GCSE English Literature

Question: How does Shelley present the theme of human power and its limitations in Ozymandias?

Quote: "Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
Analysis: Shelley’s irony undermines Ozymandias’ arrogance; his once-mighty empire has crumbled into ruins. The imperative command in “Look on my Works” conveys arrogance, yet the desolation mocks this hubris. The caesura after “despair!” forces a pause, mirroring the abrupt fall of his reign. This critique of tyrannical rulers aligns with Romantic ideals, emphasizing nature’s superiority over human ambition.

Question: How does Shelley use imagery to emphasize decay and destruction in Ozymandias?

Quote: "Nothing beside remains. Round the decay of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare"
Analysis: The juxtaposition of “colossal” and “wreck” highlights the fall from grandeur to insignificance. The alliteration in “boundless and bare” emphasizes the vast emptiness, reinforcing the insignificance of human achievements against time’s relentless force.

Question: How does Shelley present Ozymandias as a flawed ruler?

Quote: "The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed"
Analysis: The ambiguity of “mocked” suggests both ridicule and imitation, hinting at Ozymandias’ cruel rule. The metaphor of “heart that fed” suggests he sustained his people, yet the ruin implies his failures outweighed his achievements.

Question: How does Owen portray the soldiers’ suffering in Exposure?

Quote: "Our brains ache, in the merciless iced east winds that knive us…"
Analysis: Nature is personified as a more formidable enemy than human adversaries. The harsh consonance in “knive us” mimics the biting wind, reinforcing the soldiers' vulnerability. The ellipsis reflects their fragmented, deteriorating state.

Question: How does Owen convey the futility of war in Exposure?
Themes: War, Suffering, Hopelessness

Quote: "But nothing happens."
Techniques: Repetition (Language), Structure (Short Sentence)
Analysis: The stark repetition of "But nothing happens" emphasizes the monotony of suffering and the futility of war. The abruptness of the phrase reflects the soldiers' despair and powerlessness, reinforcing Owen’s critique of war’s brutality.

Question: How does Owen contrast the soldiers’ suffering with their expectations of war in Exposure?
Themes: Disillusionment, War, Betrayal

Quote: "For love of God seems dying."
Techniques: Religious Imagery (Language), Enjambment (Structure)
Analysis: The religious imagery suggests the soldiers feel abandoned, their faith eroded by endless suffering. The enjambment reflects a continuous, drawn-out agony, emphasizing their loss of hope.

Question: How does Owen use sensory imagery to depict suffering in Exposure?
Themes: War, Pain, Desperation

Quote: "Sudden successive flights of bullets streak the silence."
Techniques: Sibilance (Language), Contrast (Language)
Analysis: The sibilance mimics the sound of gunfire, creating a visceral experience for the reader. The contrast between “sudden” and “silence” emphasizes the unpredictable nature of war, heightening tension.

Question: How does Owen portray death as inevitable in Exposure?
Themes: War, Fate, Suffering

Quote: "Slowly our ghosts drag home"
Techniques: Metaphor (Language), Alliteration (Language)
Analysis: The metaphor of “ghosts” suggests the soldiers are already spiritually dead, reinforcing the inevitability of their fate. The alliteration in “drag home” evokes exhaustion, highlighting their suffering and disillusionment.

Question: How does Armitage explore trauma and guilt in Remains?

Quote: "His bloody life in my bloody hands"
Analysis: The repetition of “bloody” conveys both literal bloodshed and figurative guilt, reflecting the soldier’s inability to move on. The enjambment represents the ongoing psychological torment of PTSD.

Question: How does Armitage depict the lasting impact of war in Remains?

Quote: "blink…Sleep,…Dream,."
Analysis: Armitage uses the words blink, sleep and dream to create the semantic field of peace. Ironically , however, these do not create peace for the soldier rather remind him of his unforgivable actions. Armitage initially hinting at the solider’s PTSD foreshadows his descent into paranoia and eventually his own death. “This shows us that regret lasts a lifetime and can increment to the point that it can create physical damage.”

Question: How does Armitage portray the soldier’s detachment from reality in Remains?

Quote: "he’s here in my head when i close my eyes, dug in behind enemy lines,"
Analysis: Armitage implements a volta which begins the conformation of the soldier’s fate. The verb dug indicates he’s been entrenched within his mind and is unable to escape the guilt he feels from his past. Almost as if he’s seeing snapshot images of the day are playing on repeat.

Question: How does Armitage use structure to reflect the speaker’s deteriorating state in Remains?

Quote: "Well myself and somebody else and somebody else are all of the same mind"
Analysis: Using the repetition of somebody else Armitage juxtaposes the expectation of camaraderie between the soldiers with the idea that they are all just individuals fighting for themselves. “The same mind” symbolises the soldiers’ employing a lack of empathy for the man they harmed. It did not matter whether he was carrying a weapon or the fact that he was in retreat. But the act of merciless killing had become synonymous with their nature.

Question: How does Browning show the power the Duke’s wife has over him despite their separation in My Last Duchess?

Quote: "(since none is put by The curtain I have drawn to you, but I)"
Analysis: The use of brackets introduces a conversation with the picture frame “The curtain” provides him with a sense of control. Only he decides when the painting is seen or covered which provides him with power and authority in his eyes. However the context of an inanimate object shows the Duke to be deeply insecure over his wife. This juxtaposes the traditional patriarchal values of a man whose wife should be seeking his approval rather than the contrary. This foreshadows an obsession behind a person that he unconsciously knows he can’t control leading to his downfall.

Question: How does Browning show the Duke’s attitude towards confronting his wife’s flaws in My Last Duchess?

Quote: "- E’en then there would be some stooping; and I chose Never to stoop."
Analysis: Following a list of his wife’s flaws the Duke explains his response using the repetition of “stoop”. He shows a spark of rightful dissatisfaction, but immediately shuts this down by refusing to do so. This would diminish his authority. For him his wife isn’t close but rather a 2nd class character who should know better than go against him. The enjambment between “I chose” and “Never to stoop” emphasises his strong and spiteful thought process. This further shows his hamartia and his attitude and treatment of others will repay him miserably.

Question: How does Browning hint at the Duchess’ death in My Last Duchess?

Quote: "Then all smiles stopped together"
Analysis: The word “together”, followed by the caesura, reveals the dark truth that her life was likely cut short by the Duke. The reference to her “smiles” shows how even her small gestures towards others were enough to provoke his vengeful nature. For the Duke, confrontation felt beneath him; expressing dissatisfaction would be too kind in comparison to his cold, patriarchal ideas. Instead, her realisation had to come brutally and without warning. She was never a companion in his eyes just a possession, something to control and discard when she no longer served his sense of pride.

Question: What quote from Inspector Goole shows his moral authority and his role as the play’s moral center?

Quote: "We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other." (Act 1, Scene 2)

Analysis: The Inspector’s repetition of responsibility emphasizes the moral duty people have to one another. The collective pronoun "we" creates unity, implying that everyone shares accountability for others. Priestley uses this line to challenge the Birlings’ self-centeredness and advocate for a more compassionate and interconnected society.

Question: What quote from Inspector Goole foreshadows the consequences of ignoring social responsibility?

Quote:" If men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish." (Act 3, Scene 1)

Analysis: The Inspector’s vivid imagery of “fire and blood” foreshadows the severe consequences of ignoring social responsibility, suggesting a violent, destructive outcome. The juxtaposition of the lesson and suffering highlights the moral urgency of the message, with Priestley using it to criticize the complacency of the upper class and warn that neglecting social issues will lead to chaos.

Question: What quote from Inspector Goole demonstrates his role in forcing the Birlings to confront their actions?

Quote: "There are millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us." (Act 3, Scene 1)
Analysis: The repetition of "millions and millions" emphasizes the widespread nature of inequality and the ongoing suffering of working-class people. His imperative tone not only stresses the moral urgency of acknowledging this reality but also implies that change must happen in the future. The statement serves as a warning that if society does not take responsibility and reform its attitudes, the cycle of exploitation and inequality will continue to harm many more people like Eva Smith.

Question: What does Mr. Birling say about collective responsibility in society?

Quote: "As if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive – community and all that nonsense." (Act 1, Scene 1)
Analysis: Mr. Birling’s metaphor of “bees in a hive” mocks the idea of collective responsibility, implying it is an unrealistic and foolish concept. His dismissive tone highlights his belief in individualism and capitalism, rejecting the idea of society's interconnectedness. This shows his reluctance to acknowledge the need for social responsibility.

Question: How does Mr. Birling dismiss the possibility of war?

Quote: "The war is inevitable... to that I say fiddlesticks." (Act 1, Scene 1)
Analysis: Mr. Birling’s dramatic irony is emphasized as the audience knows that World War I is imminent, making his statement sound foolish. His dismissive tone reflects his arrogance and his belief that his opinions are infallible. This shows his detachment from reality and his disregard for the consequences of global events.

Question: How does Mrs. Birling respond to Eva Smith’s death?

Quote: "I don’t suppose for a moment that we can understand why the girl committed suicide." (Act 2, Scene 2)
Analysis: Mrs. Birling’s denial suggests she refuses to recognize the reality of Eva’s situation, highlighting her classism. As the head of a charity, she should have shown empathy, but her response reflects the older generation’s refusal to understand the struggles of the lower class. Priestley critiques this attitude, suggesting that upper-class women should be loyal to their gender, not just their class.

Question: What quote from Mrs. Birling demonstrates her failure to accept any responsibility for Eva Smith’s death?

Quote: "I don’t believe it. I won’t believe it." (Act 2, Scene 2)
Analysis: Mrs. Birling’s repeated denial of her involvement shows her refusal to accept any responsibility for Eva Smith’s suffering. The rejection of the Inspector’s accusations highlights her inability to acknowledge the consequences of her actions. Priestley uses this to criticize the complacency of the wealthy, who remain blind to the suffering of others.

Question: What quote from Mrs. Birling reveals her sense of superiority over the working class?

Quote: "She had only herself to blame." (Act 2, Scene 2)
Analysis: Mrs. Birling’s blunt dismissal of Eva Smith’s plight emphasizes her elitist attitude and refusal to acknowledge systemic inequality. The phrase "only herself to blame" shows her belief in individual responsibility, ignoring the wider societal forces at play. Priestley uses this to criticize the prejudiced attitudes of the upper class that deny the harsh realities faced by the working class.

Question: What quote from Gerald Croft shows his recognition of responsibility, despite his earlier denials?

Quote: "I didn’t feel about her as she felt about me." (Act 2, Scene 3)
Analysis: Gerald’s admission of the emotional distance between himself and Eva Smith reflects his internal guilt and realization of the damage he caused. The contrast between his feelings and hers shows his awareness of the harm his actions caused. Priestley uses this moment to highlight Gerald’s capacity for self-reflection, suggesting that recognition of guilt is the first step toward redemption.

Question: What quote from Sheila Birling shows her growing awareness of the exploitation of workers and her shift in perspective on social responsibility?

Quote: "But these girls aren't cheap labour – they're people." (Act 1, Scene 2)
Analysis: The juxtaposition of "cheap labour" and "people" highlights Sheila’s shift in thinking, as she begins to understand the humanity of the working class. This moment shows her moving away from her parents' capitalist mindset. Sheila’s growing awareness marks her moral development and contrasts with her parents’ more dismissive attitudes toward the working class.

Question: What quote from Sheila Birling shows her growing self-awareness and recognition of responsibility?

Quote: "I’m not a child, don’t forget. I’ve a right to know." (Act 1, Scene 2)
Analysis: Sheila’s use of assertive language here reflects her increasing maturity and desire for autonomy. The assertiveness in this statement signals a shift in her character from passive to active engagement, as she seeks to understand the situation and take responsibility rather than remain in ignorance.

Question: What quote from Eric Birling shows his recognition of the devastating consequences of his actions?

Quote: "I’m ashamed of you as well – yes, both of you." (Act 3, Scene 1)
Analysis: The repetition of "both of you" emphasizes Eric’s emotional frustration with his parents. It highlights his moral awakening as he becomes increasingly disillusioned with their refusal to accept responsibility. This moment marks a key turning point in Eric's character, showing his shift from complicity to accountability.

Question: What quote from Eric Birling shows his deep guilt and emotional breakdown over his role in Eva Smith's death?

Quote: "You killed her – and the child she would have had too – my child." (Act 3, Scene 1)
Analysis: Eric’s use of emphatic language such as "killed" and "my child" intensifies the emotional weight of his guilt. This shows the depth of his remorse, as he fully grasps the consequences of his actions. The context, where Eric confronts his parents and acknowledges the unborn child, underscores his growing moral responsibility and regret.