The Fruitcake Special

The Introduction the Author

Frank brennan is a fantasy, science fiction and short story writer. He was

once an english teacher in singapore . Brennan also taught english in a secondry school in

England after graduating from the University of wales.

The Author Frank Brennan

Frank Brennan has many collection of short stories :

1) The Fruitcake Special 2) Windows of the Mind

3) Tales of the Supernatural4) Circle games

5) Three Tomorrows

Title 1) A fruitcake – play important role in

the story 2) The story evolves around this special

fruitcake & how in an instant it can change :

- The lives of people- Their emotion

- Their reaction to others

Setting

-French restaurant where David and Anna have dinner together.

- This is the cosmetic factory where Anna works as a chemist, Anna the main

character & she travels to work by bus.

- We meet Anna ‘s mother and her Aunt Mimi is the frequant visitor to the house.

Restaurant

Workplace

Anna ‘s home

Theme

1) Determination and hard work bring success2) Family love and concern

3) No venture, no gain 4) Maintain your self – worth and dignity

Point of view

The writer tells the story from the first person point of view with Anna through the eyes of the main character. Anna is able to share her thoughts and feelings but not of the other character like her Mother, Aunt

Mimi, David Amos, Sabina, the waiter or the old lady at the open market. Anna is only able to describe what she sees and hears

about these characters. We are made to feel that we are one with her in the story.

The characters in the story

The character

Anna

Single 27 – year – old chemist Practical and sensible

Ordinary – looking Innovative and intelligent Observant and perceptive

Resourceful and adventurous – invents potent perfume which can

mesmerized man Realistic – is aware that she is

average – looking and therefore feels unworthy of her boss’s attention

David Amos

Owner of Amos Cosmetics Supercial

Was submissive to his girlfriend Was haughty

Shallow – likes to be surrounded by beautiful woman even though he

knows that they are only interested in his looks and wealth

Cowardly – does not defend Anna when Sabina insults and humiliates

Anna in his office

Aunt Mimi

Anna’s mother’s sister Curious

Good - hearted, generous Nosy – very nosy and wants to find

Anna husband Observant – is suspicious about

Anna’s sudden interest in baking

Sabina

Beautiful young model David’s latest girlfriend

Was dominant haughty and condescending – looks

down on Anna Violent – strikes David when he

declares his love for Anna

Armstrong

The pizza delivery man Ambitious – is successful in setting

up his own pizza company Fell in love with Anna at first sight

Was determined to improve his social and economic status before asking

Anna out Gentlemanly – treats Anna with

respect Patient – waits for the right time to

declare his love for Anna

Anna’s Mother

Married young – Anna mother married in age eighteen years old

Loving and caring – still packs meals for Anna and concerned that Anna is

still unmarried Astutue – is aware that the pizza

delivery boy has a crush on Anna Gets on well with Aunt Mimi

The Waiter

Impulsive – cannot wait to declare his love to Anna and interrupts her with a

phone call during dinner Bold – told Anna how he felt, and called her even though she was in the

restaurant with David on a date

Old Woman

She had seven husbands She had baked and sold fruitcakes at

the open – market in the park She grew herself in the fruitcakes but

would not reveal the secret ingredient She died the week before

Plot Anna is a chemist who designs

perfumes. She is single and this worries her mother and aunt.

During dinner, David is not as attentive as he was in the morning. Anna dabs on the Fruitcake perfume in the ladies room

the scene in the restaurant is hilarious with David and the waiter declaring their

love for Anna. A fight breaks out.

Exposition

Conflict

Climax

Anna wants to find the special something in the fruitcake but is unable

to

Who is the pizza man, declares his love for her. Anna has found the right man !. They lived happily ever after Anna and

Armstrong

Falling action

Resolution

Moral values

We must not compromise on our dignity One should be caring and helpful

Hard work is the key success One should take time to find true love

We must not be blinded by physical attraction Appreciate ourselves for what we are

The End By : Nur Fatin Adawiah Bt Ismail

Class : 4 Amanah