phryne's dialogue tell us about their social background?
How is this achieved?
What do you think the author intended by including this particular scene in the story?
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Q. 4
The Miss Fisher Murder Mystery series contains 13 episodes. While each episode is a stand-alone
story, there is also an overarching narrative with a number of different themes which runs through
the series. One of these is the relationship between Phryne and Detective Inspector Jack Robinson.
In three or four paragraphs describe the nature of the relationship between Phryne and Jack,
and how it is developed as a theme in the overarching narrative. You may wish to refer to
the two script excerpts above.
In your opinion, does the development of this relationship contribute to the credibility of the
story? Explain the reasons for your answer.
How does Jack's treatment of Phryne compare with Sergeant Brent's?
Q. 5
Different books and television programs appeal to different people. In your opinion:
What sort of social demographic do you think would appreciate the Phryne Fisher book
series, and why?
Taking into consideration the rating, time slot and broadcaster (link to website), how would
you define the targeted demographic for the television series?
Write a comparative outline expressing your opinion of the difference in shelf-life of a book
and its DVD series.
Perspectives
Q. 1
Watch Video 1 again to gain the author's perspective of transferring her novels to television.
Why did it take such a long time for her to agree to option the books to screen?
What was it about the producers, Deb Cox and Fiona Eagger, that won the author's
confidence?
Describe the author's perspective of Phryne and the other characters.
Q. 2
For much of the televised series we see the action from Phryne's perspective, as she is the main
protagonist.
Explain how this impacts on the aesthetics of the production, giving a few examples.
How does Phryne's background widen her perspective in the way with which she interacts
with the other characters?
Write a paragraph to describe three major differences between Phryne's and Dot's outlook
on the world. Illustrate each with an example.
Q. 3
In her interview Greenwood says, "Phryne is a female hero. She isn't an ordinary mortal."
What does she mean by this statement?
Having made this decision, what kind of artistic licence does it give the author?
Do you think not being an “ordinary mortal” detracts from Phryne's credibility?
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Q. 4
Read the excerpt from Murder on the Ballarat Train again and then write an interpretation from
each of the following perspectives, summing up the situation without dialogue:
As Phryne – your goal from the beginning, your impression of Sergeant Brent, your reaction
to his words.
As Sergeant Brent – what you see as Miss Fisher walks towards you, what you think of her
offer, and how you decide to deal with her.
As one of the onlookers – your first impression of Miss Fisher and Sergeant Brent, your
reaction to Miss Fisher's offer, and your conclusion about their conversation.
Q. 5
In an overall 500-word analysis, sum up your own perspective of the success or otherwise of the Miss
Fisher Murder Mysteries series, including the following:
Translation of the stories from book to screen.
Rendition of the characters, with an emphasis on Phryne.
Portrayal of the context, including historical and social factors.
Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries Credits
Starring: Essie Davis, Nathan Page, Hugo Johnstone-Burt, Ashleigh Cummings and Miriam Margolyes
Based on the Phryne Fisher mystery series of books by Kerry Greenwood
Producers: Fiona Eagger and Deb Cox
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation presents an Every Cloud Production “Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries”, produced
in association with Screen Australia and Film Victoria
© 2011 Every Cloud Productions Pty Ltd, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Film Victoria and Screen Australia
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