3 minute read
Part 2: Chapters 15 to 19
The Exam
Planning a Character Question Response
You must be able to: understand what an exam question is asking you and prepare your response.
How might an exam question on character be phrased?
A typical character question will read like this:
From now on, he would be her guardian and protector. In what ways is Meshak important in the novel? You must refer to the context of the novel in your answer. [40 marks] (includes 8 marks for the range of appropriate vocabulary and sentence structures, and accurate use of spelling and punctuation)
How do I work out what to do?
The focus of this question is clear: Meshak and his importance in the novel. ‘Ways’, ‘important’ and ‘context’ are the key elements of this question. For AO1, these words show that you need to display a clear understanding of what Meshak is like and how this relates to the themes of the novel and Gavin’s intentions. For AO3, you need to link your interpretations to the novel’s social, historical or literary context. You also need to remember to write in an accurate and sophisticated way to achieve your 8 AO4 marks for spelling, punctuation, grammar and expression.
How can I plan my essay?
You have approximately 50 minutes to write your essay. This isn’t long but you should spend the rst ve or ten minutes writing a quick plan. This will help you to focus your thoughts and produce a well-structured essay. Try to come up with four or ve ideas. Each of these ideas can then be written up as a paragraph. You can plan in whatever way you nd most useful. Some students like to just make a quick list of points and then re-number them in a logical order. Spider diagrams are particularly popular; look at the example on the opposite page. Note that this is much fuller than you would have time for in your ve-minute plan.
Gains sympathy from start: only 14, abused and exploited by Otis, and has fi ts. Remains childlike. Bad parenting. Pathetic that he hopes Otis/Gaddarn will help; instead kicks and ships him to America. ‘Oi! Meshak! Wake up, you lazy dolt!’ ‘I have a da. And your da is meant to protect you, isn’t he, angel? Just as I protect you?’
Ways Meshak is important
Pivotal to plot: kills babies for Otis, becomes obsessed with Melissa and so saves Aaron. Takes him to Coram. Later abducts him from Ashbrook. Aaron almost lost. Knocks out Alexander; Thomas dies. From now on, he would be her guardian and protector. With one swinging blow across the head with his giant hand, he knocked Alexander unconscious to the ground.
Embodies one type of artistic inspiration: adores cathedral angels. ‘His’ angel shows him his dead mother. Is he deluded or a mystic? His obsession with Melissa is touching but dangerous. His brain fi lled with images; dreams overwhelmed him.
Gothic fi gure like Mary Shelley’s creature in Frankenstein. A lonely, monstrous, misunderstood outsider longingly peering through windows. Ambiguous: kind to Aaron and Toby, but kills babies, abducts Aaron and tries to keep him from parents. Someone stood on the lawn outside, staring at an upstairs window of the house; a raggle-taggle fellow. … Thomas shuddered. Filled with unease, he closed the shutters.
Epilogue narrated from Meshak’s viewpoint, portraying him late in life. Gives sense of completion. ‘Can I be dead now?’ he asked her. ‘Is it time?’ ‘Yes,’ she smiled. ‘Yes, yes, yes. It is time.’
Summary
• Make sure you know what the focus of the essay is. • Remember to interpret the character: what do they represent and what ideas are being conveyed? • Try to relate your ideas to the novel’s context and Gavin’s intentions.
Questions
QUICK TEST 1. What key skills do you need to show in your answer? 2. What are the benefi ts of quickly planning your essay? 3. Why do you need to take care with your writing?
EXAM PRACTICE Plan a response to the following exam question. ‘Fool of a boy. Why was I so cursed with a son like you?’ Explore the relationship between Meshak and Otis/Gaddarn. You must refer to the context of the novel in your answer.
