Leaving Cert English Revision Notes
Comparative
by
Siobhán Keenan
Contents
Contents ........................................................................................................................................................... 2
Comparative Study: An Overview....................................................................................................................... 4
What is the comparative section all about? ............................................................................................................... 4
This year’s comparative modes… ............................................................................................................................... 4
This year’s texts/films ................................................................................................................................................. 4
How do I approach it? ................................................................................................................................................ 4
How do I link the texts? .............................................................................................................................................. 4
How do I structure my response? ............................................................................................................................... 5
What should to be in my answer? .............................................................................................................................. 6
Relationships .................................................................................................................................................... 7
Previous “Relationships” Questions ........................................................................................................................... 8
Theme ............................................................................................................................................................ 10
Previous “Theme” Questions .................................................................................................................................... 11
Hero, Heroine, Villain ...................................................................................................................................... 12
Previous “Hero, Heroine, Villain” Questions ............................................................................................................. 13
The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald ................................................................................................................ 15
Relationships ............................................................................................................................................................ 16
Theme....................................................................................................................................................................... 17
Hero, Heroine, Villain ............................................................................................................................................... 22
Foster, Claire Keegan ....................................................................................................................................... 23
Relationships ............................................................................................................................................................ 24
Theme....................................................................................................................................................................... 26
Hero, Heroine, Villain ............................................................................................................................................... 29
A Doll’s House, Henrik Ibsen............................................................................................................................. 30
Relationships ............................................................................................................................................................ 31
Theme....................................................................................................................................................................... 33
Hero, Heroine, Villain ............................................................................................................................................... 35
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The King’s Speech (Film), Tom Hooper (Dir.)...................................................................................................... 36
Relationships ............................................................................................................................................................ 37
Theme....................................................................................................................................................................... 38
Hero, Heroine, Villain ............................................................................................................................................... 41
About the author ............................................................................................................................................ 43
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Comparative Study: An Overview
What is the comparative section all about?
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In this section of the exam, you must prepare three texts for examination.
There are three possible comparative modes, of which two will appear on the exam.
This year’s comparative modes…
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Relationships: connections between characters
Theme: The main message(s) that the writer wants to share with the reader and/or with the
world; an issue that is presented within the text
Hero, Heroine, Villain: Who is the “good” character and who is “bad” and how do these
characters affect the plot
This year’s texts/films

The texts/films that will be covered in this study guide include:
o Novel: F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby
o Short story: Claire Keegan’s Foster
o Play: Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House
o Film: The King’s Speech (Director: Tom Hooper)
How do I approach it?
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Remember, this section is about comparing and contrasting (finding similarities and differences)
between multiple texts. You must ensure that your response reflect this.
In choosing which question to answer, ensure that you will be able to compare multiple works
within the realm of the answer. It is not enough to strongly analyse one and ignore the
comparison aspect of the assessment.
Be sure to look at key moments within the texts/films. These will be strong points that will build
your analyses. A key moment may be a conflict, resolution, or a moment that highlights themes,
settings, or relationships.
How do I link the texts?

A good tool used to link ideas in writing is a linking device. These are words are phrases that can
help you combine thoughts or ideas.
o To express similarity: equally, likewise, similarly, in the same way/manner/fashion, also,
both, each, like
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