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AQA A-level English Literature B new 7717/1B & 7717/2B - 15 & 22 Jun 2017

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I know how to revise for Lit now.

After having a chat with my teacher, I understand.

My initial issue was that there's no textbook to memorise like in History and Politics.

But now, I know the way. All I have to do is memorise the essays I write! And then through that I build up mental sections on symbolism, the characters, and everything.

Take the above essay on Gatsby, for example. It's all about Gatsby's tragic realisation, but there are also parts about the use of symbolism and important stuff about how Nick is untrustworthy as a narrator.

I think it was summarised quite well by my teacher: 'With the other subjects, you memorise from what you're given [the textbooks], but in Lit, you create the info that you memorise.'

Reply 21

CatusStarbright

Original post by Abstract_Prism

I think it was summarised quite well by my teacher: 'With the other subjects, you memorise from what you're given [the textbooks], but in Lit, you create the info that you memorise.'

Excellent summary! That's exactly it.

My teacher always says that for Lit there's not really a right or wrong answer, as long as you can justify it using the text to support your arguments.

Reply 22

teenhorrorstory

Do you guys always link each paragraph to a tragic aspect?

Reply 23

teenhorrorstory

'Explore the view that Willy's tragic isolation is largely caused by Linda's failure to understand him'

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This got 22/25,probably my best essay so far tbh :lol:

I'd love for a question like this to come up in the actual exam

Reply 24

revisionkills

Hey - I'm doing Tess of the d'Urbervilles, William Blake's 'Songs of Innocence and Experience' and Tom Stoppard's 'Arcadia'. Coursework is killing me tho!

Reply 25

ZRSFizzyBongs

Perhaps we could collaborate and create a series of questions in order to formulate some answers and inspire creative interpretations that would help us consider whatever questions appear on the papers?

Personally I'm taking The Great Gatsby, Death of a Salesman, Keats poetry and King Lear

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 26

teenhorrorstory

Original post by ZRSFizzyBongs

Perhaps we could collaborate and create a series of questions in order to formulate some questions and inspire creative interpretations that would help us consider whatever questions appear on the papers?

Personally I'm taking The Great Gatsby, Death of a Salesman, Keats poetry and King Lear

Good idea

Miller states that he believes the common man is as apt a subject for tragedy in its highest sense as kings were. How far is this true of Willy Loman?

Reply 27

Radmandy

Original post by teenhorrorstory

Good idea

Miller states that he believes the common man is as apt a subject for tragedy in its highest sense as kings were. How far is this true of Willy Loman?

You could suggest that it is true because both the common man and men of nobility experience a harmartia, Willy experiences a harmartia in which he delusionally believes that achieving the American dream is possible despite its futility.

Reply 28

CatusStarbright

Original post by Radmandy

To build on this idea, the focus on domestic figures such as Willy makes the audience relate more closely to the protagonist and perhaps even experience deeper emotion when watching a domestic tragedy as opposed to a classical tragedy. This was seen in the theatre after Death of a Salesman was first shown where men were gathering in groups and crying together, seeing themselves in the character of Willy Loman. After all, 'Loman' implies that Willy represents salesmen and business men in general.

Reply 29

Abstract_Prism

Original post by CatusStarbright

After all, 'Loman' implies that Willy represents salesmen and business men in general.

I've heard that Miller said that that was just a coincidence.

Reply 30

Abstract_Prism

Here are two essays for Death of a Salesman. I haven't gotten them marked yet, but I suspect they're pretty good. I mean that objectively, in that compared to my other essays, they feel like they're better-quality.

Act I - Is Willy Loman an Apt Subject for Tragedy.docx18.9KB

Is Willy's Inconsistency his Tragic Flaw.docx20.3KB

Reply 31

CatusStarbright

Original post by Abstract_Prism

I've heard that Miller said that that was just a coincidence.

Hmm I didn't know that. I wonder how he did choose the name then.

Reply 32

Chris-Graham

Original post by CatusStarbright

I'm doing exactly the same except as you except, we're doing the tragedy anthology poems instead of Hardy's. :smile:

Saaaaaaaaaaammmmmmmmeeeeeeee!!!!!! Are you doing the Keats???

Reply 33

Chris-Graham

Original post by ZRSFizzyBongs

PLEASE help me with Keats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reply 34

lewistodd24

Hi, I'm doing Othello, Gatsby, Keats and Death of a Salesman.
I have been revising for a while now and I have been formulating tables that summarise each point (themes/symbols/tragedy etc) but I still feel like I need help with the essay side of things, ive been reading through the essays on here and they are fantastic! Are there any good points that you can give me and help me!!! I have more mocks in lit coming soon and I want to aim for A's.