A2 ENGLISH LITERATURE
DRAMA AND POETRY – PRE 1800
THE RIVALS AND THE SONGS – COMPARATIVE ESSAY TITLES
Now is the time to practise writing essays. Write introductions, write a couple of analytical comparative paragraphs, write conclusions and write plans. Why not write a couple of essays under timed conditions.
Below are ten questions. Each one of them is relevant to comparing Sheridan’s The Rivals and Blake’s The Songs of Innocence and The Songs of Experience. Over the half term holiday and the days leading up to the exam, you could plan these questions and even write up under timed conditions at least two of them. You could also use these essay titles as a way of identifying key quotations. You could consider the contextual comments you might make for each of the essay titles. Finally, drawings on the hand-outs and links to articles, what theoretical and broader literary points could you make for each title.
I’m generally not teaching that first week back. If you want me to go through an essay you’ve written or answer any questions on this part of the course then email me and make an appointment.
One word of caution, I’ve made these questions up myself and therefore are untested. However hard the questions are, your work on each one – planning and researching the texts, will really help you revise for this exam.
And please remember in the actual exam there will be six questions and only two or possibly three questions will be apprpriate to answer.
1. ‘Settings do more than add realism but go to the heart of the meanings of texts.’
In the light of this view consider the uses which writers make of settings. In your answer, compare one drama text with one poetry text from the lists above.
2. ‘Love is the very difficult understanding that something other than yourself is real.’
In the light of this view, discuss ways in which writers portray love. In your answer, compare one drama text with one poetry text from the lists above.
3. ‘Where there are discrepancies between appearance and reality there is fertile ground for comedy and tragedy.’
In the light of this view consider the uses which writers make of appearance and reality. In your answer, compare one drama text with one poetry text from the lists above.
4. ‘Class liberates the few and imprisons the many.’
In the light of this view consider the uses which writers make of class. In your answer, compare one drama text with one poetry text from the lists above.
5. ‘Power is a monster in the hands of a few.’
In the light of this statement discuss ways in which writers portray power. In your answer, compare one drama text with one poetry text from the lists above.
6. Perhaps the biggest problem in the clash of generations is the conflict that emerges from different world views.’
In the light of this view consider the uses which writers make of the portrayal of the old and young. In your answer, compare one drama text with one poetry text from the lists above.
7. ‘Through change we are renewed and made more alive.’
In the light of this view consider the uses which writers make of stasis and change. In your answer, compare one drama text with one poetry text from the lists above.
8. ‘At the heart of good literature there is always conflict.’
In the light of this view consider the uses which writers make of conflict. In your answer, compare one drama text with one poetry text from the lists above.
9. ‘Through morality we are made civilized.’
In the light of this view, discuss ways in which writers portray morality and religion.
10. ‘Different voices introduce dynamism, energy and variety.’
In the light of this view consider the uses which writers make of different voices. In your answer, compare one drama text with one poetry text from the lists above.
