2010 Literature exam
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Transcript of 2010 Literature exam
LITERATUREWritten examination
Thursday 4 November 2010 Reading time: 3.00 pm to 3.15 pm (15 minutes) Writing time: 3.15 pm to 5.15 pm (2 hours)
TASK BOOK
Structure of book
Tasks Marks
1 202 20
Total 40
• Studentsarepermittedtobringintotheexaminationroom:pens,pencils,highlighters,erasers,sharpenersandrulers.
• StudentsareNOTpermittedtobringintotheexaminationroom:blanksheetsofpaperand/orwhiteoutliquid/tape,dictionaries.
• Nocalculatorisallowedinthisexamination.
Materials supplied• Taskbookof64pages,includingtheAssessment criteriaandachecklistonpage64.• Oneormorescriptbooks.Allscriptbookscontainunruled(roughworkonly)pagesformakingnotes,
plansanddraftsifyouwish.
The task• Youarerequiredtocompletetwopiecesofwritingbasedontwo textsselectedfromthelistonpages
2and3ofthistaskbook.
Each text must be chosen from a different part.• Eachpieceofwritingisworthhalfofthetotalassessmentfortheexamination.• Writeyourstudent numberinthespaceprovidedonthefrontcover(s)ofthescriptbook(s).• Writethepart numbers andtext numbersofyourselectedtextsonthefrontcover(s)ofyourscript
book(s).
• AllwrittenresponsesmustbeinEnglish.
At the end of the task• Placeallotherusedscriptbooksinsidethefrontcoverofoneoftheusedscriptbooks.• Youmaykeepthistaskbook.
Students are NOT permitted to bring mobile phones and/or any other unauthorised electronic devices into the examination room.
©VICTORIANCURRICULUMANDASSESSMENTAUTHORITY2010
Victorian Certificate of Education 2010
2010LITEXAM 2
InstructionsYouarerequiredtocompletetwopiecesofwritingbasedontwo textsselectedfromthelistonpages 2and3.Thelistisdividedintofiveparts.Thetextsyouselectmustbechosenfromdifferentparts.You must not write on two texts from the same part.Ifyouanswerontwotextsfromthesamepart,oneofthepieceswillbeawardedzeromarks.1. Findthepassagesforthetextsonwhichyouwishtowrite.2. Threepassageshavebeensetforeverytext.3. Thepassagesareprintedintheorderinwhichtheyappearinthetexts.4. Foreachofyourselectedtexts,youmustuseoneormoreofthepassagesasthebasisforadiscussionof
thattext.5. Inyourpiecesofwriting,referindetailtothepassageorpassagesandthetexts.Youmayincludeminor
referencestoothertexts.
Table of contents
Part 1: Novels Page
1–1 JaneAusten Emma 4–5
1–2 PatBarker Regeneration 6–7
1–3 AnneBrontë The Tenant of Wildfell Hall 8–9
1–4 CharlesDickens Bleak House 10–11
1–5 EMForster A Passage to India 12–13
1–6 GailJones Sixty Lights 14–15
1–7 SimonLeys The Death of Napoleon 16–17
1–8 IanMcEwan Atonement 18–19
1–9 MaryShelley Frankenstein 20–21
Part 2: Plays
2–1 JackDavis No Sugar 22–23
2–2 DarioFo Accidental Death of an Anarchist 24–25
2–3 MichaelFrayn Copenhagen 26–27
2–4 BrianFriel The Freedom of the City 28–29
2–5 HenrikIbsen Hedda Gabler 30–31
2–6 HannieRayson Hotel Sorrento 32–33
2–7 WilliamShakespeare Hamlet 34–35
2–8 WilliamShakespeare Much Ado About Nothing 36–37
2–9 Sophocles Antigone 38–39
3 2010LITEXAM
Part 3: Short stories
3–1 AntonChekhov The Lady with the Little Dog and Other Stories 40–41
3–2 DHLawrence Three Novellas: The Fox/The Captain’s Doll/ 42–43 The Ladybird
3–3 KatherineMansfield The Collected Stories 44–45
Part 4: Other literature
4–1 AnnaFunder Stasiland 46–47
4–2 OrhanPamuk Istanbul 48–49
4–3 TobiasWolff This Boy’s Life 50–51
Part 5: Poetry
5–1 JudithBeveridge Wolf Notes 52–53
5–2 WilliamBlake Blake’s Poetry and Designs 54–55
5–3 GwenHarwood Collected Poems 56–57
5–4 SeamusHeaney Beowulf 58–59
5–5 JohnKeats The Major Works 60–61
5–6 PhilipLarkin Collected Poems 62–63
Assessment criteria 64
A checklist for planning and revising 64
2010LITEXAM 4
1: Novels1 – 1 Jane Austen: Emma
Use one or more of the passages selected as the basis for a discussion of Emma.
THISQUESTIONISCONTINUEDONPAGE5
1.
“Nogreatvarietyoffacesforyou,”saidEmma.“Ihadonlymyownfamilytostudyfrom.Thereismyfather—anotherofmyfather—buttheideaofsittingforhispicturemadehimsonervous,thatIcouldonlytakehimbystealth;neitherofthemveryliketherefore.Mrs.Westonagain,andagain,andagain,yousee.DearMrs.Westonalwaysmykindestfriendoneveryoccasion.Shewouldsitwhenever I askedher.There ismysister;andreallyquiteherownlittleelegantfigure!—andthefacenotunlike.Ishouldhavemadeagoodlikenessofher,ifshewouldhavesatlonger,butshewasinsuchahurrytohavemedrawherfourchildrenthatshewouldnotbequiet.Then,herecomeallmyattemptsatthreeofthosefourchildren;—theretheyare,HenryandJohnandBella,fromoneendofthesheettotheother,andanyoneofthemmightdoforanyoneoftherest.Shewassoeager tohave themdrawn that Icouldnotrefuse;butthereisnomakingchildrenofthreeorfouryearsoldstandstillyouknow;norcanitbeveryeasytotakeanylikenessofthem,beyondtheairandcomplexion,unlesstheyarecoarserfeaturedthananymama’schildreneverwere.Hereismysketchofthefourth,whowasababy.Itookhim,ashewassleepingonthesofa,anditisasstrongalikenessofhiscockadeasyouwouldwishtosee.Hehadnestleddownhisheadmostconveniently.That’sverylike.IamratherproudoflittleGeorge.Thecornerofthesofaisverygood.Thenhereismylast”—unclosingaprettysketchofagentlemaninsmallsize,whole-length—“mylastandmybest—mybrother,Mr.JohnKnightley.—Thisdidnotwantmuchofbeingfinished,whenIputitawayinapet,andvowedIwouldnevertakeanotherlikeness.Icouldnothelpbeingprovoked;forallmypains,andwhenIhadreallymadeaverygoodlikenessofit—(Mrs.WestonandIwerequiteagreedinthinkingitverylike)—onlytoohandsome—tooflattering—butthatwasafaultontherightside—afterallthis,camepoordearIsabella’scoldapprobationof—“Yes,itwasalittlelike—buttobesureitdidnotdohimjustice.”Wehadhadagreatdealoftroubleinpersuadinghimtositatall.Itwasmadeagreatfavourof;andaltogetheritwasmorethanIcouldbear;andsoIneverwouldfinishit,tohaveitapologizedoverasanunfavourablelikeness,toeverymorningvisitor inBrunswickSquare;—and,asIsaid,Ididthenforsweareverdrawinganybodyagain.ButforHarriet’ssake,orratherformyown,andastherearenohusbandsandwivesinthecaseatpresent,Iwillbreakmyresolutionnow.” Mr.Eltonseemedveryproperlystruckanddelightedbytheidea,andwasrepeating,“Nohusbandsandwivesinthecaseat presentindeed,asyouobserve...”
* * *
2.
‘ButMr.Knightleydoesnotwanttomarry.Iamsurehehasnottheleastideaofit.Donotputitintohishead.Whyshouldhemarry?—Heisashappyaspossiblebyhimself;withhisfarm,andhissheep,andhislibrary,andalltheparishtomanage;andheisextremelyfondofhisbrother’schildren.Hehasnooccasiontomarryeithertofilluphistimeorhisheart.” “MydearEmma,aslongashethinksso,itisso;butifhereallylovesJaneFairfax——” “Nonsense!HedoesnotcareaboutJaneFairfax.Inthewayoflove,Iamsurehedoesnot.Hewoulddoanygoodtoher,orherfamily;but——” “Well,”saidMrs.Weston,laughing,“perhapsthegreatestgoodhecoulddothem,wouldbetogiveJanesucharespectablehome.” “Ifitwouldbegoodtoher,Iamsureitwouldbeeviltohimself;averyshamefulanddegradingconnection.HowwouldhebeartohaveMissBatesbelongingtohim?—TohaveherhauntingtheAbbey,andthankinghimalldaylongforhisgreatkindnessinmarryingJane?—‘Soverykindandobliging?—Buthealwayshadbeensuchaverykindneighbour!’Andthenflyoff,throughhalfasentence,tohermother’soldpetticoat.‘Notthatitwassuchaveryoldpetticoateither—forstillitwouldlastagreatwhile—and,indeed,shemustthankfullysaythattheirpetticoatswereallverystrong.’” “For shame, Emma!Do notmimic her.You divertmeagainstmyconscience.And,uponmyword, Idonot thinkMr.Knightleywould bemuch disturbed byMiss Bates.Littlethingsdonotirritatehim.Shemighttalkon;andifhewantedtosayanythinghimself,hewouldonlytalklouder,anddrownhervoice.Butthequestionisnot,whetheritwouldbeabadconnexionforhim,butwhetherhewishesit;andIthinkhedoes.Ihaveheardhimspeak,andsomustyou,soveryhighlyofJaneFairfax!Theinteresthetakesinher—hisanxietyaboutherhealth—hisconcernthatsheshouldhavenohappierprospect!Ihaveheardhimexpresshimselfsowarmlyonthosepoints!—Suchanadmirerofherperformanceonthepianofortéandofhervoice!Ihaveheardhimsaythathecouldlistentoherforever.Oh!andIhadalmostforgottenoneideathatoccurredtome—thispianofortéthathasbeensentherbysomebody—thoughwehaveallbeensowell satisfiedas toconsideritapresentfromtheCampbells,mayitnotbefromMr.Knightley?Icannothelpsuspectinghim.Ithinkheisjustthepersontodoit,evenwithoutbeinginlove.”
* * *
5 2010LITEXAM
1: Novels1 – 1 Jane Austen: Emma – continued
3.
“...Hadyounotbeensurroundedbyotherfriends,Imighthavebeentemptedtointroduceasubject,toaskquestions,tospeakmoreopenlythanmighthavebeenstrictlycorrect.—IfeelthatIshouldcertainlyhavebeenimpertinent.” “Oh!”criedJane,withablushandanhesitationwhichEmmathoughtinfinitelymorebecomingtoherthanalltheeleganceofallherusualcomposure—“therewouldhavebeennodanger.Thedangerwouldhavebeenofmywearyingyou.Youcouldnothavegratifiedmemorethanbyexpressinganinterest——.Indeed,MissWoodhouse,(speakingmorecollectedly,)withthe consciousnesswhich I have ofmisconduct, very greatmisconduct,itisparticularlyconsolingtometoknowthatthoseofmyfriends,whosegoodopinionismostworthpreserving,are not disgusted to such a degree as to—I have not timeforhalf that I couldwish to say. I long tomakeapologies,excuses,tourgesomethingformyself.Ifeelitsoverydue.But,unfortunately—inshort,ifyourcompassiondoesnotstandmyfriend——” “Oh!youaretooscrupulous,indeedyouare,”criedEmma,warmly,andtakingherhand.“Youowemenoapologies;andeverybodytowhomyoumightbesupposedtoowethem,issoperfectlysatisfied,sodelightedeven—” “Youareverykind,butIknowwhatmymannersweretoyou.—Socoldandartificial!—Ihadalwaysaparttoact.—Itwas a life of deceit!—I know that Imust have disgustedyou.” “Praysaynomore.Ifeelthatalltheapologiesshouldbeonmyside.Letusforgiveeachotheratonce.Wemustdowhateveristobedonequickest,andIthinkourfeelingswilllosenotimethere.IhopeyouhavepleasantaccountsfromWindsor?” “Very.” “Andthenextnews,Isuppose,willbe,thatwearetoloseyou—justasIbegintoknowyou.” “Oh!astoallthat,ofcoursenothingcanbethoughtofyet.IamheretillclaimedbyColonelandMrs.Campbell.” “Nothing can be actually settled yet, perhaps,” repliedEmma,smiling—“but,excuseme,itmustbethoughtof.” ThesmilewasreturnedasJaneanswered, “Youareveryright;ithasbeenthoughtof.AndIwillowntoyou,(Iamsureitwillbesafe),thatsofarasourlivingwithMr.ChurchillatEnscombe,itissettled.Theremustbethreemonths,atleast,ofdeepmourning;butwhentheyareover,Iimaginetherewillbenothingmoretowaitfor.” “Thankyou,thankyou.—ThisisjustwhatIwantedtobeassuredof.—Oh!ifyouknewhowmuchIloveeverythingthatisdecidedandopen!—Goodbye,goodbye.”
* * *
2010LITEXAM 6
1: Novels1 – 2 Pat Barker: Regeneration
Use one or more of the passages selected as the basis for a discussion of Regeneration.
THISQUESTIONISCONTINUEDONPAGE7
1.
PatBarker,Regeneration,PenguinBooks,1992
pp66–67
2.
PatBarker,Regeneration,PenguinBooks,1992
pp106–108
7 2010LITEXAM
1: Novels1 – 2 Pat Barker: Regeneration – continued
3.
PatBarker,Regeneration,PenguinBooks,1992
p249
2010LITEXAM 8
1: Novels1 – 3 Anne Brontë: The Tenant of Wildfell Hall
Use one or more of the passages selected as the basis for a discussion of The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.
THISQUESTIONISCONTINUEDONPAGE9
1.
‘Itamazesme,MrsGraham,howyoucouldchoosesuchadilapidated,rickettyoldplaceasthistolivein.Ifyoucouldn’taffordtooccupythewholehouse,andhaveitmendedup,whycouldn’tyoutakeaneatlittlecottage?’ ‘Perhaps,Iwastooproud,MrFergus,’repliedshe,smiling;‘Perhaps I took a particular fancy for this romantic, old-fashionedplace–butindeed,ithasmanyadvantagesoveracottage–inthefirstplace,yousee,theroomsarelargerandmore airy; in the secondplace, theunoccupied apartments,whichIdon’tpayfor,mayserveaslumber-rooms,ifIhaveanythingtoputinthem;andtheyareveryusefulformylittleboytorunaboutinonrainydayswhenhecan’tgoout;andthen,thereisthegardenforhimtoplayin,andformetoworkin.YouseeIhaveeffectedsomelittleimprovementalready,’continuedshe,turningtothewindow.‘Thereisabedofyoungvegetablesinthatcorner,andherearesomesnowdropsandprimrosesalreadyinbloom–andthere,too,isayellowcrocusjustopeninginthesunshine.’ ‘Butthen,howcanyoubearsuchasituation–yournearestneighbourstwomilesdistant,andnobodylookinginorpassingby?–Rosewouldgostarkmadinsuchaplace.Shecan’tputonlifeunlesssheseeshalfadozenfreshgownsandbonnetsaday–not to speakof the faceswithin;butyoumight sitwatchingatthesewindowsalldaylong,andneverseesomuchasanoldwomancarryinghereggstomarket.’ ‘Iamnotsurethelonelinessoftheplacewasnotoneofitschiefrecommendations–Itakenopleasureinwatchingpeoplepassthewindows;andIliketobequiet.’ ‘Oh!asgoodastosay,youwishwewouldallofusmindourownbusiness,andletyoualone.’ ‘No,Idislikeanextensiveacquaintance;butifIhaveafewfriends,ofcourseIamgladtoseethemoccasionally.Noonecanbehappyineternalsolitude.Therefore,MrFergus,ifyouchoosetoentermyhouseasafriend,Iwillmakeyouwelcome;ifnot,Imustconfess,Iwouldratheryoukeptaway.’ShethenturnedandaddressedsomeobservationtoRoseorEliza. ‘And,MrsGraham,’saidheagain,fiveminutesafter,‘wewere disputing, aswe came along, a question that you canreadily decide for us, as itmainly regarded yourself – andindeed,weoftenholddiscussionsaboutyou;forsomeofushavenothingbettertodothantotalkaboutourneighbours’concerns,andwe,theindigenousplantsofthesoil,haveknowneachothersolong,andtalkedeachotheroversooften,thatwearequitesickofthatgame;sothatastrangercomingamongstusmakesaninvaluableadditiontoourexhaustedsourcesofamusement.Well,thequestion,orquestionsyouarerequestedtosolve–’ ‘Hold your tongue, Fergus!’ criedRose, in a fever ofapprehensionandwrath. ‘Iwon’t I tell you.The questions you are requested tosolvearethese:–First,concerningyourbirth,extraction,andpreviousresidence.Somewillhaveitthatyouareaforeigner,andsomeanEnglishwoman;someanativeofthenorthcountry,andsomeofthesouth;somesay–’
* * *
2.
OnthedayofLadyLowborough’sarrival,Ifollowedherintoherchamber,andplainlytoldherthat,ifIfoundreasontobelievethatshestillcontinuedhercriminalconnectionwithMrHuntingdon,Ishouldthinkitmyabsolutedutytoinformherhusbandofthecircumstance–orawakenhissuspicionsatleast–howeverpainfulitmightbe,orhoweverdreadfultheconsequences.Shewasstartledatfirst,bythedeclaration,sounexpected, and sodeterminatelyyet calmlydelivered; butrallyinginamoment,shecoollyrepliedthatifIsawanythingatall reprehensibleorsuspicious inherconduct,shewouldfreelygivemeleavetotellhislordshipallaboutit.Willingtobesatisfiedwiththis,Ilefther;andcertainlyIsawnothingthenceforth particularly reprehensible or suspicious in herdemeanourtowardsherhost;butthenIhadtheothergueststoattendto,andIdidnotwatchthemnarrowly–fortoconfessthetruth,Ifearedtoseeanythingbetweenthem.Inolongerregardeditasanyconcernofmine,andifitwasmydutytoenlightenLordLowborough,itwasapainfulduty,andIdreadedtobecalledtoperformit. Butmyfearswerebroughttoanend,inamannerIhadnotanticipated.Oneevening,aboutafortnightafterthevisitors’arrival,Ihadretiredintothelibrarytosnatchafewminutes’respitefromforcedcheerfulnessandwearisomediscourse–foraftersolongaperiodofseclusion,drearyindeed,asIhadoftenfoundit,Icouldnotalwaysbeartobedoingviolencetomyfeelings,andgoadingmypowerstotalk,andsmileandlisten,andplaytheattentivehostess–oreventhecheerfulfriend:–Ihadjustensconcedmyselfwithinthebowofthewindow,andwaslookingoutuponthewestwherethedarkeninghillsrosesharplydefinedagainsttheclearamberlightofevening,thatgraduallyblendedandfadedawayintothepure,paleblueoftheuppersky,whereonebrightstarwasshiningthrough,asiftopromise–‘Whenthatdyinglightisgone,theworldwillnotbeleftindarkness,andtheywhotrustinGod–whosemindsareunbecloudedbythemistsofunbeliefandsin,areneverwhollycomfortless,’–whenIheardahurriedstepapproaching,andLordLowboroughentered–thisroomwasstillhisfavouriteresort.Heflungthedoor towithunusualviolence,andcasthishatasideregardlesswhereitfell.Whatcouldbethematterwithhim?Hisfacewasghastlypale;hiseyeswerefixedupontheground;histeethclenched;hisforeheadglistenedwiththedewsofagony.Itwasplainheknewhiswrongsatlast!
* * *
9 2010LITEXAM
1: Novels1 – 3 Anne Brontë: The Tenant of Wildfell Hall – continued
3.
Shehadnotheardoftheinjuryhehadsustainedatmyhands;andIhadnot thecouragetotellher.‘Yourbrotherwillnothelpus,’Isaid:‘hewouldhaveallcommunionbetweenustobeentirelyatanend.’ ‘Andhewouldberight,Isuppose.Asafriendofboth,hewouldwishusbothwell;andeveryfriendwouldtellusitwasourinterest,aswellasourduty,toforgeteachother,thoughwemightnotsee itourselves.Butdon’tbeafraid,Gilbert,’sheadded,smilingsadlyatmymanifestdiscomposure,‘thereislittlechanceofmyforgettingyou.ButIdidnotmeanthatFrederick should be themeans of transmittingmessagesbetweenus,onlythateachmightknow,throughhim,oftheother’swelfare; – andmore than this ought not to be; foryouareyoung,Gilbert, andyouought tomarry– andwillsometime, thoughyoumay think it impossible now: – andthoughIhardlycansayIwishyoutoforgetme,Iknowitisrightthatyoushould,bothforyourownhappinessandthatofyourfuturewife;–andthereforeImustandwillwishit,’sheaddedresolutely. ‘Andyouareyoungtoo,Helen,’Iboldlyreplied,‘andwhenthatprofligatescoundrelhasrunthroughhiscareer,youwillgiveyourhandtome–I’llwaittillthen.’ Butshewouldnotleavemethissupport.Independentlyofthemoralevilofbasingourhopesuponthedeathofanother,who,ifunfitforthisworld,wasatleastnolesssoforthenext,andwhoseameliorationwouldthusbecomeourbaneandhisgreatesttransgressionourgreatestbenefit,–shemaintainedittobemadness:manymenofMrHuntingdon’shabitshadlivedtoaripethoughmiserableoldage;–‘andifI,’saidshe,‘amyounginyearsIamoldinsorrow;buteveniftroubleshouldfailtokillmebeforevicedestroyshim,think,ifhereachedbutfiftyyearsorso,wouldyouwaittwentyorfifteen–invagueuncertaintyandsuspense–throughalltheprimeofyouthandmanhood–andmarryatlastawomanfadedandwornasIshallbe–withouteverhavingseenmefromthisdaytothat?–Youwouldnot,’shecontinuedinterruptingmyearnestprotestationsofunfailingconstancy,–‘orifyouwouldyoushouldnot.Trustme,Gilbert;inthismatterIknowbetterthanyou.Youthinkmecoldandstonyhearted,andyoumay,but–’ ‘Idon’tHelen.’ ‘Well,nevermind;youmightifyouwould–butIhavenotspentmysolitudeinutteridleness,andIamnotspeakingnowfromtheimpulseofthemomentasyoudo:Ihavethoughtofallthesemattersagainandagain;Ihavearguedthesequestionswithmyself,andponderedwellourpast,andpresent,andfuturecareer;and,believeme,Ihavecometotherightconclusionatlast.Trustmywordsratherthanyourownfeelings,now,andinafewyearsyouwillseethatIwasright–thoughatpresentIhardlycanseeitmyself,’shemurmuredwithasighassherestedherheadonherhand.
* * *
2010LITEXAM 10
1: Novels1 – 4 Charles Dickens: Bleak House
Use one or more of the passages selected as the basis for a discussion of Bleak House.
THISQUESTIONISCONTINUEDONPAGE11
1.
Shelivedatthetopofthehouse,inaprettylargeroom,fromwhichshehadaglimpseoftheroofofLincoln’sInnHall.Thisseemedtohavebeenherprincipalinducement,orginally,fortakingupherresidencethere.Shecouldlookatit,shesaid,inthenight:especiallyinthemoonshine.Herroomwasclean,butvery,verybare.Inoticedthescantiestnecessariesinthewayoffurniture;afewoldprintsfrombooks,ofChancellorsandbarristers,waferedagainstthewall;andsomehalf-dozenreticules andworkbags, ‘containing documents,’ as sheinformedus.Therewereneithercoalsnorashesinthegrate,andIsawnoarticlesofclothinganywhere,noranykindoffood.Uponashelfinanopencupboardwereaplateortwo,acuportwo,andsoforth;butalldryandempty.Therewasamoreaffectingmeaninginherpinchedappearance,IthoughtasIlookedround,thanIhadunderstoodbefore. ‘Extremelyhonoured,Iamsure,’saidourpoorhostess,withthegreatestsuavity,‘bythisvisitfromthewardsinJarndyce.Andverymuchindebtedfortheomen.Itisaretiredsituation.Considering.Iamlimitedastosituation.InconsequenceofthenecessityofattendingontheChancellor.Ihavelivedheremanyyears. I passmydays in court;myevenings andmynightshere. Ifind thenights long, for Isleepbut little,andthinkmuch.Thatis,ofcourse,unavoidable;beinginChancery.IamsorryIcannotofferchocolate.Iexpectajudgmentshortly,andshallthenplacemyestablishmentonasuperiorfooting.Atpresent,Idon’tmindconfessingtothewardsinJarndyce(instrictconfidence),thatIsometimesfinditdifficulttokeepupagenteelappearance.Ihavefeltthecoldhere.Ihavefeltsomethingsharperthancold.Itmattersverylittle.Prayexcusetheintroductionofsuchmeantopics.’ Shepartlydrewaside thecurtainof the long lowgarret-window,andcalledourattention toanumberofbird-cageshangingthere:somecontainingseveralbirds.Therewerelarks,linnets,andgold-finches–Ishouldthinkatleasttwenty. ‘Ibegantokeepthelittlecreatures,’shesaid,‘withanobjectthatthewardswillreadilycomprehend.Withtheintentionofrestoringthemtoliberty.Whenmyjudgmentshouldbegiven.Ye-es!Theydieinprison,though.Theirlives,poorsillythings,aresoshortincomparisonwithChanceryproceedings,that,onebyone,thewholecollectionhasdiedoverandoveragain.Idoubt,doyouknow,whetheroneofthese,thoughtheyareallyoung,willlivetobefree!Ve-rymortifying,isitnot?’
* * *
2.
Twilightcomeson;gasbeginstostartupintheshops;thelamplighter,withhisladder, runs along themarginof thepavement.Awretchedeveningisbeginningtoclosein. In his chambers,Mr Tulkinghorn sits meditating anapplicationtothenearestmagistrateto-morrowmorningforawarrant.Gridley,adisappointedsuitor,hasbeenhereto-day,andhasbeenalarming.Wearenot tobeput inbodilyfear,and that ill-conditioned fellow shall be held to bail again.Fromtheceiling,foreshortenedAllegory,inthepersonofoneimpossibleRomanupsidedown,pointswiththearmofSamson(outofjoint,andanoddone)obtrusivelytowardthewindow.WhyshouldMrTulkinghorn,forsuchno-reason,lookoutofwindow?Isthehandnotalwayspointingthere?Sohedoesnotlookoutofwindow. Andifhedid,whatwoulditbetoseeawomangoingby?Therearewomenenoughintheworld,MrTulkinghornthinks–toomany;theyareatthebottomofallthatgoeswronginit,though,forthematterofthat,theycreatebusinessforlawyers.Whatwoulditbetoseeawomangoingby,eventhoughsheweregoingsecretly?Theyareallsecret.MrTulkinghornknowsthat,verywell. Buttheyarenotalllikethewomanwhonowleaveshimandhishousebehind;betweenwhoseplaindress,andherrefinedmanner, there is something exceedingly inconsistent. Sheshouldbeanupperservantbyherattire,yet,inherairandstep,thoughbotharehurriedandassumed–asfarasshecanassumeinthemuddystreets,whichshetreadswithanunaccustomedfoot–sheisalady.Herfaceisveiled,andstillshesufficientlybetraysherselftomakemorethanoneofthosewhopassherlookroundsharply. Sheneverturnsherhead.Ladyorservant,shehasapurposeinher,andcanfollowit.Sheneverturnsherhead,untilshecomestothecrossingwhereJoplieswithhisbroom.Hecrosseswithher,andbegs.Still,shedoesnotturnherheaduntilshehaslandedontheotherside.Then,sheslightlybeckonstohim,andsays‘Comehere!’ Jofollowsher,apaceortwo,intoaquietcourt.
* * *
11 2010LITEXAM
1: Novels1 – 4 Charles Dickens: Bleak House – continued
3.
Arrivingathomeandgoingup-stairs,we found thatmyguardianwasout,andthatMrsWoodcourtwasouttoo.WewereintheverysameroomintowhichIhadbroughtmyblushinggirl,whenheryouthfullover,nowhersoalteredhusband,wasthechoiceofheryoungheart;theverysameroom,fromwhichmyguardianandIhadwatchedthemgoingawaythroughthesunlight,inthefreshbloomoftheirhopeandpromise. Wewere standingby theopenedwindow, lookingdowninto the street,whenMrWoodcourt spoke tome. I learnedinamomentthathelovedme.Ilearnedinamomentthatmyscarredfacewasallunchangedtohim.IlearnedinamomentthatwhatIhadthoughtwaspityandcompassion,wasdevoted,generous,faithfullove.O,toolatetoknowitnow,toolate,toolate.ThatwasthefirstungratefulthoughtIhad.Toolate. ‘WhenIreturned,’hetoldme,‘whenIcameback,noricherthanIwentaway,andfoundyounewlyrisenfromasickbed,yetsoinspiredbysweetconsiderationforothers,andsofreefromaselfishthought—’ ‘O,MrWoodcourt,forbear,forbear!’Ientreatedhim.‘Idonotdeserveyourhighpraise.Ihadmanyselfishthoughtsatthattime,many!’ ‘Heavenknows,belovedofmylife,’saidhe,‘thatmypraiseisnotalover’spraise,butthetruth.YoudonotknowwhatallaroundyouseeinEstherSummerson,howmanyheartsshetouchesandawakens,whatsacredadmirationandwhatloveshewins.’ ‘O,MrWoodcourt,’criedI,‘itisagreatthingtowinlove,itisagreatthingtowinlove!Iamproudofit,andhonouredbyit;andthehearingofitcausesmetoshedthesetearsofmingledjoyandsorrow–joythatIhavewonit,sorrowthatIhavenotdeserveditbetter;butIamnotfreetothinkofyours.’ Isaiditwithastrongerheart;forwhenhepraisedmethus,andwhenIheardhisvoicethrillwithhisbeliefthatwhathesaidwastrue,Iaspiredtobemoreworthyofit.Itwasnottoolateforthat.AlthoughIclosedthisunforeseenpageinmylifeto-night,Icouldbeworthierofitallthroughmylife.Anditwasacomforttome,andanimpulsetome,andIfeltadignityriseupwithinmethatwasderivedfromhim,whenIthoughtso. Hebrokethesilence. ‘IshouldpoorlyshowthetrustthatIhaveinthedearonewhowill evermorebe asdear tomeasnow,’ and thedeepearnestnesswithwhichhesaidit,atoncestrengthenedmeandmademeweep,‘if,afterherassurancethatsheisnotfreetothinkofmylove,Iurgedit.DearEsther,letmeonlytellyouthatthefondideaofyouwhichItookabroad,wasexaltedtotheHeavenswhenIcamehome.
* * *
2010LITEXAM 12
1: Novels1 – 5 E M Forster: A Passage to India
Use one or more of the passages selected as the basis for a discussion of A Passage to India.
THISQUESTIONISCONTINUEDONPAGE13
1.
Assuredofherapprobation,Ronnycontinued:‘TheeducatedIndianswillbenogoodtousifthere’sarow,it’ssimplynotworthwhileconciliatingthem,that’swhytheydon’tmatter.Mostofthepeopleyouseeareseditiousatheart,andtherest’drunsquealing.Thecultivator–he’sanotherstory.ThePathan–he’samanifyoulike.Butthesepeople–don’timaginethey’reIndia.’Hepointedtotheduskylinebeyondthecourt,andhereandthereitflashedapince-nezorshuffledashoe,asifawarethathewasdespisingit.Europeancostumehadlightedlikealeprosy.Fewhadyieldedentirely,butnonewereuntouched.Therewasasilencewhenhehadfinishedspeaking,onbothsidesofthecourt;atleast,moreladiesjoinedtheEnglishgroup,buttheirwordsseemedtodieassoonasuttered.Somekiteshoveredoverhead,impartial,overthekitespassedthemassofavulture,andwithanimpartialityexceedingall,thesky,notdeeplycolouredbuttranslucent,pouredlightfromitswholecircumference.Itseemedunlikelythattheseriesstoppedhere.Beyondtheskymustnottherebesomethingthatoverarchesalltheskies,moreimpartialeventhanthey?Beyondwhichagain... TheyspokeofCousin Kate. Theyhadtriedtoreproducetheirownattitudetolifeuponthestage,andtodressupasthemiddle-classEnglishpeopletheyactuallywere.NextyeartheywoulddoQuality StreetorThe Yeomen of the Guard.Saveforthisannualincursion,theyleftliteraturealone.Themenhadnotimeforit,thewomendid nothing that they could not sharewith themen.Theirignoranceoftheartswasnotable,andtheylostnoopportunityof proclaiming it to one another; itwas the public-schoolattitude,flourishingmorevigorouslythanitcanyethopetodoinEngland.IfIndianswereshop,theartswerebadform,andRonnyhadrepressedhismotherwhensheinquiredafterhisviola;aviolawasalmostademerit,andcertainlynotthesortofinstrumentonementionedinpublic.Shenoticednowhow tolerantandconventionalhis judgementshadbecome;when theyhadseenCousin Kate inLondon together in thepast,hehadscornedit;nowhepretendedthatitwasagoodplay, inorder tohurtnobody’s feelings.An ‘unkindnotice’hadappeared in the localpaper, ‘thesortof thingnowhitemancouldhavewritten’,asMrsLesleysaid.Theplaywaspraised,tobesure,andsowerethestagemanagementandtheperformanceasawhole,butthenoticecontainedthefollowingsentence:‘MissDerek,thoughshecharminglylookedherpart,lackedthenecessaryexperience,andoccasionallyforgotherwords.’Thistinybreathofgenuinecriticismhadgivendeepoffence,notindeedtoMissDerek,whowasashardasnails,buttoherfriends.MissDerekdidnotbelongtoChandrapore.ShewasstoppingforafortnightwiththeMcBrydes,thepolicepeople,andshehadbeensogoodastofillupagapinthecastatthelastmoment.Aniceimpressionoflocalhospitalityshewouldcarryawaywithher.
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2.
AMarabarcavehadbeenhorridasfarasMrsMoorewasconcerned, for she had nearly fainted in it, and had somedifficultyinpreventingherselffromsayingsoassoonasshegotintotheairagain.Itwasnaturalenough:shehadalwayssuffered from faintness, and the cave hadbecome too full,becausealltheirretinuefollowedthem.Crammedwithvillagersandservants,thecircularchamberbegantosmell.ShelostAzizandAdelainthedark,didn’tknowwhotouchedher,couldn’tbreathe,andsomevilenakedthingstruckherfaceandsettledonhermouthlikeapad.Shetriedtoregaintheentrancetunnel,butaninfluxofvillagerssweptherback.Shehitherhead.Foraninstantshewentmad,hittingandgaspinglikeafanatic.Fornotonlydidthecrushandstenchalarmher;therewasalsoaterrifyingecho. ProfessorGodbolehadnevermentionedanecho;itneverimpressedhim,perhaps.TherearesomeexquisiteechoesinIndia;thereisthewhisperroundthedomeatBijapur;therearethelong,solidsentencesthatvoyagethroughtheairatMandu,andreturnunbrokentotheircreator.TheechoinaMarabarcaveisnotlikethese,itisentirelydevoidofdistinction.Whateveris said, the samemonotonousnoise replies, andquivers upanddownthewallsuntilitisabsorbedintotheroof.‘Boum’is thesoundasfaras thehumanalphabetcanexpress it,or‘bou-oum’,or‘ou-boum’–utterlydull.Hope,politeness,theblowingofanose,thesqueakofaboot,allproduce‘boum’.Eventhestrikingofamatchstartsalittlewormcoiling,whichistoosmalltocompleteacircle,butiseternallywatchful.Andifseveralpeopletalkatonceanoverlappinghowlingnoisebegins,echoesgenerateechoes,andthecaveisstuffedwithasnakecomposedofsmallsnakes,whichwritheindependently. AfterMrsMoorealltheotherspouredout.Shehadgiventhesignalforthereflux.AzizandAdelabothemergedsmilingandshedidnotwanthimtothinkhistreatwasafailure,sosmiledtoo.Aseachpersonemergedshelookedforavillain,butnonewasthere,andsherealizedthatshehadbeenamongthemildestindividuals,whoseonlydesirewastohonourher,andthatthenakedpadwasapoorlittlebaby,astrideitsmother’ship.Nothingevilhadbeeninthecave,butshehadnotenjoyedherself;no,shehadnotenjoyedherself,andshedecidednottovisitasecondone.
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13 2010LITEXAM
1: Novels1 – 5 E M Forster: A Passage to India – continued
3.
‘Imustgobacknow,goodnight,’saidAziz,andheldouthis hand, completely forgetting that theywere not friends,and focusing his heart on somethingmore distant than thecaves,somethingbeautiful.Hishandwastaken,andthenheremembered howdetestable he had been, and said gently,‘Don’tyouthinkmeunkindanymore?’ ‘No.’ ‘Howcanyoutell,youstrangefellow?’ ‘Notdifficult,theonethingIalwaysknow.’ ‘Canyoualwaystellwhetherastrangerisyourfriend?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘ThenyouareanOriental.’Heunclaspedashespoke,withalittleshudder.Thosewords–hehadsaidthemtoMrsMooreinthemosqueatthebeginningofthecycle,fromwhich,aftersomuchsuffering,hehadgotfree.NeverbefriendswiththeEnglish!Mosque, caves,mosque, caves.And here hewasstartingagain.Hehandedthemagicointmenttohim.‘Takethis,thinkofmewhenyouuseit.Ishallneverwantitback.Imustgiveyouonelittlepresent,anditisallIhavegot;youareMrsMoore’sson.’ ‘Iamthat,’hemurmuredtohimself;andapartofAziz’smindthathadbeenhiddenseemedtomoveandforceitswaytothetop. ‘ButyouareHeaslop’sbrotheralso,andalas,thetwonationscannotbefriends.’ ‘Iknow.Notyet.’ ‘Didyourmotherspeaktoyouaboutme?’ ‘Yes.’AndwithaswerveofvoiceandbodythatAzizdidnotfollowheadded:‘Inherletters,inherletters.Shelovedyou.’ ‘Yes, yourmotherwasmybest friend in all theworld.’Hewassilent,puzzledbyhisowngreatgratitude.WhatdidthiseternalgoodnessofMrsMooreamountto?Tonothing,itbroughttothetestofthought.Shehadnotbornewitnessinhisfavour,norvisitedhimintheprison,yetshehadstolentothedepthsofhisheart,andhealwaysadoredher.‘Thisisourmonsoon, thebestweather,’he said,while the lightsof theprocessionwavedasthoughembroideredonanagitatedcurtain.‘HowIwishshecouldhaveseenthem,ourrains.Nowisthetimewhenallthingsarehappy,youngandold.Theyarehappyout therewith their savagenoise, thoughwecannot followthem;thetanksareallfull,sotheydance,andthisisIndia.Iwishyouwerenotwithofficials,thenIwouldshowyoumycountry,butIcannot.PerhapsIwilljusttakeyououtonthewaternow,foroneshorthalf-hour.’ Wasthecyclebeginningagain?Hisheartwastoofull todrawback.Hemustslipoutinthedarkness,anddothisoneactofhomagetoMrsMoore’sson.Heknewwheretheoarswere–hiddentodeterthevisitorsfromgoingout–andhebroughtthesecondpair,incasetheymettheotherboat;theFieldingshadpushedthemselvesoutwithlongpoles,andmightgetintodifficulties,forthewindwasrising.
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2010LITEXAM 14
1: Novels1 – 6 Gail Jones: Sixty Lights
Use one or more of the passages selected as the basis for a discussion of Sixty Lights.
THISQUESTIONISCONTINUEDONPAGE15
1.
Herfacewasawhitelampinaseaofbrass.Shewishedherselfdark.ShewishedherselfIndian,partof this throngofpurposeful,myth-saturated, interconnectedpeople.Nowand thenshepassedanother foreigner,aman,inevitably,whowouldnod,ortouchtherimofhishat,asifexchangingsecretEnglishmessagesincode.Lucyhadnowishtocommunicatewiththeseotherlampswhofelt–shecouldtell–thattheyshonemorebrightlyandmoreimportantlythananyoneelse,thattheydispensedwhitelightwithacivilisingpurpose.Inherimaginationsheflickeredinthemidstofthecrowd, her face appearing here and there, inconstant andimpermanent,akindoffleetingfigment,inamoregeneralandself-sufficientseaofbrown.OnlyoncedidsheseeWilliamCrowley’sfaceinthedistance,half-shadedunderanawning,partiallyaverted,andherheartjoltedandherpulsequickened.Whenhesawherandrealisedwhoshewas,heturnedquicklyintoanalley.Coward,Lucythought.Yetshefelt–shehadtoadmitit–annoyedatherownexcitation. For all his self-enclosure, IsaacNewtonwas impressedwithLucyStrange and her spirited assertions. She had nointerestinthevariousEnglishwomen’ssocialclubs,ofbridgeorbadminton,ofchit-chatorchurchtalk,butbefriendedtheservants,salaamedcompletestrangers,madetripstothePersianbazaar,wherenoforeign-bornwomanwoulddarebeseen,andregardedeverythingwithawide-awakeandintentionedgaze.Hehadseenherpauseatamarketstalljusttoleanoverandbreatheinitsscent;hehadseenhercryoutwithtearsinhereyes,comingunexpectedlyuponasmallstatueofLakshmi,decoratedwithstringsofyellowrosesandorangemarigolds.Bashanti,whounderstoodbutcouldnot(orwouldnot)speakEnglish,clearlyadoredher,andevenAsokseemedtowatchherwithuntypical interest.Shehadchangedtheveryspaceand dimensions of his house: everyonewas conscious ofherpresenceas if shewasahumanmagnetpullingat theirfaces; everyoneorientated their perceptions aroundher.HediscoveredLucypatientlyteachingAsokthegameofchess,andnotlongafter,braidingBashanti’slongblackhair,withnonotionatallthatamemsahibdoesnot–shouldnot–performsuchmundaneandrank-breakingacts.Morethanthis,IsaacsuspectedLucyof“nativeappetites”:shemettheworldwithadistinctlyimpassionedsensuality.
* * *
2.
VioletStrangemovedinwithThomas,Lucyandthebaby,andfromthebeginninghermarriagewasastateofeffusion.Sheevenenjoyedhernewname.“Theywereallstrangers,”shesaid,“andyettheywereunestranged.TheywerethestrangestfamilyinLondonandwouldproducestrange,strangechildren.” SinceThomasandLucyhadthoughtoftheirnameonlywithakindofhabitualandvaguedisparagement,Violet’sinvigorateddelightstruckthemasbothenchantingandcurious. (“Shemarried you for your name,”Lucywhispered toThomas,andhetiltedhisheadandheartilylaughed.) Inbedatnight,feedingEllenasquietlyasshecould,LucycouldheartheintimatenoisesofThomasandViolettalkingtogether.Thespecifictoneoftheirtalkwasthatofvoicesgiventoeachother,withpurerelief,innew-foundcommunity. Itwasaworldnowofsmallrooms,acommandingbaby,andabridewhojokedandcookedandplantedlittlevasesofviolets(“sothatyouwon’tforgetwhoIam!”)ineverycorneroftheircosydwelling.LucyunderstoodthatbothThomasandViolethadadimensionofjoy,ofkeenness-to-life,thatshedidnotseemtopossess.Sheadmiredthelovingplaybetweenthemandfeltalittlejealous;theairaroundthenewlywedswaschargedwithsexualanticipationandneitherThomasnorVioletcouldpasseachotherinaroomwithoutinsomewaybrushingskin,orclothes,orofferinginaudiblewordsofendearment.Thomashadpossessedacollectionofsnakeskinswhenhewasachild:whydoesLucyrememberthisnow?Therewerethree,infact.Hekepttheminabox,revealingthemonspecialoccasions,andwithinordinatepride.Onebyonehewouldholdthemuplikestreamers,andtheywoulddangleandswayfrailly,stripsofdiamondorzigzag,finelywoven sheaths, stillmagicallyintactafterlifedeparted.Heguardedeachsnakeskinasifitwasatalismanofsecretknowledge.Now,watchingThomasandVioletprepareamealtogether,cuttingupmeatandvegetablesfor Irish stew, talking softly in sing-songvoices,with theirheadsinclinedineachother’sdirection,shethoughtagainforsomereasonofthethreepaperyskinsherbrotheroncekeptinaboxunderhisbed.Thomashadshedskinsmanymoretimesthanshe.
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15 2010LITEXAM
1: Novels1 – 6 Gail Jones: Sixty Lights – continued
3.
she was on hampstead heath, resting, her eyes gently closedagainstincipientlystormyweather.Somethingredolentinthethrashingtreesinthewind–theirfiercebreathynoise,theirimplicationofwavycurrents–madeLucythinkagainoftheseavoyagethathadreturnedhertoEngland. Itwasonthisjourneyshehadrealisedherlifewasatripod.Australia,EnglandandIndiaallheldher–upheldher–onaplatformofvision,seekingherownfocus.Thesewerethezonesofhereye,theconditionsofhersalutaryestrangement.OntheshipLucyhadbefriendedasailor,Jock.Hewasadourmanofsixtyorso,whosharedherfascinationfortheoceananditscuriouslighteffects.Hejoinedheronthedeckinhissmallleisuredmomentstotalkinhushedconfidencesofhisnauticalpassions.Lucytoldhimofthesystemsofexposureinphotographythatmightcapturesea-patternorcloud,andofthechemicalimmersionthatfixesthesheenoflightuponwater.Everything that is seen,Lucy toldhim,willonedaysomewhereberegistered.Nomatterhowfleeting.Howslight.Howapparentlyineluctable.Jockthesailorwasunconvinced.Hewouldshowher,heclaimed,somethingwhichcouldnotbe trapped.For tendaysLucyandJockwatched thesunsettogether.Ontheeleventhdayithappened:the green ray.Thereisinthemysteryofrecedinglightacasual,curiousmomentinwhich,bysomerarecombinationofrefractionandtheangleofdescendingbeams,thesunitselfflashesgreenforthreeorfourseconds,justbeforeittipshalftheworldintodarkness.Lucydefinitelysawit.Itwasunmistakable.Sailorseverywhereacrosstheglobecallthisphenomenonthegreenray.Theskywas ribbedwith light.The sky resembled,Lucy thought, asilken sari enfolded, its coloursflashing just as themovingbodyanimatedtheridgesandvalleysofagarment. InLondonLucyopenedhereyestoemeraldgreenandaseaofwhitecumulus.Itwassummernow,andtheairwaswindyandwarm.ShecouldseeEllenbythepondandMrsMinchinbendingoverher.Ellen’sbonnethadblownbackwardsandjiggledatherneck,andMrsMinchinheldherownhatwithonehandandwiththeotherwasreachingforthechild.Theirdressesheavedandslappedintheunstableair.Aribbonflewoutandfellback:allwasadjusting;allwastransient. Mrs Minchin will be a mother, after all. Lucywasconsoledandunconsoled.Theylookedbeautifultogether.Theypossessedatrulyrareandsolarrefulgence.
* * *
2010LITEXAM 16
1: Novels1 – 7 Simon Leys: The Death of Napoleon
Use one or more of the passages selected as the basis for a discussion of The Death of Napoleon.
THISQUESTIONISCONTINUEDONPAGE17
1.
Closing his eyes, he abandons himself to the flow of hismemories,andbeginstorelivethewholeordeal,asithappened,fromdawntodusk.“Itwasrainingonthatday,itwaspissingdown...”Andinspiteofthepeacefulsunshineandthepuresongofaninvisiblelarkpiercinghigherandhigherintothebluesky,likeamediuminatracehesummonsupandbringstolifetherealspiritoftheplain.BeforeNapoleon’sveryeyes,thefalsedecorofpastoralcalm,withitsfieldsandcowsandploughonthehorizon,partslikeanaïvelypaintedcountrysceneonatheatrecurtain,revealingthesombretruththatisalwaysthere,hiddenbehindtheveilofappearances. ...Inamurkytwilight,underalowsky,men,horsesandcannonareoncemoreboggeddowninthemud.Acrossthesoddenfieldscomestheloudrumbleofregimentsonthemove,whilethemuffledboomofcannoncanbeheardinthedistance.Themenhavebeenmarchingallnighttomeettheirfate,wearyasbeastsofburden;hereandthereinthegrass,afewarealreadydead,theireyeswideopenwithastonishment. Yet when did this vision, which at first seemed sooverwhelminglytrueineverydetail,suddenlybecomeconfusedandbegintofallapart?Napoleonagainexperiencesthesamedizzinessthathehadfeltintheunfamiliarbedroom.EdmondtheVeteranfoamsatthemouthandscreamsandwhirlsaroundonhiscrutchlikeonepossessed,ashegoes throughall thetorments of that incredible day.Under this hail ofwords,Napoleon is horrified to discover the image ofanother Waterloo,whichismoreandmoredifficulttoreconcilewithhisownmemoryandsenseoflogic.Hecannolongerfindasinglelandmarkontheplain;evenashestaresatit,thescenebecomesweirdlydistorted.EdmondtheVeteran’sincantationisdrawinghimintoawhirlwindwherehisreasonfaltersandisabouttobeswallowedup.Hestrugglestobreakfree;withonefinaleffort,hesuddenlyresistsandinterruptshisrelentlessguide:“No,no!It’snotthegrenadierswhoareholdingBelle-Alliance,it’sthedragoons!...”
* * *
2.
‘I’dratherstarve,’healwaysusedtosay,‘thandeserttheEmperor.’HereallybelievedthattheEmperorwouldreturn.Therewereafewofthem,realfanaticswhonevergaveup,butwhatgoodpeople!Talkingofstarving–Icantellyou,that’sjustwhathappenedtohim,ornearenough.Sellingpumpkinswon’tkeepaman,speciallyintimeslikethesewhicharesodifficultforpeoplewhorefusetoknuckleunder.Besides,tobefrank,hewasn’tcutoutforbusiness.Andofcourse,hehadtodevotehimselftohisrealmissioninlife,asheusedtocallit.Politicstookupallhistimeandenergy.Itwasthesameforhisfriends.You’llmeet them, I’ll introduce you.There’s themedicalofficer,DrLambert-Laruelle,SergeantMauriceandtheothers.They’realwaysatthecafé,LesTroisBoules.Tolookatthem,you’dthinktheyweremenofleisureplayingtheirusualgameof cards.Between you andme, I think theywere plottingsomething.But I’m awoman and a soldier’swife. I knowbetterthantopokemynosewhereit’snotwanted.Truchautwasn’tonetotalk,andIcertainlywouldn’thavetriedtoworminformationoutofhim.WhenhecamehomefromLesTroisBouleslookingworried,Iwouldn’thavedaredspeaktohimaboutthebusinessandbotherhimwithmypettyworriesaboutmonthlybills,settlementdatesandsoon.Although,heavenknowsthereweretimeswhenitwouldhavebeensucharelieftoconfideinhimandtellhimallmybusinessproblems.Yousee,I’mtheonewholooksafterthebusiness.It’sjustasmallconcernthatIbeganfromnothing:mycousinsarefarmersinAvignon.TheysendtheirfruittoParisandwetrytosellitwherewecan.Intheory,itshouldwork,butwhatcanIdo,there’snoonebutmetorunthewholething;Ihadnoexperience,andIcan’treallycopeonmyown.
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17 2010LITEXAM
1: Novels1 – 7 Simon Leys: The Death of Napoleon – continued
3.
while he appreciatedtheOstrich’sdevotion,Napoleonwasworriedbythenewturnhissituationseemedtobetaking. Hisindomitablewill,whichtheworstmisfortunescouldnothaveshaken,hadimperceptiblybeendivertedtowardsdomesticjoysandsmall-timeprosperity.Thisunexpectedsuccess,triflingthoughitwas,neverthelessbroughtwithitakindofeasewhichhecouldnotentirelyignore.Itwasbeginningtotransformthegroundbeneathhisfeetintoasoft,shiftingterrainwherehisresolutioncouldbecomeweakandslowlysinkwithouttrace.Themore business improved and theOstrichfilled his lifewith touchingnewcomforts, the lesshe resembled the realNapoleon. Everytimehewenttothebarber’s,hestaredintothedoublemirrorandwashorrifiedyetfascinatedtoseehowhisoriginalfeaturesweredisappearinglittlebylittleandbeingreplacedbythoseofastrangerhedespisedandhated,andwhoinspiredinhimagrowingfeelingofdisgust.Hehadputonalotofweightandwasnowcompletelybald.IfhehadlookedlikethiswhenhemetBommel (Justin),howcould the sergeant everhaverecognisedhim?And–notsolongago–themedicalofficerhimself?When,afterfinalisingaparticularlycleverdeal,heheardhimselfbeingcongratulatedbysomebrokerincolonialgoodswho paid tribute to his brilliant business acumen, aburning lust foraction ran throughhim–oh! tostartagainfromscratch,tobreakfreeatoncefromthiswarmmorassthatthreatenedtoengulfhim! Yetthemedicalofficer’spropheticjibe,advisinghimtobecontentwithmakinghisfortuneinwatermelons,stillranginhisears,andthememoryofthattwilightvisittoDrQuinton’sasylumhungoverhimlikeanimminentthreat.Besides,thisthreatwasquitereal,ashewassoontofindout.
Hehadmadeatentativeattempt–ratheranawkwardone,itistrue–togettheOstrichtoshareinhissecret. The result of this approachwas disastrous.At first, shedid not understand anything; then,when she finallymadeoutwhatheseemedtobeaimingat,aheart-rendinglookofastonishmentandterrorspreadoverherface.Napoleonrealisedhowdistressedshewasanddidhisbesttobeataretreat,makingalaboriousefforttochangethesubjectoftheirconversation.Shepretendedtofollowwhathewassaying,fightinghardnottoburstintotears.
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2010LITEXAM 18
1: Novels1 – 8 Ian McEwan: Atonement
Use one or more of the passages selected as the basis for a discussion of Atonement.
THISQUESTIONISCONTINUEDONPAGE19
1.
IanMcEwan,Atonement,Vintage,RandomHouse,2005
pp173–175
2.
IanMcEwan,Atonement,Vintage,RandomHouse,2005
p209
19 2010LITEXAM
1: Novels1 – 8 Ian McEwan: Atonement – continued
3.
IanMcEwan,Atonement,Vintage,RandomHouse,2005
pp370–371
2010LITEXAM 20
THISQUESTIONISCONTINUEDONPAGE21
1: Novels1 – 9 Mary Shelley: Frankenstein
Use one or more of the passages selected as the basis for a discussion of Frankenstein.
1.
WhenIwasaboutfifteenyearsoldwehadretiredtoourhousenearBelrive,whenwewitnessed amost violent andterriblethunder-storm.ItadvancedfrombehindthemountainsofJura;andthethunderburstatoncewithfrightfulloudnessfromvariousquartersof theheavens. I remained,while thestormlasted,watchingitsprogresswithcuriosityanddelight.AsIstoodatthedoor,onasuddenIbeheldastreamoffireissuefromanoldandbeautifuloak,whichstoodabouttwentyyardsfromourhouse;andsosoonasthedazzlinglightvanished,theoakhaddisappeared,andnothingremainedbutablastedstump.Whenwevisiteditthenextmorning,wefoundthetreeshattered in a singularmanner. Itwasnot splinteredby theshock,butentirelyreducedtothinribbonsofwood.Ineverbeheldanythingsoutterlydestroyed. BeforethisIwasnotunacquaintedwiththemoreobviouslawsofelectricity.Onthisoccasionamanofgreatresearchinnaturalphilosophywaswithus,and,excitedbythiscatastrophe,heenteredontheexplanationofatheorywhichhehadformedonthesubjectofelectricityandgalvanism,whichwasatoncenewandastonishingtome.AllthathesaidthrewgreatlyintotheshadeCorneliusAgrippa,AlbertusMagnus,andParacelsus,thelordsofmyimagination;butbysomefatalitytheoverthrowofthesemendisinclinedmetopursuemyaccustomedstudies.Itseemedtomeasifnothingwouldorcouldeverbeknown.All that had so long engagedmy attention suddenly grewdespicable.Byoneofthosecapricesofthemind,whichweareperhapsmostsubjecttoinearlyyouth,Iatoncegaveupmyformeroccupations, setdownnaturalhistoryandall itsprogenyasadeformedandabortivecreation,andentertainedthegreatestdisdainforawould-besciencewhichcouldneverevenstepwithinthethresholdofrealknowledge.InthismoodofmindIbetookmyselftothemathematics,andthebranchesofstudyappertainingtothatscience,asbeingbuiltuponsecurefoundations,andsoworthyofmyconsideration. Thusstrangelyareoursoulsconstructed,andbysuchslightligamentsareweboundtoprosperityorruin.WhenIlookback,itseemstomeasifthisalmostmiraculouschangeofinclinationandwillwastheimmediatesuggestionoftheguardianangelofmylife–thelasteffortmadebythespiritofpreservationto avert the storm thatwas even thenhanging in the stars,andreadytoenvelopeme.Hervictorywasannouncedbyanunusualtranquillityandgladnessofsoul,whichfollowedtherelinquishingofmyancient and latterly tormenting studies.ItwasthusthatIwastobetaughttoassociateevilwiththeirprosecution,happinesswiththeirdisregard. Itwas a strong effort of the spirit of good; but itwasineffectual.Destinywastoopotent,andherimmutablelawshaddecreedmyutterandterribledestruction.
* * *
2.
Suddenly,asIgazedonhim,anideaseizedmethatthislittlecreaturewasunprejudiced,andhadlivedtooshortatimetohaveimbibedahorrorofdeformity.If,therefore,Icouldseizehimandeducatehimasmycompanionandfriend,Ishouldnotbesodesolateinthispeopledearth. ‘Urgedbythisimpulse,Iseizedontheboyashepassedanddrewhimtowardsme.Assoonashebeheldmyform,heplacedhishandsbeforehiseyes,andutteredashrillscream;Idrewhishandforciblyfromhisfaceandsaid,“Child,whatisthemeaningofthis?Idonotintendtohurtyou;listentome.” ‘Hestruggledviolently.“Letmego,”hecried;“monster!uglywretch!youwishtoeatmeandtearmetopieces–Youareanogre–Letmego,orIwilltellmypapa.” ‘“Boy,youwillneverseeyourfatheragain;youmustcomewithme.” ‘“Hideousmonster!letmego.Mypapaisasyndic–heisM.Frankenstein–hewillpunishyou.Youdarenotkeepme.” ‘“Frankenstein! youbelong then tomy enemy– to himtowardswhomIhavesworneternalrevenge;youshallbemyfirstvictim.” ‘Thechildstillstruggled,andloadedmewithepithetswhichcarrieddespairtomyheart;Igraspedhisthroattosilencehim,andinamomenthelaydeadatmyfeet. ‘Igazedonmyvictim,andmyheartswelledwithexultationandhellishtriumph;clappingmyhands,Iexclaimed,“Itoocancreatedesolation;myenemyisnotinvulnerable;thisdeathwillcarrydespairtohim,andathousandothermiseriesshalltormentanddestroyhim.” ‘AsIfixedmyeyesonthechild,Isawsomethingglitteringonhisbreast.Itookit;itwasaportraitofamostlovelywoman.Inspiteofmymalignity,itsoftenedandattractedme.ForafewmomentsIgazedwithdelightonherdarkeyes,fringedby deep lashes, and her lovely lips; but presentlymy ragereturned: I remembered that Iwas forever deprived of thedelightsthatsuchbeautifulcreaturescouldbestow;andthatshewhoseresemblanceIcontemplatedwould,inregardingme,havechangedthatairofdivinebenignitytooneexpressiveofdisgustandaffright.
* * *
21 2010LITEXAM
1: Novels1 – 9 Mary Shelley: Frankenstein – continued
3.
Hehadheardmystorywiththathalfkindofbeliefthatisgiventoataleofspiritsandsupernaturalevents; butwhen hewas called upon to act officially inconsequence,thewholetideofhisincredulityreturned.He,however,answeredmildly,‘Iwouldwillinglyaffordyoueveryaidinyourpursuit;butthecreatureofwhomyouspeakappearstohavepowerswhichwouldputallmyexertionstodefiance.Whocanfollowananimalwhichcantraversetheseaofice,andinhabitcavesanddenswherenomanwouldventuretointrude?Besides,somemonthshaveelapsedsincethecommissionofhiscrimes,andnoonecanconjecture towhatplacehehaswandered,orwhatregionhemaynowinhabit. ‘IdonotdoubtthathehoversnearthespotwhichIinhabit;and if he has indeed taken refuge in theAlps, hemay behuntedlikethechamois,anddestroyedasabeastofprey.ButIperceiveyourthoughts:youdonotcreditmynarrative,anddonotintendtopursuemyenemywiththepunishmentwhichishisdesert.’ AsIspoke,ragesparkledinmyeyes;themagistratewasintimidated:–‘Youaremistaken,’saidhe.‘Iwillexertmyself;andifitisinmypowertoseizethemonster,beassuredthatheshallsufferpunishmentproportionatetohiscrimes.ButIfear,fromwhatyouhaveyourselfdescribedtobehisproperties,that thiswill prove impracticable; and thus,while everypropermeasureispursued,youshouldmakeupyourmindtodisappointment.’ ‘Thatcannotbe;butallthatIcansaywillbeoflittleavail.Myrevengeisofnomomenttoyou;yet,whileIallowittobeavice,Iconfessthatitisthedevouringandonlypassionofmysoul.Myrageisunspeakable,whenIreflectthatthemurderer,whomIhaveturnedlooseuponsociety,stillexists.Yourefusemyjustdemand:Ihavebutoneresource;andIdevotemyself,eitherinmylifeordeath,tohisdestruction.’ ItrembledwithexcessofagitationasIsaidthis;therewasa frenzy inmymanner,andsomething, Idoubtnot,of thathaughtyfiercenesswhichthemartyrsofoldaresaidtohavepossessed.But to aGenevanmagistrate,whosemindwasoccupiedbyfarotherideasthanthoseofdevotionandheroism,thiselevationofmindhadmuchtheappearanceofmadness.Heendeavouredtosoothemeasanursedoesachild,andrevertedtomytaleastheeffectsofdelirium. ‘Man,’Icried,‘howignorantartthouinthyprideofwisdom!Cease;youknownotwhatitisyousay.’ Ibrokefromthehouseangryanddisturbed,andretiredtomeditateonsomeothermodeofaction.
* * *
2010LITEXAM 22
2: Plays2 – 1 Jack Davis: No Sugar
Use one or more of the passages selected as the basis for a discussion of No Sugar.
1.
constable: Here’syourbi-carb.gran: Whataboutthemwanbru?constable: What?milly: Blankets!sergeant: Look,there’snothin’Icandoaboutitexceptput
inaremindertotheDepartmentinPerth.Whydon’tyousegoaroundtoStJohn’sandaskthevicar?
milly: Forblankets?He’llgiveusnothin’,he’slikethat.gran: [adopting a praying attitude]Yeah,whenhecometo
GubmentWellhegoeslikethatwithhiseyesclosedandhesaystheLordwillhelpyou,andnowheprayswithhiseyesopen,’causetime’forelastWowWowbithimontheleg ...mustawantedabita’holymeat.
milly: Youforgotourmeatorder.sergeant: Nomeatthisweek.milly: What?sergeant: Finished;infuturenomeatisincludedinrations.gran: Why?constable: There’sabloodydepressionon.milly: Whatarewegunnadoformeat?constable: There’splentyofroosandrabbits.gran: Whatabouttjirrung?constable: Whataboutwhat?milly: Fat!sergeant: Fatisclassifiedasmeat.I’llseewhatIcandoabout
theblanketsforyouse.milly: Iwant’em’foreCissiegitsoutahospital.sergeant: Ican’tpromiseanything,butI’llcheckwiththe
Department.gran: An’you’resupposedtobenative’tector. [gran and milly take their rations and exit.]sergeant: LookslikeI’mtheoneneedsprotectin’.constable: Shouldputapinchofstrychnineintheflour.sergeant: ToolatetoadopttheTasmaniansolution.neville: [yelling]Munday! [jimmy stands and enters the office.] Theeleveno’clockmixedgoods,makesureyou’reonit. [He hands jimmy the voucher.] Andtrytokeepoutoftroubleforawhile. [jimmy shuffles off at a snail’s pace.] You’dbettergetamoveon ifyou’regoing tocatch that
train.jimmy: Don’tthinkI’llworryaboutthemixedgoods,catch
the five o’clockKalgoorlie train instead.Haven’t beendowninthebigsmokeforafewweeks,mighthaveabitofalookaround.
neville: Yougetonthattrain–jimmy: [interrupting]Youknowone thingaboutFremantle
Gaol?Evensomeofthemscrewsarepolite–notlikethisplace.[Walking off]NativeProtector,couldn’tprotectmydogfromfleas.
neville: [returning to his office]Cheeky,toobloodycheeky.
* * *
2.
neal: . . . AustraliaDay,theceremony.MrNevillelikestohavetheagendainadvance.I’dlikeyoutosayafewwordsyourselfandanappropriatehymn.
sister: We’vebeenpractising‘ThereIsaHappyLand’. . . Ithoughtitwouldbe...
neal: Good.sister: I thought itmightbenice ifMrNevilleannounced
thehymn.neal: Yeah,allright.Whatwasitagain?sister: ‘ThereIsaHappyLand’.
[neal writes it down and shuffles his papers. He ignores her. Pause.]
Isthatall,MrNeal?neal: Justamoment . . .There’sanothermatterI’d like to
discusswithyou. Ibelieveyou’vebeen lendingbooks–novels–tosomeofthenatives.
sister: Yes,Ihave.neal: There’sasortofunofficialdirectiveonthis;it’sthesort
ofthingwhichisn’tencouragedbytheDepartment.sister: What do youmean?That youdon’t encourage the
nativestoread?neal: That’sright.sister: [incredulously]Butwhy? I’d intended to ask your
permissiontostartasmalllibrary.neal: I’msorry,Sister,but–sister: [interrupting]Itwon’tcosttheDepartmentapenny,I
cangetthebooksdonated.Goodbooks.neal: It’squiteoutofthequestion.sister: Butwhy?neal: Look,my experiencewith natives in SouthAfrica
andherehas taught– ledmetobelievethat there’sa lotofwisdom in theold adage that ‘a little knowledge is adangerousthing’.
sister: Ican’tbelievewhatyou’resaying.neal: LookSister,I’vegotabigmobhere,oversevenhundred
–youknowthat–andthere’senoughtroublemakerswithoutgivingthemideas.
sister: ButMrNeal–neal: [interrupting]Idon’tthinkthere’sanythingmoretobe
saidonthesubject.sister: Well,I’dliketosaysomethingonanothersubject.neal: Yes?sister: Theuseofviolencebyyournativepolicementoenforce
attendanceatmyreligiousinstructionclasses.neal: If I didn’tmake attendance compulsory, you’d have
noneofthemthere.sister: I’dpreferthattheycomeoftheirownfreewill.neal: Look,Sister,ifyou’renothappyhere,Icouldarrangea
transferforyoutoanothersettlement;perhapsMullaBulla,ontheedgeoftheGibsonDesert.
[She goes to leave, but stops by the door.]sister: Gettingbacktothebooks,whatdoyouclassifythe
Bibleas? [She exits.]neal: [To himself]Bloodydo-gooders.
* * *
THISQUESTIONISCONTINUEDONPAGE23
23 2010LITEXAM
2: Plays2 – 1 Jack Davis: No Sugar – continued
3.
Long Pool Camp, Moore River, day. gran seems to have aged suddenly. She sits and stares into the smouldering fire, quietly grumbling and singing. cissie and david play knucklebones. milly and sam play cards. mary watches over the baby who sleeps in a kerosene tin. A loud whistle is heard in the distance.
sam: Whothehellisthat?david: Boyswhistlingatgirls,Ibet.mary: No. [The whistle is heard again.] Iknowthatwhistle,that’sJoe.It’sJoe,it’sJoe! [cissie and david start to run.]milly: Comeback,youtwo!Comeback!david: It’sJoe,Mum.It’sJoe. [The kids run off.]joe: [off]Hey!Whereareallyoublackfellas? [joe enters carrying a sugar bag and with david on his
back. They are followed by cissie. He sees mary and they embrace. He swings her around and around. david falls off, laughing and yelling. joe wears a yellow shirt and black pants.]
How’severybody?Gawd,it’sgoodtobeback.sam: Yeah, son,wewasn’t expectin’ you for another two
weeks.david: [yelling, pointing to the tin]Yourbabyinthere![Quietly]
Sleepin’.joe: Howareyou,Gran?gran: Bitcrook.[Rubbing her leg]Meleggittired,littlebit,
thisone.mary: Comeandseebaby. [They walk to where the baby sleeps.]joe: Gawd. [Pause.] Canhesitup?mary: Givehimtime.He’sonlytenweeksold.joe: Whatdidyoucallhim?sam: Wecallhimkoolbardi,Nyoongahname.gran: Magpie.mary: Wewaitedforyoutocomehometogivehimawetjala
name. [Silence.]joe: IwannacallhimJimmy. [Silence.]mary: Yeah. [gran begins to wail and cry.]joe: Eh,Gran,gotsomethin’hereforyou. [He dives his hand into the sugar bag and produces a
wooden pipe and a tin of tobacco.] Herey’are,Gran,realpipeandrealgnummarri,notnigger
twist.gran: Woolah, kwobiduk, cooo-ooh.joe: [pulling out coloured ribbons]Herey’are,Cissie,ribbons
foryourhair.cissie: Ohthanks,brother,they’remoorditj. [She ties yellow and red ribbons in her hair.]
joe: Herey’are,gnoon. [He gives david a pocket knife.] Herey’are,Mum. [He produces a needle and cotton.] AndDad. [He produces tobacco and papers.]sam: Hey,realpapers.Rizlas.Goodonya,son.milly: Didn’tyougitnothin’forMary?joe: CourseIdid,Mum.
* * *
2010LITEXAM 24
2: Plays2 – 2 Dario Fo: Accidental Death of an Anarchist
Use one or more of the passages selected as the basis for a discussion of Accidental Death of an Anarchist.
1.
Maniac Soyouliedontelevisionandinthepaperswhenyousaidthathisalibihadcollapsedandtheevidencewasstackedup against him.Not contentwith using these little cheats,scamsandwhoppers to tripupsuspects,youthenuse themtosabotagethegoodfaithofagullibleandgormlesspublic.(Ignoring the Superintendent’s attempt to object.)Pleaseletmefinish.Hasn’tanyoneevertoldyouthatgivingoutfalseormisleadinginformationisaseriousoffence?
Superintendent Infact,myofficerassuredmethat–
Maniac Stopdumpingonpeople!Answerthis,Inspector–wheredidyougettheinformationthattheanarchistdancerhadconfessed?I’vereadallthetranscriptsofinterviewscarriedoutbythepoliceandtheinvestigatingjudge...(He shows them to everyone present.)Andnowheredoestheaforementionedanarchistadmittobeinginvolvedinbombingthebank.Sodidyoumakeupthatconfessionaswell?Answer!
Inspector Yes,wemadeitup.
Maniac Thatis...inspired.Youtwoshouldtakeupcreativewriting.Infact,youmaywellgetthechanceinprison.Alwaysbeenamarvellousplacetowrite.Okay,you’reprobablyfeelingalittlebitdepressedrightnow.Sowhatbettertimetoaddthatthereisdamningproofofgrossnegligenceonyourpart,thatyou’rebothdeadinthewater,andthatinanattempttomaketherestofthepolicelookgoodtheHomeOfficearegoingtocrucifyyou.
Superintendent Idon’tbelieveit!
Inspector Howcanthey–
Maniac Soyour careers are ruined, but that’s politics foryou.Youpolicewereusefulatfirst.Butthemoodhaschanged.Peopleareangryaboutthedeathoftheflyinganarchist.Theywanttoseeacoupleofheadsroll...and,hey,herearetwo!
Superintendent Theywantourheads?
Inspector Yes!* * *
2.
Maniac Ontheeveningwhentheanarchistjumpedoutofthewindow,thesunneverset.
The three policemen exchange blank glances.
Superintendent Idon’tunderstand.
The Maniac pretends to get annoyed.
Maniac ItwasDecemberandthewindowwasstillwideopenatmidnight,soitcan’thavebeencold.Andtheonlywayitcouldn’thavebeencoldisifthesunhadn’tset.Itmusthavesetlater,atoneo’clock,likeinNorwayinJuly.
Superintendent No,they’donlyjustopenedit,togetabitofairintotheroom,amIright?
Inspector Yes,therewasalotofsmoke.
Constable 2 Theanarchistsmokedalot.
Maniac Soyou’dopenedthewindows,butpresumablynottheshutters.
Inspector Yes,andtheshutters.
Maniac InDecember?Atmidnightwith the thermometerplummetingbelow zero and a thick fog descending?What–‘Weneedair,weneedair!Comeandgetme,pneumonia!’–kindofthing?Soyoumusthavebeenwearingcoats?
Inspector No,justjackets.
Maniac Snazzy!
Inspector Itwasn’tcold,honestly.
Superintendent No,itwasn’tcold.
Maniac No?Thateveningtheweatherforecastforthewholeofthecountrywasfortemperatureslowenoughtofreezethebollocksoffapolarbear.Butyoulotweren’tcold.‘Springtime!’Whatwasyoursecret–yourownpersonalAfricanmonsoonkit?You’vedivertedtheGulfStreamthroughthesewersunderthepolicestation?
Inspector I’msorry,Idon’tgetit–yousayyou’reheretohelpusthenyouspendthewholetimesneeringatourevidenceandmakinguslookpathetic.
Maniac Okay,maybeIdoexaggerate,andIdohaveaslighttendencytocompletelyrubbisheverythingyousay...That’sbecausedealingwithyou is likedoingoneof thosepuzzlebooksboughtbychildrenandretards:‘Findthethirty-sevenmistakesmade by InspectorBarryStupidhead.’How am Isupposedtohelpyou?
* * *
THISQUESTIONISCONTINUEDONPAGE25
25 2010LITEXAM
2: Plays2 – 2 Dario Fo: Accidental Death of an Anarchist – continued
3.
Maniac Ahyes.Sothere’samassivescandal.Massarrestsof politicians.The odd trial.Lots of big cheeses sweating.Lords,membersofparliament,colonels...LiberalDemocratsratheroverexcitedandtearful.TheMail on Sunday sacksitseditor.TheLefttriestobanfascists.Andfinallythechiefofpoliceiscarriedshoulder-highthroughthestreetsforcarryingoutsuchafearlessoperation.Shortlyafterwardshe’spolitelytoldtoretire.
Superintendent No,Captain. Idon’t like thesegratuitousinsinuations...
Journalist This time I agreewith the superintendent.Ascandallikethatwouldactuallyboostthestandingofthepolice.Thepublicwouldhaveanenhancedsenseofwell-beingandanewrespectforourjusticesystem.
Maniac Absolutely, so the scandalwouldhave served itspurpose.Peoplesaytheywantrealjustice...sowefobthemoffwithaslightlylessunjustsystemofjustice.Workershowlthatthey’rebeingflayedlikedonkeys...sowearrangefortheflaying tobea little less severeandslash theirhowlingentitlement,buttheexploitationgoeson.Theworkforcewouldrathernothavefatalaccidentsinthefactory...sowemakeitateenybitsaferandincreasecompensationpaymentstowidows.They’dliketoseeclassdivisionseliminated...sowedoourbesttobringtheclassesmarginallycloseror,preferably,justmakeitseemthatway.
Theywantarevolution...andwegivethemreforms.We’redrowningtheminreforms.Orpromisesofreforms,becauselet’sfaceit,they’renotactuallygoingtogetanything.
Inspector Are you aware that it’s an offence to showcontemptforthejudiciary?
Superintendent He’sbonkers.
Bertozzo Iknowheis,I’vebeentryingtotellyouforhalfanhour.
Maniac Yousee,youraveragecitizendoesn’twantthedirtandtheinjusticetogoaway.He’sjusthappytoseeitexposed,let’sallhaveajollyscandal,andeveryonegetssomethingtotalkabout.That,forhim,iswhatfreedommeansinthebestofallpossibleworlds.Hallelujah!
Bertozzo (grabbing the Maniac’s wooden leg and shaking it)Look,hislegisn’treal!
Maniac Yesitis.It’swalnut.
Superintendent It’sallright,weknow...
Bertozzo It’satrick,it’sstrappedonattheknee.(He starts to undo the straps.)
Inspector Oi,Bozo,leavehimalone.Whatdoyouwanttodo,dismantlehimcompletely?
* * *
2010LITEXAM 26
2: Plays2 – 3 Michael Frayn: Copenhagen
Use one or more of the passages selected as the basis for a discussion of Copenhagen.
1.
MichaelFrayn,Copenhagen,MethuhenStudentEdition,2003
pp42–43
THISQUESTIONISCONTINUEDONPAGE27
2.
MichaelFrayn,Copenhagen,MethuhenStudentEdition,2003
pp76–78
27 2010LITEXAM
2: Plays2 – 3 Michael Frayn: Copenhagen – continued
3.
MichaelFrayn,Copenhagen,MethuhenStudentEdition,2003
pp85–86
2010LITEXAM 28
2: Plays2 – 4 Brian Friel: The Freedom of the City
Use one or more of the passages selected as the basis for a discussion of The Freedom of the City.
1.
BrianFriel,The Freedom of the City,Faber&Faber,2005
pp120–121
2.
BrianFriel,The Freedom of the City,Faber&Faber,2005
pp134–135
THISQUESTIONISCONTINUEDONPAGE29
29 2010LITEXAM
2: Plays2 – 4 Brian Friel: The Freedom of the City – continued
3.
BrianFriel,The Freedom of the City,Faber&Faber,2005
pp154–155
2010LITEXAM 30
2: Plays2 – 5 Henrik Ibsen: Hedda Gabler
Use one or more of the passages selected as the basis for a discussion of Hedda Gabler.
1.
HenrikIbsen,Hedda Gabler,Penguin,1961
pp294–295
2.
HenrikIbsen,Hedda Gabler,Penguin,1961
pp319–320
THISQUESTIONISCONTINUEDONPAGE31
31 2010LITEXAM
2: Plays2 – 5 Henrik Ibsen: Hedda Gabler – continued
3.
HenrikIbsen,Hedda Gabler,Penguin,1961
pp350–351
2010LITEXAM 32
2: Plays2 – 6 Hannie Rayson: Hotel Sorrento
Use one or more of the passages selected as the basis for a discussion of Hotel Sorrento.
THISQUESTIONISCONTINUEDONPAGE33
1.
On the verandah at marge’s place. They sit drinking coffee. marge has TheGuardianarticle in her lap.
dick: Thesebloodysmartarseexpatriates.Imeanwhatisitthatmakesthemthinkthatlivingelsewhereautomaticallyqualifiesthemtomakesweepinggeneralisationsaboutthisplace.A culture isn’t static for godsake.Things change.Thewomanhasn’t livedhere for tenyears.Lookwhat’shappenedinthattime.
marge: Yes,itisabitdisappointing,Ihavetoadmit.dick: Disappointing.Jesus!Thewoman’sanidiot.marge: No,she’snot.She’snotanidiot.
dick scoffs.
dick: Imightseemlikeanidiot,talklikeanidiot.Butdon’tbedeceived.Iam anidiot!
marge: Well, I think someof the things she saysarequitetrue.Ilovethisbit,
‘If you ask the average Brit what he knows aboutAustralia,he’llprobablysayFostersandvomit.ThetroubleisthatyouraverageAussieblokeonthelooseinLondon,regardless ofwhether he’s backpackingorwheeling anddealing,doesnothing todispel that image.When ImeetAustraliansoverhereItakesomecomfortinthefactthatitisonlyaminoroutbreak.Athomewe’retalkingepidemic!’
dick: Oh,veryfunny.Whatabout thisstatement– this isacountrythat’srifewithxenophobiaandanti-intellectualism?Likethatbittoodidyou?
marge: No.Butthemediaforcethemtogiveanopinion.dick: No.No.Lookifshehasanyintelligence,anycommon
sense,shemakesitabundantlycleartoherinterviewerthatherperceptionsaboutaplace,[thatshehasn’tlivedinfortenyears],areobviouslygoingtobeoutdated.Andallthatstuffaboutthefather.
marge: But she’s right!There’s awhole generationof oldboyslikethat.
dick: Yeah,thereis.Buttheydonotrepresent‘thespiritofAustralianlife’orwhatevershesaid.Notanymore.That’sthewholepoint.Thewoman’soutoftouch.
Pause.
OkayifIringKellyattheoffice?marge: Why?dick: IthinkI’llgethertotrackdownthisMoynihanwoman
inLondon.I’vegotanideaforapieceonAustralia’simageproblemabroad.Thiscouldfitinverynicely.
* * *
2.
edwin: ThingschangeintenyearsMeg.meg: No.They haven’t.That’s just it. It’s like there’s this
highlyelasticisedthreadthat’stiedaroundusthreeanditstretchesfromAustraliatoBritainandtotheStatesandallofasuddenit’sjustgivenoutandthwackwe’reflungbacktogetheragain.Andwe’rejustthesamelittlegirls,butthistimeinwomen’sbodies.Andwedon’tknowanymorethanwhenwestartedout.[Sighing]I’mbeginningtofeelquitemiddleaged.
edwin: I’m not surprised.This town feels like everyonein itwas born intomiddle age.D’you know, the onlyconversationsI’vehadsincewearrivedhavebeenaboutchildrenandcompost.
meg: Peopledon’tknowwhattosaytous.Griefmakespeoplerealisehowinadequatetheyare.
edwin: Yes.
Pause.
Tellme,doesanythingeverhappenhere?meg: No.Peopleliveoutquietprosaicineffectuallivesand
thentheydie.Andtheotherpeoplespendtherestoftheirlivesutterlyemotionallycrippledbytheexperience.Thatseemstobethepattern.
Silence.
edwin: Imustsay,Hilaryisquitearemarkablewomanisn’tshe?
meg: Whydoyousaythat?edwin: Thewayshecopeswiththings.meg: Oh,yes.Hilary copes.She ‘copes’ because she shuts
down.That’s theway she lives her life. She doesn’t letherselffeel.Shedoesn’tthinkaboutthingstoodeeply.It’slikeshemadeadecisionalongtimeagothatshewasdonewithcrying.Nothingornobodywasevergoingtohurtheragain.Soshe‘copes’magnificentlyandpeoplethinkshe’ssostrong,soremarkable.Idon’t.Ithinkshe’sacoward.
Silence.
edwin: Ithinkyou’rebeingveryunfair.Ican’timaginewhatitmustbelikeforher.She’shadtodealwiththreedeaths.Allofthemtragic.Ican’tevenbegintothinkhowonewouldeverreallydealwiththat.
meg: No,perhapsyoucan’t.edwin: AndIdon’tthinkyoucaneither.meg: Theyweremyparentstoo,Edwin...edwin: Iknow.meg: AndIwashere,remember,whenGarydied.edwin: Iknow.Buthewasn’tyourhusbandMeg.meg: No,hewasn’tmyhusband.ButIlovedhim.That’swhat
youdon’tunderstand.Ilovedhimtoo.
* * *
33 2010LITEXAM
2: Plays2 – 6 Hannie Rayson: Hotel Sorrento – continued
3.
hil: I’veneverownedanythinginmywholelife.Damnyou!Ineverevenownedmyownmarriage.Damnyou.Damnyou...
meg stands at the door.
Anddamnyou!
meg is silent.
meg: It’sabouttimeyoustarted.It’sabouttimeweallstarted.Toownwhat’shappenedtous.
pippa: WhyMeg?Sowecanallwritebest-sellers?meg: Yes.Allright,let’stalkaboutbest-sellers.Iwrotethat
book.AndIdidn’tstealanythingfromyouoryouoranyoneelsewhowantstolayclaimstoownership.
hil: But you don’tMeg.Youdon’t ownwhat’s happened.Don’tyouseethat?
meg: No.Ionlyownmystory.Andthat’saverysmallthing.pippa: Oh,yesit’syourbook.Yourstoryallright.It’sgotyour
namewrittenalloverit.Butit’sourintegrity.That’swhatyou’vestolen.
Silence.
meg: Isthatwhatyouthink?DoyoureallybelievethatIhaverobbedyouofyourintegrity?BecauseifI’mguiltyofthat,I’llrecalleverysinglecopyofthatbookfromeverypublisherandeverybookshopintheworld.I’llwithdrawitfromtheBookerprizerightnow...ifthat’swhatyouthink.
Pause.
But I always thought that integritywas something thatcouldn’tbegivenortakenaway.Thatitwastheonlythingapersoncouldown.
Silence.
D’youknowwhyIcamehome?BecauseIwantedtoseeifIcouldfitintothisfamilyagain.Iwantedtoseeifthethreeofuscouldbetogether.Iwanttoknownow,whetheryoutwothinkit’spossible?
Silence.
You’ll never forgiveme, will you, for writing aboutsomethingthatwecouldn’ttalkabout.
hil: Didweevertry?Didweeverreallytry?
The three women maintain their position in a freeze. Music plays.
scene nineteen_________________________________________________
Music continues as the three women maintain their freeze.
auctioneer: [voice over]Ladiesandgentlemen.I’dliketotakethisopportunitytowelcomeyoualltotheauctionofnumberoneTi-TreeRoad,Sorrento. It’snotoften that aproperty in suchaglorious locationas this,comeson tothemarketandwe’reverypleasedindeedtobeofferingittoyoutoday.
* * *
2010LITEXAM 34
2: Plays2 – 7 William Shakespeare: Hamlet
Use one or more of the passages selected as the basis for a discussion of Hamlet.
1.
hamlet . . .Youwere sent for – and there is a kind ofconfessioninyourlookswhichyourmodestieshavenotcraftenoughtocolour.Iknowthegoodkingandqueenhavesentforyou.
rosencrantz Towhatendmylord?hamlet That youmust teachme.But letme conjure you,
by the rightsofour fellowship, by the consonancyofouryouth,bytheobligationofourever-preservedlove,andbywhatmoredearabetterproposercanchargeyouwithal,beevenanddirectwithme,whetheryouweresentfororno.
rosencrantz (To Guildenstern)Whatsayyou?hamlet (Aside)NaythenIhaveaneyeofyou.–Ifyoulove
me,holdnotoff.guildenstern Mylord,weweresentfor.hamlet Iwilltellyouwhy.Soshallmyanticipationprevent
yourdiscovery,andyoursecrecytothekingandqueenmoultnofeather.Ihaveoflate,butwhereforeIknownot,lostallmymirth,forgoneallcustomofexercises;andindeeditgoessoheavilywithmydispositionthatthisgoodlyframe,theearth,seemstomeasterilepromontory;thismostexcellentcanopytheair,lookyou,thisbraveo’erhangingfirmament,thismajesticalrooffrettedwithgoldenfire–why,itappearethnootherthingtomebutafoulandpestilentcongregationofvapours.Whatapieceofworkisaman!Hownobleinreason,howinfiniteinfaculties,informandmovinghowexpressandadmirable,inactionhowlikeanangel,inapprehensionhowlikeagod!Thebeautyoftheworld,theparagonofanimals–andyet tome,what is thisquintessenceofdust?Mandelightsnotme–no,norwomanneither,thoughbyyoursmilingyouseemtosayso.
rosencrantz My lord, there was no such stuff inmythoughts.
hamlet Whydidye laugh then,when I saidmandelightsnotme?
rosencrantz Tothink,mylord,ifyoudelightnotinman,whatlentenentertainmenttheplayersshallreceivefromyou.We coted themon theway, and hither are theycomingtoofferyouservice.
hamlet Hethatplaysthekingshallbewelcome,hismajestyshall have tributeofme; the adventurousknight shallusehisfoilandtarget,thelovershallnotsighgratis,thehumorousmanshallendhispartinpeace,theclownshallmakethoselaughwhoselungsaretickleo’th’sere,andtheladyshallsayhermindfreely–ortheblankverseshallhaltfor’t.
* * *
THISQUESTIONISCONTINUEDONPAGE35
2.
Enter ghost
hamlet Akingofshredsandpatches–Savemeandhovero’ermewithyourwings,Youheavenlyguards!–Whatwouldyourgracious figure?
gertrude Alashe’smad!hamlet Doyounotcomeyourtardysontochide,
ThatlapsedintimeandpassionletsgobyTh’importantactingofyourdreadcommand?Oh say!
ghost Donotforget.ThisvisitationIsbuttowhetthyalmostbluntedpurpose.Butlook,amazementonthymothersits.Ohstepbetweenherandherfightingsoul:Conceitinweakestbodiesstrongestworks.Speaktoher,Hamlet.
hamlet Howisitwithyoulady?gertrude Alas,howis’twithyou,
Thatyoudobendyoureyeonvacancy,Andwithth’incorporalairdoholddiscourse?Forthatyoureyesyourspiritswildlypeep,And,asthesleepingsoldiersinth’alarm,Yourbeddedhair,likelifeinexcrements,Startupandstandanend.Ogentleson,UpontheheatandflameofthydistemperSprinklecoolpatience.Whereondoyoulook?
hamlet Onhim,onhim!Lookyouhowpaleheglares.Hisformandcauseconjoined,preachingtostones,Wouldmakethemcapable.–Donotlookuponme,LestwiththispiteousactionyouconvertMysterneffects.ThenwhatIhavetodoWillwanttruecolour:tearsperchanceforblood.
gertrude Towhomdoyouspeakthis?hamlet Doyouseenothingthere?gertrude Nothingatall,yetallthatisIsee.hamlet Nordidyounothinghear?gertrude No,nothingbutourselves.hamlet Why,lookyouthere–lookhowitstealsaway–
Myfatherinhishabitashelived–Lookwherehegoes,evennowoutattheportal.
Exit Ghostgertrude Thisistheverycoinageofyourbrain.
ThisbodilesscreationecstasyIsverycunningin.
hamlet Ecstasy?Mypulseasyoursdothtemperatelykeeptime,Andmakesashealthfulmusic.ItisnotmadnessThatIhaveuttered.Bringmetothetest,AndIthematterwillreword,whichmadnessWouldgambolfrom.Mother,forloveofgrace,Laynotthatflatteringunctiontoyoursoul,Thatnotyourtrespassbutmymadnessspeaks;
* * *
35 2010LITEXAM
2: Plays2 – 7 William Shakespeare: Hamlet – continued
3.
laertes Layheri’th’earth,AndfromherfairandunpollutedfleshMayvioletsspring.Itellthee,churlishpriest,AministeringangelshallmysisterbeWhenthouliesthowling.
hamlet What,thefairOphelia!gertrude Sweetstothesweet,farewell. [Scattering flowers]
IhopedthoushouldsthavebeenmyHamlet’swife.Ithoughtthybride-bedtohavedecked,sweetmaid,Andnott’havestrewedthygrave.
laertes OhtreblewoeFalltentimestrebleonthatcursèdheadWhosewickeddeedthymostingenioussenseDeprivedtheeof.HoldofftheearthawhileTillIhavecaughtheroncemoreinminearms.
Leaps in the graveNowpileyourdustuponthequickanddeadTillofthisflatamountainyouhavemadeT’o’ertopoldPelionortheskyishheadOfblueOlympus.
hamlet [Advancing] WhatishewhosegriefBearssuchanemphasis?whosephraseofsorrowConjuresthewanderingstars,andmakesthemstandLikewonder-woundedhearers?ThisisI,HamlettheDane.
[Laertes climbs out of the grave]laertes Thedeviltakethysoul.[Grappling with him]hamlet Thoupray’stnotwell.
Ipritheetakethyfingersfrommythroat,ForthoughIamnotsplenitiveandrash,YethaveIinmesomethingdangerousWhichletthywisdomfear.Holdoffthyhand.
claudius Pluckthemasunder.gertrude Hamlet,Hamlet!all Gentlemen!horatio Goodmylord,bequiet.
[The Attendants part them].hamlet Why,Iwillfightwithhimuponthistheme
Untilmyeyelidswillnolongerwag.gertrude Omyson,whattheme?hamlet IlovedOphelia;fortythousandbrothers
CouldnotwithalltheirquantityofloveMakeupmysum.Whatwiltthoudoforher?
claudius OhheismadLaertes.
* * *
2010LITEXAM 36
2: Plays2 – 8 William Shakespeare: Much Ado About Nothing
Use one or more of the passages selected as the basis for a discussion of Much Ado About Nothing.
THISQUESTIONISCONTINUEDONPAGE37
1.
beatrice . . . Lord,Icouldnotendureahusbandwithabeardonhisface!Ihadratherlieinthewoollen.
leonato Youmaylightonahusbandthathathnobeard.beatrice WhatshouldIdowithhim?Dresshiminmyapparel
andmakehimmywaiting-gentlewoman?He thathath abeardismorethanayouth,andhethathathnobeardislessthanaman;andhethatismorethanayouthisnotforme,andhethatislessthanaman,Iamnotforhim.ThereforeIwilleventakesixpenceinearnestofthebear-ward,andleadhisapesintohell.
leonato Wellthen,goyouintohell?beatrice No,buttothegate;andtherewillthedevilmeetme,
likeanoldcuckoldwithhornsonhishead,andsay‘Getyoutoheaven,Beatrice,getyoutoheaven;here’snoplaceforyoumaids.’SodeliverIupmyapes,andawaytoSaintPeterfortheheavens;heshowsmewherethebachelorssit,andthereliveweasmerryasthedayislong.
antonio (to Hero)Well,niece,Itrustyouwillberuledbyyourfather.
beatrice Yes,faith;itismycousin’sdutytomakecurtsyandsay,‘Father,asitpleaseyou.’Butyetforallthat,cousin,lethimbeahandsomefellow,orelsemakeanothercurtsyandsay,‘Father,asitpleaseme.’
leonato Well,niece,Ihopetoseeyouonedayfittedwithahusband.
beatrice NottillGodmakemenofsomeothermetalthanearth.Would it not grieve awoman to beover-masteredwithapieceofvaliantdust?Tomakeanaccountofherlifetoaclodofwaywardmarl?No,uncle,I’llnone.Adam’ssonsaremybrethren,and,truly,Iholditasintomatchinmykindred.
* * *
2.
claudio . . . There,Leonato,takeherbackagain, Givenotthisrottenorangetoyourfriend; She’sbutthesignandsemblanceofherhonour. Beholdhowlikeamaidsheblusheshere! O,whatauthorityandshowoftruth Cancunningsincoveritselfwithal! Comesnotthatbloodasmodestevidence Towitnesssimplevirtue?Wouldyounotswear, Allyouthatseeher,thatshewereamaid Bytheseexteriorshows?Butsheisnone; Sheknowstheheatofaluxuriousbed. Herblushisguiltiness,notmodesty.leonato Whatdoyoumean,mylord?claudio Nottobemarried, Nottoknitmysoultoanapprovèdwanton.leonato Dearmylord,ifyou,inyourownproof, Havevanquishedtheresistanceofheryouth, Andmadedefeatofhervirginity–claudio Iknowwhatyouwouldsay.IfIhaveknownher, Youwillsayshedidembracemeasahusband, Andsoextenuatethe’forehandsin. No,Leonato, Inevertemptedherwithwordtoolarge, But,asabrothertohissister,showed Bashfulsincerityandcomelylove.hero AndseemedIeverotherwisetoyou?claudio Outonthee!Seeming!Iwillwriteagainstit. YouseemtomeasDianinherorb, Aschasteasisthebudereitbeblown; Butyouaremoreintemperateinyourblood ThanVenus,orthosepamperedanimals Thatrageinsavagesensuality.hero Ismylordwell,thathedothspeaksowide?leonato SweetPrince,whyspeaknotyou?don pedro WhatshouldIspeak? Istanddishonoured,thathavegoneabout Tolinkmydearfriendtoacommonstale.leonato Arethesethingsspoken,ordoIbutdream?don john Sir,theyarespoken,andthesethingsaretrue.benedick Thislooksnotlikeanuptial.hero True?OGod!
* * *
37 2010LITEXAM
2: Plays2 – 8 William Shakespeare: Much Ado About Nothing – continued
3.
leonato Whichisthevillain?Letmeseehiseyes, That,whenInoteanothermanlikehim, Imayavoidhim.Whichoftheseishe?borachio Ifyouwouldknowyourwronger,lookonme.leonato Artthoutheslavethatwiththybreathhastkilled Mineinnocentchild?borachio Yea,evenIalone.leonato No,notso,villain,thoubeliestthyself– Herestandapairofhonourablemen, Athirdisfled,thathadahandinit. Ithankyou,Princes,formydaughter’sdeath; Recorditwithyourhighandworthydeeds. ’Twasbravelydone,ifyoubethinkyouofit.claudio Iknownothowtoprayyourpatience, YetImustspeak.Chooseyourrevengeyourself; Imposemetowhatpenanceyourinvention Canlayuponmysin;yetsinnedInot Butinmistaking.don pedro Bymysoul,norI; Andyet,tosatisfythisgoodoldman, Iwouldbendunderanyheavyweight Thathe’llenjoinmeto.leonato Icannotbidyoubidmydaughterlive, Thatwereimpossible;but,Iprayyouboth, PossessthepeopleinMessinahere Howinnocentshedied;andifyourlove Canlabouraughtinsadinvention, Hangheranepitaphuponhertomb Andsingittoherbones,singittonight. Tomorrowmorningcomeyoutomyhouse; Andsinceyoucouldnotbemyson-in-law, Beyetmynephew.Mybrotherhathadaughter, Almostthecopyofmychildthat’sdead, Andshealoneisheirtobothofus. Givehertherightyoushouldhavegivenhercousin, Andsodiesmyrevenge.claudio Onoblesir! Yourover-kindnessdothwringtearsfromme. Idoembraceyouroffer,anddispose ForhenceforthofpoorClaudio.
* * *
2010LITEXAM 38
2: Plays2 – 9 Sophocles: Antigone
Use one or more of the passages selected as the basis for a discussion of Antigone.
1.
Sophocles,Antigone,translatedbyEFWatlinginThe Theban Plays,
Penguin,2004
pp126–127
2.
Sophocles,AntigonetranslatedbyEFWatlinginThe Theban Plays,
Penguin,2004
pp142–143
THISQUESTIONISCONTINUEDONPAGE39
39 2010LITEXAM
2: Plays2 – 9 Sophocles: Antigone – continued
3.
Sophocles,AntigonetranslatedbyEFWatlinginThe Theban Plays,
Penguin,2004
pp157–158
2010LITEXAM 40
3: Short stories3 – 1 Anton Chekhov: The Lady with the Little Dog and Other Stories
Use one or more of the passages selected as the basis for a discussion of The Lady with the Little Dog and Other Stories.
1.
AntonChekhov,The Lady with the Little Dog and Other Stories,PenguinClassics,2002
pp54–55
2.
AntonChekhov,The Lady with the Little Dog and Other Stories,PenguinClassics,2002
pp272–273
THISQUESTIONISCONTINUEDONPAGE41
41 2010LITEXAM
3: Short stories3 – 1 Anton Chekhov: The Lady with the Little Dog and Other Stories – continued
3.
AntonChekhov,The Lady with the Little Dog and Other Stories,PenguinClassics,2002
pp319–320
2010LITEXAM 42
3: Short stories3 – 2 D H Lawrence: Three Novellas: The Fox/The Captain’s Doll/The Ladybird
Use one or more of the passages selected as the basis for a discussion of The Fox/The Captain’s Doll/The Ladybird.
1.
The Fox
Hesoundedhurt.Andhisvoicehadsuchacuriouspowerover her;makingher feel loose and relaxed.She struggledsomewhereforherownpower.Shefeltforaminutethatshewaslost—lost—lost.Thewordseemedtorockinherasifsheweredying.Suddenlyagainshespoke. “Youdon’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout,”shesaid,inabriefandtransientstrokeofscorn.“Whatnonsense!I’moldenoughtobeyourmother.” “Yes I do knowwhat I’m talking about.Yes I do,” hepersisted softly, as if hewere producing his voice in herblood.“IknowquitewellwhatI’mtalkingabout.You’renotoldenoughtobemymother.Thatisn’ttrue.Andwhatdoesitmatterevenifitwas.Youcanmarrymewhateverageweare.Whatisage?Whatisagetome?Andwhatisagetoyou!Ageisnothing.” Aswoonwentoverherasheconcluded.Hespokerapidly—intherapidCornishfashion—andhisvoiceseemedtosoundinhersomewherewhereshewashelplessagainstit.“Ageisnothing!”Thesoft,heavyinsistenceofitmadeherswaydimlyoutthereinthedarkness.Shecouldnotanswer. Agreatexultanceleapedlikefireoverhislimbs.Hefelthehadwon. “Iwant tomarry you, you see.Why shouldn’t I?” heproceeded,softandrapid.Hewaitedforhertoanswer.Inthedusk he sawher almost phosphorescent.Her eyelidsweredropped,herfacehalf-avertedandunconscious.Sheseemedtobeinhispower.Buthewaited,watchful.Hedarednotyettouchher. “Saythen,”hesaid.“Saythenyou’llmarryme.Say—say?”Hewassoftlyinsistent. “What?”sheasked,faint,fromadistance,likeoneinpain.Hisvoicewasnowunthinkablynearandsoft.Hedrewveryneartoher. “Sayyes.” “OhIcan’t,”shewailedhelplessly,halfarticulate,asifsemi-conscious,andasifinpain,likeonewhodies.“HowcanI?” “You can,” he said softly, layinghis handgently onhershoulderasshestoodwithherheadavertedanddropped,dazed.“Youcan.Yes,youcan.Whatmakesyousayyoucan’t?Youcan.Youcan.”Andwithawfulsoftnesshebentforwardandjusttouchedherneckwithhismouthandhischin. “Don’t!”shecried,withafaintmadcrylikehysteria,startingawayandfacingroundonhim.“Whatdoyoumean?”Butshehadnobreathtospeakwith.Itwasasifshewaskilled. “ImeanwhatIsay,”hepersistedsoftlyandcruelly.“Iwantyoutomarryme.Iwantyoutomarryme.Youknowthat,now,don’tyou?Youknowthat,now?Don’tyou?Don’tyou?”
* * *
2.
The Captain’s Doll
When Iwas a boy I caught a bird, ablack-cap,andIputitinacage.AndIlovedthatbird.Idon’tknowwhy,butIlovedit.Isimplylovedthatbird.Allthegorse,andtheheather,andtherock,andthehotsmellofyellowgorse-blossom,andtheskythatseemedtohavenoendtoit,whenIwasaboy,everythingthatIalmostwasmad with,asboysare,seemedtometobeinthatlittle,flutteringblack-cap.Anditwouldpeckitsseedasifitdidn’tquiteknowwhatelsetodo;andlookroundabout,andbegintosing.Butinquiteafewdaysitturneditsheadasideanddied.Yes,itdied.—Ineverhadthefeelingagain,thatIgotfromthatblack-capwhenIwasaboy—notuntilIsawher.AndthenIfeltitallagain.Ifeltitallagain.Anditwasthesamefeeling.Iknew,quitesoonIknew,thatshewoulddie.Shewouldpickherseedandlookroundinthecagejustthesame.Butshewoulddieintheend.—Onlyitwouldlastmuchlonger.—Butshewoulddieinthecage,liketheblack-cap.” “But she loved the cage. She loved her clothes and herjewels.Shemusthavelovedherhouseandherfurnitureandallthatwithaperfectfrenzy.” “Shedid.Shedid.Butlikeachildwithplaythings.Onlytheywerebig,marvellousplaythingstoher.Ohyes,shewasneveraway from them.Shenever forgot her things—her trinketsandherfursandherfurniture.Shenevergotawayfromthemforaminute.Andeverythinginhermindwasmixedupwiththem.” “Dreadful!”saidHannele. “Yes,itwasdreadful,”heanswered. “Dreadful,”repeatedHannele. “Yesquite.Quite!Anditgotworse.Andherwayoftalkinggotworse.Asifitbubbledoffherlips.—Buthereyesneverlosttheirbrightness,theyneverlostthatfairylook.OnlyIusedtoseefearinthem.Fearofeverything—evenallthethingsshesurroundedherselfwith.Justlikemyblack-capusedtolookoutofhiscage—sobrightandsharp,andyetasifhedidn’tknowthatitwasjustthecagethatwasbetweenhimandtheoutside.Hethoughtitwasinsidehimself,thebarrier.Hethoughtitwaspartofhisownnature,tobeshutin.Andshethoughtitwaspartofherownnature.—Andsotheybothdied.” “WhatIcan’tsee,”saidHannele,“iswhatshewouldhavedoneoutsidehercage.Whatotherlifecouldshehave,excepther bibelots andherfurnitureandhertalk—?” “Whynone.Thereisnolifeoutside,forhumanbeings.” “Thenthere’snothing,”saidHannele. “That’strue.Inagreatmeasure,there’snothing.” “Thankyou,”saidHannele. Therewasalongpause.
* * *
THISQUESTIONISCONTINUEDONPAGE43
43 2010LITEXAM
3: Short stories3 – 2 D H Lawrence: Three Novellas: The Fox/The Captain’s Doll/The Ladybird – continued
3.
The Ladybird
Theroomwasincompletedarkness.Therewasnomoonoutside.Shecouldnotseehim. “WherecanIsitdown?”shesaidabruptly. “Iwilltakeyoutothecouch,”hesaid,puttingouthishandandtouchingherinthedark.Sheshuddered. Shefoundthecouchandsatdown.Itwasquitedark. “Whatwereyousinging?”shesaidrapidly. “Iamsosorry.Ididnotthinkanyonecouldhear.” “Whatwasityouweresinging?” “Asongofmycountry.” “Haditanywords?” “Yes,itisawomanwhowasaswan,andwholovedahunterbythemarsh.Soshebecameawomanandmarriedhimandhadthreechildren.Theninthenightonenightthekingoftheswanscalled toher tocomeback,orelsehewoulddie.Soslowlysheturnedintoaswanagain,andslowlysheopenedherwide,widewings,andleftherhusbandandherchildren.” Therewassilenceinthedarkroom.TheCounthadbeenreallystartled,startledoutofhismoodofthesongintotheday-moodofhumanconvention.HewasdistressedandembarrassedbyDaphne’spresenceinhisdarkroom.She,however,satonanddidnotmakeasound.Hetoosatdowninachairbythewindow.Itwaseverywheredark.Awindwasblowingingustsoutside.Hecouldseenothinginsidehisroom:onlythefaint,faintstripoflightunderthedoor.Buthecouldfeelherpresenceinthedarkness.Itwasuncanny,tofeelhernearinthedark,andnottoseeanysignofher,nortohearanysound. She had beenwounded in her bewitched state, by thecontactwiththeeverydayhumanbeinginhim.Butnowshebegantorelapseintoherspell,asshesatthereinthedark.Andhetoo,inthesilence,felttheworldsinkingawayfromhimoncemore,leavinghimoncemorealoneonadarkenedearth,withnothingbetweenhimandtheinfinitedarkspace.Exceptnowherpresence.Darknessansweringtodarkness,anddeepansweringtodeep.Ananswer,neartohim,andinvisible. Buthedidnotknowwhattodo.Hesatstillandsilentasshewasstillandsilent.Thedarknessinsidetheroomseemedalivelikeblood.Hehadnopowertomove.Thedistancebetweenthemseemedabsolute. Thensuddenly,withoutknowing,hewentacrossinthedark,feelingfortheendofthecouch.Andhesatbesideheronthecouch.Buthedidnottouchher.Neitherdidshemove.Thedarknessflowedaboutthemthicklikeblood,andtimeseemeddissolved in it.They satwith the small, invisible distancebetweenthem,motionless,speechless,thoughtless.
* * *
2010LITEXAM 44
1.
Bliss
Miss Fultonmoved towards the hall and BerthawasfollowingwhenHarryalmostpushedpast. “Letmehelpyou.” Berthaknewthathewasrepentinghis rudeness—she lethimgo.Whataboyhewasinsomeways—soimpulsive—so—simple. AndEddieandshewereleftbythefire. “I wonderifyouhaveseenBilks’ newpoemcalledTable d’Hôte,” saidEddie softly. “It’s so wonderful. In the lastAnthology.Haveyougotacopy?I’dsoliketoshowittoyou.Itbeginswithanincrediblybeautifulline:‘WhyMustitAlwaysbeTomatoSoup?’” “Yes,”saidBertha.Andshemovednoiselesslytoatableoppositethedrawing-roomdoorandEddieglidednoiselesslyafterher.Shepickedupthelittlebookandgaveittohim;theyhadnotmadeasound. Whilehelookeditupsheturnedherheadtowardsthehall.Andshesaw...HarrywithMissFulton’scoatinhisarmsandMissFultonwithherbackturnedtohimandherheadbent. Hetossedthecoataway,puthishandsonhershouldersandturnedherviolentlytohim.Hislipssaid:“Iadoreyou,”andMissFulton laid hermoonbeamfingers on his cheeks andsmiled her sleepy smile.Harry’s nostrils quivered; his lipscurledbackinahideousgrinwhilehewhispered:“To-morrow,”andwithhereyelidsMissFultonsaid:“Yes.” “Hereitis,”saidEddie.“‘WhyMustitAlwaysbeTomatoSoup?’It’ssodeeplytrue,don’tyoufeel?Tomatosoupissodreadfullyeternal.” “Ifyouprefer,”saidHarry’svoice,veryloud,fromthehall,“Ican’phoneyouacabtocometothedoor.” “Oh,no.It’snotnecessary,”saidMissFulton,andshecameuptoBerthaandgavehertheslenderfingerstohold. “Good-bye.Thankyousomuch.” “Good-bye,”saidBertha. MissFultonheldherhandamomentlonger. “Yourlovelypeartree!”shemurmured. Andthenshewasgone,withEddiefollowing,liketheblackcatfollowingthegreycat. “I’ll shut up shop,” saidHarry, extravagantly cool andcollected. “Yourlovelypeartree—peartree—peartree!” Berthasimplyranovertothelongwindows. “Oh,whatisgoingtohappennow?”shecried. Butthepeartreewasaslovelyaseverandasfullofflowerandasstill.
* * *
THISQUESTIONISCONTINUEDONPAGE45
2.
The Garden-Party
“Jose,comehere.”Lauracaughtholdofhersister’ssleeveanddraggedherthroughthekitchentotheothersideofthegreen baize door.There she paused and leaned against it.“Jose!” she said, horrified, “however arewe going to stopeverything?” “Stop everything, Laura!” cried Jose in astonishment. “Whatdoyoumean?” “Stopthegarden-party,ofcourse.”WhydidJosepretend? ButJosewasstillmoreamazed.“Stopthegarden-party?MydearLaura,don’tbesoabsurd.Ofcoursewecan’tdoanythingofthekind.Nobodyexpectsusto.Don’tbesoextravagant.” “Butwecan’tpossiblyhaveagarden-partywithamandeadjustoutsidethefrontgate.” Thatreallywasextravagant,forthelittlecottageswereinalanetothemselvesattheverybottomofasteeprisethatleduptothehouse.Abroadroadranbetween.True,theywerefartoonear.Theywerethegreatestpossibleeyesoreandtheyhadnorighttobeinthatneighbourhoodatall.Theywerelittlemeandwellingspaintedachocolatebrown. In thegardenpatchestherewasnothingbutcabbagestalks,sickhensandtomatocans.Theverysmokecomingoutoftheirchimneyswaspoverty-stricken.Littleragsandshredsofsmoke,sounlikethegreatsilveryplumes thatuncurledfromtheSheridans’chimneys.Washerwomenlivedinthelaneandsweepsandacobblerandamanwhosehouse-frontwasstuddedalloverwithminutebird-cages.Childrenswarmed.WhentheSheridanswerelittletheywereforbiddentosetfoottherebecauseoftherevoltinglanguageandofwhattheymightcatch.ButsincetheyweregrownupLauraandLaurieontheirprowlssometimeswalkedthrough. Itwas disgusting and sordid.They cameoutwitha shudder.But still onemust go everywhere; onemust seeeverything.Sothroughtheywent. “Andjustthinkofwhatthebandwouldsoundliketothatpoorwoman,”saidLaura. “Oh, Laura!” Jose began to be seriously annoyed. “Ifyou’regoingtostopabandplayingeverytimesomeonehasanaccident,you’ll leadaverystrenuous life. I’meverybitassorryaboutitasyou.Ifeeljustassympathetic.”Hereyeshardened.Shelookedathersisterjustassheusedtowhentheywerelittleandfightingtogether.“Youwon’tbringadrunkenworkmanbacktolifebybeingsentimental,”shesaidsoftly.
* * *
3: Short stories3 – 3 Katherine Mansfield: The Collected Stories
Use one or more of the passages selected as the basis for a discussion of The Collected Stories.
45 2010LITEXAM
3.
The Woman at the Store
“Goodnightall,”shoutedJo. JimandIsatontwosacksofpotatoes.Forthelifeofuswecouldnotstoplaughing.Stringsofonionsandhalf-hamsdangled from the ceiling—whereverwe looked therewereadvertisements for “CampCoffee” and tinnedmeats.Wepointed at them, tried to read themaloud—overcomewithlaughterandhiccoughs.Thekid in thecounterstaredatus.Shethrewoffherblanketandscrambledtothefloor,whereshestoodinhergreyflannelnight-gownrubbingonelegagainsttheother.Wepaidnoattentiontoher. “Wotareyoulaughingat?”shesaiduneasily. “You!”shoutedJim.“Theredtribeofyou,mychild.” Sheflewintoarageandbeatherselfwithherhands.“Iwon’tbelaughedat,youcurs—you.”Heswoopeddownuponthechildandswungherontothecounter. “Gotosleep,MissSmarty—ormakeadrawing—here’sapencil—youcanuseMumma’saccountbook.” ThroughtherainweheardJocreakovertheboardingofthenextroom—thesoundofadoorbeingopened—thenshutto. “It’stheloneliness,”whisperedJim. “Onehundred and twenty-fivedifferentways—alas!mypoorbrother!” Thekidtoreoutapageandflungitatme. “Thereyouare,”shesaid.“NowIdoneitterspiteMummaforshuttingmeup’erewithyoutwo.IdonetheoneshetoldmeIneveroughtto.Idonetheoneshetoldmeshe’dshootmeifIdid.Don’tcare!Don’tcare!” Thekidhaddrawnthepictureofthewomanshootingatamanwitharookrifleandthendiggingaholetoburyhimin. Shejumpedoffthecounterandsquirmedaboutonthefloorbitinghernails. JimandIsattilldawnwiththedrawingbesideus.Therainceased,thelittlekidfellasleep,breathingloudly.Wegotup,stoleoutofthewhare,downintothepaddock.Whitecloudsfloatedoverapinksky—achillwindblew;theairsmelledofwetgrass.JustasweswungintothesaddleJocameoutofthewhare—hemotionedtoustorideon. “I’llpickyouuplater,”heshouted. Abendintheroad,andthewholeplacedisappeared.
* * *
3: Short stories3 – 3 Katherine Mansfield: The Collected Stories – continued
2010LITEXAM 46
4: Other literature4 – 1 Anna Funder: Stasiland
Use one or more of the passages selected as the basis for a discussion of Stasiland.
THISQUESTIONISCONTINUEDONPAGE47
1.
AnnaFunder,Stasiland,Publishing,2006
pp73–74
2.
AnnaFunder,Stasiland,Publishing,2006
pp107–108
47 2010LITEXAM
4: Other literature4 – 1 Anna Funder: Stasiland – continued
3.
AnnaFunder,Stasiland,Publishing,2006
pp202–203
2010LITEXAM 48
4: Other literature4 – 2 Orhan Pamuk: Istanbul
Use one or more of the passages selected as the basis for a discussion of Istanbul.
1.
OrhanPamuk,Istanbul,Faber&Faber,2005
pp53–54
2.
OrhanPamuk,Istanbul,Faber&Faber,2005
pp215–216
THISQUESTIONISCONTINUEDONPAGE49
49 2010LITEXAM
4: Other literature4 – 2 Orhan Pamuk: Istanbul – continued
3.
OrhanPamuk,Istanbul,Faber&Faber,2005
pp283–284
2010LITEXAM 50
4: Other literature4 – 3 Tobias Wolff: This Boy’s Life
Use one or more of the passages selected as the basis for a discussion of This Boy’s Life.
1.
TobiasWolff,This Boy’s Life,Bloomsbury,1989
pp82–83
THISQUESTIONISCONTINUEDONPAGE51
2.
TobiasWolff,This Boy’s Life,Bloomsbury,1989
pp110–111
51 2010LITEXAM
4: Other literature4 – 3 Tobias Wolff: This Boy’s Life – continued
3.
TobiasWolff,This Boy’s Life,Bloomsbury,1989
pp220–221
2010LITEXAM 52
5: Poetry5 – 1 Judith Beveridge: Wolf Notes
Use one or more of the passages selected as the basis for a discussion of the poetry of Judith Beveridge.
THISQUESTIONISCONTINUEDONPAGE53
1.
Crew
Grennansteering,cutsbacktheengine,throwsanothersquiddownthelengthofhalfthecraft.Waisttoneck,Daveystripsoff.Hismusclesbuild,thencollapseashecutsthesquidintoloops,allthatfleshwobblinglikethejowlsofagingmen.
Ikeepmyeyeonalineofdecayingsquallswherecloudsaretowingeachotherlikebull-nosedtugs.Ihearthunder,orwhatcouldbeawharfofshuntinghulls.Grennansteersagain.Theseaiswhitecaps,wind,theairthesoundoffrigatehawks
sendingoutacousticflares.Thesemenknowtheirstorms:thosethatdragslowlywiththeirdredge-loads;thosewhoselightningisasquickasthefishthatdartbetweentheteethofsharks;whosehail’saspredatoryastheeyesofbarracuda,archerfish.
Thisone,theysay,isnothing:agull’samplifiedsquallingintoanair-furnacedblowhole;oneyoucouldshoutScotticismsintoandnotchangethestrengthofthegusts.Grennanhaulsupmoresquid.Davey’sarmsandshoulders,onelongtattoo,
worktoapulsingblue.Someday,likeDaveyI’llcutupsquid,pulltheminlikeGrennan.I’llwatchthenightboilintoasloughofink,watchclouds–stackeduplikehogsheadsofblackeststout–emptythickandfast.I’llfeelmymusclesripplearrow-pierced
hearts,crossbowedskulls,mermaid-riddenanchors,asIpullontheropes;craziesallofus,testingourluckamongthunderheadsspanningskieslikegirdersofpig-iron.
* * *
2.
The Kite
TodayIwatchedaboyflyhiskite.Itdidn’tcrackleinthewind–butgaveoutabarelyperceptiblehum.
Atacertainheight,I’dswearIhearditsing.Hecouldmakeitclimbinanywind;couldcrankthoseanglesup,
makeitveerwiththeprecisionofaninsecttargetingasting;thenhe’dletitroilinrapturousfinesse,atiny
birdinmid-aircourtship.Whenlightningcrackedacrossthecliff–(likequickpaleflicksofyak-hair
fly-whisks)–hestayedsteady.Forsolonghekepthisarmsup,asifheknewhe’dhoistthatkiteenough.
Iaskedifitwasmadeofspecialsilk,ifhe’dusedsomeparticularstring–andwhathe’dheardwhileholdingit.
Helookedatmefromadistance,thenaskedaboutmyalmsbowl,myrobes,andaboutthatforwhich
amonklives.ItwasthenIsawIcouldtellhimnothinginthecohortwind,thatdidn’tsoundillusory.
* * *
53 2010LITEXAM
5: Poetry5 – 1 Judith Beveridge: Wolf Notes – continued
3.
Apprentice
It’llbedawnbeforethesawing’sdone;allnight cuttingitup,yetbydark’send,apine,orcypressmoon,fragrant,awaitingfinish.Iwatch
thelathedcurlsrolloff,sinuousasbeachnames woundupinanautilus.Ilovetheaxe’sdeskworkprose,thefourgradesofnightsky,
thethunderbroughtintosyncwiththecross-grain gnarls.AllnightIworkunderlightning’srough-edgedsaw.Irubattherings,polisheach
stumptoapeakofwell-loggedsummers.Allnight gettingarhythm,sealingtimeunderresin,mysweatmixingwiththedust,thesawsinging
asithitsaburl,sandpaperlendingwoodachoice ofstars.ThoughI’msorefromthestickingblades,thoughmyheartislikeabuck,rubbing
antlersonbark,thoughmyhandsseekconcert withthedark,bymorning’sfirstspill,nostrokewillbeunrung,notool-teasedcurlwill
lieunswept,orbetakenbywind;nowing-sown whorlloomuptothelevellingsun.Ilovethesilentgnarling,theingrainedrefusals;
designshewnfromskieshardenedbyasplintering glaze;sighsknurledintocurses,moon-edgedrehearsals;wordscurlingoffalumberman’stongue.
Allnightlisteningtothewoodcrack,tothesaw keenback.Myheartcominghardagain–&againiftheshrillstarsofsummerhavesung.
* * *
2010LITEXAM 54
5: Poetry5 – 2 William Blake
Use one or more of the passages selected as the basis for a discussion of the poetry of William Blake.
1.
The SICK ROSE
ORosethouartsick.Theinvisibleworm.ThatfliesinthenightInthehowlingstorm:
HasfoundoutthybedOfcrimsonjoy:AndhisdarksecretloveDoesthylifedestroy.
* * *
2.
And did those feet in ancient time
Anddidthosefeetinancienttime,WalkuponEngland’smountainsgreen:AndwastheholyLambofGod,OnEngland’spleasantpasturesseen!
AnddidtheCountenanceDivine,Shineforthuponourcloudedhills?AndwasJerusalembuildedhere,AmongthesedarkSatanicMills?
BringmemyBowofburninggold:BringmemyArrowsofdesire;BringmemySpear:Ocloudsunfold!BringmemyChariotoffire!
IwillnotceasefromMentalFight,NorshallmySwordsleepinmyhand:TillwehavebuiltJerusalem,InEngland’sgreen&pleasantLand.
WouldtoGodthatalltheLord’speoplewereProphets. NumbersXI.ch29v.
* * *
THISQUESTIONISCONTINUEDONPAGE55
55 2010LITEXAM
5: Poetry5 – 2 William Blake – continued
3.
What is the price of Experience . . .
WhatisthepriceofExperiencedomenbuyitforasongOrwisdomforadanceinthestreet?Noitisboughtwiththeprice
OfallthatamanhathhishousehiswifehischildrenWisdomissoldinthedesolatemarketwherenonecometobuyAndinthewitherdfieldwherethefarmerploughsforbreadinvain
ItisaneasythingtotriumphinthesummerssunAndinthevintage&tosingonthewaggonloadedwithcornItisaneasythingtotalkofpatiencetotheafflictedTospeakthelawsofprudencetothehouselesswandererTolistentothehungryravenscryinwintryseasonWhentheredbloodisfilldwithwine&withthemarrowoflambs
ItisaneasythingtolaughatwrathfulelementsTohear thedoghowlat thewintrydoor, theox in the slaughter
housemoanToseeagodoneverywind&ablessingoneveryblastTo hear sounds of love in the thunder storm that destroys our
enemieshouseTorejoice in theblight thatcovershisfield,&thesickness that
cutsoffhischildrenWhileourolive&vinesing&laughroundourdoor&ourchildren
bringfruits&flowers
Thenthegroan&thedolorarequiteforgotten&theslavegrindingatthemill
Andthecaptiveinchains&thepoorintheprison,&thesoldierinthefield
Whentheshatterdbonehathlaidhimgroaningamongthehappierdead
ItisaneasythingtorejoiceinthetentsofprosperityThuscouldIsing&thusrejoice,butitisnotsowithme!
* * *
2010LITEXAM 56
5: Poetry5 – 3 Gwen Harwood: Collected Poems
Use one or more of the passages selected as the basis for a discussion of the poetry of Gwen Harwood.
1.
Father and Child
II Nightfall
GwenHarwood,Collected Poems,UniversityofQueenslandPress,2003
p276–277
2.
The Secret Life of Frogs
GwenHarwood,Collected Poems,UniversityofQueenslandPress,2003
p331–332
THISQUESTIONISCONTINUEDONPAGE57
57 2010LITEXAM
5: Poetry5 – 3 Gwen Harwood: Collected Poems – continued
3.
Night and Dreams
IV
GwenHarwood,Collected Poems,UniversityofQueenslandPress,2003
p400–401
2010LITEXAM 58
5: Poetry5 – 4 Seamus Heaney: Beowulf
Use one or more of the passages selected as the basis for a discussion of the poem Beowulf.
1.
SeamusHeaney,Beowulf,Faber&Faber,2000
p14–15
2.
SeamusHeaney,Beowulf,Faber&Faber,2000
p49–50
THISQUESTIONISCONTINUEDONPAGE59
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5: Poetry5 – 4 Seamus Heaney: Beowulf – continued
3.
SeamusHeaney,Beowulf,Faber&Faber,2000
p87–88
2010LITEXAM 60
5: Poetry5 – 5 John Keats: The Major Works
Use one or more of the passages selected as the basis for a discussion of the poetry of John Keats.
1.
On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer
MuchhaveItravell’dintherealmsofgold,Andmanygoodlystatesandkingdomsseen;RoundmanywesternislandshaveIbeenWhichbardsinfealtytoApollohold.OftofonewideexpansehadIbeentoldThatdeep-brow’dHomerruledashisdemesne;YetdidIneverbreatheitspuresereneTillIheardChapmanspeakoutloudandbold:ThenfeltIlikesomewatcheroftheskiesWhenanewplanetswimsintohisken;OrlikestoutCortezwhenwitheagleeyesHestar’datthePacific—andallhismenLook’dateachotherwithawildsurmise—Silent,uponapeakinDarien.
* * *
2.
Ode on a Grecian Urn
1Thoustillunravish’dbrideofquietness,Thoufoster-childofsilenceandslowtime,Sylvanhistorian,whocanstthusexpressAflowerytalemoresweetlythanourrhyme:Whatleaf-fring’dlegendhauntsaboutthyshapeOfdeitiesormortals,orofboth, InTempeorthedalesofArcady?Whatmenorgodsarethese?Whatmaidensloth?Whatmadpursuit?Whatstruggletoescape? Whatpipesandtimbrels?Whatwildecstasy?
2Heardmelodiesaresweet,butthoseunheardAresweeter;therefore,yesoftpipes,playon;Nottothesensualear,but,moreendear’d,Pipetothespiritdittiesofnotone:Fairyouth,beneaththetrees,thoucanstnotleaveThysong,norevercanthosetreesbebare; BoldLover,never,nevercanstthoukiss,Thoughwinningnearthegoal—yet,donotgrieve;Shecannotfade,thoughthouhastnotthybliss, Foreverwiltthoulove,andshebefair!
3Ah,happy,happyboughs!thatcannotshedYourleaves,noreverbidtheSpringadieu;And,happymelodist,unwearied,Foreverpipingsongsforevernew;Morehappylove!morehappy,happylove!Foreverwarmandstilltobeenjoy’d, Foreverpanting,andforeveryoung;Allbreathinghumanpassionfarabove,Thatleavesahearthigh-sorrowfulandcloy’d, Aburningforehead,andaparchingtongue.
4Whoarethesecomingtothesacrifice?Towhatgreenaltar,Omysteriouspriest,Lead’stthouthatheiferlowingattheskies,Andallhersilkenflankswithgarlandsdrest?Whatlittletownbyriverorseashore,Ormountain-builtwithpeacefulcitadel, Isemptiedofthisfolk,thispiousmorn?And,littletown,thystreetsforevermoreWillsilentbe;andnotasoultotell Whythouartdesolate,cane’erreturn.
THISQUESTIONISCONTINUEDONPAGE61
61 2010LITEXAM
5: Poetry5 – 5 John Keats: The Major Works – continued
5OAtticshape!Fairattitude!withbrede Ofmarblemenandmaidensoverwrought,Withforestbranchesandthetroddenweed; Thou,silentform,dostteaseusoutofthoughtAsdotheternity:ColdPastoral! Whenoldageshallthisgenerationwaste, Thoushaltremain,inmidstofotherwoeThanours,afriendtoman,towhomthousay’st, ‘Beautyistruth,truthbeauty,’—thatisall Yeknowonearth,andallyeneedtoknow.
* * *
3.
‘Bright Star, would I were stedfast as thou art’
BrightStar,wouldIwerestedfastasthouart— Notinlonesplendorhungaloftthenight,Andwatching,witheternallidsapart, Likenature’spatient,sleeplessEremite,Themovingwatersattheirpriestliketask Ofpureablutionroundearth’shumanshores,Orgazingonthenewsoft-fallenmasque Ofsnowuponthemountainsandthemoors—No—yetstillstedfast,stillunchangeable Pillow’duponmyfairlove’sripeningbreast,Tofeelforeveritssoftswellandfall, Awakeforeverinasweetunrest,Still,stilltohearhertender-takenbreath,Andsoliveever—orelseswoontodeath—
* * *
2010LITEXAM 62
5: Poetry5 – 6 Philip Larkin: Collected Poems
Use one or more of the passages selected as the basis for a discussion of the poetry of Philip Larkin.
1.
Home is so Sad
PhilipLarkin,Collected Poems,TheMarvellPressandFaber&Faber,
Allen&Unwin,2003
p88
2.
Ambulances
PhilipLarkin,Collected Poems,TheMarvellPressandFaber&Faber,
Allen&Unwin,2003
p104
THISQUESTIONISCONTINUEDONPAGE63
63 2010LITEXAM
5: Poetry5 – 6 Philip Larkin: Collected Poems – continued
3.
Aubade
PhilipLarkin,Collected Poems,TheMarvellPressandFaber&Faber,
Allen&Unwin,2003
p109
2010 LIT EXAM 64
Assessment criteria
The examination will address all of the criteria. All students will be examined against the following criteria.
1. Understanding of the text demonstrated in a relevant and plausible interpretation.
2. Ability to write expressively and coherently to present an interpretation.
3. Understanding of how views and values may be suggested in the text.
4. Analysis of how key passages and/or moments in the text contribute to an interpretation.
5. Analysis of the features of a text and how they contribute to an interpretation.
6. Analysis and close reading of textual details to support a coherent and detailed interpretation of the text.
A checklist for planning and revising
Have I included the part numbers and text numbers of my chosen texts on the front cover(s) of all script books?
Have I written on texts from two different parts?
Have I demonstrated my knowledge and understanding of the chosen texts?
Have I referred to the chosen texts in detail to illustrate or justify my responses?
Have I discussed at least one set passage for each text in detail?
Have I expressed myself effectively and appropriately?
Have I edited my final version for spelling, punctuation and sentence structure?
Are there places where my handwriting would be difficult to read and should be tidied?
Are any alterations I have made clear to the reader?
END OF TASK BOOK