GCSE English Literature essays

Pre 1914 Short Stories Essay

“Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely.” How far do you believe Napoleon’s leadership in Animal Farm bears out the truth of this maxim?

What aspects of 18th century life does Blake attack in the poem London?

Pride and prejudice

Trace the metamorphosis of Rita from an unfulfilled hairdresser to an educated woman. If you were directing the play, how would you show these changes in Rita’s character?

Examine the ways in which the two poets, Wordsworth and Blake, present contrasting views of London in their poems

Compare and contrast the presentation of ‘London’ in ‘Upon Westminster Bridge’ and ‘London’

Marriage, Life and Religion in Romeo & Juliet

Blood Brothers

Write about how the authors have made you aware of different experiences and feelings associated with growing up.

What does the novel Silas Marner have to say about the relationship between parents and their children?

Blood Brothers

With reference to Edgar Allen Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher and any other related source material, how successful is Oscar Wilde in creating a Gothic novel with The Picture of Dorian Gray?

Explore how Donne’s poetry was influenced by developments in scientific progressions, exploration and religion.

How does Edgar Allan Poe keep the reader in suspense in “The Tell–Tale Heart”?

Who is responsible for the death of King Duncan in “Macbeth”, by William Shakespeare?

How does Steinbeck present loneliness and isolation in “Of Mice and Men”?

Who is most responsible for the murder of King Duncan in Shakespeare's play Macbeth?

Great Expectations: How successful is Pip in fulfilling his expectations?

Julius Caesar: Do you agree with Antony’s assessment of Brutus in “Julius Caesar”?

What devices and techniques are used which lead us to believe 'The strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' is a novel of deception and secrets?

A Biography of Emily Dickinson's Life and Writing

Consequences of Man's Attempt to Master Life Exposed in Frankenstein

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck - Characters

The Merchant of Venice Bonds - English Coursework

Of Mice and Men Coursework - How is Prejudice Represented Within the Story and What Role does it Play?

An Inspector Calls - What is the dramatic interest for the audience in the opening section of the play?

Great Expectations - ‘How does Dickens engage the reader in the opening section of the novel?’

Ballads

Fever 1793

Old Majors Speech and how it relates to the rest of the novel animal farm

Is Shylock presented as a victim or villian?

“A Good Man is Hard to Find” by Flannery O’ Connor

Chaucer's characters

Analyse the poem `Because I Could Not Stop for Death,' by Emily Dickinson

Essay for the Shakespeare play “Macbeth”

The Zodiac - Robert Graysmith

Eating disorders

The poetic creativity of Shelley and Keats

The Life and Works of William Shakespeare

How does Dickens shape the readers’ first impression of Miss Havisham?

Examine the character of John Proctor, considering the ways in which Miller makes him a suitable protaganist for his views on society and morality

How does Shakespeare conduct scenes in Romeo and Julet in the way that creates the most dramatic impact?

Essay on Macbeth and Lady Macbeth - Grade A

Early purges vs mid term break - Seamus Heaney

Themes: Violence in ‘Of Mice and Men’

Of Mice and Men Coursework Guide

Pride and Prejudice

Manhood in Macbeth

Analysis of Macbeth Soliloquies

Who or what is responsible for Romeo and Juliet’s death?

What do we learn about George and Lennie in the first chapter of "Of Mice and Men"?

What do we learn about the hopes and dreams of the characters in the novella, “Of Mice and Men”?

How does Dickens fulfil his role as social critic "Oliver Twist" (with close reference to chapters 2 and 3)?

COMPARE HOW SEAMUS HEANEY PUTS ACROSS THE GROWING UP EXPERIENCE IN “DEATH OF A NATURALIST” WITH HOW GROWING UP IS DESCRIBED IN ANOTHER 3 POEMS.

How is the opening chapter of “Of Mice and Men” important to the rest of the novella?

Discuss the role of the Narrator and how he is important to the play “Blood Brothers” (Willy Russell)?

How are the songs important to “Blood Brothers”? What do they add and how do they help the play?

Choose 2 Gillian Clarke poems where she has used ordinary events on her farm in Wales to reflect on more serious current affairs. Compare and contrast the methods that Clarke uses to reflect her feelings towards her subject matter.

COMPARE HOW SEAMUS HEANEY PUTS ACROSS THE GROWING UP EXPERIENCE IN “DEATH OF A NATURALIST” WITH HOW GROWING UP IS DESCRIBED IN ANOTHER 3 POEMS. YOU SHOULD CHOOSE AT LEAST ONE POEM BY GILLIAN CLARKE AND ONE FROM THE PRE-1914 COLLECTION IN YOUR ANSWER.

Compare how the poets of “The Eagle” and “Patrolling Barnegat” show awe and respect for Nature with how awe and respect for Nature is shown in 1 Seamus Heaney poem and 1 Gillian Clarke poem

Choose 4 poems that are about the experience of parent/child relationships. Compare and contrast the situations in the poems and the poets' attitudes to them. (You must include at least one poem from each of the Gillian Clarke, Seamus Heaney and pre-1914

Compare and contrast the educational experiences that Billy has during his day at school. How are the experiences that Billy has in school important to the novel and what do you think Barry Hines trying to say about education in the 1960s?

What evidence is there that Billy is not the complete failure that his school and society think that he is? What do we learn of his skills and talents in the novel and what do you think is Barry Hines trying to say about society?

Who or what is responsible for Romeo and Juliet’s death?

To Kill A Mockingbird - Notes

How Is Dramatic Affect Created In The Play?

How does Shakespeare present forms of madness and how would this play with modern and Elizabethan audience perceptions?

The Tyger By William Blake

Romeo and Juliet - Choose one dramatic scene in the play, discuss how Shakespeare structures this scene to capture the audience’s attention.

How does Charlotte Bronte Create Sympathy for Jane Eyre in Chapter One?

GCSE sample essays

Consider Marlowe’s ‘Doctor Faustus’ as a play of morality?

English Assessment: The lost chapter

Write a continuation of the novel beginning at the point where the novel ends. Could a new revolutionary leader appear? Might Benjamin decide to take a more active role? When and how might the society fail?

Oliver Twist

Comparing “Porphyrias lover” and “The Sisters”

Who might Shakespeare have intended the audience To blame for Romeo and Juliet’s deaths?