Lord of the Flies - character essay plan

‘Choose a novel in which the fate of a main character allows the author to explore his chosen theme.’


1. Introduction
‘Lord of the Flies’ by William Golding is an example of a novel in which the fate of Ralph allows the author to explore his chosen theme, of civilisation and savagery. By the end of the novel, Ralph is one of the last survivors who hasn’t turned into a killer as part of Jack’s ‘tribe’. In this essay I will show how the author sets the scene and creates a turning point, with the deaths of Simon and Piggy.

2. The climax
At the end of the novel, Ralph is pursued by the boys to the beach, where he meets the perplexed group of soldiers who have just landed. He is asked:
“We saw your smoke. And you don’t know how many of you there are?”
“No, sir”
• dramatic way to end the novel - the soldiers show the contrast between an orderly society and a chaotic one
• smoke symbolises the hunters fire; and the fire Ralph and Piggy tried to keep alive
• pessimistic ending to the novel –Ralph was unable to achieve a fair and peaceful society.
• Ralph had neither the knowledge or experience to do this on his own, and his relationship with Piggy was not close enough for him to be able to use Piggy’s intelligence
• Without civilisation’s rules, savagery triumphs

The choir
Ralph’s fate is foreshadowed by the arrival of the choir in the first chapter of the novel:
‘Within the diamond haze of the beach something dark was fumbling along.’

• Ralph and Piggy called the meeting after blowing in the conch
• interrupts the meeting with his arrival, along with the rest of the choir. This foreshadows the novel’s tragic ending
• suggests that Ralph’s rule on the island will come to an end
• Description of the ‘creature’: continued with the idea of the ‘beast’ later on
• Religious overtones – black cloaks suggest monks
• The boys represent the irrational forces of religion, superstition and violence

The beast / the murder of Simon
Ralph becomes like a hunted animal at the end of the novel, in the same way that Simon becomes a ‘beast’ when he is murdered by the hunters –
‘A thing was crawling out of the forest. It came darkly, uncertainly. The shrill screaming that rose before the beast was like a pain.’
• Reminds the reader of the ‘creature’ image which describes the choirboys’ arrival
• Simon is sceptical but finally he is murdered because he is mistaken for the beast
• Simon represents individuality and creativity – this cannot be allowed in Jack and Roger’s violent society, so he is sacrificed
• Suggestion that he is a ‘Christ-like figure’, who is destroyed by a senseless mob
• the island descends into tyranny under the rule of Jack and finally murder, the ‘beast’ shows how the situation deteriorates.


The death of Piggy
Falph’s fate is also determined by the death of Piggy:
‘The rock struck Piggy a glancing blow from chin to knee; the conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist’
• Piggy’s death – killed by Roger’s stone; foreshadowed by Roger tormenting younger children with stones earlier on
• Gruesome – Piggy’s brains are splattered, suggesting the end of intellect and science
• Destruction of the conch – the end of civilisation
• Roger has become Jack’s right-hand-man in the same way that Piggy was to Ralph – yet Roger is only interested in torture


Conclusion
I would therefore argue that Golding uses symbols to emphasise the failures of Ralph and Piggy’s leadership and the ascendancy of Jack and Roger. The book’s pessimistic tone contains a message that, without competent leadership, society descends into superstition and violence.

Othello essay

Choose a play which involves a tragic theme and show how the dramatist makes the play a moving experience for the audience. You may refer to structure, characterisation, key scene(s) or any other appropriate feature.

‘Othello’ by William Shakespeare is an example of a play which features the tragic theme of deceit. Othello’s downfall is caused by the machinations of the evil Iago. He is transformed from the valiant but modest soldier at the start of the play into a murderer, eaten up by jealousy at the end. In this essay, I will show how the playwright makes this a moving experience for the audience as Othello’s tragic flaw gradually overwhelms him – he possesses such personal integrity that he can’t see the flaws in those closest to him.

At the start of the play, in Act 1, Scene 2, we see that Othello is plain-talking, heroic, yet already too trusting of Iago, who enters the stage talking to him. Iago is onstage at the very beginning, and tells Rodrigo of his plan to undermine the Moor. In this way, we are prepared for the deception that unfolds. Yet Othello himself reveals that he thinks actions speak louder than words –

Let him do his spite:
My services which I have done the signiory
Shall out-tongue his complaints.

It is ironic that he places more value in words than deeds, when it is Iago’s words that will poison his love for Desdemona. He is confident that he will persuade Brabantio to accept their marriage as he has a high status in their society. On the other hand, Iago has been passed over for promotion and has heard rumours that Othello has slept with his wife, Emilia. It is significant that Iago reacts so strongly to rumours, which are the words of others. Othello’s seriousness and dignity are in contrast to Iago’s smutty racial jokes in the opening scenes; he has little time for intrigue or wordplay. Our early admiration for Othello helps make the play a moving experience as Iago is victorious in the end.

Iago is able to use Othello’s directness and noble past against him. He is also able to exploit the bravery and intelligence of Desdemona. She is another character who we admire early on, so her murder at the hands of her beloved husband adds to the shocking tragedy of the climax. When she first appears on stage in Act 1, Scene 3, she implores the council ‘To assist my simpleness.’ Asking for help is an assertive move that makes the men in the situations obliged to help her, as a ‘mere girl’.

So that, dear lords, if I be left behind,
A moth of peace, and he go to the war,
The rites for which I love him are bereft me

Describing herself as a ‘moth of peace’ suggests she is frail and helpless. A moth also has connotations of night and mystery, which might subtly explain her attraction to the foreign adventurer, Othello. Although Othello shows personal integrity, his description of the wooing of Desdemona in Act 1, Scene 3 is revealing. He regales her with tales of battles and adventures, including brushes with the fantastical Anthropophagi. They grew close through his storytelling. From this, we see that there is both an aspect of make-believe in their romance; and that Desdemona has a powerful ability to influence others. The audience’s sympathy for Desdemona adds to the feeling of loss when she dies.

The chemistry between Othello and Desdemona is exploited by Iago in the turning point of the play, Act 3, Scene 3, where the final tragedy is set in motion. Iago uses reverse-psychology to undermine Othello’s trust in Desdemona, by seemingly let slip ‘Ha! I like not that!’ He pretends to be reluctant to explain himself, but gradually he reveals his fake suspicions about Desdemona and Cassio. Cassio persuades Desdemona to entreat Othello to reinstate him, knowing her power of influence. Following this, Iago uses the handkerchief to convince his master of his wife’s betrayal. In this way, Iago turns Othello’s reliance on actions over words against him – he is unable to see that Iago has secret motivations.

The sense of tragedy is heightened towards the climax of the play, as Othello prepares to kill Desdemona. Even though he is in a murderous rage, he is concerned for her immortal soul and wants her to confess so that she can go to heaven when she dies. He has a soliloquy over her sleeping body -

Put out the light, and then put out the light:
If I quench thee, thou flaming minister,
I can again thy former light restore

Here, Othello sees Desdemona is a personification of the sun – ‘flaming minister’. This is in contrast to her own description of herself as a ‘moth’ earlier in the play. The sun gives life to everything, so killing her is like banishing life from the world. Even though Othello is eloquent in this stage of the action, actions are all-important to him – he wakes her up before he kills her. At the same time, he has become dependent on her words – she confesses even though she doesn’t know what she has done. In this way, Iago is finally victorious over the more noble Othello, because he has made him put faith in words, which can be deceiving.

Therefore I would argue that the tragedy of Othello comes about from the protagonist’s main flaw, that he is blind to the evil motivations and false words of those around him. Seeing his fall, and the death of his true love, is what makes the play a moving experience for the audience.

Othello essay plan

Choose a play which involves a tragic theme and show how the dramatist makes the play a moving experience for the audience. You may refer to structure, characterisation, key scene(s) or any other appropriate feature.

‘Othello’ by William Shakespeare is an example of a play which features the tragic theme of deceit.
• Othello’s downfall is caused by Iago’s manipulation.
• transformed from a valiant but modest soldier at the start of the play into a murderer at the end.
• Othello’s tragic flaw gradually overwhelms him – he possesses such personal integrity that he can’t see the flaws in those closest to him.

At the start of the play, in Act 1, Scene 2, we see that Othello is plain-talking, heroic, yet already too trusting of Iago, who enters the stage talking to him.
• Iago is onstage at the very beginning, and tells Rodrigo of his plan
• we are prepared for the deception that unfolds.
• Othello himself reveals that he thinks actions speak louder than words –

Let him do his spite:
My services which I have done the signiory
Shall out-tongue his complaints.

• he places more value in words than deeds - Iago’s words that will poison his love for Desdemona.
• confident that he will persuade Brabantio to accept their marriage
• Iago has been passed over for promotion and has heard rumours that Othello has slept with his wife, Emilia.
• Iago reacts strongly to rumours, which are the words of others.
• Othello’s seriousness and dignity are in contrast to Iago’s smutty racial jokes in the opening scenes;
• Our early admiration for Othello helps make the play a moving experience as Iago is victorious in the end.

Iago is able to use Othello’s directness and noble past against him. He is also able to exploit the bravery and intelligence of Desdemona.
• She is another character who we admire early on,
• When she first appears on stage in Act 1, Scene 3, she implores the council ‘To assist my simpleness.’ - makes the men in the situations obliged to help her
• Tells the men -

So that, dear lords, if I be left behind,
A moth of peace, and he go to the war,
The rites for which I love him are bereft me

• ‘moth of peace’ suggests she is frail and helpless.
• A moth also has connotations of night and mystery, which might subtly explain her attraction to the foreign adventurer, Othello.
• Othello’s description of the wooing of Desdemona in Act 1, Scene 3 – he tells her tales of his battles and adventures
• there is both an aspect of make-believe in their romance; and that Desdemona has a powerful ability to influence others
• The audience’s sympathy for Desdemona adds to the feeling of loss when she dies.

The chemistry between Othello and Desdemona is exploited by Iago in the turning point of the play, Act 3, Scene 3, where the final tragedy is set in motion.
• Iago uses reverse-psychology ‘Ha! I like not that!’
• He pretends to be reluctant to explain himself
• Cassio persuades Desdemona to entreat Othello to reinstate him, knowing her power of influence.
• Iago uses the handkerchief to convince his master of his wife’s betrayal; he turns Othello’s reliance on actions over words against him
• he is unable to see that Iago has secret motivations.

The sense of tragedy is heightened towards the climax of the play, as Othello prepares to kill Desdemona.
• Even though he is in a murderous rage, he is concerned for her immortal soul and wants her to confess so
• Othello’s soliloquy while she sleeps -

Put out the light, and then put out the light:
If I quench thee, thou flaming minister,
I can again thy former light restore

• Othello sees Desdemona is a personification of the sun – ‘flaming minister’
• in contrast to her own description of herself as a ‘moth’ earlier in the play; the sun gives life to everything, so killing her is like banishing life from the world.
• actions are all-important to Othello – he wakes her up before he kills her
• But he has become dependent on her words – she confesses even though she doesn’t know what she has done.
• Iago is finally victorious over the more noble Othello, because he has made him put faith in words, which can be deceiving.

Therefore I would argue that the tragedy of Othello comes about from the protagonist’s main flaw, that he is blind to the evil motivations and false words of those around him. Seeing his fall, and the death of his true love, is what makes the play a moving experience for the audience.

Great Gatsby Essay Plan - character essay

“A character which engaged your sympathy …”

Introduction
The protagonist of ‘The Great Gatsby’ by F Scott Fitzgerald is an example of a character who engages our sympathy because he has romantic ideals, even though he lives in a jaded, cynical world.
• Brief plot summary
• Setting – affluent New York, in contrast to the Midwest where Nick is from

First impressions

Nick’s first impressions of Gatsby and his materialistic life come at the start of the novel. At this point, I didn’t feel sympathetic towards Gatsby as he gives the impression of wealth and charm. The first things Nick hears and sees of Gatsby’s world are the lavish parties at his mansion:

There was music coming from my neighbour’s house …

• Gatsby is seen through Nick’s eyes – he is a friend who admires him, and this engages the reader’s sympathy
• Self-made man – changed his name and made a fortune; has links to organised crime through Meyer Wolfsheim
• Gave lavish parties to people he didn’t really know, his rich neighbours; this might make him seem fake, rather than powerful

Gatsby and Daisy

Yet even though he has invented a ‘persona’ for himself, Gatsby is still a romantic, idealistic figure, and his relationship with Daisy is one of the most important in the book. This makes him seem more human and shows that, even though his is a millionaire, he has ordinary feelings. This is shown in the chapter where Nick sees him get ready for his meeting with Daisy:

Gatsby, in a white flannel suit …

• Shows his materialism; likes expensive clothes to impress people
• Also shows his romanticism – desire to win Daisy back for good
• Met when he was a young man working as a diver; created his wealthy life in order to win Daisy over
• He is clearly better than Daisy’s cynical, cheating husband Tom
Gatsby and Tom

However, the book ends in tragedy, for Gatsby will never be accepted by the ‘old Aristocracy’ of the town. Although the reader might not approve of the ruthless, and possibly criminal way Gatsby got to the top, it is clear that Tom is just as amoral:

“No, he doesn’t”, said Tom coldly. “And if you feel that way about it…

• This contrast shows Gatsby in a better light
• Symbolism of ‘Ash valley’ – the materialistic, godless world they live in, ruled by people like Tom

The climax – feelings at the end

The outcome of the book is that Daisy stays with Tom and Gatsby dies young. I felt a sense of waste that he died for no reason, and that his dreams were unfulfilled.
• The climax - Gatsby’s murder: Gatsby was too naïve for the world of cheating and betrayal that he tried to live in
• Gatsby was finally crushed by the class system – he underestimated Daisy’s devotion to Tom, who came from a wealthy background
• After his murder his neighbours do not attend his funeral – he has failed to become one of them

Conclusion

Therefore I would argue that Gatsby is a character who engages the reader’s sympathy, even though he has amassed his money and influence through selfish and immoral business dealings. In some ways, he is too ‘noble’ for the spoilt upper class milieu which he is desperate to be a part of, and this gives the novel its tragic climax.

Porphyria's Lover Essay Plan

At the start of the poem, the poet uses personification to create a furious, disturbing atmosphere:

The sullen wind was soon awake,
It tore the elm-tops down for spite

* he thus prepares the reader for what is to come in the poem
* ‘Sullen’ and ‘spite’ suggest intense emotions - jilted lover destroying the countryside.
* contrast with the entrance of Porphyria -‘glided in’.
* raises the reader’s expectations that this will be a passionate love poem; makes her murder all the more shocking.

The poet uses understatement to create a sinister mood when the speaker kills his lover:

I found
A thing to do … And strangled her.

* ‘A thing to do’ rather than a cold blooded murder.
* ‘found’ this implies that he is not responsible.
* dispassionate language: he winds her hair three times around her little throat.
* either he fooled her by pretending this was a game; or, in reality, she struggled as he throttled her.
* ‘And strangled her.’ is the first sentence in the poem which ends in the middle of a line rather than at the end - creates a sense of shock for the reader; shows how the killer does not grasp what he has done.

The poet continues with an impassive tone when he reflects on her death, employing repetition for emphasis:

No pain felt she;
I am quite sure she felt no pain.

* follows ‘And strangled her.’ - as if he is justifying his actions
* Repetition of ‘pain’; and rephrases it as ‘I am quite sure …’ - in his heart, he has his doubts.
* he feels the need to try to persuade the reader he was sure

The poet uses romantic imagery to describe Porpyria after her death:

again / Laugh’d the blue eyes without a stain

* the murder is not real to him.
* personifies her blue eyes as ‘laughing’ - a sweet image
* sees her as a living person despite what he has done.

Finally, the poet uses an ironically upbeat tone in the last line of the poem:

And yet God has not said a word!

* you would not expect God to speak.
* using the present tense – leaves the reader guessing what will happen next.
* by ending the poem at this point, we are left with the speaker’s intense feelings at this moment in time.
* we are not confronted with the consequences of her death.
* implies that there may a punishment waiting for him in the afterlife.

Therefore, Browning’s ironic use of romantic, upbeat and understated tones show the strange state of mind of the speaker in ‘Porphyria’s Lover’. He uses repetition, structure and personification to reveals the strange, obsessive emotions which cause the murder.

The Great Gatsby Essay Plan

Introduction

• ‘The Great Gatsby’ by F Scott Fitzgerald is an example of a novel in which …
• Brief plot summary
• Setting – affluent New York, in contrast to the Midwest where Nick is from

The character of Gatsby is vital to the author’s theme of class / the American dream

• First impressions of Gatsby
• The symbolism of the ‘green light’
• Self-made man – changed his name and made a fortune
• Gave lavish parties to people he didn’t really know, his rich neighbours
• Has links to organised crime through Meyer Wolfsheim
• ‘Old sport’ – his favourite expression, which makes people believe he is Oxford-educated
• Even though he has invented a ‘persona’ for himself, he is still a romantic, idealistic figure

Gatsby’s relationship with Daisy is one of the most important in the book.

• Met when he was a young man working as a diver
• Created his wealthy life in order to win Daisy over
• He is clearly better than Daisy’s cynical, cheating husband Tom

A turning point in the book is at the party when the lovers sneak over into Nick’s yard

• It suggests that the story will end happily
• Gatsby believes the past can be recaptured, as he tells Nick

However, the book ends in tragedy, for Gatsby is wrong in his judgements about people.

• Daisy will not give up her husband Tom
• The climax - Gatsby’s murder: Gatsby was too naïve for the world of cheating and betrayal that he tried to live in
• Gatsby was finally crushed by the class system – he underestimated Daisy’s devotion to Tom, who came from a wealthy background
• After his murder his neighbours do not attend his funeral – he has failed to become one of them
• The symbolism of Gatsby’s body

Conclusion – Therefore I would argue that ‘The Great Gatsby’ is a novel …

The Changeling Essay Plan

Question -

Choose a novel in which the fate of a main character is important in conveying the writers theme.

Introduction / plot summary: Robin Jenkin’s downbeat meditation on the nature of pity, ‘The Changeling’ has a tragic ending; it emphasizes that the ‘Good Samaritan’ Charles Forbes fails to redeem the life of his pupil Tom Curdie.
• He sees himself as the boy’s saviour and makes the decision to take him on holiday
• Tom’s stealing and strangeness set him apart from the family
• Finally the pain of the experience pushes him over the end.

Charlie’s character: The opening chapter reveals that Charlie’s interest in Tom is self-righteous:

At last he spoke, in his most pontifical tones:
‘Tell me, Curdie, have you ever seen the sea?’

• ‘Pontifical’ has overtones of pomposity - Forbes’ religious nature;
• first meaning is supported by the headmaster’s opinion of Forbes as a ‘pompous bore’
• Tom has never seen the sea but can write eloquently about it – shows imagination
• Forbes takes him on holiday in order to ‘improve’ him; but this leads to Tom’s suicide.

Tom’s principals: strong character who lives by a matter-of-fact set of ‘principals’:

Never to whine; to accept what came; to wait for better; to take what you could; to let no-one not even yourself know how near to giving in you were.

• Doesn’t need Charlie’s help
• Away from Donaldson’s court he feels inadequate
• tries to ‘take what you could’ by stealing – sets him apart from the Forbes family

Turning point – the phone call:

‘I mean, Tom Curdie,’ he said; but it was really that mythical person Tom Forbes, he still thought he was.

• Peerie pressing his face up against the glass - as if Tom’s background is crowding round him
• a ‘mythical person’ – but Tom has to live in the real world

Turning point – Tom steals: seen through the eyes of Gillian:

“She began to realise that this suit of armour, of calmness and patience, forged somehow in the dreadful slum where he had been born, must be heavy and painful to wear.”

• She does not tell as she wants to avoid ruining the ‘presentation’
• Her sympathy grows for him throughout the book
• ‘suit of armour’ continues the idea that he is a figure out of a myth who doesn’t belong in her world - she feels the stirring of respect for him, even though he is a thief.

Tom before the suicide: From her point of view, Tom has a kind of nobility, even when he strikes the tree in anguish:

His face was hard and aloof, like a young Prince’s out of a story book.

His hand red with blood was like an emblem of eerie distinction.

• He doesn’t belong to the time in which he lives
• allusions to being a Prince and wearing an ‘emblem’ through pain and violence

Conclusion: this impossible dilemma is finally solved by Tom’s tragic end. Therefore I would argue that the book considers the suffering of others and asks what we can really do for them; it explores this theme through the fate of Tom, who had never known what life was like outside the slum where he had lived his whole life.

Of Mice And Men Essay Plan

Question -

Choose a novel or short story in which there is an obvious climax or turning point. Show how the author arrives at the turning point and then discuss the consequences of it for the final outcome of the story. You may wish to mention techniques such as characterisation, structure, description or any other appropriate feature.

Introduction

Setting

• Depression era
• Background to George and Lennie’s story – on the run from their last job.
• Turning point: when Lennie accidentally kills Curley’s wife.

The character of Lennie

• Lennie’s strength and lack of intelligence described early on
• Word choice portrays Lennie’s childish behaviour:

Lennie dabbled his big paw in the water and wiggled his fingers so that the water arose in little splashes … ‘Look George, look what I done.’

• Shows immaturity
• ‘paw’ suggests that he is more like an animal than a man.
• Loves animals and collects pet mice, ends up killing them with his great strength.

Animal imagery

• Lennie looks forward to keeping rabbits, showing his kind and gentle nature.
• The death of Candy’s dog makes him join Lennie and George’s scheme.
• ‘Of Mice and Men’ = animals; as well as the Robert Burns poem.
• Like the mouse in the poem, after the death of Curley’s wife, the men’s plan comes to nothing.
• Title of novel prepares reader for turning point and climax

The suffering of ordinary people

• Main theme of the novel
• Shown in the scene where Curley attacks Lennie and has his hand crushed:

Curley stepped over to Lennie like a terrier. ‘What the hell you laughin’ at?’

• Curley decides to pick a fight with Lennie as he hates people who are bigger than him.
• Animal imagery – compared to ‘terrier’
• He uses violence to make up for the fact none of the other workers respect him.
• This incident prepares us for the death of Curley’s wife in chapter 5.

Curley’s wife

• Lonely and not tolerated by the farm workers, who visit prostitutes rather than having real relationships with women.
• Her name is not given in the book, showing that people do not really know her.
• Like Crooks, who is a victim of racism, she is isolated.
• Seeks out Lennie for friendship, but due to his strength she dies.
• The book shows us that people who have a low position in society can lead a lonely and short life.

Description
The author’s use of description is vital to the turning point:

She jerked her head sideways and Lennnie’s fingers closed on her hair and hung on … She struggled violently under his hands … And then she was still, for Lennie had broke her neck.

• It is as though Lennie has no control over his own fingers.
• We are reminded of the dead mice and the rabbits, as well as the fight with Curley.

The outcome of this turning point

• George is forced to kill Lennie before the other farm workers get hold of him.
• The reader is left with a feeling of sadness because George is a friend to Lennie to the end, and does what he has to do.
• We are made to feel pity for the poor farm workers who have no control over their lives.

Conclusion
Therefore, in ‘Of Mice And Men’ Steinbeck uses word choice and characterisation to prepare us for the turning point in the novel and its tragic ending.

Church Going Essay Plan

Introduction - ‘Church Going’ by Philip Larkin is an example of a poem …
In this essay, I will show / discuss / describe …

The title of the poem contains a pun …

• Title – ironic, as the speaker only visits churches, without worshipping
• Church’s are ‘Going’, i.e. declining
• Theme – decline of religion

The poet uses a strict rhyme scheme to tackle this subject.

• Form – the orderly thoughts of an average person
• He is able to use colloquial language – an ordinary person thinking about common things:
• ‘Brewed God knows how long.’
• Stanza one sets the tone of this poem.
• Sets the scene – a lack of respect
• ‘some brass and stuff
• Up at the holy end;’ – informal language

Sound effects are important from the start of the poem.

• ‘I step inside, letting the door thud shut.’ Contrasts with the ‘tense, musty, unignorable silence’ of the church.
• The poet speaking makes ‘echoes snigger’ – as though his presence is not welcome.

The main symbol running through the poem is the church itself.

• The church itself is described several ways in the poem:
• ‘this cross of ground’
• ‘this accoutred frowsty barn’
• ‘a special shell’
• ‘serious house on serious earth’
• -give chosen quotes some explanation.

Stanza three shows the poet reflecting on the scene and marks a change in tone for the poem.

• Through the middle and final sections the poem poses questions for the reader.
• Melancholy, thoughtful tone

The final stanza contains a note of mild optimism.

‘all our compulsions meet,
Are recognized, and robed as destinies.
And that much never can be obsolete’

- in a higher register than at the start

Conclusion – Therefore I would argue that ‘Church Going’ …

Dulce Et Decorum Est Essay Plan

Question -

Choose a poem which creates an atmosphere of despair about human existence and show how the author conveys this to the reader.

Introduction

• A poem which creates an atmosphere of despair is ‘Dulce et Decorum est’ by Wilfred Owen.
• Set in the trenches of World War One.
• Explain title: ‘It is sweet and fitting to die for one’s country’
• The poet describes a terrible scene from war then builds up to this slogan at the end, showing that it is a lie.

From the start of the poem, Owen creates a bleak image for the reader:
Bent double, like old beggars under sacks

• Knock-kneed, coughing like hags we cursed through sludge
• -‘old beggars’ / ‘like hags’: similes show that the young men are now like the opposite of soldiers – sick, old, weak, emphasised by ‘bent double’ and the idea of ‘sacks’ instead of uniforms
• Instead of ‘marched’ or even ‘retreated’ the soldiers ‘cursed’, suggesting this is a depressing and somewhat pointless activity
• Sound effects: the alliteration of ‘coughing’ and ‘cursed’ suggest harshness, along with the onomatopoeia words ‘coughing’ and ‘sludge’ to describe the conditions they are marching through

The poet creates an effective contrast between the first and second stanzas in order to heighten the horror of the gas attack.

• The men’s slow progress is emphasized at the start
• The ‘haunting flares’ continues with the idea of ‘hags’ and ‘cursed’, suggesting that the soldiers have been afflicted by black magic
• ‘asleep’ suggests that this scene has a dream-like quality
• This prepares reader for ‘gas-shells dropping softly’ – as though they are harmless and part of this quiet scene

The poet shows the panic of the soldiers at the start of the second stanza by using reported speech.

• ‘Gas! Gas! Quick, boys! – An ecstasy of fumbling’
• Contrast with eerie quiet of first stanza
• Shows how death can strike when people least expect it
• Describes dying man in some detail – ‘in my dreams’
• Word choice of ‘fumbling’, ‘stumbling’, ‘floundering’ and ‘drowning’ show how the men suffer
• ‘misty panes’ and simile of drowning in a green sea – a dream-like image
• Even though the man’s death takes some time, the others are powerless to help him; shows horror of this scene

These ideas are continued in the final stanza as the poet prepares the reader for his statement about war at the end of the poem.

• Brings in reader – ‘If … you too’, ‘My friend’
• Supernatural overtones again – ‘white eyes writhing in his face’ – showing how the soldier has lost control over his own body
• ‘devil’s sick of sin’ – showing even demons must be horrified by the experience of war
• Sound effects:
• Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs,
• Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud
• The repeated hard ‘c’ shows harshness
• Onomatopoeia of ‘gargling’ – makes vivid for reader
• Word choice of ‘cud’ – a gruesome image for the sores on the man’s tongue, as if it is something to chew on
• Idea of cattle – creatures which are slaughtered
• Continued with the idea of ‘innocent tongues

At the climax of the poem, Owen gives a chilling message to the reader.

• Describes soldier’s retreat and the gas attack
• They are ‘children’ desperate for ‘glory’ unprepared for the nightmarish horror of the trenches
• Brings the reader to the Latin quote at the end

Conclusion -

Wilfred Owen chooses a scene from war and brings it to life for the reader. He uses a variety of techniques in order to create a dream-like atmosphere, including sound effects and imagery. This shows us the horror that soldier’s experienced during the war and helps convince the reader that propaganda for the war was based on lies. I would therefore argue that ‘Dulce et Decorum est’ is a poem which creates an atmosphere of despair about human existence, within the context of war.

How to structure an essay

When I meet a Higher new pupil, they will often know the novel or play they are studying quite well, but don't know how to put this information together in a way that gets them good marks. So, I usually help them sketch out an essay structure.

This is how every Drama or Prose question looks in my head when I'm helping someone with their essay:

1. Intro - this essay will be about Romeo
   
2. Character - Romeo, at the start of the play
3. Relationship - Romeo meets Juliet
   
4. Turning point - Romeo kills Tybalt
   
5. Climax - Romeo commits suicide
   
6. Theme - love and death
   
7. Conclusion - Romeo was stupid
   

Every story has a beginning, middle and end. When you write an English essay, focus on:

• about three important parts of the story, not the entire thing; usually the start, turning point and climax
• two or three important characters
• one theme
• three to six techniques. Techniques include characterisation, setting, symbolism, climax, conflict, turning point and so on.
  

When you have a structure in mind, you will have a rough idea what you need to put down on paper during the 45 minutes you have to write the essay. You will also be able to write strong topic sentences which help the examiner to mark your essay.

Lord Of The Flies Essay Plan

Question -

Choose a novel in which symbolism plays an important role. Show how the author uses this technique over the course of the novel help us understand their characters and develop their theme.

Introduction

‘Lord of the Flies’ by William Golding is an example of a novel in which symbolism plays an important role. Golding uses the island as a microcosm of society, in order to explore the theme of evil. In this essay I will show how symbolism plays an important role in bringing his ideas to life.

The start of the novel / the conch

Symbolism is first employed at the beginning of the novel when Piggy and Ralph organise the first meeting.

• The conch – brings meeting to order; symbol of democracy and free speech
• Ralph and Piggy are initially at the centre of the island’s community; Ralph mocks Piggy, indicating that he does not value his contribution. He will realise, too late, that he needs Piggy’s intelligence

The choir

The emergence of Jack and the choirboys is highly symbolic and sets the tone for later chapters of the novel.

• Description of the ‘creature’: continued with the idea of the ‘beast’ later on
• Religious overtones – black cloaks suggest monks
• The boys represent the irrational forces of religion, superstition and violence

The character of Piggy

Piggy represents science and reason in the novel, and this is embodied by his spectacles

Physically unattractive, a ‘know it all’; lower class than the other boys

• Glasses can light fire in order to allow them to be rescued; however, the fire burns out of control, mirroring the nuclear war which has happened to the rest of the planet
• Poor eyesight is equivalent to lack of cunning – he is ‘blind’ to the way events will develop; does not see the hunters as a threat until it is too late
• The shelters symbolize the failure of Ralph and Piggy’s leadership to achieve civilisation – the boys would rather hunt and kill than build.

The beast / the murder of Simon

As the island descends into tyranny under the rule of Jack and finally murder, the ‘beast’ shows how the situation deteriorates.

• Ironic connection with the ‘creature’ image to describe the choirboys’ arrival
• Keeps the boys in fear, needing Jack’s leadership
• Simon is sceptical but finally he is murdered because he is mistaken for the beast
• Simon represents individuality and creativity – this cannot be allowed in Jack and Ralph’s violent society, so he is sacrificed
• Suggestion that he is a ‘Christ-like figure’, who is destroyed by a senseless mob

The death of Piggy

• Piggy’s death – killed by Roger’s stone; foreshadowed by Roger tormenting younger children with stones earlier on
• Roger has become Jack’s right-hand-man in the same way that Piggy was to Ralph – yet Roger is only interested in torture
• Gruesome – Piggy’s brains are splattered, suggesting the end of intellect and science
• Destruction of the conch – the end of civilisation

The climax

• Roger tortures Sam and Eric into revealing where Ralph has gone
• The soldiers show the contrast between an orderly society and a chaotic one
• Pessimistic ending to the novel –Ralph was unable to achieve a fair and peaceful society. He had neither the knowledge or experience to do this on his own, and his relationship with Piggy was not close enough for him to be able to use Piggy’s intelligence

Conclusion

I would therefore argue that Golding uses symbols to emphasise the failures of Ralph and Piggy’s leadership and the ascendancy of Jack and Roger. The book’s pessimistic tone contains a message that, without competent leadership, society descends into superstition and violence.

My comments

This was my favourite novel out of the ones I studied at school. It's based on a fascinating premise - is civilization necessary to stop us descending into paranoia and violence? At the heart of the action are the contrasting characters of Piggy, the voice of reason; Ralph, the natural leader; and Jack, the tyrant ready to take over.

All novels and plays contain symbolism. In 'Lord Of The Flies' the symbols are beautifully simple and easy to remember - sinister choirboys; the conch; Piggy's specs; and finally, when the conch and specs are replaced by stones, fires and spears.

Romeo and Juliet Essay Plan - a play with a tragic theme

This essay plan features topic sentences at the start of each paragraph, and a technique - characterisation, turning point, dramatic monologue and so on.

Question -

Choose a character who is at odds with their own family. Write about how the writer sets up this conflict and how it is effectively resolved by the end of the play.

Introduction - ‘Romeo and Juliet’ by William Shakespeare is an example of a play in which the main characters are at odds with their own families. In this essay, I will focus on Juliet. I will show how Shakespeare sets up this conflict and explain how it is resolved in the tragic ending. The main theme I would like to discuss is about the individual and society. In this play the lovers make decisions which go against the values of their society and lead to their own deaths.

Characterisation - Our first impressions of Juliet, in act 1, scene 3, are that she is down to earth and pragmatic.
- the play is set in the violent world of Verona; mention the brawl at the start
- the prologue tells us that the lovers are fated to die
- preparing for the party, the nurse seems closer to Nurse than her mother
- her mother enquires about marriage, but Juliet’s answers are polite
- ‘I’ll look to like, if looking, liking move’

Turning point - When she first meets Romeo in act 1, scene 5, Juliet’s character appears to change.
Our first impressions of Romeo are of an idealistic romantic.
- pining over Rosalind at the start; soon forgotten after he sees Juliet at the party scene
- the dialogue between the two lovers shows their intense attraction. It often takes the form of sonnet poems
-‘My only love sprung from my only hate!’ – after Juliet finds out he is a Montague
- this antithesis shows that she is aware of the difficulty of her situation; but for the rest of the play, she shows a determination to act
- at the end of the balcony scene, however, an actual plan is in place

Relationships - The Friar and the Nurse give the lovers guidance within the play.
- the Nurse acts as a go-between and gives the impression that there may be a solution for the lovers
- the Nurse and the Friar are not relatives of Romeo and Juliet, and they represent common sense and reason, while the Capulets and Montagues seem happy to let Verona be torn apart by fighting

Conflict - Juliet becomes estranged from the Nurse in act 3, scene 5
‘Thou and my bosom henceforth shall be twain’
This follows the death of Tybalt, Juliet’s engagement to Paris and her argument with Capulet.
- the Nurse compares Romeo to Paris and offends Juliet
- the Nurse is Juliet’s real ‘family’
- with the end of the Nurse’s influence, there is no-one to advise the lovers to proceed with caution
- the outcome – she takes the sleeping draught from the Friar and the play ends in tragedy.

Dramatic monologue - Juliet’s monologue in act 4, scene 3 prepares us for the tragic resolution.

I'll call them back again to comfort me.
Nurse!- What should she do here?
My dismal scene I needs must act alone.

- the audience is prepared for the final scene in the graveyard
- she fears waking up with Tybalt’s corpse in her family tomb
- this symbolizes that her own family may represent death to her
- even though it puts her in danger, Juliet would rather make her own decisions than do what is expected

Conclusion - In these ways, Juliet is a character who is at odds with her own family. Her decision to disown the Nurse, who in many ways is her real family, leads her to choose a course which leads to the tragic ending of the play. The lovers rebel against conventional thinking but die in the process; the play makes them into sacrifices in order to heal the violent society in which they live.

My comment -

In my opinion, Juliet is way more interesting than Romeo, who spends half the play moping and the other half making terrible decisions. A good Higher essay might comment on whether it was really fate that causes the lover's terrible deaths, or whether it was the violent society in which they grew up. Although Shakespeare tells the audience that fate is at work, during the play, it's the combination of Romeo's reckless idealism and plain bad luck which causes the tragedy.

See also http://pass-english-in-scotland.blogspot.com/search/label/romeo%20and%20juliet

The Crucible Essay Plan

A typical Higher English text. Arthur Miller's classic allegory for the McCarthy era features two memorable characters in Abigail and John Proctor. An essay will often focus on their relationship. Although Proctor is the moral centre of the play, Abigail's ruthless ambition makes her as much an anti-hero as a victim.

This plan gives you a topic sentence with a technique for the start of each paragraph.

Question -

Choose an exciting scene from a play you have studied. Describe the events leading up to this scene and what makes this scene important to the play as a whole.

Introduction: The scene where Proctor has his dramatic confrontation with Abigail in the courtroom is vital to Arthur Miller’s play ‘The Crucible.’ In this essay I will discuss the place of this scene in the plot and why I find it the most exciting in the play.

The character of John Proctor: Proctor’s fiery temperament is established early on in the play.
- the affair with Abigail
- Quote: ‘I have a sense for heat and you are no wintry man’
- Proctor represents the truth within the play
- He is an outsider – he built the church so he has respect within the community but he breaks the rules by having an affair with Abigail; and it is Abigail who he must face in court.

The theme of hypocrisy: The courtroom scene is where the theme of hypocrisy becomes most apparent to the audience.
- ‘The Crucible’ title – as if the people of the town are trapped and under pressure
- The ‘heat’ under the crucible is the repressed energy of girls like Abigail
- Heat imagery is used throughout the play – Proctor’s passion and the threat of ‘hell fire’
- The metaphor for the McCarthy era in America

The turning point: The tension is heightened before the courtroom scene with the arrest of Elizabeth. Proctor admonishes her accusers and shows himself to be an honourable man. He speaks the truth plainly while the other villagers lie out of self-interest:

I’ll tell you what’s walking Salem – vengeance is walking Salem … common vengeance writes the law

- He stands in contrast to the other characters and convinces Mary to testify.
- Yet in the courtroom scene, the townsfolk are manipulated by Abigail.

The key scene: The courtroom scene is the most exciting in the play because of the drama between Abigail and Proctor. He is finally wiling to admit the affair and reveal himself as a hypocrite, yet this does not save him. Abigail’s reaction to the accusation is clever:

If I must answer that I will leave and I will not come back again.

The town people are reluctant to lose their show trial. Abigail realises that she can continue with the deception. In this way, she is part of the town’s values. The audience feels a sense of injustice at the hypocrisy on display.

The climax: At the end of the play, Proctor is executed along with the others but he refuses to confess. His name is more important than his life. This left me with a feeling of optimism despite the tragic conclusion. It showed that the truth can survive even when people die.

Conclusion: Although Proctor is a hypocrite at the start of the play, he shows himself to be a force of truth; firstly by his eloquent defence of Elizabeth, then by refusing to compromise at the end.

Death Of A Salesman Essay Plan

A plan for a 45 minute essay for the Higher exam should fit comfortably on one side of an A4 sheet if its typed, or both sides if it's handwritten. I've chosen a fairly typical drama question. This plan features topic sentences and bullet points. You should probably include at least three longer quotes in your plan, and make sure you have memorized these before the exam.

Question -

Choose a play in which one scene or moment determines the fate of a main character. Explain fully why you think this is the key moment in the character’s fortunes. In your answer you must refer closely to the text and to at least two of: key scene, characterization, climax, dialogue, or any other appropriate feature.

A scene of a play which made a strong impression on me was the scene from ‘Death of a Salesman’ by Arthur Miller when Willy Loman meets his sons Biff and Happy in the restaurant. In this essay I will show why I think this is the key moment in the character’s fortunes.

In this scene, Willy’s problems come to a head.

• The start of the play: the first line of the play is ‘It’s OK. I came back.’
• His age and health
• He asked his boss, Howard, for a different position so that he did non have to travel – the boss let him go instead. Willy’s response was to tell a ‘story’
• He has ‘no stories left’ in his head – he can no longer fool himself or the people around him
• He refused a job offer from his neighbour Charley out of pride

At the start of the scene, we are reminded of the characters of Biff and Happy.

• They are drinking and trying to pick up some women
• Willy always thought Biff would be a great sportsman and sees his son as a success
• Biff failed to get the loan from his old boss, Oliver, for a sports goods company and stole a fountain pen instead
• Biff has realized that his whole life has been a lie, and tells Happy he wants to tell Willy the truth

This scene shows Biff trying to have an honest relationship with Willy.

• Biff is adamant he was a ‘shipping clerk’ instead of a ‘salesman’
• Willy has met Biff’s school friend, Bernard, who was not athletic but has turned out to be a success. Bernard tells Willy about how Biff had flunked maths, and Willy lied to Bernard about Biff’s success

This scene features flashbacks which tell us the truth about Willy.

• Biff catches Willy cheating on Linda with a woman: the audience sees him in a hotel room
• Shows the audience why Willy and Bif's relationship deteriorated, as well as Willy's declining mental state

The importance of this scene is that …

• Biff has tried to confront Willy with the reality of their lives
• We have learned that Willy is a liar and a cheat
• Willy returns home and begins planting grass seeds in his back yard, showing he is deluded
• Willy decides to commit suicide, to give his family money