Section 2 – Drama and Poetry pre-1900
Answer one question from this section.
You should spend about 1 hour and 15 minutes on this section.
In your answer, you should refer to Rossetti’s Selected Poems and A Doll’s House and the total is 30 Marks
‘Emotive decisions often lead to regret.’
In the light of this view, consider ways in which writers explore the regret that often follows a decision based on emotion. In
your answer, compare one drama text and one poetry text from the above lists.
‘Death is usually symbolic – and it usually represents an escape.’
In the light of this view, consider ways in which writers explore death. In your answer, compare one drama text and one poetry
text from the above lists.
‘Masculinity is often depicted as rigid and uncompromising.’
In the light of this view, consider ways in which writers explore masculinity through their presentation of male characters. In
your answer, compare A Doll’s House and Christina Rossetti’s selected poetry.
‘The power balance in relationships is primarily established in the way characters speak to one another.’
In the light of this view, consider ways in which writers explore power through voice, dialogue or talk. In your answer, compare
A Doll’s House and Christina Rossetti’s selected poetry.
‘In literature, characters are invariably punished for deviations from societal norms.’
In the light of this view, consider ways in which writers present characters who defy social expectations. In your answer,
compare one drama text and one poetry text from the above lists.
‘Separation is often a source of inspiration.’
In the light of this view, consider ways in which writers explore separation. In your answer, compare one drama text and one
poetry text from the above lists.
‘Love is invariably possessive.’
In the light of this view, consider ways in which writers explore love and possession. In your answer, compare one drama text
and one poetry text from the above lists.
‘Power is inevitably a source of corruption.’
In the light of this view, consider ways in which the writers explore power and corruption. In your answer compare one drama
text and one poetry text from the above list.
‘Men may seem to be more powerful than women, but the reality is very different.’
In the light of this view, consider ways in which writers explore power and gender. In your answer, compare one drama text and
one poetry text from the above lists.
‘Forbidden tastes are sweetest.’
In the light of this view, consider ways in which writers explore the attraction of that which is forbidden. In your answer,
compare one drama text and one poetry text from the above lists.
‘Conflict in literature generally arises from misunderstanding.’
In the light of this view, consider ways in which writers make use of misunderstanding. In your answer, compare one drama text
and one poetry text from the above lists.
‘Verbal wit is a woman’s strongest weapon’.
In the light of this view, consider ways in which writers portray women’s use of language. In your answer compare one drama
text and one poetry text from the above lists.
, ‘To embrace love is to embrace danger.’
In light of this view discuss writer’s treatment of love. In your answer, compare one drama text and one poetry text from the
above lists.
‘Strong emotions demand intense and vivid expression’.
In light of this view consider the uses which writers make of passionate language. In your answer, compare one drama text and
one poetry text from the above lists. 30
‘Women are the subtler sex: more varied in their attractions, more ingenious in their stratagems’.
In light of this view discuss the ways in which writers present women. In your answer, compare one drama text and one poetry
text from the above lists.
‘Masks, poses, façades, deceptions – all are weapons in the battle of life.’
In light of this view consider ways in which writers present disguise and deception. In your answer, compare one drama text
and one poetry text from the above lists.
‘In literature, the main purpose of setting is to intensify presentation of character.’
In light of this view, discuss the effect writers create by their use of settings. In your answer, compare one drama text and one
poetry text from the above lists.
‘It is the process of argument and persuasion which most strongly engage us.’
In light of this view discuss ways in which writers use argument and persuasion. In your answer, compare one drama text and
one poetry text from the above lists.
‘Marriage can be a prison: marriage can be a paradise.’
In light of this view consider ways in which writers portray marriage. In your answer, compare one drama text and one poetry
text from the above lists.
. ‘History helps us to understand literature’.
In light of this view consider ways in which historical understanding can add to the experience of the texts. In your answer,
compare one drama text and one poetry text from the above lists.
‘Court, city or country: a writer’s choice of setting is always significant.’
In light of this view discuss writer’s use of setting. In your answer, compare one drama text and one poetry text from the above
lists.
‘Great literary characters are always putting on a show’.
In light of this view consider ways in which writers present the use of power. In your answer, compare one drama text and one
poetry text from the above lists.
‘Literature shows us that sexual desire must be restrained’.
In light of this view discuss ways in which writers discuss sexual desire and its consequences. In your answer, compare one
drama text and one poetry text from the above lists.
‘Good writing must, above all, help us to view the world a fresh’.
To what extent do you agree with this view? In your answer, compare one drama text and one poetry text from the above lists.
‘Writers often address the complexities of gender.’
In the light of this view, consider ways in which writers explore gender. In your answer, compare one drama text and one poetry
text from the above lists.
‘Sex drives us and can all too easily destroy us.’
In the light of this view, consider ways in which writers present the power of sexuality. In your answer, compare one drama text
and one poetry text from the above lists.
Answer one question from this section.
You should spend about 1 hour and 15 minutes on this section.
In your answer, you should refer to Rossetti’s Selected Poems and A Doll’s House and the total is 30 Marks
‘Emotive decisions often lead to regret.’
In the light of this view, consider ways in which writers explore the regret that often follows a decision based on emotion. In
your answer, compare one drama text and one poetry text from the above lists.
‘Death is usually symbolic – and it usually represents an escape.’
In the light of this view, consider ways in which writers explore death. In your answer, compare one drama text and one poetry
text from the above lists.
‘Masculinity is often depicted as rigid and uncompromising.’
In the light of this view, consider ways in which writers explore masculinity through their presentation of male characters. In
your answer, compare A Doll’s House and Christina Rossetti’s selected poetry.
‘The power balance in relationships is primarily established in the way characters speak to one another.’
In the light of this view, consider ways in which writers explore power through voice, dialogue or talk. In your answer, compare
A Doll’s House and Christina Rossetti’s selected poetry.
‘In literature, characters are invariably punished for deviations from societal norms.’
In the light of this view, consider ways in which writers present characters who defy social expectations. In your answer,
compare one drama text and one poetry text from the above lists.
‘Separation is often a source of inspiration.’
In the light of this view, consider ways in which writers explore separation. In your answer, compare one drama text and one
poetry text from the above lists.
‘Love is invariably possessive.’
In the light of this view, consider ways in which writers explore love and possession. In your answer, compare one drama text
and one poetry text from the above lists.
‘Power is inevitably a source of corruption.’
In the light of this view, consider ways in which the writers explore power and corruption. In your answer compare one drama
text and one poetry text from the above list.
‘Men may seem to be more powerful than women, but the reality is very different.’
In the light of this view, consider ways in which writers explore power and gender. In your answer, compare one drama text and
one poetry text from the above lists.
‘Forbidden tastes are sweetest.’
In the light of this view, consider ways in which writers explore the attraction of that which is forbidden. In your answer,
compare one drama text and one poetry text from the above lists.
‘Conflict in literature generally arises from misunderstanding.’
In the light of this view, consider ways in which writers make use of misunderstanding. In your answer, compare one drama text
and one poetry text from the above lists.
‘Verbal wit is a woman’s strongest weapon’.
In the light of this view, consider ways in which writers portray women’s use of language. In your answer compare one drama
text and one poetry text from the above lists.
, ‘To embrace love is to embrace danger.’
In light of this view discuss writer’s treatment of love. In your answer, compare one drama text and one poetry text from the
above lists.
‘Strong emotions demand intense and vivid expression’.
In light of this view consider the uses which writers make of passionate language. In your answer, compare one drama text and
one poetry text from the above lists. 30
‘Women are the subtler sex: more varied in their attractions, more ingenious in their stratagems’.
In light of this view discuss the ways in which writers present women. In your answer, compare one drama text and one poetry
text from the above lists.
‘Masks, poses, façades, deceptions – all are weapons in the battle of life.’
In light of this view consider ways in which writers present disguise and deception. In your answer, compare one drama text
and one poetry text from the above lists.
‘In literature, the main purpose of setting is to intensify presentation of character.’
In light of this view, discuss the effect writers create by their use of settings. In your answer, compare one drama text and one
poetry text from the above lists.
‘It is the process of argument and persuasion which most strongly engage us.’
In light of this view discuss ways in which writers use argument and persuasion. In your answer, compare one drama text and
one poetry text from the above lists.
‘Marriage can be a prison: marriage can be a paradise.’
In light of this view consider ways in which writers portray marriage. In your answer, compare one drama text and one poetry
text from the above lists.
. ‘History helps us to understand literature’.
In light of this view consider ways in which historical understanding can add to the experience of the texts. In your answer,
compare one drama text and one poetry text from the above lists.
‘Court, city or country: a writer’s choice of setting is always significant.’
In light of this view discuss writer’s use of setting. In your answer, compare one drama text and one poetry text from the above
lists.
‘Great literary characters are always putting on a show’.
In light of this view consider ways in which writers present the use of power. In your answer, compare one drama text and one
poetry text from the above lists.
‘Literature shows us that sexual desire must be restrained’.
In light of this view discuss ways in which writers discuss sexual desire and its consequences. In your answer, compare one
drama text and one poetry text from the above lists.
‘Good writing must, above all, help us to view the world a fresh’.
To what extent do you agree with this view? In your answer, compare one drama text and one poetry text from the above lists.
‘Writers often address the complexities of gender.’
In the light of this view, consider ways in which writers explore gender. In your answer, compare one drama text and one poetry
text from the above lists.
‘Sex drives us and can all too easily destroy us.’
In the light of this view, consider ways in which writers present the power of sexuality. In your answer, compare one drama text
and one poetry text from the above lists.
