Unit 1 Revision

Section A

How to respond…• Immediately address the question. • Spend the rest of your time proving your point by analysing

Golding’s ‘methods’. ‘Methods’= techniques such as: appearance, behaviour, dialogue, description, importance in terms of plot, symbolism, interaction with others etc.

• Consider alternative viewpoints and disprove some of them• EVALUATE Golding’s methods/techniques using vocab such as:

‘crucially’, ‘importantly’, ‘significantly’, ‘dramatically’, ‘evocatively’ and ‘powerfully. E.g: Golding’s presentation of Simon as a Christ-like symbol of goodness is hugely significant. In highlighting his total goodness he creates a powerful contrast with the building savagery and evil. To truly show the ‘beast’ within the boys, Golding had to create a character untouched by wickedness.

Lord of the Flies Questions

• His role on the island: Christ-like figure- only truly good character

• Description of his death as peaceful/beautiful (imagery)• Juxtapositioning of his murder with his death (brutal savagery

of the others)- SYMBOLISM of the death of goodness• Physically weaker – symbolic of innocence• Dialogue with ‘the beast’- (the pig’s head) – he alone realises

that the Beast is within• Foreshadowing: in ch 2/3 ‘maybe it’s only us’• Edenic scenery links to goodness of Simon CONTRASTED with

pathetic fallacy of the storm during his murder

Q4• Piggy is the first character to talk- shows he desires

friendship…developed by his loyalty to Ralph: ‘wise, true friend Piggy’…the only one who is truly loyal OR dependency

• The island is untouched by mankind ‘ain’t there any grown ups?’ shows the potential of humanity to destroy- even if children (the fire….the murders etc)

• ‘The Pilot’- given the impression it is war time (evacuations)- War is developed as a theme and reinforces themes of inhumanity

• Initially the children are afraid and vulnerable but become savage “bollocks the rules” & smashing conch etc

L.O• Be able to structure a detailed response• Know how to achieve an A*

Getting an A*• Consider whether the writer has been successful• Contain a personal response, with supporting evidence: ‘I think… I

believe…’• Original thoughts (your own)• Imaginative ideas (something other candidates won’t say)• Frequent quotations (embedded into your answer) E.g: In Ralph’s

realisation of the ‘darkness of man’s heart’ Golding explores innocence and the potential for evil within us all. He powerfully demonstrates that even the most ‘civilized’ of us has such capacity. Is better than: One quote which shows that Ralph has realised that we all have the potential to be evil is: ‘the darkness of man’s heart’. This shows that even civilized people have the potential to do evil things.

• Evaluate lang/form and structure, making sure you don’t just evaluate the effect of techniques but also the overall effects on the reader

Structuring a response: Beginning, Middle, End• Beginning: (no more that one paragraph): Refer to the q and

give initial answer. Show how you intend to answer it, hinting at the views you will put forward. Explain your own view

• Middle: Point by point, present your argument (with evidence). Consider alternative views (however, yet, despite this, nevertheless, on the other hand, similarly, contrastingly, additionally) Try to link points smoothly. Aim for FOUR developed points

• End: Don’t repeat earlier ideas. If you have argued different points of view, then use the ending to state your personal opinion. (e.g: ‘above all’, ‘most significantly’, ‘the key point for me is…) REFER BACK TO THE Q!!

Planning:E.g: What do you think is the importance of the Conch in Lord of the Flies?1. BEGINNING:V important as a symbol. In my opinion it is of most

importance when it is smashed (the end of democracy)2. MIDDLE: In ch1 it symbolises the bringing together of the boys. It gives

Ralph power and quickly symbolises democracy and order3. As order begins to crumble it is one of the few things which hold them

together4. Jack defies the authority of the conch ‘bollocks to the rules’5. In ‘A View to a Death’ Ralph forgets to take the conch when he confronts

Jack showing Jack’s increasing authority (alt int: even Ralph is starting to forget what it means to them)

6. The conch is smashed /Piggy’s murder. Symbolic of the rejection of both democracy and reason

7. END: Whilst important in bringing them together, it is only one element of their unity. The smashing of it is more powerful as it shows their descent into savagers

Plan for the following question:• What do you think the importance is of Roger in ‘Lord of the

Flies’ and what methods does Golding use to present him?

Section A

Either:• ‘Jack and Ralph are two very different leaders. What do you

think about their leadership styles and how does Golding present this in Lord of the Flies?

OR:• How does Golding express ideas about human nature in Lord

of the Flies?

Section B

The Two-Part QuestionSection B• Part A) An analysis of a specific extract from the novel. You will be

given a focus and are expected to analyse lang/structure/form as well as giving imaginative interpretations

• Part B) You will be asked to take an element from within the extract, for examples ‘ranch workers’ or ‘loneliness’ and apply it to a general question about the whole novel. This question will focus your answer towards context.

• This is worth the same amount of marks as the LOTF question (30) and you have 45 minutes for OMAM and LOTF (so that’s 22.5 mins for each part of OMAM)

Context

Jan 2012

Part A) How does Steinbeck use details in this passage to present the bunkhouse and its inhabitants?ANDPart B)In the rest of the novel, how does Steinbeck present the lives of ranch workers at that time?

“apple-box”• Shows furniture was limited (poor)

In the passage we are told the men kept their possessions in an ‘apple box’ which indicates the level of poverty they live in. Not only do they have so few possessions that they can be contained in an apple box, but it shows the lack of value ranch owners placed upon their workers. Rather than furnish their living space with genuine furniture, they are given cheap fruit boxes which would be flimsy and, potentially dirty. To an extent Steinbeck could be said to be highlighting that migrant workers were utterly devalued; deemed worthless and people who were not worth investing in. This lack of concern for the workers is symbolic of further mistreatment and neglect, as can be seen with the injuries to Candy and CrooksEtc etcblahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

• A*= Developed PEE, read between lines (inference) original interpretations, embedded quotes which are expanded on, sophisticated analysis (representation… a symbol of’

L.O• Understand what is required of A* part B responses• Use exam criteria to develop interpretations

My Strategies • Part A (22.5 mins)

• Part B (22.5 mins)

Lennie’s ‘function’• Show attitudes towards disability• Introduces theme of mental vs physical capabilities on

ranches• Creates tension between the two protagonists• Accelerates plot (killing of C’s wife)• Highlights man’s need for companionship and fear of

being alone• Lennie juxtaposes the difference between violent intent

and accidental strength• Counter stereotypes about ranch workers• Symbolises: The American Dream• Highlight the unusual (hope, love, sincerity, naivety)• His death= reality/hopelessness

Lennie’s function

Section A

Section B

The Language of….Analysis Evaluation Alternative Interpretation

This shows Effectively However

Clearly we see Compellingly Conversely

This creates Dramatically On the other hand

Furthermore Importantly Alternatively

Additionally Expertly Opposing this view

Examining this we see… Poignantly Then again

If we scrutinise this… Crucially In spite of this

The writer intended to… Essentially Countering this argument..

The impact on readers is.. significantly Despite this view

The effect of this is… critically An alternative perspective..

Writer’s purpose- not just what they have done but WHY• What the writer has done (e.g pathetic fallacy)• An example of what the writer has done (E.g the sky was brooding)• Why the writer might have used this (E.g: To create an oppressive,

tense atmosphere)• The effect he/she wanted to create upon the reader (To build a

sense of tension and foreboding)• The effectiveness of this upon the reader (E.g: Powerful- we are

expecting conflict• How the writer’s technique fits into the rest of the novel/overall

effect (E.g: Builds up to the climactic murder of Simon- the turning point of the novel)

The OMAM question• 2 parts (22.5 mins per ‘part’• Analyse: language, structure, form• Analyse and evaluate context• Give original interpretations• In part A focus on the extract (but you can make brief links to

the rest of the text)• In part B focus on the whole text (but choose 2 or 3 SPECIFIC

parts)• Explore Steinbeck’s purpose• Evaluate effectiveness of his techniques

PEE ALFS DICE

Point

Evidence

Explain

Analyse (Language, Form, Structure)

Debate

Interpret

Context

Evaluation

• The passage adds to my understanding of George because it reinforces his huge love for Lennie. In the passage we are told that ‘his hand shook violently’ which conveys the emotional turmoil he is experiencing. George’s actions are dramatic and poignant; Steinbeck compels his readers with this shocking conclusion to their unique friendship and tries to highlight the traumatic nature of what George is about to do. Given that this is set in 1930s America, where the best consequence for Lennie would be the ‘booby hatch’ and, at worst, being shot by a vengeful Curley, George was left with few options. Steinbeck really shows the level of responsibility George has for Lennie as he contemplates doing something which, earlier in the novel, Candy could not do to his own dog. Steinbeck follows this with ‘but his face set and his hand steadied’ to suggest to readers that George is able to convince himself of what needs to be done; feeling that it is the best option available to men who had very few options in life.

Last year’s grade boundaries

Your response to part b• 3 – 4 different points (5-8 minutes per point)• Evaluate significance of context• Use small, relevant quotes and analyse them• Consider WHERE things happen (structure)• Give original interpretations through phrases such as: Potentially this reveals..One possibility here..I regard this as..One could view this as..It could be considered that..I feel/I think/I believe/In my opinionA relevant interpretation of this is..It could be argued that..

OMAM part b

Possible focus areas ‘present attitudes towards’:

DisabilityFriendshipLoneliness/isolationRacismSexismDreamsRelationshipsMigrant workers

L.O• Prepare for the Lord of the Flies question

I like to PEE Ralph…

Shut up!

Example structure

REVISION• Read through LOTF revision

booklet. Practise a question on Ralph and one on either friendship or civilisation

• Read through OMAM quote sheet and attempt 1 section a question (extract analysis) and 1 section b (8 of them on the back of the quote sheet)

• REMEMBER PEE ALFS DICE

IN EXAM:Highlight quotesWrite down analytical/evaluative phrases at the START and use them throughoutMention context in OMAM sectionRefer to the writer’s purpose throughoutPut your watch on the desk and keep an eye on the time

E.g: What is the importance of Ralph in Lord of the Flies and what methods does Golding use to present him?

P1: Ralph is THE most significant on the island because main character with great influence on othersP2- Immediate leadership- appearance/behaviour. Important as he has the most responsibilityP3- He doesn’t stop Jack- shows that leaders can be weakP4- Takes part in Simon’s murder- Golding showing capacity for evil within good peopleP5- His tears at the end. Golding shows Ralph’s realisation. Reinforces themes.P6- Overall hugely significant as he is a constant character who dominates much of the dialogue and plot

Revision• Read through LOTF revision booklet. Practise a question on

Ralph and one on either friendship or civilisation• Read through OMAM quote sheet and attempt 1 section a

question (extract analysis) and 1 section b (8 of them on the back of the quote sheet)

• REMEMBER PEE ALFS DICE

Last TipsREVISION• Read through LOTF revision booklet. Practise the following questions: How important is

Ralph and how does Golding present him? AND “Only at the end of the novel does Ralph recognise the “true, wise friend” that was Piggy. How important is friendship in the novel? OR How important is the theme of leadership and how does Golding present it in the novel?

• Read through OMAM quote sheet and attempt 1 section a question (extract analysis) and 1 section b (8 of them on the back of the quote sheet)

• Create essay plans for potential questions• Learn a range of analysis/evaluation/interpretation phrases

IN EXAM:Highlight quotesWrite down analytical/evaluative phrases at the START and use them throughoutMention context in OMAM sectionRefer to the writer’s purpose throughoutTake risks- ORIGINAL interpretations needed!Use PEE ALFS DICE Put your watch on the desk and keep an eye on the time

Possible Questions

Characters

• Piggy• Ralph• Jack• Simon• Roger• The Little uns• The beast

Themes/symbols

• Savagery/violence• Death• Friendship/loyalty• leadership• Civilisation• Key events• The conch• Piggy’s glasses• Setting• Fire