A comprehensive and thought-provoking teaching unit for The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick, designed for Senior English classrooms. This resource supports students in developing advanced analytical and critical thinking skills while exploring a complex work of alternate history and dystopian fiction.

Set in a world shaped by an Axis victory following World War II, the novel invites students to question the nature of reality, truth, and power. Through structured lessons and scaffolded activities, students examine key themes such as control, identity, morality, perception versus reality, and the influence of political systems on everyday life.

The unit also explores Dick’s narrative techniques, including shifting perspectives, metafiction, and the use of the I Ching, helping students analyse how meaning is constructed in a fragmented and uncertain world. Students are guided to engage with the philosophical and historical context of the text, encouraging nuanced and informed interpretations.

What’s included:
Close reading tasks and 10 week teaching sequence
In-depth exploration of themes, symbols, and motifs
Character analysis (Juliana Frink, Robert Childan, Tagomi, and others)
Contextual study (alternate history, political power, post-war anxieties)
Essay questions and scaffolded analytical writing support
Creative and discussion-based activities to enhance engagement

How to Use
Convert to PowerPoint: Upload the PDF to PowerPoint (File → Open) to automatically convert into editable slides
Use in Google Slides: Upload to Google Drive, right-click, and open with Google Slides
Use digitally or print: Upload to your LMS (Google Classroom, Canvas, etc.) or print for handouts
Canva option: Upload the PDF to Canva to edit, customise, and export as PowerPoint