In Sonnet 30, Shakespeare focuses on the power of love and friendship to overcome all sorrow.
In a well-constructed essay of 250–300 words (about a page), discuss how the speaker uses the structure of the poem, diction and imagery to express this theme.
Explain how the 'small innocent child' (line 1) could also be an offender.
'Clerks are moved to action by your dying' (line 13).
Discuss what the diction used in this line suggests about the clerks.
Examine lines 24–25: 'Here is the last ... he sets you free'.
Discuss the appropriateness of the figure of speech used in these lines.
In your view, does the image of 'the great Judge-President' (line 45) and that of other judges contribute significantly to the central theme of the poem? Motivate your response.
Refer to the epigraph: 'Man, you gotta Go.'
What does the epigraph highlight about man?
Refer to lines 1–5: 'The blue jay ... poise, or both'. Account for the poet's focus on the birds.
Examine line 10: 'Small, black, as flies hanging in heat'.
Discuss the effectiveness of the image used in this line.
Comment on the appropiateness of 'At worst, one....not keeping still' (lines 38–40) as a summing-up of the central idea of the poem.
Explain the speaker's use of 'teeming brain' (line 2) in the context of the poem.
What does the image of 'the full ripened grain' (line 4), express about the contents of the 'books' (line 3)?
Examine lines 11–12: 'Never have relish in the faery power of unreflecting love'.
Comment on the fear inherent in the speaker's words.
Refer to lines 12–14: 'then on the shore ... nothingness do sink.'
Critically discuss the significance of these concluding lines.
'An African Heartbeat' is a description of what the speaker sees as the essence of Africa.
By a close reference to the diction and imagery used in this poem, critically discuss the speaker's perception of the essence of Africa. Your essay must be 250–300 words (about ONE page) in length.
Account for the repetition of 'a heartbeat' throughout the poem.
Discuss the effect of an onomatopoeia in stanza 2.
Suggest why there is emphasis throughout the poem on the young: young lions (stanza 1), young baboons (stanza 2), young human beings (stanza 3).
In your view, does the image of music contribute towards your understanding of the title, 'An African Heartbeat'? Justify your response.
Napoleon readily assumes the role of dictator, clearly demonstrating that he is an enemy of democracy.
Discuss the validity of this statement in a well-substantiated essay of 400–450 words (2–21⁄2 pages).
Refer to lines 1–2: 'The reins, ... in the yard.'
Explain why it is important for the animals to destroy all symbols associated with their earlier relationship with man.
In the light of later events, fully discuss the irony in the destruction of these symbols.
Refer to lines 8–9: 'When Boxer heard ... the rest.'
Discuss how Boxer's action in the above lines is in keeping with his behaviour throughout the novel.
Why is it significant that the pigs move into the farmhouse?
Refer to lines 19–21: 'And Squealer, who happened ... its proper perspective.
Explain how Squealer will go about putting matters in their 'proper perspective'.
Refer to lines 19–21: 'And Squealer, who happened ... its proper perspective.'
Suggest how the presence of the dogs enhances Squealer's position.
Napoleon has qualities that make him a worthy leader of Animal Farm.
Do you agree with this statement? Justify your response.
The novel as a whole demonstrates that the idealism of the Seven Commandments cannot be realized
Comment on the validity of this statement.
The successful development of human relationships depends on both consistency of nature and the capacity for change and development.
Discuss the extent to which the above statement is applicable to Pride and Prejudice in a well-constructed essay of 400–450 words (2–21⁄2 pages).
Explain why Mrs Bennet is startled (line 1).
Refer to lines 4–6: 'But depend upon it ... I will make her know it.'
Account for Mrs Bennet's determination in these lines.
Refer to lines 13–14: 'Lizzy is only headstrong ... as ever lived.'
Do you agree with Mrs Bennet's assessment of Elizabeth? Motivate your response.
Refer to line 15: 'I will go ... I am sure.'
Discuss how Mrs Bennet's reaction is typical of the way in which marriage is dealt with in the novel.
Self-interest is the basic principle of Mr Collins's life.
Discuss the validity of this statement.
Refer to lines 1–3: 'Her father ... hated him?'
Discuss the extent to which Mr Bennet's response to the news of Elizabeth's proposed marriage is consistent with his attitude to Elizabeth throughout the novel.
Refer to lines 4–5: 'How earnestly did she then wish that her former opinions had been more reasonable, her expressions more moderate!'
Does this sentence suggest a development in Elizabeth's character in the course of the novel? Motivate your response.
The novel as a whole depicts men as victims of manipulative women in Austen's society.
Do you agree with this viewpoint? Justify your response.
The women in The Great Gatsby are primarily concerned with money, pleasure and social status to the extent that it compromises their moral values.
Discuss the validity of this statement in an essay of 400–450 words (2–21⁄2 pages).
Place the extract in context.
Explain the importance of the 'green light' (line 2) for Gatsby.
Refer to lines 4–5: 'the colossal significance of that light had now vanished for ever.'
Explain how 'the colossal significance of that light' had 'vanished' for Gatsby.
Refer to lines 7–9: 'the expression of bewilderment ... his present happiness.'
Explain why Gatsby is bewildered.
'No amount of fire ... ghostly heart' (lines 13–14). Discuss the implication of Nick's statement.
Refer to line 1: 'He had discovered ... apart from him'. Account for Myrtle's infidelity.
Refer to paragraph 1: 'He had discovered ... girl with child.' Discuss how this paragraph influences your reaction to Tom and to Wilson.
Refer to paragraph 3: 'That locality was ... twenty feet away.'
Discuss the significance of the 'locality' (the Valley of Ashes) in the wider context of the novel.
The novel as a whole demonstrates the failure of the American Dream. Do you agree with this viewpoint? Justify your response.
Emilia and Desdemona can be held accountable for their own deaths.
In an essay of 400–450 words (2–21⁄2 pages), critically discuss the extent to which you agree with the above statement.
Place this extract in context.
Examine lines 2–3: 'My services which ... out-tongue his complaints.'
Explain how Othello's response is in keeping with Desdemona's perception of him.
Refer to lines 13–14: 'Those are the raised father ... best go in.'
Discuss the extent to which Iago's advice is consistent with his behaviour towards Othello at this stage in the play.
'Not I; I must be found' (line 15).
Comment on how the Othello revealed in this line differs from the Othello we meet later in the play.
What does Othello's questioning of Emilia convey about his state of mind?
'If any wretch have put this in your head' (line 16).
Discuss the dramatic irony in Emilia's speech.
Explain the implication, in context, of 'the serpent's curse' (line 17).
Refer to lines 23–24: 'She says enough ... say as much.'
What does Othello's brief soliloquy indicate about his attitude, not only toward Emilia, but towards Desdemona as well? Discuss.
Comment critically on the extent to which Othello is responsible for his own destruction.
Abigail Williams and Elizabeth Proctor represent completely opposite poles of human nature and behaviour.
Refer to lines 2–3: 'It is a fault ... not Mary Warren.'
Account for Proctor's reprimanding Elizabeth, in the opening lines of the extract.
Explain how Abigail manages to maintain power over the girls during the trial.
Refer to lines 7–8: 'I must go to Salem ... of the court!'
Discuss how Mary Warren's words indicate a major reason for the girls' dramatic behaviour in court.
Refer to line 18: 'The Deputy Governor promise hangin' if they'll not confess'.
Explain what this detail indicates about justice in Danforth's court.
Elizabeth undergoes a transition from an easily terrified woman to one who is decisive.
Do you agree with this description of Elizabeth? Substantiate your response.
Refer to line 9: 'Court! What court?' Comment on Proctor's tone in this line.
'Reverend Hale has returned' (line 2).
Explain the implication of Hale's return at this point in the trial.
Danforth later refers to Parris as 'a brainless man'.
Evaluate the validity of Danforth's assessment of Parris.
In your opinion, is Abigail's exit from Salem at this point in the play dramatically successful?
Explain your thinking.