The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Chapter 1 – First Impressions
Task 1 – Meeting the characters
1. Can you spot the character being described in these quotations from the opening
chapter?
‘… gulped then timidly raised his hand in protest.’ ‘She had not opened her mouth since they left the city; … if anyone was not overjoyed by the promise of the new life it was …’ ‘He had that smile on his face they all knew so well, the one that always meant he had bad news or another of his crazy ideas.’ ‘… threw a steely glare at her older sister, an open declaration of war unless the latter kept her mouth shut.’ “As long as you’re with me I don’t care where we go.” 2. For each of these quotations, what conclusions can we draw about the character? Try
to explain how the author has created this impression with just a few words.
Task 2 – The characters in chapter 1
Make a list of the characters in chapter 1 and then write your first impressions of them.
Try to base your observations on evidence from the text.
For example, if you were considering Irina, you might write something like this:
‘Irina presented the cat to her
father … Irina proceeded to
make her case with a
determination she had
inherited from her father.’
(p.8)
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This quotation shows Irina’s soft heartedness
and kindness to animals. It also shows that she
is confident and persuasive. She is described
as determined and she challenges her older
sister, Alicia who has obviously seen this before
and says to her father “Are you going to let her
get her own way again?”
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Task 3 – Getting to know the Carver family
Answer the following questions using quotations and references to the
text to support your answers.
1. What are the Carvers like as a family? Do they get on? Look at the different
relationships within the family.
2. What are your first impressions of them as they leave their home and everything they
have known?
3. What conflicts do you think might arise later in the story?
4. Look at the way that Alicia and Irina get on – what kind of relationship do they have?
5. What kind of father and husband is Maximilian Carver?
6. Is Max like his father in any way?
Now answer these questions about the town and the way it is presented.
7. What are your first impressions of the town? What kind of place might it be? (pp.6-7)
8. How does it contrast with the city where the family used to live? (p.3)
9. Draw a picture of the two places side by side and label the key differences.
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Task 4 – Foreshadowing
Foreshadowing is a device which writers use when they drop hints about the plot and
how it might develop. Something from the story – a character, event or small detail –
gives some suggestion about what will come next. Why do you think a writer would use
foreshadowing?

Look at page 7 and find the description of Andrea Carver starting with the line: ‘Max
could see a hint of sadness in her eyes … ’ What might this suggest? What events
could be foreshadowed? Think about what might unfold later in the story.
As you read on in the novel look out for further hints of the future that the author has
left for the reader.
The cat


Look at page 9 and find the line: ‘The creature, its head leaning on
the girl’s shoulder, kept its eyes nailed on Max defiantly.’
Is there a feeling that the cat was waiting for the family? What
could this suggest?
The clock



Why do you think the clock at the station works backwards? (page 10)
What effect does this have on Max and on the reader at the end of
Chapter 1?
Make some predictions about the significance of the clock.
Reading activity

List the things that you learn in the opening chapter, this should include things that
you are told explicitly and things that are hinted at by the writer implicitly (look
up the meaning of these words if you are unsure what they mean).

Think about why certain details are included in the opening chapter such as the date
and hints of mystery that you can find. Some details, however, such as the name of
the town, are left out.

You will need to use your skimming skills as you read through the opening chapter to
pick out key points that you can comment on.

Look for a range of ideas. You could compare details that you have found with a
partner and discuss why you think they are significant.
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Task 5 – Writing task
How does Zafón create a sense of mystery and tension in the first
chapter of The Prince of Mist?
Use all your answers and discussion notes along with the following prompts to answer the
question.

Does it grab your attention? How does Zafón achieve this?

What clues and mysteries does the author include in the first chapter?

How are the characters and settings important in setting the mood?

Does the chapter end on a cliffhanger? How does the writer achieve this?

What predictions would you make about the way the novel will progress and what
might happen to the Carver family in their new life?

How does he set up the plot and hints at later events?

Is there anything further that you would add to the list?
Remember to include a clear introduction and conclusion and to use PEE paragraphs
throughout. Share with a partner when you have finished your first draft.
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