How to Revise Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel — AQA GCSE English Literature
Great Expectations follows the maturation of Philip Pirrip, known as Pip, from his humble beginnings as an orphan in the Kent marshes to his elevation as a gentleman in London. The narrative is structured as a retrospective first-person account, detailing Pip's moral corruption as he abandons his loyal friend Joe Gargery in pursuit of social status and the cold Estella. Central to the plot is the mystery of Pip's anonymous benefactor, initially assumed to be the eccentric Miss Havisham but revealed to be the convict Abel Magwitch. Ultimately, the novel serves as a profound critique of the Victorian class system, emphasizing that true 'gentlemanly' status is derived from moral integrity rather than wealth or lineage. The resolution provides a somber reflection on the cost of ambition and the possibility of redemption through suffering.
Examiner Tips for Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel
- The exam is closed book; ensure thorough knowledge of the whole text
- The assessment requires writing in detail about an extract provided in the paper and then writing about the novel as a whole
- Use relevant subject terminology when analysing language, form, and structure
Key Marking Points
- Maintain a critical style and develop an informed personal response
- Use textual references, including quotations, to support and illustrate interpretations
- Analyse the language, form and structure used by a writer to create meanings and effects
- Show understanding of the relationships between texts and the contexts in which they were written
- Use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect, with accurate spelling and punctuation
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