Prelim Notes 2014

Choose a poem which deals with an issue with great sensitivity. Show how the poet creates the idea of sensitivity to convey theme. ‘Thirteen Steps and the Thirteenth of March’ “her fingers dwindled and her rings slipped off” “she thumbed down some” “she fought death with an understated mischief” “she sat up on her pillows, receiving guests” “Flowers, and no vases left” The poet opens by telling the reader that Lesley is bedridden. It is sensitive because he doesn’t go into gory detail about her health. Nothing left to hold her life … dwindling life. Could also use the painkillers quote here to show she is at the point where she is now fighting death off. This is the point where her friends have arrived to help her sort through her work. It signifies that she is making the last arrangements before her death. He explains her death in the respectful way that he has described her battle with illness. He wants the reader to know how brave she was.

Choose a poem which deals with an issue with great sensitivity. Show how the poet creates the idea of sensitivity to convey theme ‘War Photographer’ “All flesh is grass” “A half formed ghost” “A hundred agonies in black and white” “Ordinary pain” Metaphor – makes the bloodshed of war clear but also shows his understanding of the circle of life – it shows he has come to terms a little. Shows the horrors he has faced without going into gory detail. It shows the effect the war has had on him – it seems to hover around him. Tries to place some simplicity on the issue of war to help people who may be sensitive to this issue. He tries to make sense of it for them. Sensitively highlights the difficulties he faces at home compared to the suffering of others at war.

1.Choose a novel in which a minor character has a huge impact on the outcome of the novel. Explain how the character has this impact by making reference to theme and the text as a whole. F451 “It was a pleasure to burn” “He wore his happiness like a mask” “There must be something in books” “the sun was touching the black horizon” “Are you happy? Woman burning with her books – he wouldn’t have been affected by death before Clarisse questioned him. “I’m going to do something … I don’t know what yet but I’m going to do something big” Seeks out Faber … kills Beatty. Spurned by Clarisse’s question. “He felt his body divide itself … the two halves grinding upon each other. “ Loyal to place in society – in line with the central concern of the novel. “he smiled the fierce grin of all men singed and driven back by flames” Pivotal question … turning point. “Darkness. He was not happy” Setting is used to signify how much things have changed … pathetic fallacy … there is hope and sunlight for the first time in the novel.

Some tips for planning