Extended Literary Study Controlled Assessment
GCSE English Language Extended Literary Study Controlled Assessment Of Mice And Men Resit How do we learn about a character?
Characters past Characters appearance Characters speech Key events which involve the character How do we learn about a character? Turn into an A3 sheet Characters private thoughts concerns, dreams and aspirations How do other characters feel about them? Characters actions Extended Literary Study Controlled Assessment
GCSE English Language Extended Literary Study Controlled Assessment Of Mice And Men Resit Let us practise with Lennie A brief introduction to Lennie
Lennie is one of the key protagonists in the novella Of Mice and Men and the writer, John Steinbeck presents him with psychological issues and special learning needs, as well as not knowing his own strength. This is shown whereGeorge says, trouble with mice, is that you always kill em. His inability to not understand his own strength clearly demonstrates his lack of social, emotional and psychological development. Furthermore, his lack of social awareness forces the other characters to demean him and patronise him. Lennies private thoughts
The need for the American Dream is prominent with Lennie as he asks for a parable version of it, which George retells like a father to his child: Lennie spoke craftily: Tell me like you done before. Steinbeck uses this tale to show several things: his relationship with George and his need for sanctuary and stability. Moreover, Steinbeck shows how we may all yearn for dream like this and however different Lennie seems to be, he still has a dream which we all desire: family love and security. Throughout the novel, Lennies private thoughts do not seem to extend beyond the keeping of rabbits and his fear of George abandoning him. In an attempt to understand the enigma of Lennie, Steinbeck presents Aunt Claraand the form of a rabbit with his own voice, to show how muddled and immature Lennies thinking is: I tol you, Min George because hes such a nice fella an good to you.You do bad things. Like a child, the reprimands and insecurities surface in the form of the only authority which Lennie can comprehend. Steinbeck shows his vulnerability at the most poignant part of the noveljust before his death. Lennies appearance Steinbeck wanted to present a character who appeals to the readers empathy and used bestial words and language to reflect his almost super-human strength: a huge man, shapeless of facedragging his feet a little like a bear drags his paws. Paws conveys Lennies power but it is a word which suggest the wild he is almost not human and needs to be tamed. Steinbeck shows how very different Lennie is right at the start of the novella, to set the scene for future expectations and events. Lennies past We learn about the reason that George and Lennie are on the move early in the novella. At the beginning of the novella Steinbeck creates a past history which has dictated some of the events in the novella itself. We are told that Lennie was accused of attacking a certain woman from the last ranch they had been to in a place called Weed. This meant that Lennie was forced out and George has to look after Lennie as one would a child. This past event dictates how Lennie is asked to behave by George and prepares the reader for the way the novella progresses with Lennie. Lennies key events What happened in Weed before the events of the novella, thus making Lennie and other characters sound more convincing. Arrival at the secluded spot with George where the novella ends and begins in its cyclical form. Arrival at the ranch and meeting the key characters like Candy, Curley and Slim. Discussion of the American Dream with George and Candy Slims puppies how Lennie treats them. The confrontation with Curley crushing his hand. Candys Wife how she treats him with the other outsiders like Crooks and Candy. The manslaughter ofthe puppy and consequently, Curleys Wife. The mercy killing at the end of the novella. Lennies speech Steinbeck gives Lennie a voice which highlights key aspects of his personality: GeorgeI aint got mine. I musta lost it. Here, Lennies voice sounds lost and innocent like a childs, feeling vulnerable and ignorant. Steinbeck ensures that he is to be pitied, rather than be treated with ignorance by the reader. His accent and abbreviated words show his lack of education and thus how neglected he has been by all those around him. The ellipsis shows his slow processing of events and when he realises that he cannot find his work card, he sounds like he needs help and support. How do other characters feel about them?
George protects him as a friend, brother and paternal figure: You never had none, you crazy bastardThink Id let you carry your own work card? Candy sees him as a peer who can share the American Dream with: Lennie and Candy nodded, and they were grinning with delight. Slim sees and understands his vulnerability and strength: He aint meanI can see Lennie aint a bit mean. Curley confronts Lennie due to his size: Well, nex timeyou answer when youre spoke to. Curleys wife wants a friend and finds some solace with Lennie: Youre nutsBut youre a kinda nice fella. Jus like a big baby. Anything else? Dependant on others for guidance and protection in the majority of cases his friend George. His strength which is abnormal, as is his size. He likes petting soft things, such as small animals, dresses and peoples hair, which you later find out leads to disaster. What are you going to be marked on?
Assessment Objective: Read and understand texts, selecting material appropriate to purpose. Develop and sustain interpretations of writers ideas and perspectives. Read and understand texts, selecting material appropriate to purpose.
Develop and sustain interpretations of writers ideas and perspectives. The Layers of Analysis 1. The literal meaning:
the dictionary definition of the word or phrase that you have chosen; try to identify the writers technique like repetition or a metaphor. 2. The deeper meaning: The meaning behind the literal meaning; associated meanings; the connotations; what the word or phrase suggests to the reader. 3. The writers intention: What did the writer want his audience to understand or learn? What message did he/she want to give the reader and for what reason? When and why was he/she writing? Lennies speech Steinbeck gives Lennie a voice which highlights key aspects of his personality: GeorgeI aint got mine. I musta lost it. Here, Lennies voice sounds lost and innocent like a childs, feeling vulnerable and ignorant. Steinbeck ensures that he is to be pitied, rather than be treated with ignorance by the reader. His accent and abbreviated words show his lack of education and thus how neglected he has been by all those around him. The ellipsis shows his slow processing of events and when he realises that he cannot find his work card, he sounds like he needs help and support. Top Tips How to get the next grade up
Clear introduction which answers the question. A quotation to begin? PEA in every single paragraph as much deeper meaning and Steinbecks intention. Steinbeck should be central to what you are writing; none of the characters would exist without him. So begin points and analysis with phrases like, This implies that Steinbeck or Steinbeck may have done this because or Steinbeck presents Use analytical vocabulary conveys, presents, shows, highlights, expresses, demonstrates, indicates, illustrates, confirms Use connectives to link your analytical sentences and paragraphs: Firstly, secondly, furthermore, moreover, consequently, however, additionally EDCBAA* PEEDAE OVXENV IIPVAA NDLELL TEALSU NNOIA CAPST ETI IO ON N The Controlled Assessment Resit
This is a TWO hour controlled assessment. You are permitted ONE page of notes on A4 paper. There should be no plan or full sentences on this notes sheet. You have this weekend to complete the preparation for the assessment. On Tuesday 26th, Wednesday 27th and Friday 29th January, English teachers will be in rooms 22, 23 and 12 to ensure that you can complete the assessment over 2 one hour slots after school. Before you leave, please sign up to which days you are committing to get the controlled assessment done.