A Taste of Honey

    AQA
    GCSE

    Set in 1950s Salford, the play follows Jo, a working-class teenager, and her turbulent relationship with her feckless, semi-prostitute mother, Helen. After Helen abandons Jo to marry the younger, brash Peter, Jo becomes pregnant by a black sailor named Jimmie who subsequently leaves. Jo is befriended by Geoffrey, a gentle homosexual art student who moves in and assumes a maternal role, creating a temporary domestic sanctuary. The play concludes cyclically with Helen's return as her marriage fails, forcing Geoffrey out and leaving Jo facing childbirth in the same precarious environment where the play began. It is a seminal text of the 'Kitchen Sink Realism' genre.

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    • Understand key concepts related to A Taste of Honey
    • Apply knowledge of A Taste of Honey to exam questions

    Example Examiner Feedback

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    • "Your analysis of Helen's maternal role is insightful, particularly your use of the quote regarding the "big white field.""
    • "You have a good grasp of the play's themes, but try to develop your points with more specific textual evidence."
    • "Well done on structuring your answer logically. Consider exploring the nuances of Jo's character further."
    • "Your essay effectively evaluates Delaney's presentation of gender, but ensure all points are directly supported by the text."

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