'Picnic at Hanging Rock' — Lesson 08: Repression and Freedom

This individual lesson is part of the Lesson Ready unit on Peter Weir’s Picnic at Hanging Rock.

Lesson 08 explores the tension between repression and freedom in the film. Students examine how institutional authority, gender expectations, class and economic dependence restrict different characters before analysing moments of resistance, release and personal choice.

Students consider whether apparent freedom is genuine or temporary and develop interpretations of how prolonged repression contributes to isolation, emotional instability and harm.

Includes:

• Editable PowerPoint lesson slideshow;
• Editable student worksheet; and
• Detailed sample answers.

This resource is Lesson 08 of the complete 14-lesson Picnic at Hanging Rock unit but can also be purchased and taught independently.

The film is not included. This is a digital product supplied as a downloadable ZIP file. Available with an Individual Teacher Licence or English/EAL Faculty Licence — One Campus.