NLMG Literary Essay - Using P(point), E(evidence), E(explain)

 

Themes to Prepare for Exam

1) Conformity - to what extent do they conform or not to the norms of the society? Which characters in particular?

2) Otherness/difference - in what ways are they different/other in the context of Hailsham AND compared to the "real" world?

3) Willful Ignorance - to what extent do they chose to be ignorant? Why?

4) Freewill - Lack of freewill/choice in Hailsham - in what ways? How do the characters respond to it?

5) Communication - Lack of "real" communication/social relationships in this dystopian society

6) Individual vs Society - How does the dystopian society opresse the individual for the "greater good" of society? Are they allowed to be individuals?

7) Sex and relationships 

8) Hailsham - as a representation of a dystopian and dictorial institution

Characters to prepare - Think about what Ishiguro wanted them to represent/ how their character changes or develops/ how they intereact with other characters

1) Kathy H

2) Tommy
3) Ruth

How to Structure your essay

1)A brief introduction 

Summarising the presentation of the character/ theme in the novel. State your position/opinion in
answer to the question

2)Main Body

Minimum of 3 different PEE paragraphs – each supported by quotes (from different points of part 1 of the book) and analysis – AT least one quote per point

3) Conclusion

A clear and strong position/opinion answering which clearly answers the question

Before you start writing - PLAN your ideas so your essay has a logical structure and isn´t repetitive and confusing.


Point – Evidence (Quotation) – Explanation

Point

Give an answer, explaining the part of the aspect of the character or the theme you are describing and your idea (make sure it is relevant to the question, be concise and careful with expression)

Sentence starters:

• Throughout the novel, ______ is presented as …
• (theme/character name) plays a crucial role in the development of the novel because ...
• (theme/character name) is central to the novel because ..
• Certainly, the dominant theme/character is …
• In this novel, Ishiguro intends to make the reader consider themes such as...
• Through (character´s name), Ishiguro makes the reader consider …
• Tommy´s character begins as/ Tommy is portrayed/depicted/ presented/ shown as …
• Ishiguro highlights the importance of this theme by his use of …
• In my opinion/ I think that …/ Firstly/ At the beginning of the novel/ However, the character changes when… / Not only … /Despite the fact that …/ Despite the lack of … / While …

Expressions: 

due to/ especially as/ which (eventually) leads to/ which means that/ not only …. but it is also/ a central issue or character is/ Certainly, this is a main theme in the novel/Certainly, this character is central to the plot because …

Evidence (Quotation)

Try to integrate the quotation – remember it can also be only one word! Use a comma before the quotation and remember to use quotation marks!

ü  This is particularly underlined/emphasized/highlighted in the quote, “…”

ü  In chapter 4, this is suggested when (character name) says, “…”

ü  Ishiguro suggests/portrays/shows this when he writes, “…”

ü  This idea is clearly shown in the quote, “…”

ü  This idea is further developed in the quote “…”

ü  In the quote, "..." Ishiguro suggests/portrays/ hints at the fact ...

Explain (Analysis)

This is the difficult part – analysing the quotation and making it relevant to the original question.

Begin with a basic analysis:

ü  This quote serves to illustrate …

ü  This quote portrays/suggests/ hints at the fact that …

ü  This use of the word “…” is essential because it emphasises

ü  Clearly, here, the key word is, “…” as it underlines …

ü  This creates the feeling/atmosphere of …

ü  In this quotation…

ü  From this quotation…

ü  The description of … gives an impression/idea about …

ü  This quotation suggests/shows/reveals the/how/why …

ü  We can infer from this quotation just how ….

ü  This line reveals the …

ü  Considering the context, this could link to ...

ü  However, perhaps this indicates ...

ü  Additionally this could be interpreted as ...

ü  This writer uses the word which is important because …

ü  This implies .../ This suggests .../ This shows .../This reveals

ü  However, on the other hand it might suggest that …

ü  Alternatively, this could be interpreted as a sign of …

Try to DIG DOWN...

EXAMPLE QUESTIONS AND PEE PARAGRAPHS

In Part 1 of NLMG, in what ways is Tommy different to the other students?

Introduction

Through the character of Tommy, Ishiguro makes the reader consider what it means to be different or “other” in a tightly regimented, totalitarian, dystopian society. Certainly, Tommy is intrinsically different to the other students at Hailsham and this is demonstrated in a variety of different ways. While the norm at Hailsham is to conform to the rules, be calm and passive and connect to others only superficially and distantly, Tommy´s character offers and represents an alternative way of being. 

PEE

In my opinion, Tommy is the most “real” and human character in the novel, whereas the majority of the other Hailsham students seem one-dimensionsal and to lack human warmth. Firstly, this is shown in chapter 1 with his tantrums. When the boys mock and wind up Tommy, he “burst into thunderous  bellowing …. He began to scream and shout. A nonsensical jumble of swear words and insults.” The use of the verb “burst” emphasises his inability to control his feelings and shows the reader how he feels emotions deeply which in turn makes him very human to the reader. Tommy´s sensitivity makes him different to the other Hailsham students who seem to be rather numb and passive to their surroundings. Also, his considerate friendship with Kathy further underlines this sensitivity.  This is suggested when he accidently hits Kathy in one of his tantrums, he says “ I meant to say sorry. I mean, I´m really, really sorry. I honestly didn´t mean to hit you the other day.” The repetition of the words “really” and “sorry” show how genuine and earnest he is. Therefore, within the context of our society, in the real world, Tommy would be more “normal”, yet within this restrained and opressed society, he represents something different and thus dangerous.

To what extent are the Hailsham students willfully ignorant?

The seemingly oppressive nature of the upbringing and the wide range of “unwritten rules” at Hailsham are never questioned. In chapter 6, we find out that books are censored. Yet the students are happy to conform. The conformity of the students as a whole is highlighted when Kathy says, “That’s why it was such a shock that time Marge K asked Miss Lucy her question”.  The challenge to authority, even on a very low level is shocking to the students and appears to be extremely rare. Moreover, the culture of not questioning is deeply rooted in the culture of the students at Hailsham and this makes the reader feel uncomfortable.