Approaching the Literature – Exploring Modern Texts Exam
Section A: An Inspector Calls
 You are presented with two questions. Answer only one. One will be on a theme, the other on a
character from the play.
 You have to remember what the examiner is expecting to see in your essay.
 Spend five minutes creating a simple plan. This will make sure that you don’t forget to cover an
element of the mark scheme, which will stop you gaining a minimum C grade.
Suggested Planning technique:
Intro:
 For a thematic question you are likely to be given a quote, you might refer to how this has been used
by the character in your opening and then link this to how the theme runs through the remainder of
the play. (In doing this you have already tackled a theme and structure comment from the mark
criteria).
 For a character question you could start with an overview of what the character is like at the start of
the play compared to the end of the play. It would be useful to comment on the stage directions, as
Priestly is quite specific about how he wants the characters portrayed. (This will give you credit for
writer’s attitudes and ideas).
Paragraph two: Themes
 For a character question how does this character inform the audience about the themes of the play?
 For a thematic question you should look at how the character in the quote compares to how other
characters in the play are presented in relationship to the discussion theme. Eg in the mock exam
you had the theme quote was Birling’s attitude to responsibility and this would be compared to the
other characters’ attitudes to responsibility.
Paragraph three: structure and form
 Refer to the fact the play is a morality play and the form it uses. You should always link this to the
question. How does the character fit into the structure of the play/how does the theme help us to
understand the moral lesson we should learn?
 You might find that you are addressing the writer’s attitudes and feelings here as you should consider
that the play is a political play (form) and what Priestley wants us to learn.
Paragraph four: Language
 Think about the specific language that conveys the character or themes presented in the play.
Remember to add the effect achieved on the audience!!!!
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Attitudes and feelings should be addressed as you look at the language/themes and structure/form of
the play. You can make sure you do this my adding Priestly shows us his thoughts about socialism
in through his morality play… Priestly shows us his attitude to the higher classes…. Priestley’s use
of direct language presents Birling as a pompous character; furthermore this also shows that Priestly
is dissatisfied with those of his class…. Again remember to think about stating audience effect!!!!
Paragraph five: conclusion
 A summation of how Priestley has developed his use of the theme or character to put across his
moral message of responsibility.
E.g. In conclusion, Priestley uses the inspector for a variety of functions, and his presentation is shaped for
these purposes. By making him classless he stands outside the Birlings’ world and can make judgements on
the characters along with the audience. He drives the plot, forcing confessions, which moves the play to its
conclusion. He is the omniscient, ‘God-like’ voice of Priestley; that acts as judge and teacher to impart his
moral message: we are responsible for each other.
Section B: Of Mice and Men
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There is only ONE question for this section, so it is vital that you know the text well. Q. 21. Part A
asks you do discuss a character or relationship. Part B asks you to discuss the social/historical
context of the novella.
You have to remember what the examiner is expecting to see in your essay.
Spend five minutes creating a simple plan. This will make sure that you don’t forget to cover an
element of the mark scheme, which will stop you gaining a minimum C grade.
You do not have to plan your essay as part a) then part b) provided you address cultural issues
throughout the essay but a simplistic plan, which does this may be a good place to begin thinking
about the exam.
Suggested Simple Planning technique:
Intro:
 Get straight to the point of the question. E.g. a question asking about your understanding of Slim,
when he is introduced to the novella, in an extract could start: The introduction of Slim in the novel
could be like that of a hero from a classic Western film, as he ‘stood in the doorway’, as if framed in
a film.
Paragraph two:
 Second point about the character (or relationship) from the extract: e.g. Slim’s word taken as
law/physical appearance.
 This analysis should focus on the language devices used and the ideas they generate in the reader.
Paragraph three:
 A third point about the character (or relationship). For Slim you could talk about his job and how he
doesn’t seem to have a ‘friendship’ as such and is ‘isolated’, both of which fulfil the themes criteria
in A01
Paragraph four: Fourth point
 Think about the character or relationship fits into the novella as a whole. Remember that the novella
is in chronological order and is set out like a play. Slim has an effect on the characters and novella
throughout the novella too e.g. his relationship with George when he first meets him and the final
scene in the book.
Paragraph 5: Social and Historical Context.
 How does the character or relationship represent what life was like in 1930s America? This may
also be an opportunity to address the themes as well, as you think about this element.
Attitudes and feelings
 Should be addressed as you look at the language/themes and structure/form of the play. You can
make sure you do this my adding Steinbeck presents his thoughts about migrant workers in America
during the 1930s…. Steinbeck presents his attitude to women…. Steinbeck’s use of direct language
presents Slim as a noble character; furthermore this also shows that Steinbeck recognises that Slim
represents….
 Again, remember to think about stating reader effect!!!!
Paragraph five: conclusion
 A summation of how Steinbeck has developed his character/relationship to put across his ideas [in
relation to the question] and what you have learnt.
 E.g. In conclusion, Steinbeck presents Slim as a noble man, who is contrasted against other
characters in the book to highlight the weaknesses they have. With Curley it presents his violence,
and that many men of his generation were bullies. However, George is shown as being capable of
manipulating Lennie for his own purposes, when the need arises. Although Slim is ultimately just as
lonely as everyone else on the ranch, his kind words towards Curley’s wife suggests softness to his
character and an understanding of women that is impossible for the other ranch workers to achieve,
as they lack the nobility and heroic qualities he possesses.