AQA A-level FRENCH PAPER 2 2020 MS.

AQA A-level FRENCH PAPER 2 2020 MS. This is a complete and an all-inclusive guide to AQA A-level FRENCH PAPER 2 2020 MS. Analysez le rôle comique que joue Dorine dans cette pièce. [40 marks] Possible content • Dorine’s directness is amusing in its stark contrast with other characters’ false piety. • Dorine is very perceptive as she sees Tartuffe for the fraudster that he is. • Dorine understands and judges Tartuffe’s supporters as being easily duped. • Molière uses Dorine to expose the failings and hypocrisies of other characters. • Dorine understands that reputation and social standing are important to those who are pro Tartuffe and those who are against him. • Dorine’s criticism of other characters’ actions provides comic relief. • The fact that Dorine is of a lower social class than her masters, but criticises them and exposes their foibles, adds to the comic relief. • Dorine exposing the foibles of her masters adds to the satirical aspect of the play. • Dorine’s intelligence undermines older male characters’ perception of women as the weaker sex and unable to make sound and informed choices. • Dorine supports the younger characters in the play exposing the hypocrisies of the older generation. • Even though Dorine is critical of her masters, she is loyal to them and understands the importance of a strong family. • It is ironic that Dorine is a servant but plays a key role in creating a strong family. MARK SCHEME – A-LEVEL FRENCH – 7652/2 – JUNE 2020 7 0 1 . 2 « Le Tartuffe est aussi pertinent aujourd’hui qu’il y a trois cents ans. » Dans quelle mesure êtes-vous d’accord avec ce jugement ? [40 marks] Possible content • Le Tartuffe is a play that deals with aspects of the human condition. • The greed and self-interest of Tartuffe are traits common to all human beings. • The manipulation of the truth is a common human trait. • Tartuffe’s false piety rings true with those who claim to have religious and moral authority over others. • The reasoned behaviour of some characters and the irrational behaviour of others is a human trait that is still common today. • Moral authority and reputation are prevalent issues amongst social groups and classes. • Gender inequality and patriarchal authority, as symbolised by Orgon and Tartuffe’s attempts to assert their authority over Elmire and Mariane, are issues which are still important today. • How people are perceived and the truth about their personalities are common issues today. • The desire for control and power over others has been and continues to be a common trait in human beings. • Attaining power by false and deceptive means has been and continues to be a common trait in human beings. • Strong and loving relationships are more powerful than superficial and cynical relationships which are purely for personal gain. • Wisdom is not restricted to a certain age or gender. MARK SCHEME – A-LEVEL FRENCH – 7652/2 – JUNE 2020 8 0 2 Voltaire : Candide 0 2 . 1 Analysez pour quelles raisons Voltaire a choisi le titre Candide ou l’Optimisme pour ce conte. [40 marks] Possible content • Candide of the title is the name of the main character who is central to the story. • Name suggests innocence and naivety. • Story follows his adventures and experiences following his expulsion from the château de Thunder-ten-tronckh ; he is present throughout. • Candide encounters a sequence of life-threatening situations – both manmade and natural – and meets up with a range of different characters representing different facets of human misery and suffering. • Throughout Candide is seeking to be reunited with Cunégonde, the love of his life. • His function in the story is to test the validity of the philosophy of Optimism (hence Candide ou l’Optimisme of the title). • The mouthpiece for this philosophy is Pangloss, the tutor to Candide. • Pangloss maintains – despite all the evidence to the contrary that Voltaire piles upon us in the course of the story – that « tout est au mieux … dans ce meilleur des mondes possibles. » • Candide questions this philosophy when experience seems to disprove it (war, the Lisbon earthquake, the auto-da-fé, his killing of Cunégonde’s brother, his loss of wealth). • Candide accepts the philosophy and believes in it when things are going in his favour (the voyage to Buenos Aires with Cunégonde; the news that she is waiting for him in Constantinople). • Ultimately Candide rejects the philosophy and is the mouth-piece for Voltaire’s message: « il faut cultiver notre jardin ». MARK SCHEME – A-LEVEL FRENCH – 7652/2 – JUNE 2020 9 0 2 . 2 « Voltaire illustre dans ce conte combien la poursuite du bonheur est futile. » Dans quelle mesure êtes-vous d’accord avec ce jugement ? [40 marks] Possible content • Candide’s love for Cunégonde is what, he believes, will allow him to find happiness. • The quest to be reunited with Cunégonde is thus Candide’s quest for happiness. • Candide experiences much about the human condition that suggests this quest is futile. • He is recruited unwillingly into the Bulgarian army. • He experiences at first hand the horrors of war. • Candide sees the suffering caused by the Lisbon earthquake. • He witnesses the drowning of the Anabaptist Jacques. • Candide is constantly faced with evidence that human suffering is far greater than he could ever have imagined. • Men are much unhappier than they seem. • However at the end of his adventures when he is finally reunited with an ugly and now cantankerous Cunégonde, Candide feels a certain degree of contentment. • The secret of this lies in busying oneself with humble, practical activities.