Away by Michael Gow, study guide & Activities

Away
by Michael Gow
About_
Away, by Michael Gow, follows three Australian families as they embark on separate summer holidays in the late
1960s, each grappling with hidden grief, tension, and longing beneath the surface of ordinary vacation life.
Through interwoven storylines involving a terminally ill teenager, a grieving mother, and a controlling matriarch,
the play explores loss, denial, and reconciliation against the backdrop of a changing Australia. Framed by
performances of Shakespeare’s plays, the story examines how families cope with mortality and personal
transformation. This study guide contains 78 questions across 6 chapter sections (60 Factual + 18 Critical), 1
Crossword Puzzle (12 clues), and 1 Character Focus Activity.
What’s Included_
This study guide features 6 sets of 10 Factual Questions with an answer key (60 total), 6 sets of 3 Critical Analysis
Questions (18 total), 1 Crossword Puzzle (12 clues), and 1 Character Focus Activity (8 traits + evidence prompt +
critical thinking question).
Target Grades_
Grades 10-12
Teacher Note_
This guide helps students track the interwoven storylines of Away’s three families while building comprehension of
the play’s structure and themes. The factual questions reinforce plot and character recall, while the critical
questions encourage deeper analysis of grief, denial, and family dynamics. We hope this resource saves you
preparation time while sparking meaningful classroom discussion!