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AQA GCSE English Literature Exams - 20th and 23rd May 2013 *OFFICAL THREAD*

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Reply 240
hi could someone please tell me what mark this is out of 30 and how i can improve- i want an A* thanks in advance

‘What do you think is the importance of inspector Goole and how does Priestley present him?’

The character of the Inspector has been used by Priestley to present his own Socialist viewpoint in society and is a personification of righteous morality and a mouthpiece that focuses on the belief that ‘we are all responsible for each other’ and one who makes it his ‘duty to ask questions’.

On the arrival of the Inspector, the lighting changes from “pink and intimate” to “brighter and harder” this stage direction and dramatic device has been deliberately used by Priestley to startle the audience and change the mood, from a happy celebration to an interrogation. Also, even before the audience has even seen the Inspector, he has already taken control of the scene as he has unintentionally interrupted the tone of the play. The ‘pink’ lighting could have been used to show that the play will bring about a change in the way women are perceived. The change to ‘brighter’ lighting is effective because it reflects the fact that the Inspector represents hope or that he will be able to change the Birling family, the same way he changed the mood of the play.

When we first see the Inspector, he declines a drink offered by Mr Birling as he’s ‘on duty’ which shows that he is a very focused and virtuous character and this also gives him a dominance over the other characters as he has a clearer frame of mind. At this point in the play the audience would be intrigued by the inspectors focus and shows that he is a man of ‘massiveness’ and ‘solidity’. Priestley could have done this to show that the Socialists were more responsible and had more superior knowledge than Capitalists at the time because they spent less time enjoying the finer things in life and more time focussing.
Priestley uses the term ‘massively’ as a stage direction when Birling speaks to the Inspector to portray Birling as a bully and one who misuses his power, with this action the audience realises that the Capitalist Birling exemplifies everything for which Priestley has disdain as a Socialist with a moralistic viewpoint. Priestley shows a power conflict between Birling and the Inspector throughout the play as this stage direction is also used numerously for the Inspector when describing how he should speak yet instead of portraying the character of the inspector as a bully it portrays him as an interrogator.

Priestley has systematically ordered using a ‘chain of events’, the Inspectors didactic and sermon-like speech to be at the end of the play. Priestley shows that if the Birling family (Eva Smith’s death) and if the audience fail to learn from their experiences (WW1 and WW2) and are ‘ready to go on in the same old way’ then there will be ‘fire, blood and anguish’. As the Inspector is wise and as his prediction of “fire, and blood and anguish” became reality for those living in the 1940’s after they had already experienced a second World War the audience would feel they have a right to judge Birling’s Capitalist views as he is socially unaware and refers to the Titanic as ‘absolutely unsinkable’. The audience would also be more engaged with the play because they would feel that it personally relates to their situations and what they have experienced first-hand. The word ‘absolutely’ puts emphasis on how certain Mr birling was that the Titanic would not sink which is dramatically ironic because the Titanic eventually sunk. Priestley also uses the Inspector to mock the Capitalist solution, by saying ‘you’re offering money at the wrong time’ which shows that money will not bring back Eva Smith or change the situation.
Overall, Priestley presents the character of the Inspector as a superior character that ‘makes you’ tell the truth. Priestley has used techniques such as, three short lined sentences when the inspector says when talking to Sheila about Eva: “yes, but you can’t. It’s too late. She’s dead.” This is effective because it creates a matter-of-fact tone and makes the character of Sheila feel guilty. Priestley through the inspector shows that the younger generation accept their responsibility and learn from their mistakes, in direct contrast to the older generation who are in denial and cannot accept blame and therefore they remain socially unaware. Capitalist ideas and views are ridiculed throughout this play which in turn mocks those in the audience who support these views. At the end of the play Priestly through the Inspector makes a bold polemic statement about every person’s responsibility in society-“if nothing else we have to share our guilt ’’ which send many messages to the audience about morals and how to treat others, which strongly reflect Priestley’s Socialist political views. The word ‘we’ is an inclusive pronoun and shows that we are all united as ‘members of one body’.


(edited 10 years ago)
Original post by debbs567
hi could someone please tell me what mark this is out of 30 and how i can improve- i want an A* thanks in advance

‘What do you think is the importance of inspector Goole and how does Priestley present him?’

The character of the Inspector has been used by Priestley to present his own Socialist viewpoint in society and is a personification of righteous morality and a mouthpiece that focuses on the belief that ‘we are all responsible for each other’ and one who makes it his ‘duty to ask questions’.

On the arrival of the Inspector, the lighting changes from “pink and intimate” to “brighter and harder” this stage direction and dramatic device has been deliberately used by Priestley to startle the audience and change the mood, from a happy celebration to an interrogation. Also, even before the audience has even seen the Inspector, he has already taken control of the scene as he has unintentionally interrupted the tone of the play. The ‘pink’ lighting could have been used to show that the play will bring about a change in the way women are perceived. The change to ‘brighter’ lighting is effective because it reflects the fact that the Inspector represents hope or that he will be able to change the Birling family, the same way he changed the mood of the play.

When we first see the Inspector, he declines a drink offered by Mr Birling as he’s ‘on duty’ which shows that he is a very focused and virtuous character and this also gives him a dominance over the other characters as he has a clearer frame of mind. At this point in the play the audience would be intrigued by the inspectors focus and shows that he is a man of ‘massiveness’ and ‘solidity’. Priestley could have done this to show that the Socialists were more responsible and had more superior knowledge than Capitalists at the time because they spent less time enjoying the finer things in life and more time focussing.
Priestley uses the term ‘massively’ as a stage direction when Birling speaks to the Inspector to portray Birling as a bully and one who misuses his power, with this action the audience realises that the Capitalist Birling exemplifies everything for which Priestley has disdain as a Socialist with a moralistic viewpoint. Priestley shows a power conflict between Birling and the Inspector throughout the play as this stage direction is also used numerously for the Inspector when describing how he should speak yet instead of portraying the character of the inspector as a bully it portrays him as an interrogator.

Priestley has systematically ordered using a ‘chain of events’, the Inspectors didactic and sermon-like speech to be at the end of the play. Priestley shows that if the Birling family (Eva Smith’s death) and if the audience fail to learn from their experiences (WW1 and WW2) and are ‘ready to go on in the same old way’ then there will be ‘fire, blood and anguish’. As the Inspector is wise and as his prediction of “fire, and blood and anguish” became reality for those living in the 1940’s after they had already experienced a second World War the audience would feel they have a right to judge Birling’s Capitalist views as he is socially unaware and refers to the Titanic as ‘absolutely unsinkable’. The audience would also be more engaged with the play because they would feel that it personally relates to their situations and what they have experienced first-hand. The word ‘absolutely’ puts emphasis on how certain Mr birling was that the Titanic would not sink which is dramatically ironic because the Titanic eventually sunk. Priestley also uses the Inspector to mock the Capitalist solution, by saying ‘you’re offering money at the wrong time’ which shows that money will not bring back Eva Smith or change the situation.
Overall, Priestley presents the character of the Inspector as a superior character that ‘makes you’ tell the truth. Priestley has used techniques such as, three short lined sentences when the inspector says when talking to Sheila about Eva: “yes, but you can’t. It’s too late. She’s dead.” This is effective because it creates a matter-of-fact tone and makes the character of Sheila feel guilty. Priestley through the inspector shows that the younger generation accept their responsibility and learn from their mistakes, in direct contrast to the older generation who are in denial and cannot accept blame and therefore they remain socially unaware. Capitalist ideas and views are ridiculed throughout this play which in turn mocks those in the audience who support these views. At the end of the play Priestly through the Inspector makes a bold polemic statement about every person’s responsibility in society-“if nothing else we have to share our guilt ’’ which send many messages to the audience about morals and how to treat others, which strongly reflect Priestley’s Socialist political views. The word ‘we’ is an inclusive pronoun and shows that we are all united as ‘members of one body’.




Do you have get revising? I wrote some hints for this essay question


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Reply 242
yeah i do, what's the title called? and thanks for the reply :smile:
Original post by debbs567
yeah i do, what's the title called? and thanks for the reply :smile:


Welcome - just search my username "Shanij" it's something like inspector calls essay, sorry I don't remember :/


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Reply 244
Original post by Olympiad
Do you have get revising? I wrote some hints for this essay question


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yeah i do, what is the title called? and thanks for replying :smile:
Reply 245
okay, i'll have a look for it, thanks :smile:
Original post by Jack59
The joys of doing The Crucible when it appears that a majority do Inspector Calls. :biggrin:

A wide range of characters could come up. Johh and Elizabeth have yet to have come up, however, in the past two exams it has been Mary Warran and Giles Corey, both harder characters, therefore I don't believe we'll get a character as easier as John or Elizabeth Proctor, but there is a possibility due to the fact they've yet to come up. It'll be a dream though if we get a Proctor. ^_^

Taking into account characters that can only realistic come up (Therefore excluding Mary Warran, etc) I'd say this from most likely to least likely.

]John Hale
Putnams
Danforth

Tituba
Elizabeth/John Proctor
Betty Parris
Hathorne

I'd go for John Hale or the Putnams. Hope its Hale personally. A few of them characters I'd struggle to write about. I find with The Crucible there is a lot of characters, meaning that it isn't as easy to guess who is coming up. The past two exams have been really harsh though, so I don't expect we'll get someone as easy as Proctor. Hale would be nice though. I feel quite unprepared with The Crucible compared to OMAM, where I'm convinced we'll get a setting, Curley or Slim. Preferably the latter.






I'm sure Hale has been done (fairly) recently, june or jan 2010
Personally I think the character question will be on danforth and hopefully the other judges as a combined question
Alright guys, confident with OMAM thanks to whoever posted that video, it's gold :wink:

Just wondering if people have similar resources for The Crucible, struggling to revise for it.
Original post by NinjaPandaa
I'm sure Hale has been done (fairly) recently, june or jan 2010
Personally I think the character question will be on danforth and hopefully the other judges as a combined question


Jan 2012 was Hale. 'How does Miller show the changes in Hale during the course of The Crucible'
Reply 249
Original post by ghost_rebel
Could someone please mark my inspector calls essay question please?i'll pm you it,i'd be very grateful if someone could!:smile:


where is your essay?
Original post by debbs567
okay, i'll have a look for it, thanks :smile:


Welcome let me know if you can't find it :smile:


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Reply 251
Is anyone here doing Under Milk Wood? I am also doing OMAM too which isn't too hard. I don't know how to revise for it though! do you think a character like Candy could come up twice?
Reply 252
Is anyone else doing Martyn Pig and Of Mice and Men for exploring modern texts? I'm really struggling to find any revision help on Martyn Pig at all and I'm dreading the exam on Monday... I don't have a clue how to answer the questions!
Original post by NinjaPandaa
I'm sure Hale has been done (fairly) recently, june or jan 2010
Personally I think the character question will be on danforth and hopefully the other judges as a combined question


I'm nervous about this exam - really, really want an A* and have been getting them in mocks, but you can never really tell with English.

I'd love it to be Hale but it probably won't be as yes, he did come up. I have a feeling it's going to be Danforth as well... He's ok to write about. I guess I'd talk about his motives (wanting to be a 'Boston Judge'), coldness of manner. Actually, having said that, I think I need to revise the judges :wink:

It might be Mary Warren too. Fairly easy character? Definitely clear points to be made as she appears at different places in the play and sort of changes by going up then down - scared of Abby/Proctor at the start, then she gets authority and goes against Abigail, then she's brought down again - Abby's too strong for her.

Edit: did Mary come up in Jan 2013?

If Proctor or Hale come up I will be so happy.

Is anyone doing to Kill a Mockingbird? What do you think the passage might be? (hard to tell I know)

Good luck everyone!
(edited 10 years ago)
Original post by indigorain
I'm nervous about this exam - really, really want an A* and have been getting them in mocks, but you can never really tell with English.

I'd love it to be Hale but it probably won't be as yes, he did come up. I have a feeling it's going to be Danforth as well... He's ok to write about. I guess I'd talk about his motives (wanting to be a 'Boston Judge'), coldness of manner. Actually, having said that, I think I need to revise the judges :wink:

It might be Mary Warren too. Fairly easy character? Definitely clear points to be made as she appears at different places in the play and sort of changes by going up then down - scared of Abby/Proctor at the start, then she gets authority and goes against Abigail, then she's brought down again - Abby's too strong for her.

Edit: did Mary come up in Jan 2013?

If Proctor or Hale come up I will be so happy.

Is anyone doing to Kill a Mockingbird? What do you think the passage might be? (hard to tell I know)

Good luck everyone!

Yes, English is one of those subjects I dread the most. :redface: I find it interesting how in some years, AQA asks about easier characters like Abigail and Proctor, and then in some years switches to more difficult characters like Giles Corey so we can't predict the most likely character that will come up very well :frown:
Reply 255
Original post by Olympiad
Welcome let me know if you can't find it :smile:


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yeah, i found it thanks it's really good :smile:
I have heard mixed opinions on this but do we have to write an introduction for section A and section B in the exam (unit 1)?
Also, just wondering, but to revise, do you think it would be better to go through the past papers or should I make up my own questions that could come up (e.g. a question about Danforth for The Crucible) and then answer that? :smile:

EDIT: Just had a thought but is there any likelihood of there being a question on the masculinity of the different characters- e.g. Carlson, Slim, Lennie etc for Of Mice and Men?
(edited 10 years ago)
Original post by BP_Tranquility
Also, just wondering, but to revise, do you think it would be better to go through the past papers or should I make up my own questions that could come up (e.g. a question about Danforth for The Crucible) and then answer that? :smile:


I find making my own questions much more effective, I'm not studying those books, but often if you pick a theme or character and make your own title this can often be effective.

Also what is a good way to revise, is outline a load of questions that have a similar structure to what will come up in the exam, and begin to just plan your points that you would make, similar to how you would do in an exam situation, this is really helpful in allowing you to think quickly and is the best way to replicate the speed of thought required in an exam
Reply 259
Original post by Arshii
Hi guyss! I'm taking this exam next monday and Thursday! - And, tbh i SUCK at english :P
But, yeah I'm doing Of Mice and Men & Women In Black...
For the poetry I'm doing the Moon and Tides - Relationship cluster.. :biggrin:

Is anyone here is doing women in black..?


Doing Woman In Black - super hard finding stuff to revise from!

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