Prose — AS & A Level Literature in English (9695) questions by topic

Discuss Desai's presentation of the relationship between the Cook and Biju.

EVELYN WAUGH: A Handful of Dust Either Discuss some of the ways in which Waugh presents London and London life in the novel.

COLSON WHITEHEAD: The Underground Railroad Either Discuss ways in which Whitehead presents abolitionists in the novel.

KIRAN DESAI: The Inheritance of Loss Either Discuss some of the effects of the frequent switches between India and America in the novel.

EVELYN WAUGH: A Handful of Dust Either Discuss ways in which Waugh presents betrayal in the novel.

COLSON WHITEHEAD: The Underground Railroad Either Discuss Whitehead's presentation of Royal and his role in the novel.

KIRAN DESAI: The Inheritance of Loss Either 'There is a great deal of comedy, but at heart it is a tragic novel.' How far and in what ways do you agree with this view of The…

Stories of Ourselves, Volume 1 Either Discuss ways in which the writers of two stories explore the significance of mothers.

EVELYN WAUGH: A Handful of Dust Either Discuss Waugh's presentation of London society in the novel.

COLSON WHITEHEAD: The Underground Railroad Either Discuss ways in which Whitehead presents relationships between women in the novel.

JANE AUSTEN: Pride and Prejudice Either Discuss some of the ways Austen shapes a reader's response to Mr Bingley in Pride and Prejudice.

GEORGE ELIOT: Middlemarch Either In the novel, Celia Brooke says to Dorothea, 'Poor Dodo … It is very hard: it is your favourite fad to draw plans.' In the light of this comment,…

THOMAS HARDY: Far from the Madding Crowd Either 'He neither changes nor develops throughout the novel. He is simply Gabriel Oak.' In the light of this comment, discuss Hardy's…

JAMES JOYCE: Dubliners Either Compare Joyce's presentation of relationships in The Dead with at least one other story from Dubliners.

TONI MORRISON: Beloved Either Discuss the role and significance of Denver in the novel Beloved.

JEAN RHYS: Wide Sargasso Sea Either Discuss some of the ways in which Rhys presents the married life of Antoinette and her husband.

In what ways and with what effects does Austen present different attitudes to love in Pride and Prejudice?

Discuss some of the ways in which Eliot presents contrasts between appearance and reality in the novel.

Discuss Hardy's presentation of disappointment and its consequences in Far from the Madding Crowd.

James Joyce said he wanted to hold up 'a nicely-polished looking glass' to life in Dublin. In what ways and with what effects do you think he did this? In your answer, you should…

Discuss some of the ways in which Morrison makes story-telling significant in the novel.

Discuss some of the ways in which Rhys presents rumour and gossip, and their significance in the novel.

JANE AUSTEN: Pride and Prejudice Either Discuss some of the effects created by Austen's presentation of social gatherings in Pride and Prejudice.

GEORGE ELIOT: Middlemarch Either What, in your view, does Eliot's presentation of ambition and its consequences contribute to the novel's meaning and effects?

THOMAS HARDY: Far from the Madding Crowd Either 'Bathsheba's attitude to Gabriel Oak constantly changes throughout the novel.' In the light of this comment, discuss Hardy's…

JAMES JOYCE: Dubliners Either Discuss some of the ways in which Joyce presents different attitudes to change. In your answer, you should refer to at least two stories from…

TONI MORRISON: Beloved Either In what ways and with what effects does Morrison present the relationship between Sethe and Paul D?

JEAN RHYS: Wide Sargasso Sea Either Discuss some of the ways in which Rhys explores different kinds of cruelty and their consequences in the novel.

JANE AUSTEN: Pride and Prejudice Either Discuss the presentation and significance of the relationship between Charlotte Lucas and Mr Collins in the novel as a whole.

THOMAS HARDY: Far from the Madding Crowd Either Discuss Hardy’s presentation of different attitudes to love in Far from the Madding Crowd.

BRAM STOKER: Dracula Either In what ways, and with what effects, does Stoker present violence in the novel?

JAMES JOYCE: Dubliners Either Discuss some of the ways in which Joyce presents different attitudes to money in Dubliners. In your answer you should refer to at least two stories.

TONI MORRISON: Beloved Either In what ways, and with what effects, does Morrison present ideas about motherhood in Beloved?

JEAN RHYS: Wide Sargasso Sea Either ‘Antoinette may be seen as a passive victim or a woman of spirit.’ Discuss Rhys’s presentation of Antoinette in the light of this comment.

Discuss Austen’s presentation of different attitudes to social class and status in Pride and Prejudice.

Discuss some of the ways in which Hardy shapes a reader’s response to Gabriel Oak in Far from the Madding Crowd.

Discuss some of the ways in which Stoker develops the role and characterisation of Lucy Westenra through her relationships with men in the novel.

In what ways, and with what effects, does Joyce present different reactions to death? In your answer you should refer to at least two stories from Dubliners.

Discuss some of the ways in which Morrison shapes a reader’s response to Sethe.

In what ways, and to what extent, would you agree that Rhys presents Antoinette’s husband as a man betrayed by his family and his social class?

JANE AUSTEN: Pride and Prejudice Either Discuss Austen's presentation of relationships between sisters in Pride and Prejudice.

THOMAS HARDY: Far from the Madding Crowd Either In what ways, and with what effects, does Hardy explore men's attitudes to women in the novel?

BRAM STOKER: Dracula Either 'In the novel Dracula, Stoker explores only the dark side of human nature.' How far, and in what ways, do you agree with this comment?

JAMES JOYCE: Dubliners Either In what ways, and with what effects, does Joyce explore different kinds of disillusionment? In your answer you should refer to at least two stories…

TONI MORRISON: Beloved Either What, in your view, do supernatural elements contribute to the novel Beloved?

JEAN RHYS: Wide Sargasso Sea Either 'Both Antoinette and her husband are presented as victims of a patriarchal society.' How far, and in what ways, would you agree with this…

Discuss ways in which Desai presents the Gorkha rebellion in the novel.

Discuss some of the effects McEwan achieves by the revelations about Cecilia's and Robbie's deaths in the closing pages of the novel.

‘Many of the episodes in the novel are disturbing as well as comic.’ With this comment in mind, discuss the effects of Twain’s writing in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

JANE AUSTEN: Pride and Prejudice Either Discuss some of the ways in which Austen shapes a reader's response to Elizabeth Bennet through her relationships with different men.

THOMAS HARDY: Far from the Madding Crowd Either Discuss the presentation and significance of the relationship between Sergeant Troy and Fanny Robin in Far from the Madding Crowd.

BRAM STOKER: Dracula Either 'Stoker presents Count Dracula as evil, but also dangerously attractive.' How far, and in what ways, do you agree with this comment on the Count?

JAMES JOYCE: Dubliners Either 'Joyce presents characters without judging them for their dishonesty.' How far, and in what ways, would you agree with the above comment? In your…

TONI MORRISON: Beloved Either In what ways, and with what effects, does Morrison present female strength and resilience in the novel?

JEAN RHYS: Wide Sargasso Sea Either Discuss some of the effects created by Rhys's use of different settings in the novel.

Discuss some of the effects created by Austen’s presentation of women’s attitudes to men in Pride and Prejudice.

‘A woman in a man’s world.’ In the light of this comment, discuss Hardy’s characterisation of Bathsheba and her role as a farmer.

In what ways, and with what effects, does Stoker explore different kinds of conflict in the novel Dracula?

‘Reality always undermines romance in Dubliners.’ Discuss Joyce’s presentation of romance in the light of this view. In your answer you should refer to at least two stories from…

In what ways, and with what effects, does Morrison present the relationship between Denver and Beloved in the novel?

In what ways, and with what effects, does Rhys present the social position of women in the novel?

JANE AUSTEN: Pride and Prejudice Either Discuss some of the ways in which Austen shapes a reader's response to Mr Bennet in Pride and Prejudice.

THOMAS HARDY: Far from the Madding Crowd Either In what ways, and with what effects, does Hardy explore different kinds of conflict in Far from the Madding Crowd?

BRAM STOKER: Dracula Either In what ways, and with what effects, does Stoker present different attitudes to women in the novel?

JAMES JOYCE: Dubliners Either Discuss some of the ways in which Joyce presents social ambition in Dubliners. In your answer you should refer to at least two stories.

TONI MORRISON: Beloved Either In what ways, and with what effects, does Morrison present Sweet Home in the novel?

JEAN RHYS: Wide Sargasso Sea Either In what ways, and with what effects, does Rhys structure Wide Sargasso Sea?

Discuss some of the ways in which McEwan presents the effects of telling lies in the novel.

Discuss ways in which Ngũgĩ presents legal justice in the novel.

Discuss ways in which Twain presents ordinary townspeople in the novel.

Compare ways in which McEwan presents Emily Tallis and Grace Turner as mothers in Atonement.

Discuss Ngũgĩ’s presentation of Reverend Jerrod Brown and the significance of his character to the novel.

Towards the end of the novel, Huck says, ‘Human beings can be awful cruel to one another.’ In the light of Huck’s comment, discuss Twain’s presentation of human nature.

'The Musgroves were visited by everybody […] They were more completely popular.' Discuss Austen's presentation of the Musgrove family in the light of this quotation from the novel.

'Bathsheba is honest and simple.' To what extent do you agree that this is how Hardy presents Bathsheba in the novel?

Discuss some of the ways Stoker shapes a reader's response to Van Helsing in the novel.

Discuss the contribution of 'The Historical Notes' to your understanding of, and response to, the novel.

'Joyce presents life in Dublin as bleak and oppressive.' In what ways, and to what extent, do you agree with this comment on Dubliners? In your answer you should refer to at least…

In what ways, and with what effects, does Rhys present racial tensions in the novel?

Captain Wentworth is described as having 'a heart, in short, for any pleasing young woman, who came his way, excepting Anne Elliot.' Discuss Austen's presentation of Captain…

Compare and contrast Hardy's presentation of Bathsheba's relationships with Farmer Boldwood and Sergeant Troy.

What, in your view, does Stoker's presentation of the relationship between Jonathan Harker and Mina contribute to the novel's meanings and effects?

In what ways, and with what effects, does Atwood present different attitudes to love in the novel?

In what ways, and with what effects, does Joyce present relationships between women and men? In your answer you should refer to at least two stories from the collection.

'A portrait of a woman struggling for identity.' Discuss Rhys's presentation of Antoinette in the light of this comment.

Discuss some of the effects created by Austen's exploration of different attitudes to love.

In what ways, and with what effects, does Hardy explore the contrast between life in the country and life in the town?

In what ways, and with what effects, does Stoker present the supernatural in the novel?

In what ways, and with what effects, does Atwood present rituals in the novel?

In what ways, and with what effects, does Joyce present social events? In your answer you should refer to two stories from the collection.

What, in your view, is the significance of Antoinette's childhood experiences to the meaning and effects of the novel as a whole?

Discuss some of the effects McEwan achieves through Briony’s role as narrator.

‘The narrative of Petals of Blood constantly moves between the present and the past.’ Discuss some of the effects achieved by Ngũgĩ’s choice of narrative structure.

Discuss ways in which Twain presents attitudes to money in the novel.

‘In Atonement events are told and retold from different points of view.’ With this comment in mind, discuss some of the effects McEwan achieves by the use of different narrative…

Discuss the importance of Inspector Godfrey’s investigation to the novel as a whole.

Discuss Twain’s presentation of Huck’s attitudes to crime and wrongdoing.

JANE AUSTEN: Persuasion Either What does Austen's presentation of the relationship between Anne Elliot and Lady Russell add to the novel's meaning and effects?

THOMAS HARDY: Far from the Madding Crowd Either In what ways, and with what effects, does Hardy shape a reader's response to Farmer Boldwood in the novel?

BRAM STOKER: Dracula Either In what ways, and with what effects, does Stoker present relationships between men and women in the novel?

MARGARET ATWOOD: The Handmaid's Tale Either In what ways, and with what effects, does Atwood present the relationship between Offred and Moira?

JAMES JOYCE: Dubliners Either Discuss some of the ways Joyce presents different characters' responses to work in Dubliners. In your answer you should refer to at least two stories…

JEAN RHYS: Wide Sargasso Sea Either 'A villain with typical colonial attitudes'. How far, and in what ways, would you agree that this is how Rhys presents Antoinette's husband?

JANE AUSTEN: Persuasion Either 'Alas! with all her reasonings, she found, that to retentive feelings, eight years may be little more than nothing.' In the light of this quotation…

THOMAS HARDY: Far from the Madding Crowd Either In what ways, and with what effects, does Hardy present different attitudes to marriage in the novel?

BRAM STOKER: Dracula Either Discuss some of the effects created by Stoker's use of different settings in the novel.

MARGARET ATWOOD: The Handmaid's Tale Either Discuss some of the ways Atwood shapes a reader's response to Offred.

JAMES JOYCE: Dubliners Either In what ways, and with what effects, does Joyce present characters feeling trapped? In your answer you should refer to at least two stories from the…

JEAN RHYS: Wide Sargasso Sea Either Christophine says of Antoinette's husband: 'The man not a bad man, even if he loves money'. How far, and in what ways, would you agree that…

JANE AUSTEN: Persuasion Either In what ways, and with what effects, does Austen explore different attitudes to marriage in the novel?

THOMAS HARDY: Far from the Madding Crowd Either Discuss some of the ways Hardy develops the role and characterisation of Bathsheba through her relationships with different men.

BRAM STOKER: Dracula Either In what ways, and with what effects, does Stoker present the battle between the forces of good and evil in the novel?

MARGARET ATWOOD: The Handmaid's Tale Either Aunt Lydia says, 'Gilead is within you'. To what extent, and in what ways, do you think Atwood presents this as being true about Offred?

JAMES JOYCE: Dubliners Either Discuss some of the ways Joyce explores unpleasant and disturbing aspects of life in Dublin. In your answer you should refer to two stories from the…

JEAN RHYS: Wide Sargasso Sea Either 'Wherever she goes, Antoinette feels that she does not belong.' In the light of this comment, discuss Rhys's presentation of Antoinette's…