English Literature 30 Mark Questions

I can't give much on the OMAM part (I've always not been the best at the part a, part b questions), but that AIC question is quite simple! One of the easiest there is once you get your head round it.

Eva Smith is basically a symbol of every girl in the working class.

The name 'Smith' is extremely common so it represents working class people.
'Eva' is similar to 'Eve' from Adam and Eve, so she represents all women.

It's not marked on how many points you make, its marked on detailed your points are. In the words of an examiner 'write a lot about a little', because this is what will get you high marks.

However, you should obviously write about more than one point. I can't remember how many I did for my mock but I reckon around three/four minimum (please someone correct me on this, I'm not sure).

Hope your exam goes well!!

Eva smith is probably the most important character in the play, despite the fact that we never actually encounter her. But its less about her as a physical character and more about the concept of this lower class girl. She is what we use to show the clear class divide at the time the book was set, the ignorance of the capitalist Birling and Sybil, the flaws in their society, she represents the resentment shown by the lower classes toward the more wealthy (factory strike) and the gender divide (the lack of influence she has upon her own future due to the fact that she is a young unmarried female). Eva smith evokes the true characteristics of the characters in the play.
Sheila's vain and superficial past, prior to her conversion to a socialist
Eric's sense of responsibility and obligation to look after her when he finds out her situation (could argue he relates to a communist or robin hood like figure when he steals from the rich to give to the poor eva.)
etc
The lack of representation speaks louder than her portrayal . (the secrecy behind the photograph's' this could suggest that the inspector is trying to teach the family socialist ways by using Eva as a concept in general rather than deal with the isolated event of one physical person's death. 'there are millions of Eva and John Smiths in this world'

all of this is just my opinion, but you can put any spin on it that you like because as long as it's backed up with quotes it doesn't matter what interpretation you take. hope it helps

For AIC Eva's importance is shown to be massive; Mr Birling is able to recognise and remember her as a good worker despite the fact that there were were Hundreds of female employees suggests that she was in some ways unique.
This is further implied from Sheila's account as Eva was pretty enough to actually make Sheila, a high classed, well off individual feel insecure about herself which again suggests that there is something very different about her.
Additionally in Gerald's confession he says that she looked "altogether out of place" at the "favourite haunt of women of the town" further suggests the point and also suggests the idea of innocence to the audience an could be Priestley's way of implying that the innocents usually suffer the most, linking it to the two World wars. This idea of innocence is once again built upon during Mrs Birling's confession by the fact that she refused stolen money despite the troubled situation she was in. Furthermore the Idea of her being unique is brought up again by Eric when she says she wasn't the "usual sort".
Lastly linking to Evelyn's point on her name having Biblical links, she represents Eve the mother of Humans and by the fact that she was killed while she was pregnant suggests that the Birlings attitudes and actions will lead to the death of Humanity as a whole linking to Priestley's view of the World wars and that One day something similar will lead humanity to its demise unless there is change.

For OMAM to achieve an A grade, I would say at least 3 good strong Paragraphs for Part A and probably 4 for part B. I usually have my Part A and B the same length, however my teachers feedback always mentions the lack of depth in Part B so, I would say more for Part B than A. No need for an introduction, although it may feel weird without one, its just a waste of time. You need to remember Context in Part B, for every point link it to the to the times, the Great Depression, American Dream, Migrant Workers, distrust between each other etc.

I have my Exam on the same day so good luck.