Critical Essay on themeS5 Higher

Theme = Central concernSecond sentence of the task always refers to the central concern of the text or the play as a whole.

Mention theme and you are linking to a central concern of the text as a whole.

3 ways to approach an essayA. Task based: Do 1, then 2

Follow closely the instructions in the task

B. Chronological: Beginning / Middle / End

Follow closely the order of events in the text

C. Magic 3: 3 areas related to the focus of the task

Do 1 then 2 for three separate areas

Question 1Choose a play which explores one of the following: the nature of heroism; the impact of self-delusion; the burden of responsibility.

Discuss how the dramatist explores this central concern through the presentation of one or more than one character.

the impact of self-delusion = this central concern = dreams and reality.

Key Question: what is the impact on Blanche of living in her dreams and ignoring reality?

Question 2Choose a play in which a character shows signs of instability at one or more than one key point in the play.

Explain the reasons for the character’s instability and discuss how this feature adds to your understanding of the central concern of the play.

Instability relates to the central concern = dreams and reality OR death and desire

Question 3Choose from a play a scene which you find amusing or moving or disturbing

Explain how the scene provokes this response and discuss how this aspect of the scene contributes to your understanding of the play as a whole.

Play as a whole = central concern = choose one which relates to the moving / disturbing scene.

Eg

Sc 10 – disturbing because it shows Stanley destroying Blanche’s dreams / illusions