Aqa A-level ENGLISH LITERATURE B Paper 2B Texts and genres: Elements of political and social protest writing (7717/2B)- June 2022 OFFICIAL Question Paper.

Aqa A-level ENGLISH LITERATURE B Paper 2B Texts and genres: Elements of political and social protest writing (7717/2B)- June 2022 OFFICIAL Question Paper. 0 1. Explore the significance of the elements of political and social protest writing in this extract. Remember to include in your answer relevant detailed analysis of the ways the author has shaped meanings. [25 marks] The following verses are from a dramatic poem about peaceful protest, titled The Mask of Anarchy. It was written by Percy Bysshe Shelley in 1819. The poem was inspired by a peaceful protest in favour of greater democracy. The protest was violently attacked by armed soldiers who charged into the unarmed crowd, killing six and wounding many more. These verses come from the end of the poem and are spoken by an optimistic character named Hope, who addresses the people of England. Hope praises their resistance, urging them to stay true to their belief in peaceful protest. “Stand ye calm and resolute, Like a forest close and mute, With folded arms and looks which are Weapons of unvanquished war, Let the laws of your own land, Good or ill, between ye stand Hand to hand, and foot to foot, Arbiters of the dispute, The old laws of England – they Whose reverend heads with age are gray, Children of a wiser day; And whose solemn voice must be Thine own echo – Liberty! On those who first should violate Such sacred heralds in their state Rest the blood that must ensue, And it will not rest on you. And if then the tyrants dare Let them ride among you there, Slash, and stab, and maim, and hew, – What they like, that let them do.