Powerpoint--and section B questions

It was terrific to see so many pf you at the revision sessions, so thank you for that! I hope it was useful. I have put the section B powerpoint in the shared area, for those of you who would like to look at it again, and I attach the list of section B quiestions from past years.

As I said, I suspect that the gothic hero would be a good line to revise, as well as extremes, shock, horror, terror and all such key terms and ideas. Also, it struck me that they might ask about the gothic being a revolutionary form--which I think would be an interesting question.

Don't forget--lots of practice essays to get you used to the timing, and don't write long introductions for section B--nice short sharp precise address to the question,, mention your texts, then straight onto your first analysis.

Gothic Example Questions for section B

Sample Paper
• 19 ‘Gothic texts show the supernatural intertwined with the ordinary’. Discuss this view in relation to the texts you have been studying.
OR
• 20 ‘Gothic literature is concerned with the breaking of normal moral and social codes’ Discuss.
OR
• 21 ‘If a text is to be labelled as Gothic, it must convey a sense of fear and terror’. Discuss this view in relation to the texts you have been studying.

January 2010
• 19 To what extent do you think gothic literature is characterised by a fascination with death?
OR
• 20 ‘Gothic settings are desolate, alienating and full of menace’. In the light of this comment, consider some of the ways in which writers use settings in the gothic texts you have read.
OR
• 21 Consider the view that gothic writing often explores the powerlessness of humanity when faced with the power of the supernatural.

June 2010
• 1 9 ‘Religion is central to readings of gothic texts’. How far do you agree with this statement?
OR
• 2 0 Consider the view that gothic writing explores the ‘nightmarish terrors’ that lie beneath the orderly surface of the ‘civilised mind’.
OR
• 2 1 ‘In gothic writing, women are presented as either innocent victims or sinister predators or are significantly absent.’ Consider the place of women in gothic writing in the light of this comment.

January 2011
• 1 9 “A melodramatic genre, where extremes of emotion have disastrous consequences.” How far do you agree with this view of writing in the gothic tradition?
OR
• 2 0 Consider the view that literature within the gothic genre is always shocking.
OR
• 2 1 “Characters in gothic writing are haunted by their past mistakes and often have to face terrible consequences.” Discuss some of the characters in the texts you have read in the light of this comment.