Get unlimited access.
to absolutely everything:
the (exam) results speak for themselves:
Did this page help you?
Nadia is a graduate of The University of Warwick and Birmingham City University. She holds a PGCE in secondary English and Drama and has been a teacher for over 10 years. She has taught English Literature, Language and Drama across key stages 3 to 5. She has also been an examiner for a leading exam board and has experience designing and delivering schemes of work for AQA, Edexcel and Eduqas.
VCE Study Tips
English Language
Private Tutoring
Simply fill in the form below, and the download will start straight away
English & EAL
October 23, 2020
Go ahead and tilt your mobile the right way (portrait). the kool kids don't use landscape....
The Great Gatsby is usually studied in the Australian curriculum under Area of Study 1 - Text Response. For a detailed guide on Text Response, check out our Ultimate Guide to VCE Text Response .
Call it the greatest American novel or ultimate story of unrequited romanceâ The Great Gatsby is undoubtedly a stunning snapshot of one of the most American decades that America has ever seen. The 1920s saw significant economic growth after WWI, and whatâs more American than material excess, wealth, and prosperity? The stock market was going off, businesses were booming, and people were having a great time.
Well, not everybodyâand on the flipside, whatâs more American than socio-economic inequality or the ever-quixotic American Dream?
In this blog, weâll go through the novel in this context, examine some of its key themes, and also have a think about the critiques it raises about American society. Weâll also go through an essay prompt that ties some of these things together.
This snapshot from the 2013 film adaptation actually tells us a lot about the 1920s. On the one hand, social and cultural norms were shiftingâmen no longer sported beards, and women were dressing more androgynously and provocatively. On the other hand, the modern, American economy was emergingâpeople began buying costly consumer goods (like cars, appliances, telephones etc.) using credit rather than cash. This meant that average American families were able to get these things for the first time, while more prosperous families were able to live in extreme excess.
In Fitzgeraldâs novel, the Buchanans are one such family. Tom and his wife Daisy have belonged to the 1% for generations, and the 1920s saw them cement their wealth and status. At the same time, the booming economy meant that others (like the narrator Nick) were relocating to cities in pursuit of wealth, and (like Gatsby) making significant financial inroads themselves.Â
The Great Gatsby traces how the differences between these characters can be destructive even if theyâre all wealthy. Add a drop of Gatsbyâs unrequited love for Daisy, and you have a story that ultimately examines how far people go for romance, and what money simply canât buy.Â
The answer to that isnât so obvious though. Yes, money canât buy love, but it also canât buy a lot of other things associated with the lifestyle and the values of established wealth. Weâll get into some of this now.
Fitzgerald explores tensions between three socio-economic classesâthe establishment, the ânouveau richeâ and the working class.
Tom and Daisy belong to the âold moneyâ establishment, where wealth is generational and inherited . This means they were born into already wealthy families, which affects their upbringing and ultimately defines them, from the way they speak (Tomâs âpaternal contemptâ and Daisyâs voice, âfull of moneyâ) to their major life decisions (including marriage, symbolised through the âstring of pearlsâ he buys for herâwhich, fun fact, is estimated to be worth millions of dollars today). It also affects their values, as weâll see in the following section. For now, consider this image of their home (and those ponies on the left, which they also own), described as follows:
âThe lawn started at the beach and ran toward the front door for [400 metres], jumping over sun-dials and brick walls and burning gardensâfinally when it reached the house drifting up the side in bright vines as though from the momentum of its run.â
Nick Carraway also comes from a similar (though not as extravagant) backgroundâhis family had been rich by Midwestern standards for âthree generationsâ before he came to New York.
Conversely, Gatsby belongs to the â nouveau riche â, or new money. Unlike the Buchanans, Gatsby was born into a poor family, only coming to wealth in the 1920s boom. Specifically, he inherited money from Dan Cody after running away from home at 17.
Although they are all rich, there are significant cultural differences between old and new money. Old money have their own culture of feigned politeness which Gatsby doesnât quite get. When Tom and the Sloanes invite Nick and Gatsby to supper in chapter six, Gatsby naively accepts, to which Tom would respond behind his back, âDoesnât he know [Mrs. Sloane] doesnât want him?â Even though Gatsby is financially their equal, his newfound wealth canât buy his way into their (nasty, horrible) lifestyle.
Finally, this is contrasted with the working class, particularly George and Myrtle Wilson who we meet in chapter two. They live in a grey âvalley of ashesâ, the detritus of a prosperous society whose wealth is limited to the 1%. Fitzgerald even calls it a âsolemn dumping groundâ, suggesting that life is precarious and difficult here. Consider what separates Georgeââblond, spiritless⌠and faintly handsomeââfrom Tom (hint: $$).
Myrtle is described differently, howeverâshe is a âfaintly stoutâ woman with âperceptible vitalityâ. This may be less of a description of her and more of a commentary on Tomâs sexuality, and what attracts him to her such that he cheats on Daisy with her. Still, Myrtleâs relative poverty is evident in her expressions of desire throughout their meetingââI want to get one of those dogs,â she says, and Tom just hands her the money.
Ultimately, looking at the novel through the lens of class, we see a society where upward social mobility and making a living for yourself is possible, just not for everybody. Even when you get rich, it doesnât guarantee that youâll suddenly, seamlessly integrate into the lives of old money.Â
Added to this story of social stratification is a moral dimension, where Fitzgerald can be a little more critical.Â
Firstly, old money is portrayed as shallow . Daisyâs marriage to Tom and the Sloanesâ insincerity are elements of this, but another good example is Gatsbyâs party guests. Many arenât actually invitedâthey invite themselves, and âthey came and went without having met Gatsby at all.â Their vacuous relationship to Gatsby is exposed when he dies, and they completely abandon him. Klipspringer, âthe boarderâ, basically lived in Gatsbyâs house, and even then he still wouldnât come to the funeral, only calling up to get a âpair of shoesâ back.Â
The rich are also depicted as cruel and inconsiderate, insulated from repercussions by their wealth. Nickâs description of Tomâs âcruel bodyâ is repeatedly realised, as he breaks Myrtleâs nose in chapter two and condescends Gatsby with âmagnanimous scornâ in chapter seven. After Myrtle dies, Nick spots the Buchanans âconspiringâ and describes them as âsmash[ing] up things and creatures and then retreat[ing] back into their money or their vast carelessnessââhe sees them as fundamentally selfish.
Gatsby is portrayed more sympathetically though, which may come from his humble upbringing and his desire to be liked. This is probably the key question of the novelâis he a hero, or a villain? The moral of the story, or a warning? Consumed by love, or corrupted by wealth?
Iâm going to leave most of those for the next section, but Iâll finish here with one last snippet: Lucille, a guest at his parties, tears her dress and Gatsby immediately sends her a ânew evening gownâ. Weird flex, but at least heâs being selflessâŚ
That said, a major part of Gatsbyâs character is his dishonesty, which complicates his moral identity.Â
For starters, he fabricates a new identity and deals in shady business just to reignite his five-year-old romance with Daisy. We see this through the emergence of Meyer Wolfsheim, with whom he has unclear business âgonnegtionsâ, and the resultant wealth he now enjoys.Â
In chapter three, Owl Eyes describes Gatsby as a âregular Belascoâ, comparing him to a film director who was well-known for the realism of his sets. This is a really lucid analysis of Gatsby, who is in many ways just like a film director constructing a whole fantasy world.
Itâs also unclear if he loves Daisy for who she is, or just the idea of Daisy and the wealth she represents. Indeed, he doesnât seem to treat her as a person, but more like something that he can pursue (like wealth). This is a good read, so I wonât really get into it hereâjust consider how much things have changed since Gatsby first met Daisy (like her marriage and her children), and how Gatsby ignores the way her life has changed in favour of his still, stationary memory of who she used to be.
All of this makes it tricky to distil what the novelâs message actually is.Â
Is it that Gatsby is a good person, especially cast against the corrupt old money? Â
This analysis isnât wrong, and it actually works well with a lot of textual evidence. Where Nick resents the Buchanans, he feels sympathy for Gatsby. He explicitly says, âtheyâre a rotten crowdâŚyouâre worth the whole damn bunch put together.â Maybe love was an honourable goal compared to money, which ostensibly makes you âcruelâ and âcarelessâ.Â
I wouldnât say he was cruel, but this reading is complicated by how he can be careless, choosing not to care about Daisyâs agency, and letting his desires overtake these considerations.Â
Is it that Gatsby and his desire for Daisy were corrupted by wealth despite his good intentions?Â
Thereâs also evidence to suggest wealth corruptsâNick describes it as âfoul dustâ that âpreyedâ on Gatsby, eroding his good character and leaving behind someone who resembles the vacuous elite. Although love mightâve been an honourable goal, it got diluted by money.Â
Gatsbyâs paradigm for understanding the world becomes driven by materialism, and he objectifies Daisy. He starts trying to buy something that he originally didnât need to buyâDaisyâs love. She certainly didnât fall in love with this man who owned a mansion and a closet full of âbeautiful shirts.â Thus, Gatsby is a sympathetic product of a system that was always stacked against him (a poor boy from North Dakota). Capitalism, right?
Is it that capitalist America provides nothing for people to pursue except for wealth, and therefore little reason for people to feel hope?
Past the basics: structural economic tension and the doomed American Dream
Now we want to start thinking beyond the characters (e.g. if Gatsby is a good person or not) and also factor in their social, historical, political and economic context (e.g. if he was doomed to begin with by a society driven by money). This subheading does sound a bit much, but weâll break it down here.Â
A key part of this novel is the American Dream, the idea that America is a land of freedom and equal opportunity, that anyone can âmake itâ if they truly try. Value is placed on upward social mobility (moving up from a working-class background) and economic prosperity (making $$), which defined much of the Roaring 20sâŚ
âŚfor some.Â
For many others, there was significant tension between these lofty values and their lived reality of life on the ground. As much as society around them was prospering, they just couldnât get a piece of the pie, and this is what makes it structuralâas hard as George Wilson might work, he just canât get himself out of the Valley of Ashes and into wealth. Indeed, you canât achieve the Dream without cheating (as Gatsby did).Â
So, thereâs this tension, this irreconcilable gap between economic goals and actual means. Through this lens, the tragedy of The Great Gatsby multiplies. Itâs no longer just about someone who canât buy love with moneyâitâs about how nobodyâs dreams are really attainable. Not everyone can get money, and money can only get you so far. Everyone is stuck, and the American Dream is basically just a myth.Â
Thus, the novel could be interpreted as a takedown of capitalist America, which convinced people like Gatsby that the answer to everything was money, and he bolted after the âgreen lightâ allure of cold, hard cash only to find out that it wasnât enough, that it wasnât the answer in the end. (.
Consider what kind of message that sends to people like the Wilsonsâif money canât actually buy happiness, what good is it really to chase it? And remember that Gatsby had to cheat to get rich in the first place.Â
Is [the novelâs message] that capitalist America provides nothing for people to pursue except for wealth, and therefore little reason for people to feel hope?
You tell me.
Whenever you get a new essay topic, you can use LSGâs THINK and EXECUTE strategy , a technique to help you write better VCE essays. If youâre unfamiliar with this strategy, then check it out in How To Write A Killer Text Response .
Letâs try applying this to a prompt. Iâll italicise the key points that have been brought up throughout this post.Â
Firstly, social stratification clearly divided society along economic lines . This could be paragraph one, exploring how class separated the Buchanans and Wilsons of the world, and how their lifestyles were so completely different even though they all lived in the prosperity of the Roaring 20s . George Wilson was âworn-outâ from work, but he still couldnât generate upward social mobility for his family, stuck in the Valley of Ashes. Conversely, Tom Buchanan is born into a rich family with his beach-facing mansion and polo ponies . Colour is an important symbol hereâthe Valley is grey, while East Egg is filled with colour (a green light here, a âblue coupeâ thereâŚ).
The next paragraph might look at the cultural dimension , exploring how you just canât buy a way of life. This might involve analysing Gatsbyâs wealth as deluding him into thinking he can ârepeat the pastâ by buying into the life(style) of old money . This is where Fitzgerald disillusions us about the American Dream âhe presents a reality where it isnât possible for anyone to âmake itâ, where the Buchanans still treat you with scorn even if youâre just as wealthy. Gatsbyâs dishonesty is ultimately a shallow oneâtry as he might, he just cannot fit in and win Daisy back.
Finally, we should consider the moral dimension âeven though the wealthier socioeconomic classes enjoyed more lavish, luxurious lifestyles, Fitzgerald also argued that they were the most morally bankrupt. Money corrupted the wealthy to the point where they simply did not care about the lives of the poor, as seen in the Buchanansâ response to Myrtleâs death. Even Gatsby had to compromise his integrity and deal in shady business in order to get richâhe isnât perfect either. Social stratification may look ostentatious and shiny on the outside, but the rich are actually portrayed as shallow and corrupt.Â
A good essay on this novel will typically combine some of these dimensions and build a multilayered analysis. Stratification, love, wealth, moralityâall of these big ideas can be broken down in terms of social, economic, cultural circumstances, so make sure to consider all angles when you write.Â
1. Nick is biased in his assessment of Gatsbyâboth of them are no better than the corrupt, wealthy Buchanans. Do you agree?
2. In The Great Gatsby , money is a stronger motivating factor than love. Do you agree?
3. Daisy Buchanan is more innocent than guiltyâexplore this statement with reference to at least 2 other characters.Â
4. What does Fitzgerald say about happiness in The Great Gatsby ?
5. Is money the true antagonist of The Great Gatsby ?
6. The women of The Great Gatsby are all victims of a patriarchal society. To what extent do you agree? (Hint: are they all equally victimised?)
The Ultimate Guide to VCE Text Response
How To Write A Killer Text Response Study Guide
How to embed quotes in your essay like a boss
How to turn your Text Response essays from average to A+
5 Tips for a mic drop worthy essay conclusion
The Importance of the Introduction
Now quite sure how to nail your text response essays? Then download our free mini-guide, where we break down the art of writing the perfect text-response essay into three comprehensive steps. Click below to get your own copy today!
Has your teacher ever told you:
"You're not answering the prompt"
"You're going off topic"
Then you're not alone! If you struggle to understand and stay on topic, learn how to answer the prompt every time with our How To Write A Killer Text Response study guide.
Metalanguage is language that describes language. The simplest way to explain this is to focus on part 3 of the English exam â Language Analysis. In Language Analysis, we look at the authorâs writing and label particular phrases with persuasive techniques such as: symbolism, imagery or personification. Through our description of the way an author writes (via the words âsymbolismâ, âimageryâ or âpersonificationâ), we have effectively used language that describes language. For a detailed discussion, see What is metalanguage?
Language form
Narrative mode
Narrative tense
Other literary techniques
Whether you consider yourself a Frankenstein expert, or someone who is a bit taken back by the density of the novel and Shelleyâs writing, do not fret! Below I will outline 3 tips which, will hopefully give you a clearer perspective on how to approach writing on Frankenstein! Letâs get started!
1. ALWAYS TRY TO TALK ABOUT SHELLEYâS CONCERNS
Since the book was set during the Age of Enlightenment and the Romantic era, Shelley essentially used Frankenstein as a vessel to criticise and warn readers against many of the values upheld during her era. Itâs therefore crucial that you address this!
The late 18th century and the first decades of the 19th century were exciting times for science and exploration. Shelleyâs two main protagonists, Walton and Frankenstein, both passionately sough to discover what had previously been hidden. Walton wanted to be the first to find a passage through the Arctic Circle; Frankenstein wanted to be the first to create manmade life, to uncover the mysteries of Nature. Â Both men claimed to be desirous of benefitting humankind but both wanted glory more. This obsession to win accolades for their discoveries will destroy Victor, and turn Walton for a while into a hard taskmaster over his crew.
Juxtaposed against these two characters is Henry Clerval. Clerval, too, has an inquiring mind but he also cares about humanity, family and friends. He represents the balanced human being who is sociable, compassionate, intelligent and loyal to his friends. Victorâs ability to reanimate the dead, to bring to life his gigantic Creature using the newly discovered electricity, makes him a genius but also a monster. In his inexperience he botches the work producing a hideous and terrifying creature with, ironically, initially all the virtues of the ideal man of he world. Repulsed by his amateurish handiwork, Victor abandons his creation, setting in place the vengeance that will unfold later.
Try to ground any response to Shelleyâs text in the enormous enthusiasm for new discoveries and new geographic phenomena that attracted lavish praise for those who went where others feared to tread. It was this praise that drove Walton and Frankenstein to exceed reasonable expectations becoming reckless and careless of the consequences of their actions.
2. ALWAYS TRY TO DRAWS LINKS AND CONTRAST DIFFERENT CHARACTERS AND THEMES!
Walton, Frankenstein and the Creature are interconnected in so many ways â whether it be their isolation, ambition, desire for companionship, desire for vengeance or the Romantic values they share. Iâve also noted that it is also really easy to connect themes in Frankenstein as the tragic story-arc of the novel is built upon many different causes. What I mean by this is that there is a clearly define relationship between isolation, ambition and vengeance (and ultimately tragedy) in the sense that isolation is what led to the brewing of unchecked ambition which essentially causes the resultant tragedy.
Take Frankenstein for example: having left his loving family and friends, who provided him with love and companionship for Ingolstadt, there was no one to hold him back from his natural tendencies towards unchecked ambitions, leading him to creating the monster who out of spite towards society kills all of Frankensteinâs loved ones, leading them towards the desire for mutual destruction. Being able to see these links and draw them together will not only add depth to your writing but it also arms you with the ability to be able to deal with a wider array of prompts.
3. ALWAYS TRY TO LOOK FOR MORE NUANCED EXAMPLES AND DISCUSSIONS!
While Walton, Frankenstein and the Creature can be discussed incredibly thoroughly (and by all means go ahead and do it), but it is also very important to consider the novel as a whole and talk about, if not more thoroughly, on the minor characters. While characters such as the De Laceys, villagers and the rustic in the forest can be used to highlight the injustices brought upon the creature and peopleâs natural instincts of self preservation and prejudice, innocent characters such as Elizabeth and Justine can be used to emphasise the injustice of society and the consequences of unchecked ambition and isolation.
Henry Clerval (like previously mentioned) can be contrasted against Walton and his best friend Frankenstein to show that as long as we have a balanced lifestyle and companionship, ambition will not lead us to ruin. Characters such as the Turkish merchant can also have parallels drawn with Frankenstein in telling how our selfish desire and actions, born out of inconsideration for their consequences, can backfire with great intensity. Lastly the character of Safie (someone I used a lot in my discussions) can be compared and contrasted with the Creature to show the different treatment they receive despite both being âoutsidersâ to the De Laceys due to their starkly different appearances.
Mentioning these characters and utilising these contrasts can be monumental in showing your understanding of the novel and by extension, your English analytical ability.
â Hey guys, I'm Lisa, welcome back to Lisa's Study Guides. Today, we're going to be talking about Frankenstein and breaking down an essay topic for it. So in the past, I've done plenty of videos looking at different types of essay topics and breaking them down by looking at keywords and then going into the body paragraphs and looking at those ideas. This time round, the takeaway message that I want you to leave with is understanding what types of evidence you should be using inside your body paragraphs. Specifically, I wanted to talk about literary devices or metalanguage. Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein uses so many literary devices that it's impossible to ignore. If you are somebody who is studying this text or other texts that you use and are heavily embedded with literary techniques, then it's really important that you don't just use dialogue as part of your quotes, but actually reading between the lines. I'll teach you on how it's not just about finding dialogue, which you include as quotes inside your body paragraphs, but reading between the lines, so looking at literary devices like metaphors, symbols, imagery, so let's get started. Mary Shelley's Frankenstein constitutes escaping critique of the prioritization of scientific advancement over human welfare and relationship. Dr. Frankenstein is fascinated with science and discovery, he is consumed with the idea of a new and more noble race by stitching up dead body parts from a cemetery. He feverishly works away at his experiment until one day the creature is born. Frankenstein is horrified at the living thing he has made and completely rejects the creature, leaving it without a parental figure. The creature is left alone to look after himself. He educates himself and on repeated occasions tries to approach people in society, however, is rejected every time because of his monstrous appearance. As a result, the creature becomes enraged at humanity and Frankenstein's unfair treatment towards him and consequently exacts revenge on Frankenstein and his family. The essay topic we'll be looking at today is, Our sympathies in this novel ultimately lie with the creature. Discuss. So in previous videos, we've looked at keywords, how to identify them and how to define them. Since it's pretty straightforward for this essay topic, I thought I would skip that part and then go into the more nitty gritty with the body paragraphs. But, if you are unfamiliar with these steps, then I'll link them in the card above and also in the description below so you can have a look at how I went ahead and did the keyword section in my planning, now back to the prompt. Unequivocally within Frankenstein, Shelley portrays sympathy as spread throughout the text through depicting the creature as innately human through his desire for relationship and the challenges he faces at the hands of the prejudice enlightenment society he's born into, Shelley elicits sympathy for his situation. However, through the notable absence of the female gender throughout the text, Shelley portrays those silent within society as most deserving of sympathy. So, with this in mind, here are the potential paragraphs in response to this prompt. Paragraph one, Shelley's depiction of the creature as innately human motivates support for his challenges at the hands of a prejudice society. The action of the creature to open his dull yellow eye, symbolic of his nature as a human being alongside a green wrinkled on his cheeks, with one hand stretched out, indicates his simple desire for paternal connection. Through constructing the creature's actions as innately human Shelley acts proleptically of the inequitable experiences the creature will experience throughout the structural architecture of the text. And through doing so, depicts his character as worthy of support. Similarly, through the metaphor of fire, Shelley explores the duality of progress and innovation of which the creature desires. The fire, one that gives light as well as heat, yet also causes a cry of pain, indicates the hardships of the creature in his isolation, whereby, his forced to withdraw from his desire for education. Upon viewing himself in a pool, the creature becomes "fully convinced that I was in reality [a] monster" with the consequent sensations of despondency and mortification granting the reader the opportunity to sympathize with the creature in order to indicate the intensely negative social prejudices that are inflicted upon the creature. So you can see that we've looked at symbols of the creature's nature and the metaphor of fire to support our topic sentence. Using literary techniques is what's going to make the difference between you and another student who might be saying the same thing. Why? Because when you look at literary devices, it means that you're reading just beyond the lines, just beyond what's in front of you. You're now introducing your own interpretation, so you're looking at fire and thinking about what that means in connection to the text, and why Mary Shelley would use the term of a fire and revolve her discussion around that. So let's see how we keep doing this in the next body paragraph. Paragraph two, Shelley indicates the significance of relationships as a key element of human nature that the creature is denied, motivating affinity from readers. In replacement of human relationships, the creature rather seeks comfort within the natural world. The metaphorical huge cloak that the creature takes refuge within indicates this, illustrative of an ecosystem, the forest allows the creator to surround himself with life. The subsequent attempts to "imitate the pleasant songs of the birds" reveals the desperate urge of the creature for companionship as he is abandoned by the paternal relationship represented by Victor Frankenstein, which forms a core of human relationships. Again, here we've discussed the metaphorical huge cloak and its connection with the forest, I strongly encourage you to have the goal of discussing at least one literary device per body paragraph. And no, there is no such thing as talking about too many literary devices because it's really just about whether or not your argument is concise and whether or not you're backing that up with evidence. Paragraph three. However, it is Shelley's depiction of the submissive female sex within Frankenstein that becomes most deserving of sympathy. Each female character is characterized as passive, disposable, and they're serving a utilitarian function, namely as a channel of action for the male characters within the text. Notably, the complete lack of absence of Margaret Saville, functioning only as an audience for Walton's letters exemplifies this. Margaret's role within the text is simply to enable Walton to relay the story of Frankenstein and as such were the most necessary character of the texts whilst the most distant. This ironic dichotomy enables Shelley to exemplify the difficult role of the female within society, arising sympathy from the readership. Here, even the purposeful emission of a character is discussed as a language technique. So, this type of literary device definitely tops the cake because you're literally looking at what's not even there. That's definitely reading between the lines. Frankenstein is a very complex novel, and sometimes that's what makes it a difficult text to study. But, it lends itself to many unique interpretations and it's heavily dressed with heaps of literary devices or metalanguage, however you want to call it. So, that's what makes it an absolutely fantastic text for high school students to study. If you wanted to find out more on how to nail a Frankenstein essay, then I'll link you to my blog just down below, because there are definitely more tips there to help you excel in this particular text. Thank you so much for watching, and especially even if you're not studying this text, I hope you've been able to take something away from this video. And I'm confident that you have because talking about literary devices is definitely a topic that isn't necessarily the fore front of discussion in classrooms, and it's something that a lot of people struggle with. So, I hope you are able to walk away with a new goal in sight in order to improve your English essays. So, I will see you guys next time, thank you so much for joining me, see you guys soon. Bye!
The following blog post (updated 02/10/2020), is a mix of the video transcription, along with some new pieces of advice and tips. Happy learning!
Hey guys. Welcome back to Lisa's Study Guides. Right now, it's in the middle of December, and I know that most of you should have finished school by now, and you're enjoying your school holidays. Because it is summer holidays, and most people aren't really studying right now, this is for the truly keen beans, the people who are reading the text before the school starts, which, by the way, you should be doing. I'll pop that video in a card up above and so if you are studying Burial Rites, then this video is for you. If you're not, as always, it doesn't really matter because the type of advice that I will be giving would definitely be relevant to any text, because it's more about your thinking and how you actually go around approaching essay topics. â
â Burial Rites is about this girl called Agnes, and she is the last person in Iceland to be sentenced to the life sentence. This book covers the last few months of her life, living with these people who she's sharing her story with. She has been sentenced because she has murdered Natan. And although we first initially hear that she has murdered this guy, when we start to hear her story develop, that's when we start to see that there are shades of gray. That she did have reason behind what she did, and you can start to feel quite sympathetic towards her. At the same time, though, and this is what today's essay question will be about. There's a lot to do with the patriarchy. Agnes being not just a woman, but an intelligent woman, was something that was looked down upon, and people were scared of that. That's just to give you a little bit of context so that we can start this essay topic. â
â Today's chosen essay topic is:
Women have no power in Burial Rites, the patriarchy dominates their lives. To what extent do you agree?
â The first step, as always, is we look at keywords . What are the keywords here? To me, they are women, no power, patriarchy and dominates. These words really stand out to me, and these are the words that I feel are necessary for me to focus on in order to answer this prompt properly. The second step that I do is I define keywords . So what I do here is I try to understand what the keywords mean and also their implications.
While in this video I don't cover the brainstorm process, you can learn more by reading up on my THINK and EXECUTE strategy , which has helped thousands of students achieve better marks! â
â My third step is I plan out key arguments. So this is how I'm going to break down this essay prompt. I am going to do two body paragraphs where I agree and one body paragraph where I disagree. So this should mean that I'm only agreeing to a certain extent. Here's a video about this type of essay structure and response:
So my first body paragraph is yes, under male authority, the women are robbed of freedom and power. My example for that would be Agnes, who is the protagonist. She is a woman who's being sentenced to death for murdering Natan, more about him later, and, as a result, society condemns her and she's robbed of her identity and freedom. "Everything I said was altered until the story wasn't my own." The metaphor of a story represents her being stripped of her experiences and identity, and instead replaced with how others think of her, whore, madwoman and murderess. â
My second body paragraph would be another agreement, but this time I'm going to focus on the men. In this second body paragraph, my argument is men hold exploitative power over women. One, Natan, the person who was murdered, toys with all his whores, demonstrating male dominance in 1820s Iceland. All his workmaids are stranded, shipwrecked with nowhere else to go, highlighting women's hopelessness in changing their situation. Additionally, there's Blondal. So Blondal is a government authority and he's torn when commanding Lauga, Lauga, not too sure how to say that. You guys let me know. "I'm sure you would not question me," which is also another example of women's subordinate status.
The third one is one where I disagree. Here will be that there are rare instances of female empowerment in the novel. The first one will be Rosa, the poet. So Rosa has an affair with Natan, but Kent praises Rosa and she's described to be a wonderful woman and beautiful. Rosa transcends patriarchal structures, as she is assertive, headstrong, going against social codes in an act of female empowerment. The second one will be Agnes. Her storytelling and ability to express what she is inside allows her to gain a voice in the patriarchal world that has silenced her. Through her storytelling, she asserts her self-worth and dignity and despite the fact that she has been locked down, she is being treated like crap by the men, her ability to hold herself strong and to be able to face her death with dignity means that with some sense, at least from within, that sense of empowerment has not been completely diminished.
If you found this blog and video helpful, and would like to see Burial Rites essay writing in action, then I recommend you check out How To Write A Killer Text Response below!
Updated 24/12/2020
The Crucible is a four-act play that portrays the atmosphere of the witch trials in Salem. As an allegory of McCarthyism, the play primarily focuses on criticising the ways in which innocent people are prosecuted without any founded evidence, reflecting the unjust nature of the corrupted authoritarian system that governs Salem. It starts off with the girls dancing in the woods and Bettyâs unconsciousness, which causes the people of Salem to look for unnatural causes. People start scapegoating others to escape prosecution and falsely accuse others to gain power and land, facilitating mass hysteria which ultimately leads to the downfall of the Salem theocracy. The protagonist John Proctor is one of those that decides to defy the courts and sacrifices his life towards the end of the play, ending the play on a quiet note in contrast with its frenzied conflict throughout the acts.
The Dressmaker shows the audience the treatment towards Tilly Dunnage upon her return to fictional town Dungatar years after she was wrongly accused of being a murderess. Rosalie Ham critiques the impacts of rumours on Tilly and Molly, also establishing her condemnation of the societal stigma of this isolated town. Tilly starts making haute couture outfits to transform the lives of the women in the town and help them present themselves as more desirable and elevate their ranks. However, the townspeople still see Tilly negatively, except for some individuals who are able to look past the opinions of others and get to know Tilly themselves. Hamâs gothic novel garners the audienceâs sympathy towards the outcasts of the town and antagonises those who find pleasure in creating drama and spreading rumours about others. Â
Through discussing themes, motifs, and key ideas , weâll gain a clearer understanding of some super important ideas to bring out in your essays. Remember, that when it comes to themes, thereâs a whole host of ways you can express your ideas - but this is what Iâd suggest as the most impressive method to blow away the VCAA examiners. Throughout this section, we'll be adhering to the CONVERGENT and DIVERGENT strategy to help us easily find points of similarity and difference. This is particularly important when it comes to essay writing, because you want to know that you're coming up with unique comparative points (compared to the rest of the Victorian cohort!). I don't discuss this strategy in detail here, but if you're interested, check out How To Write A Killer Comparative . I use this strategy throughout this discussion of themes and in the next section, Comparative Essay Prompt Example.
Social class .
Both The Crucible and The Dressmaker talk extensively about class. By class, what I mean is the economic and social divisions which determine where people sit in society. For instance, we could say that the British Royals are âupper classâ, whilst people living paycheck to paycheck and struggling to get by are âlower classâ.
Ultimately, both The Crucible and The Dressmaker are set in classist societies where there is no opportunity for social advancement. Whilst Thomas Putnam steals the land of poor Salemites accused of witchcraft, the McSwineys are left to live in absolute poverty and never leave the âtipâ where they have lived for generations. Dungatar and Salem view this social division as a âgivenâ and reject the idea that there is anything wrong with certain people living a life of suffering so others can have lives of wealth and pleasure. As such, for both Salem and Dungatar, the very idea that anyone could move between the classes and make a better life for themselves is inherently dangerous. What we can see here is that class shapes the way communities deal with crisis. Anything that overturns class is dangerous because it challenges the social order â meaning that individuals such as Reverend Parris in The Crucible , or Councillor Pettyman in The Dressmaker may lose all their power and authority.
For The Crucible , thatâs precisely why the witchcraft crisis is so threatening, as the Salemites are prepared to replace Reverend Parris and deny his authority. Although Abigail and the group of girls thus single-handedly overturn Salemâs class structures and replace it with their own tyranny, Parrisâ original intention was to use their power to reinforce his authority. In The Dressmaker , Tilly is threatening because she doesnât neatly fit in to Dungatarâs class structure. Having travelled the outside world, she represents a worldly mindset and breadth of experiences which the townspeople know they cannot match.
For this theme, thereâs a DIVERGENCE of ideas too, and this is clear because the way that class is expressed and enforced in both texts is vastly different. For The Crucible , itâs all about religion â Reverend Parrisâ assertion that all Christians must be loyal to him ensures the class structure remains intact. More than that, to challenge him would be to challenge God, which also guides Danforth in executing those who donât follow his will. In the case of The Dressmaker , thereâs no central authority who imposes class on Dungatar. Rather, the people do it themselves; putting people back in their place through rumour and suspicion. However, by creating extravagant, expensive dresses for the townspeople, Tilly inadvertently provides people with another way to express class. Â
CONVERGENT:
The setting forms an essential thematic element of The Crucible and The Dressmaker . Both communities are thoroughly isolated and, in colloquial terms, live in the âmiddle of no-whereâ.
However, what is starkly different between the texts is how this isolation shapes the respective communitiesâ self-image. For Salem, its citizens adopt a mindset of religious and cultural superiority â believing that their faith, dedication to hard work and unity under God make them the most blessed people in the world. Individuals as diverse as Rebecca Nurse and Thomas Putnam perceive Salem to be a genuinely incredible place. They see Salem as the first battleground between God and the Devil in the Americas, and as such, construct a grand narrative in which they are Godâs soldiers protecting his kingdom. Even the name âSalemâ references âJerusalemâ, revealing that the Salemites see themselves as the second coming of Christ, and the fulfilment of the Bibleâs promises.
Not much of the same can be said for The Dressmaker . Dungatar lacks the same religious context, and the very name of âDungatarâ references âdungâ, or beetle poop. The next part of the name is 'tar', a sticky substance, creating the impression that Dungatar's people are stuck in their disgusting ways. The townspeople of Dungatar are acutely aware of their own inadequacy, and that is why they fight so hard to remain isolated from the outside world. Tilly is therefore a threat because she challenges their isolation and forces the men and women of Dungatar to reconsider why their community has shunned progress for so long. In short, she makes a once-isolated people realise that fear, paranoia, division and superstition are no way to run a town, and brings them to acknowledge the terribly harmful impacts of their own hatred.
On top of that, because Salem is literally the only Christian, European settlement for miles, it is simply impossible for them to even think about alternatives to their way of life. They are completely isolated and thus, all of their problems come from âwithinâ and are a result of their own division. For Dungatar, itâs a mix of societal issues on the inside being made worse by the arrival of people from the outside. The township is isolated, but unlike Salem, it at least has contact with the outside world. All Tilly does, therefore, is show the people of Dungatar an alternative to their way of life. But, for a community used to the way they have lived for decades, it ultimately contributes to its destruction.
By the way, to download a PDF version of this blog for printing or offline use, click here !
The following essay topic breakdown was written by Lindsey Dang. If you'd like to see a completed A+ essay based off this same essay topic, then check out LSG's A Killer Comparative Guide: The Crucible & The Dressmaker , written by 50 study scorer and LSG tutor, Jordan Bassilious!
[Modified Video Transcription]
Compare the ways in which outcasts are treated in The Crucible and The Dressmaker.
Before writing our topic sentences, we need to look at our key words first. The keywords in this prompt are outcasts and treated .
So, who are considered outcasts in the two texts? Outcasts can be those of traditionally lower classes, they can be characters with physical flaws, those that are different to others or those who do not abide by the standards of their respective societies.
We also need to look our second key word âtreatedâ. How would we describe the treatment towards these characters? Are they treated nicely or are they mistreated and discriminated against? Do ALL members of that community have that same treatment towards those outcasts or are there exceptions? Remember this point because we might be able to use this to challenge the prompt.
Weâre going to skip Step 2: Brainstorm today, but if youâre familiar with LSG teachings, including the THINK and EXECUTE strategy discussed in my How To Write A Killer Text Response ebook, then youâll be good for this part.
Both texts portray outcasts as victims of relentless accusations or rumours, seeking to engage the pathos of the audience towards those who are marginalised.
Miller and Ham also denounce the ways in which outcasts are maltreated due to their position in the social hierarchy through his antagonisation of other townspeople.
However, there are still characters that are driven by their sense of morality or remorse instead of mistreating the outcasts of their community.
1. 'I sayâI sayâGod is dead.' âJohn Proctor, The Crucible . Explore how communities respond to crisis.
2. People must conform to societal expectations in The Crucible and The Dressmaker . Do you agree?
3. Discuss how The Crucible and The Dressmaker use textual features to convey the authorâs perspective.
4. Gender repression is rife in both The Crucible and The Dressmaker . Discuss.
Now it's your turn! Give these essay topics a go. If you're interested in reading a 50 study scorer's completed essays based off these 4 essay topics, along with annotations so you can understand his thinking process, then I would highly recommend checking out LSG's A Killer Comparative Guide: The Crucible & The Dressmaker.
This blog has written contributions from Lindsey Dang.
Download a PDF version of this blog for printing or offline use
Understanding Context in The Crucible and The Dressmaker
The Crucible by Arthur Miller
The Dressmaker by Rosalie Ham
For a detailed guide on Comparative, check out our Ultimate Guide to VCE Comparative.
Understanding the context of the texts you are studying is essential if you are to satisfactorily respond to any prompt ( learn about the 5 types of prompts here ). Not only does it provide an insight into the society of the time and their views and values , it also allows for greater awareness of the charactersâ motivations, resulting in a richer discussion in your essays. Discussing the context of the texts also makes for an ideal comparison which can be incorporated in the introduction as well as the body paragraphs. Moreover, context paragraphs are a great tool to have up your sleeves, as they can easily be adapted to almost every essay question, a real asset when attempting to write an essay in an hour.Â
In this blog post, I will be giving a brief overview of the contexts of the play The Crucible by Arthur Miller and Rosalie Hamâs The Dressmaker . Further down , I have also provided a sample paragraph as an example of a way in which I would go about writing a context paragraph in response to an essay prompt concerning the two texts. Both of these texts are set in fascinating and significant eras of human history so I invite you to conduct your own research after reading this!Â
At first glance, the town of Salem, Massachusetts in 1692 and Dungatar, Victoria in 1950s Australia have little in common; however, both towns exist in stifling geographical isolation, allow myopic and parochial outlooks to flourish, and maintain an irrational but overwhelming fear of âthe other.âÂ
The Crucible is set in 1692 in Salem. The provincial, conservative town was established by English Puritans who, fearing persecution, fled from a Britain dominated by The Church of England. The first Puritans to arrive in Salem faced brutal conditions, including 'marauding Indians' and living on a 'barbaric frontier' that lay close to the 'dark and threateningâŚvirgin forest' that they believed to be the 'devilâs last preserve'. In order to overcome these challenges, the people of Salem were forced to unify and remain diligent. In order to ensure efficiency, a strict and rigid way of life was adopted, where work and prayer were championed and individual freedoms and pleasures abhorred. Though this harsh way of life did allow the Salemites to stay alive, it forced them to suppress various natural human emotions such as joy and anger, so as to not detract from work and prayer. Further, the town had limited their interaction with the outside world, compelling them to instead be constantly surrounded by each other. This hazardous combination of repression of emotions and interaction with only a small pool of people spurred private jealousies and vengeance within the townspeople, and it is here that the play commences.
In contrast, Hamâs novel takes place in 1950s rural Australia, in the fictional town of Dungatar. Despite being set centuries after The Crucible , Dungatar is rife with the same parochialism (great word to use for both texts, referring to a limited/ narrow outlook), resentment and gossip as Salem. The townâs physical isolation - it is surrounded by 'wheat, yellow plains' and seems to be a 'dark blot shimmering on the edge of flatness' - corresponded with their metaphoric isolation from global events, creating an intense fear of âthe otherâ. Further, similarly to The Crucible , the stark physical isolation ensures that each individualâs social interactions are limited to the townâs small population, fostering a breeding ground for narrow-mindedness and prejudice. Hamâs description of the way 'the crowd screamed with lust, revenge, joy, hate and elation' after a local football match win reveals the underlying emotions of the town, repressed behind a veneer of respectability and perceived moral propriety. All it takes is a stimulus, which arrives in the form of outcast Tilly Dunnage, to uncover the malicious undertones of the provincial town.Â
During VCE, I tended to use my first paragraph (in response to an essay prompt) as a way to explore the context of the texts I was studying, and relate the context to the essay prompt being addressed ( learn more about the different types of essay prompts here ). In this case, the prompt I have responded to is:
â Compare the ways in which The Crucible and The Dressmaker portray divided societies.Â
I was able to adapt much of this paragraph below to whatever essay prompts I came across.Â
The geographical isolation of rural, parochial towns can breed a kind of myopia amongst inhabitants and promote binary thinking. Salem is situated on the 'edge of wildernessâ, with the 'American continent stretching endlessly Westâ. The 'dark and threatening' forest which ominously surrounds the town is believed to be 'the last place on earth not paying homage to Godâ, inciting the irrational fear that 'the virginâs forest was the Devilâs last preserve' (1) . To combat the imminent threat of the 'marauding Indians' upon their arrival in Salem, the Salemites maintained that 'in unityâŚlay the best promise of safetyâ, and hence were governed as 'an autocracy by consent' (2) . Similarly, in The Dressmaker , the town of Dungatar 'stretches as far as the silos' and is described as a 'dark blot shimmering on the edge of flatnessâ. 'The green eye of the oval' is a physical representation of the townâs predilection for prejudice and endorsement of slyly watching others (3) . The stifling insularity experienced by both towns perpetuates a paucity of culture and 'parochial snobberyâ, as well as fostering austere social expectations (4) . The totalitarian regime that governed Salem and their 'strict and sombre way of life' conditioned the people of Salem to repress natural human emotions so as to conform to the conservative and rigid values of society. Indeed, Millerâs description of the 'small windowed dark houses struggling against the raw Massachusetts winter' alludes to the Salemitesâ dogmatically narrow-minded outlook and their repression of any individuality. Hence, despite the veneer of propriety upheld by Salemâs 'sect of fanaticsâ, the town is rife with hidden resentments and 'long-held hatreds of neighbours' (5) . Whilst moral respectability and piety conceal the true sentiments of the people of Salem, clothing is the mask for the 'liars, sinners and hypocrites' of Dungatar (6) . Though on the surface the town appears respectable, the true desires of 'the sour people of Dungatar' are revealed through their desire 'to look better than everybody elseâ. Their lack of connection with the outside world forces their constant interaction with one another and means that 'everybody knows everything about everyone' (7) . Thus, Miller and Ham postulate that geographical isolation inevitably forges unyielding social norms that repress human emotions and pits individuals against each other (8) .
â Annotations (1) In these two sentences, Iâve provided the geographical context of Salem.  â (2) My description of the geographical location is followed quickly by describing the townâs beliefs and values, which have a large impact on the social context. â (3) Here, Iâve used the geographical context as a metaphor to explain the social context of Dungatar. â (4) Iâve described a similarity between the two towns - remember to use lots of meaningful comparisons in all paragraphs ( LSGâs CONVERGENT and DIVERGENT strategy is a useful strategy for this). â (5) Iâve detailed how the societal expectations and values of the Salemites (the people of Salem) can impact the behaviour of the characters. â (6) Here, Iâve outlined a subtle difference (or divergence ) between Dungatar and Salem. â (7) Once again, Iâve related the townspeopleâs values and beliefs, as well as the physical context, to their behaviour. â (8) Iâve ended with a meaningful comparison between the intent of the two authors.Â
Looking for more? Check out our other blog posts on The Crucible and The Dressmaker :
Comparing The Crucible and The Dressmaker
We've explored themes, characters, literary devices and historical context amongst other things over on our Women of Troy by Euripides blog post. If you need a quick refresher or youâre new to studying this text, I highly recommend checking it out as well as our Ultimate Guide to VCE Text Response .
Here, weâll be breaking down a Women of Troy essay topic using LSGâs THINK and EXECUTE strategy , a technique to help you write better VCE essays. If youâre unfamiliar with this strategy, you can learn about it in our How To Write A Killer Text Response study guide.
Within the THINK strategy, we have 3 steps, or ABC. These ABC components are:
Step 1: A nalyse Step 2: B rainstorm Step 3: C reate a Plan
Without further ado, letâs get into it!
The Prompt: ââWe are loot my son and I, soldiersâ plunder.â Discuss how Euripides highlights the plight of women taken as slaves in war.âÂ
The first thing to note about this prompt is that it is a 'howâ question , it is essentially asking us to identify the literary techniques Euripides has employed in order to âhighlightâ the womenâs âplightâ. The noun âplightâ is defined as a troublesome or unfortunate situation, yet we must consider this word in the context of war. How do the women suffer? In other words, how does Euripides demonstrate to his reader just how dejected the women are as slaves?
It is relatively simple to identify the literary techniques which consistently appear throughout Euripidesâ play, such as imagery, metaphor and simile ( not entirely sure what literary techniques are? We have a list of them for you here ). However, keeping in mind we have to form three paragraphs, we should consider Euripidesâ authorial voice more broadly. For example, the women consistently lament their disillusionment with the gods. This is not a literary technique in itself, but it is still a literary choice which Euripides has made and which has been deepened with more specific literary devices like metaphor. The same could be said for the womenâs struggle for hope, and the contrast between their joyous pasts and dismal futures.
Unlike a âto what extentâ question, we do not have to form an argument. Instead, we must forge a discussion of Euripidesâ literary decisions as a playwright.
P1: Euripides juxtaposes the triumphant pasts of the Trojan women with their tragic futures. The 'shining citadels of Troy' are now a 'black smokened ruinâ.
P2: Euripides illuminates the womenâs attempts to retain futile hope. Note that hope also comes in the form of revenge.
P3: The dramatic irony of the play renders the womenâs desperate calls upon the gods all the more tragic. Here, we can also make reference to the prologue, and Atheneâs ploy to create a storm on the Greeksâ journey home which also ultimately affects the women.
At the heart of the conflict in The Women of Troy , lies the anguished 'suffering' (1) of the Trojan women as they confront their fates as 'slaves', and remember their pasts as wives and mothers. In his tragedy, first performed in Athens circa 415 BCE, Euripides amplifies the conflicted voices of the Trojan women, voices which are by contrast suppressed and disregarded in the Homeric works the Iliad and the Odyssey . Euripidesâ stark dichotomy between the glories and 'rituals' of the past, and the sombre 'grief' of the present, elucidate the magnitude of their losses, both material and moral. For as Andromache laments, these women have been objectified as 'loot', mere spoils of war to be abused and exploited. (2) The womenâs tendency to clutch onto chimerical (3) hopes and values only serves to further illuminate the profundity of their suffering once these ambitions have been brutally quashed in the 'dust' of their 'smoke blackened ruin' of Troy. Perhaps most significantly, Euripides juxtaposes the lingering though pitiful hope of the women with the godsâ complete 'desert[ion]' of Troy, positioning the women in an ironic chasm of cruel abandonment. Thus, the plight of women as wartime captives is dramatised by Euripides, corralling the audience into an ultimate stance of pity and empathy.
Annotations: (1) It is often useful to embed short/one word quotes in your essay (we teach you how in How To Embed Quotes in Your Essay Like a Boss ). It shows you have a great understanding of the text, and reads fluidly as opposed to overly long quotes.
â (2) Here, I have addressed the quote in the prompt in a single sentence, unpacking Euripidesâ analogy of Andromache and Astyanax as âlootâ. By comparing the two characters to war spoils, he is suggesting that they have been stripped of their free will and autonomy.
â (3) It is really important to vary your vocabulary in order to increase the sophistication of your essay. The adjective âchimericalâ refers to an ideal which is impossible to achieve. Â
Euripidesâ juxtaposition between the dismal future of the Trojan women and the zenith of their pasts, further illuminates the chasm of their sufferings and losses as the ultimate victims of wartime atrocities. Chiefly, Euripides contrasts Hecubaâs former royal status with the demoralizing fate of her captivity, encapsulating this tragic fall from nobility with the ironic imagery, 'throned in the dustâ. Yet perhaps what truly emphasises her plight as a slave is her enduring role as a maternal figure of leadership, encapsulated in her regard of the chorus as '[her] children' and her reciprocated address as 'dear queen' and 'your mother'. Despite the 'death agony' she feels, she chooses to maintain her nobility through the depth of her morality, dramatizing the pitiful nature of her plight (4) . Moreover, Euripidesâ juxtaposition between the 'shining citadels of Troy' and the 'misery' of the chorus elucidates the significance of 'home', a source of solace which has been barbarically stripped away from them. Likewise, Andromache laments her past as a dutiful and faithful wife, contrasting her fidelity against her fate as a 'concubine' to the formidable Neoptolemus (5) . Euripides implies that Andromache must abandon her reputation as the 'perfect wife' â the very attribute for which she was chosen especially â doomed to confront a life of sexual slavery, an unwilling mother of Neoptolemusâ children.
Annotations: (4) Here, I have used the word âplightâ, making sure I am engaging directly with the prompt. It is often easy to fall into the trap of creating a generalised essay which only loosely adheres to the question.Â
â (5) It is more sophisticated to specify the name of Andromacheâs husband (Neoptolemus), rather than to just simply state âAndromacheâs husbandâ (even though he is not featured as a character in Euripidesâ play).
Euripides (6) characterises the women by their tendency to clutch on to 'hope[s]' and ideals that are impossible to fulfil. Almost a coping mechanism of sorts, the chorus paradoxically romanticise the Greek landscape in the first episode, lauding the 'sacred halls', 'green fields', 'beautiful river[s]' and 'wealth' of Hellas. Yet, their ardent critiques of their future 'home[s]' rejects any notion that the women truly believe these glorifications of the Greek realm. Similarly, Hecuba is motivated by her futile hope that Astyanax may one day seek vengeance and be 'the savior of Troy' by 'rebuild[ing]' the city. Yet tragically, this doomed hope is violently quashed by Odysseus 'blind panic' and acute lack of rationality: the 'liar' and 'deceiver' who 'lead the Greek council' in their debate. Though this hope initially provides her with some form of solace, all comfort is dashed with the announcement of his 'butchery'. Likewise, Cassandra is motivated by her own pursuit for revenge, lauding her 'sacred marriage' to Agamemnon as an event worthy of 'praise' and 'celebration'. Yet her hope is also jaded, for she must in the process 'flout all religious feeling' as a slave of Agamemnonâs 'lust', until she meets her painful hour of death at Clytemnestraâs hands.
Annotations: (6) Notice that several of the sentences have begun with âEuripides characterisesâ or âEuripides illuminatesâ, engaging with the âhowâ part of the prompt. We are showing what the author has done and why.
Ironically, Euripides illuminates the plight of the Trojan women through his dramatic elucidation of the godsâ callous abandonment of the ruined Troy. Euripides juxtaposes the past 'rituals', 'dances', 'songs', 'sacrifices', 'offerings' and 'ceremonies' of the chorus with their bitter laments that 'the gods hate Troy' and that they are ultimately characterised by avarice. They are neither answered not consoled in their ultimate time of mourning, for the audience is aware that Poseidon has fled the scene in the prologue, disillusioned by the 'ceas[ing]' of 'worship', leaving 'nothing (âŚ) worth a godâs consideration' in the fallen city. What is also rendered ironic by Euripides, is Atheneâs formidable ploy to 'make the Greeksâ return home a complete disaster.' Regardless of Atheneâs true motives for instigating this ultimate pursuit of comeuppance, the fact remains that the women too must endure this perilous journey to Greece. Not only are the despairing wives, mothers and daughters condemned to 'abject slavery' on foreign soil, they are 'innocent: victims who may â alongside the Greeks â find themselves on the shores of Euboea, among the 'float[ing] (âŚ) corpses' of the Greek soldiers. They are not simply abandoned by the gods, they are, directly or indirectly, punished. (7)
Annotations: (7) This is a more original point which other students may not automatically think of. We often view Atheneâs âployâ as a deserved punishment of the âmurderousâ Greeks, yet there is no true justice, for the women too are ultimately affected.
In a play which serves to fill the silence of the Trojan women in the legendary works of the Iliad and the Odyssey (8) , Euripides augments the pitiful plight of the Trojan women with agonizing references to past 'happiness', and equally unbearable forecasts of their roles as 'slaves' of Greek lust. They are indeed 'loot' and they are indeed 'plunder' â as Andromache so bitterly laments â yet their plight is recorded in the works of 'poets' to come, remembered as a legacy of stoicism 'a hundred generations hence.' Taken as our 'great theme', these women are 'sufferer[s]', yet they are also heroes.
Annotations: (8) Just as I have done in the introduction, I have referred to the context of the play in the conclusion. The Iliad and the Odyssey provided the framework for Euripidesâ play, so by referencing Homerâs works we are showing the examiner that we have an understanding of the historical context.Â
If you'd like to dive deeper into Women of Troy, check out our A Killer Text Guide: Women of Troy study guide. In it, we teach you how to how to think like a 50 study scorer through advanced discussions on topics such as views and values and metalanguage, we provide you with 5 A+ sample essays that are fully annotated and everything is broken down into easy-to-understand concepts so that students of all levels can understand and apply what we teach!!
Ransom is usually studied in the Australian curriculum under Area of Study 1 - Text Response. For a detailed guide on Text Response, check out our Ultimate Guide to VCE Text Response .
Priam is an elderly king of Troy. As a child, his sister Hesione saved him from slavery, and had his named changed from Podarces to Priam, the name meaning âthe ransomed oneâ or âthe price paid'. After the death of his son Hector, Priam envisions himself in plain clothing, riding a plain cart to Achilles who is effectively holding Hector ransom. His vision is the catalyst for the novelâs events, for his journey is one of learning and self-development. Though the royal family is doubtful of his plan to save Hector, Priam is resolute and insists that he needs to try his best to confront Achilles as a father, rather than as king. After many decades as king of Troy, Priam is determined to reinvent how he will be remembered; as a king who performed an extraordinary act of heroism in order to save his beloved son.
Achilles is known as the greatest warrior of the Greeks. The death of Patroclus, his closest companion and hinted lover, drives Achilles to insanity. Hector murdered Patroclus and, as a result, Achilles takes revenge by killing Hector. He then drags Hectorâs dead body along the walls of Troy for the next 11 days. Achilles loses his sense of humanity as he is possessed by his rage, hatred and grief.
Somax is representative of the âcommon manâ in Ransom . He is chosen to escort Priam to Achilles. His simple and plain presence is contrasted with Priamâs royal status. He often engages in useless chatter and performs daily activities in a way that is foreign to the king. Although Somax is far from royalty, his great deal of affection for his daughter-in-law and granddaughter teaches Priam about love, family and life.
Beauty is Somaxâs favourite mule. She accompanies Priam and Somax on their journey to the Greek camp where Achilles resides.
Somaxâs other mule who carries the cart to Achillesâ camp.
Hecuba is Priamâs beloved wife and mother of Hector. She is initially uncertain of Priamâs vision to save Hector. However, after hearing Priamâs sentimental reasons, she shows support and urges him to first share his plan with their family and the kingdomâs council before he departs.
Hector is Priamâs son and also the leader of the Trojan army. He is kind, brave and noble without any cruel intentions, unlike his rival Achilles. During a battle between the Trojans and the Greeks, Hector kills Patroclus. This results in Achilles challenging Hector to a battle, resulting in Hectorâs death and Achillesâ triumph.
Neoptolemus is Achillesâ son. Although he is mentioned throughout Ransom , he makes his first appearance at the end of the novel where he savagely slaughters an old and defenseless Priam in an effort to avenge his fatherâs death. â
Ransom explores who we are and what it means to have an identity. As the leader of Troy for many decades, Priam has always viewed himself as a king. It appears as though Priam has been unhappy with his identity for quite some time, is physically weak, and feels as though he cannot protect his kingdom as efficiently as he used to. However, the death of Hector is a catalyst for Priam as he realises that he needs to become a âfatherâ rather than the âkingâ he had become so accustomed to. His search for Hector is also a search for himself, to reinvent who he is and how he wishes others to remember him.
Meanwhile, Somax is designated as the kingâs herald, with the name Idaeus. He secretly notes his unhappiness with this name appointment, since he is âSomax, not Idaeus'. The name âSomaxâ is associated with many significant events in his life including his marriage and family, yet the new unfamiliar name strips him of this identity. Somaxâs confidence and pride in his identity is starkly contrasted with Priamâs pursuit for an identity transformation.
Malouf demonstrates that it is never too late to change oneâs ways. Priamâs determination to change how he is remembered â from just another king leading a regal life to a hero who went to extraordinary lengths to regain his child â demonstrates that change is within our grasp. Even though his beautiful wife Hecuba and the rest of his family have reservations about his desire to confront Achilles, Priam is resolved in taking a âchance', rather than achieving nothing by remaining within the walls of his home. Unexpectedly, this one idea propels Priam into a multitude of other changes. His journey with Somax teaches Priam a far greater deal than he had anticipated, for he learns to appreciate the value of the human connection and other daily simplicities in life.
Although Achilles is driven by hatred and anger after Patroclusâ death, as with Priam, he manages to change his ways. He is touched by Priamâs pleas and consequently accepts the ransom and returns Hectorâs body. He is able to reach this state of peace by releasing his immoral intentions and even offers to hold a ritual for Hectorâs body in the Greek walls that very night. This transformation, from a human who responds to grief with vengeance to someone who releases and forgives, demonstrates the benefits we can gain from amending our ways.
Revenge is portrayed as a never-ending vicious cycle until both parties reach a negotiation or peace. After Patroclusâ death, Achilles hunts down Hector in order to avenge his best friendâs early death. Although he is successful in murdering Hector, Achilles does not follow the custom of leaving the body for the grieving family to bury. Instead, Achilles feels the need to mutilate the body day after day without any sense of remorse or regret. His additional need to inflict harm on Hectorâs body indicates that revenge will not bring closure. His sense of loss is shown as he reflects feeling empty inside, to the point where he no longer feels like himself, but someone else altogether.
Although Achilles and Priam ultimately find peace within themselves, many years later Achillesâ son Neoptolemus murders Priam, bounded by the same hatred and pain depicted by Achilles. Neoptolemusâ subsequent guilt and regret is carried with him throughout the rest of his life, demonstrating that again, revenge is not the answer to any problem.
The role of the gods is heavily woven into the events that unfold in Ransom. Priam only begins his transition and journey after envisioning the goddess Iris, who suggests that he take a âchanceâ and try to save Hector from Achillesâ camp. During his journey, a jovial young man who joins the travellers is revealed as Hermes, a god who has come to safely guide the elderly men to Achilles. The power of the gods in controlling human fate is illustrated during the scene where Hermes saves the travellers from being swept away by a stream.
Nevertheless, it can also be argued that it is the charactersâ decisions that lead them to their fate. Although the gods may have instilled in Priam the idea that he should rescue Hector, it is the kingâs determination which is a main driving force for the journey. Even when confronted with doubt and hesitancy from his family, it is Priam who pushes onwards to fulfil his vision. Whether his actions were already predestined or of his own agency is up to you to decide.
Manâs presence on earth is shown to have little significance in comparison to the power of nature. While the events in Ransom teach the characters many valuable lessons, ultimately these meaningful moments in the humansâ lives disappear as one reaches their fate â death. Time moves on beyond our lives as we are forgotten over decades and centuries while nature prevails. Priamâs desire to be remembered by others highlights how little significance a life possesses unless one behaves extraordinarily. Malouf demonstrates that in the end, life just is â we are granted by nature to have a brief existence, yet in the end, nature and time will move forward without us.
Although royalty is portrayed to be blessed with power and authority, it is ironically the commoners in Ransom who appear to have the ârichestâ (and more fulfilling) lives. For the first time, Priam is exposed to the different interests and values of the common man and is intrigued by the simplicities of life. It is Somax, a mere old man from the marketplace, who teaches Priam more about life than he had imagined possible.
Joveâs eagle is a representation of a bird renowned for its keen sight. The presence of Joveâs eagle during Priam and Somaxâs departure hints that the gods will safely guide their journey as the bird behaves as a lookout. Furthermore, the symbol of the eagleâs powerful vision is contrasted with Priamâs âblindnessâ at the beginning of the journey since he is yet to experience the outside world. It is during the journey that he learns about himself and others, and thus, improves his âsight.â Coincidently, Joveâs eagle is no longer mentioned when Priam is endowed with his new insight.
The royal cart is âa fine new one, the marks of the adze still visible on its timbers. The twelve-spoked wheels are elaborately carved and painted, a wickerwork canopy covers the tray'. On all occasions, the king had used this elegant cart to alert others that royalty was present. The use of this cart demonstrates how Priam has been encapsulated in his own royal sphere since everything is meticulously chosen and designed specifically for the king. Nevertheless, his demand for a âcommon work cartâ depicts his determination for a simple approach to Achilles, as a father to another father. This simplicity highlights Priamâs desire to become just another man and father, anonymous in the plain cart with the hopes of retrieving Hector.
At the beginning of the journey, Priam is characterised with childish traits. When Somax urges Priam to dabble his feet in the stream, words such as âobedient toddler', âthree uncertain steps', and âhappy smileâ reflect the actions of a young child trying new experiences. This childish nature is contrasted with Priamâs old and frail age, which demonstrates that although he has lived a life in royalty, his lack of exposure to âreal lifeâ has left him crippled of the simplest experiences such as the cooling effect of feet in water and eating delicious homemade cookies.
The cakes Somax brings along during the journey highlight Priamâs lack of knowledge of even the simplest things. For Somax, the little griddlecakes are a regular and delectable snack, yet Priam 'ha[s] never seen them before'. Priamâs unfamiliarity with the cakes represents his isolation from the âreal worldâ since he has been deprived from things that even commoners view as ordinary.
Futhermore, Somaxâs lengthy chatter about his daughter-in-law cooking the cakes with the âbatter bubbling and setting and turning a golden brownâ prompts Priam to think about the activities in his kingdom that occur behind closed doors. He had previously never noticed that there was so much preparation and work that went into the food that appeared at his table, let alone the ingredients and thickness of a batter. These matters had been of little concern to Priam, yet he realises that even the âcommon and lowâŚactivities and facts of life, had an appeal'.
Although Achilles drags Hectorâs body across the walls of Troy for eleven days, each morning he would return to find Hectorâs body healed of any wounds, and absent of any physical damage to his body. This is a cruel reminder of the godâs ability to âtoy aroundâ with the Ancient Greeksâ lives. Hectorâs body also symbolises how revenge is not the answer to any conflict, since dealing with a tragic loss through revenge does not gain anything but more pain and suffering.
Although Priam initially believes he understands the distress of losing a son, Somaxâs experience of losing his son is driven with emotions that Priam had never previously experienced. When sharing the story of his sonâs death, Somax sniffles, an âodd habitâ according to Priam. The use of âodd habitâ to describe Somaxâs sadness demonstrates how Priam has never truly felt the loss of his son, but only the loss of a royal relationship between king and prince.
Later on, Somax once again âsnufflesâ and ârubs his noseâ at the thought of the ending to their journey. Similarly, Priam makes âsmall sounds', presumably crying as well. The transformation of Priam from someone who failed to empathise with Somaxâs tears at the beginning of the journey to a man filled with emotions demonstrates that Priam undergoes both a physical and metaphysical journey where he undergoes self-development and appreciation of the world around him.
Achilles, the greatest warrior of the Greeks, stands next to the sea while reminiscing about the past. After his motherâs death he had âentered the rough world of menâ (p. 6) where wars and battles prevail. Every morning, he feels the need to âtramp to shoreâ (p. 10) since he is haunted by the death of his âsoulmate and companionâ Patroclus, and his raging hatred towards Hector, killer of Patroclus and thus, the âimplacable enemy'.
When Achilles was a child, his cousin Patroclus came to live with the young Achilles since the former had killed the son of a high official of the royal court due to a âquarrel over a game of knucklebonesâ (p. 11). In need of asylum, Patroclus came to live with Achillesâ family. As the years passed, the pair grew closer to the extent where Achilles believes that âhe had mated with Patroclusâ (p. 15).
When the tide of the battle was against the Greeks, Patroclus disguises himself in Achillesâ armour in order to instill fear in the Trojans and cause them to return to the safety of their walls, thus providing temporary relief for the Greeks. In his last act for his closest friend, Patroclus is killed in battle*. The death of Patroclus left Achilles with an overwhelming sense of loss and also burning animosity. Achilles whispers that he will join Patroclus soon, but firstly, he has to avenge Patroclusâ killer, Hector.
Hector, the son of Trojan king Priam and leader of the Trojan army, wore Achilles' armour as a sign of triumph and disrespect for the Greeks. In a dramatic battle between Hector and himself, Achilles was successful in killing his enemy. Achillesâ Myrmidons then stripped Hector of his armour and âwithout pityâŚplunged their swords into Hectorâs unprotected fleshâ (p. 24). For Achilles however, this was not enough. Still fuelled by his pain, Achilles ties Hectorâs body to a chariot and drags it âup and down under the walls of Troyâ (p. 26) as the dead warriorâs royal family devastatingly watches on. Achilles feels like a âdead manâŚfeeling nothingâ (p. 26), unable to seal the void left by his beloved friend.
The next day, Achilles is furious to find Hectorâs body âsmoothly sealed and the torn flesh made whole again'. His men cannot bear to look at him as he drives the chariot with Hectorâs body along the walls of the Trojans once again. Afterwards he quickly falls asleep, into âoblivionâ (p. 35) as he struggles with the shame and guilt of his actions. He is âwaiting for a breakâŚsomething new and unimaginableâ in his life.
The Human Side
Along with the conflict between Greece and Troy, Ransom also delves into the consequences of those affected by the war. As the greatest warrior of all Greeks, Achilles has lived his life as a fighter. Nevertheless, his pathway in life has led him to believe that âsuch a life is death to the warrior spiritâ (p. 7). While warriors are known for sacrificing their lives in the battlefield, Achilles does not literally refer to warriors confronting death each time they fight for their team. In fact, âdeath to the warrior spiritâ means to metaphorically lose what it means to âliveâ when one experiences bloodshed in each war. Growing up surrounded by âthe rough world of menâ (p. 6), Achilles develops traits of aggression, cruelty and vengefulness in order to become an implacable man of war. As a consequence, Achilles only knows how to deal with Patroclusâ death with a fighterâs mindset. Instead of grieving openly, âhe never permit[s] himself to betray to others what he [feels]â (p. 5), thus detaching himself from the natural human process of grieving. In order to deal with his friendâs tragic ending, Achilles' âsoul chang[es] colourâ as drags Hectorâs body for eleven days without any sense of regret or remorse, and thus, is referred to as âdeath to his human spiritâ since he was no longer âa living manâ (p. 27). He faces Patroclusâ death with the same warrior traits of aggression, cruelty and vengefulness, depriving himself of any ability to humanely mourn his close friendâs death.
Furthermore, Achilles grieves for his mother in the opening passages of Ransom . During this time of loss, his mother symbolises Achillesâ need to be nurtured. The imagery of the sea surface as a âbellyâ and âa membrane stretched to a fine transparencyâ (p. 3) represents his motherâs pregnancy where he âhad hung curled in a dream of pre-existenceâ for ânine changes of the moonâ â or in other words, nine months of pregnancy. Achilles is characterised as a foetus, for his position is âchin down, shoulders hunchedâ as though he is inside a womb. Although Achilles is a fighter, he hides the fact that he wishes to be ârocked and comfortedâ by his mother, thus demonstrating that even beneath the surface of a cold-hearted warrior, the current of human emotions can cripple a manâs confident veneer.
If you'd like to read more of my analysis, feel free to access a sample of our ebook A Killer Text Guide: Ransom . In this ebook, I cover Plot, Analysis, Important Passages and Quotes so you can prepare for your SAC and exam. I've also included 5 Sample A+ English essays on Ransom , complete with annotations so you know exactly what you need to do in your next essay to achieve an A+.
All the best for your studies in Ransom!
Introduction to animal farm:.
- Written in 1945 by George Orwell, Animal Farm is an allegorical novella about the 1917 Russian Revolution and the repressive Stalinist period which followed.
- As a democratic socialist, Orwell was an adamant critic of Joseph Stalin and his totalitarian dictatorship over Russia. Â
- Thus, Orwell wrote Animal Farm as a satirical fable against Stalinâs tyrannical control, stating that he wrote it with the intention of âfusing political purpose and artistic purpose into one wholeâ.
- The novella is set in Manor Farm, located in Willingdon, England at an undisclosed time.
- As the events of Animal Farm symbolise the power struggle of early 20th century Russia, this ambiguity of time is intended to prevent Orwellâs warning against repressive tyranny from becoming dated.
- Orwellâs use of a farm as the main setting is also notable, as farms represent nations in Animal Farm ; both require a vast amount of work in order to function properly. Thus, the act of the animals cooperating to cast the humans out of the farm symbolises a workersâ revolution against their oppressive leadership.
Napoleon (pig):
- Based on Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin, he emerges as the leader of the Farm after the Rebellion.
- He consolidates his control over the farm with the violent force of his nine attack dogs, having raised them as puppies; these directly symbolise Stalinâs military force.
- He never contributes to other animalsâ efforts at revolution, as he is only a corrupt individual who seeks to take advantage of opportunities created for him by others.
Snowball (pig):
- Based on Soviet rebel Leon Trotsky, he challenges Napoleon for control of the Farm after he takes control of the leadership.
- Similar to the leader he is modelled after, Snowball is eloquent, charismatic, intelligent and persuasive - thus, he wins the loyalty and support of other animals easily.
Boxer (cart-horse):
- Extremely devoted to the farm and the Rebellion, Boxer symbolises what Orwell believed to be the best qualities of the proletariat, or the exploited working class, such as loyalty, strength, camaraderie and hard work, perceivable by his personal motto of âI will work harderâ.
- However, he simultaneously suffers from typical weakness of the working class, such as a naive trust in the intelligentsia and a slow-witted oblivion to political corruption, represented by his other motto of âNapoleon is always rightâ.
Squealer (pig):
- Manipulative and highly persuasive, he spreads Napoleonâs propaganda throughout the farm to intimidate uneducated animals into supporting Napoleonâs ideas and policies.
- Orwell uses the character of Squealer to warn against politiciansâ deliberate manipulation of mass media in order to gain social and political control.
Old Major (boar):
- Based on the socialist revolutionary Karl Marx, as well as Russian revolutionary leader Vladimir Lenin, Old Majorâs dream of a socialist utopia acts as a major motive for the Rebellion.
- Majorâs death creates a political vacuum in the farm, leaving Napoleon and Snowball in a power struggle for control of his followers.
- By allegorising in Napoleon dictator Joseph Stalin, Animal Farm is first and foremost a satirical critique of politiciansâ tyrannical misuse of power.
- This is epitomised by the deceitful methods Napoleon uses to gain support, such as lying to the other animals that Snowball is a political traitor in order to banish him from the Farm.
Naive Proletariat:
- Animal Farm explores the need for the working class to be educated, as the inability of the farm animals to question Napoleonâs authority directly leads to the perpetuation of his oppression.
- Thus, Orwell presents to his readership that the working class may suffer not only due to dictatorsâ abuse of power, but also from their own naive unwillingness to question the intentions of the authority.
False Allegiance:
- Orwell accurately exhibits treacherous aspects of the human condition in his portrayal of dramatised relationships between humans and animals.
- Just as the pig rulers of the rebellion eventually betray their own idealistic visions, the theme of alliance is shattered between Frederick and Napoleon when the latter learns that the former has been forging banknotes while buying firewood from him.
- Thus, Animal Farm depicts the idea that alliances formed in a tyrannical dictatorship are merely veneers of camaraderie, which hide each personâs capability to destroy others in their path towards control.
âFour legs good, two legs bad.â
- From Chapter 3, this slogan is based off of Old Majorâs speech before his death about the need for animals to unite in the face of human oppression and tyranny.
- The quote is a noteworthy example of propaganda in Animal Farm, as the leaders utilise language in order to essentially brainwash the working class animals.
- Although it initially helps the animals to remember their goals, the phrase later loses its meaning of solidarity as it becomes a nonsensical noise made by sheep when used to drown out the voices of challengers to the regime.
âAll animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.â
- This quote exemplifies the pigsâ abuse of logic and language to keep their power over their followers.
- The evidently senseless and illogical meaning behind this phrase is an example of the methods that the leader of the Farm takes in order to brainwash his followers.
- The quote also suggests that the pigsâ real intention to create an animal utopia is not, in fact, to rise up against the oppression of the humans, but to become part of the elite; the âsomeâ that possess greater rights and power than the rest of the underprivileged society.
Your approach to each essay will depend on what type of prompt is being asked. Be aware that not all essay prompts are the same, which means that sometimes your preferred essay structure simply wonât suit the type of prompt asked. That's why it's important to be aware of the 5 types of essay topics â what you should watch out for and how you could approach your essay writing. The topics used in this blog post have been curated by Lisa's Study Guides.
1. Theme-based prompts :
Animal Farm is first and foremost a satirical critique of politiciansâ tyrannical misuse of power.
Usually your paragraphs will be based around particular themes. For example in this case, paragraphs may be based on âloveâ, âescapeâ, âhorrors of warâ etc. These paragraphs can have character discussions embedded within them in order to demonstrate how the characters represent each theme. Discussion of the authorâs choice of language such as symbols or imagery can be essential to the analysis of a theme.
2. Character-based prompts :
Boxer is the only animal with redeeming qualities. Do you agree?
These prompts focus on one or more characters. In this case, you can structure your essay paragraphs based on particular characters or something in common with a set of characters. Essays can become quite repetitive if each paragraph is based around one character so try to add in discussion about themes or the characterâs relationships with other characters. Remember that minor characters can be just as important as major characters.
3. How-based prompts :Â
How does Napoleon exert control over the farm?
These prompts are usually structured, âhow does the character do this,â or 'how does the author do this'. In this case, since the prompt is focused on one main character, try to weave in the main characterâs interactions with other characters and how other characters influenced them.
4. Metalanguage-based prompts :
The language in Animal Farm is crucial to Orwell's storytelling.
These types of prompts are the rarest of the 5 prompts but donât be surprised if youâre asked one. They focus more on the language  part of the text; rather than the plot, themes or characters. Your discussion will revolve around the authorâs use of language (metaphors, prose, syntax etc.). These discussions are typically viewed as âharderâ prompts because you need to think about how the author achieves a particular message about character or theme through their choice of words. Check out our blog post on metalanguage  and what you need to look out for.
Extra helpful resource by the BBC: Form, structure and language in Animal Farm .
5. Quote prompts :
'All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.â How is this true in Animal Farm?
These prompts can be character- or theme-based. However, it differs from other essay topics because it includes a direct quote from the text. Remember that the quote is part of the prompt, so ensure that you address it. One of the best ways of doing so is to incorporate the quote into the essay itself.
When faced with unknown prompts in a SAC or your exam, it's reassuring to have a formulaic breakdown of the prompt so that your brain immediately starts categorising the prompt - which of the 5 types of prompts does this one in front of me fall into?
To learn more, I discuss this and offer you practical strategies (so you never mind-blank again!) in my ebook, How To Write A Killer Text Response . Feel free to check it out, and good luck!
Power-up your learning with free essay topics, downloadable word banks, and updates on the latest VCE strategies.
Check out our latest thought leadership on enterprise innovation., walkthrough of a full scoring vce oral presentation.
Have questions? Get in touch with us here - we usually reply in 24 business hours.
Unfortunately, we won't be able to answer any emails here requesting personal help with your study or homework here!
Copyright Š Lisa's Study Guides. All Rights Reserved. The VCAA does not endorse and is not affiliated with Lisa's Study Guides or vcestudyguides.com. The VCAA provides the only official, up to date versions of VCAA publications and information about courses including the VCE. VCEŽ is a registered trademark of the VCAA.
03 9028 5603 Call us: Monday to Friday between 3pm - 6pm or leave us a message and we'll call you back! Address: Level 2 Little Collins St Melbourne 3000 VIC
How Does The Song Relate To The Emotions of the Listener
Music has a profound impact on our emotions, often serving as a powerful medium through which we can express and process our feelings. When examining how a song relates to the emotions of the listener, it is essential to consider the various elements that contribute to this connection. One key aspect is the lyrics of the song. Lyrics have the ability to convey specific emotions, experiences, and stories that listeners can relate to on a personal level. Whether it's a song about love, heartbreak, joy, or sadness, the words sung by the artist can evoke a range of emotions in the listener, resonating with their own inner experiences.
In addition to lyrics, the melody and rhythm of a song play a crucial role in shaping the emotional response of the listener. The tempo, key, and overall musical arrangement can influence how a listener feels while listening to a song. For example, an upbeat and fast-paced song may evoke feelings of excitement and energy, while a slow and melancholic melody could evoke a sense of introspection and sadness. The interplay between the musical elements and the emotional content of the lyrics creates a multi-dimensional experience for the listener, allowing them to connect with the song on a deeper level.
Furthermore, the personal experiences and memories of the listener can also impact how they relate to a song emotionally. A particular song may evoke memories of a significant event, person, or period in one's life, triggering a cascade of emotions tied to that specific moment. This emotional association can intensify the listener's connection to the song, making it a poignant and meaningful experience. The ability of music to transport us back in time and evoke powerful emotions is a testament to its profound impact on our emotional well-being.
In conclusion, the relationship between a song and the emotions of the listener is a complex and intricate one, influenced by a combination of factors including lyrics, melody, rhythm, and personal experiences. Music has the unique ability to evoke a wide range of emotions, serving as a source of comfort, catharsis, and joy for listeners around the world. By understanding how these elements come together to create a deeply emotional experience, we can appreciate the transformative power of music in our lives.
Related Essays
The Lying Jay Gatsby of The Great Gatsby Essay
In F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby," the enigmatic protagonist, Jay Gatsby, emerges as a character shrouded in mystery and intrigue. Throughout the novel, Gatsby is depicted as a man of wealth and status, hosting lavish parties at his opulent mansion, yet concealing his true identity and past. One of the central themes of the novel revolves around Gatsby's propensity for deception, as he fabricates his persona and manipulates those around him to achieve his ultimate goal: winning back the love of his life, Daisy Buchanan. From the outset, Gatsby's lies are woven into the fabric of his existence, as he adopts a false identity to escape his humble origins. Born James Gatz, he reinvents himself as Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire with a mysterious past. Gatsby's elaborate façade is carefully constructed to impress Daisy and gain entry into her privileged world. However, beneath the veneer of wealth and sophistication lies a man haunted by his past and consumed by his desire for the unattainable Daisy. Gatsby's penchant for deception is most evident in his romantic pursuit of Daisy. Despite knowing that she is married to Tom Buchanan, Gatsby orchestrates elaborate schemes to win her affection, including throwing extravagant parties in the hopes of capturing her attention. His obsession with Daisy blinds him to the consequences of his actions, leading him to manipulate both her and those around her in his quest for love. Throughout the novel, Gatsby's lies unravel as the truth about his past is gradually revealed. Despite his wealth and social standing, Gatsby remains an outsider in the world of East Egg, forever longing to belong. His tragic downfall serves as a cautionary tale about the destructive power of deception and the futility of chasing after an idealized version of the past. In conclusion, Jay Gatsby emerges as a complex and enigmatic character in "The Great Gatsby," whose life is defined by a web of lies and deception. His relentless pursuit of Daisy and his willingness to manipulate those around him underscore the novel's exploration of the American Dream and the corrupting influence of wealth and privilege. Gatsby's ultimate fate serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of living a life built on lies and illusions....
When Was The Great Gatsby Really Great
F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel "The Great Gatsby" has been regarded as a classic of American literature, exploring themes of wealth, love, and the American Dream. However, the question of when the novel was truly great is open to interpretation. Some argue that the greatness of "The Great Gatsby" lies in its timeless themes and beautiful prose, while others believe that its true greatness was only recognized years after its initial publication. One could argue that "The Great Gatsby" was truly great from the moment it was published in 1925. Despite receiving mixed reviews upon its release, the novel has since been praised for its vivid portrayal of the Jazz Age and its critique of the American Dream. Fitzgerald's writing style, characterized by its lyrical beauty and keen observations, has also contributed to the novel's lasting impact. On the other hand, some believe that the true greatness of "The Great Gatsby" was not fully realized until later years. In the decades following its publication, the novel gained a cult following and was reevaluated by critics, who praised its depth and complexity. The novel's themes of love, loss, and the corrupting influence of wealth resonated with readers in new ways, solidifying its place as a masterpiece of American literature. In conclusion, the question of when "The Great Gatsby" was truly great is a subjective one. Whether it was upon its initial publication or in the years that followed, there is no denying the lasting impact and significance of Fitzgerald's novel. Its exploration of the American Dream and its timeless themes continue to captivate readers, cementing its place as one of the greatest novels of the 20th century....
Jay Gatsby of The Great Gatsby Essay
Jay Gatsby, the enigmatic protagonist of F. Scott Fitzgerald's iconic novel, The Great Gatsby, is a character that has captivated readers for generations. Through his extravagant lifestyle, his pursuit of the American Dream, and his elusive nature, Gatsby represents the epitome of the Jazz Age and the allure of wealth and success. In this essay, we will explore the complexities of Jay Gatsby's character and his role in the novel. Gatsby, originally born James Gatz, reinvents himself as Jay Gatsby in order to escape his humble beginnings and create a new identity. He is driven by an unwavering desire to achieve material wealth, which he believes will win him the love of his life, Daisy Buchanan. Gatsby's opulent mansion, extravagant parties, and flashy persona are all carefully constructed facades to impress those around him and gain acceptance into the elite social circles of East Egg. However, beneath Gatsby's façade lies a man consumed by a deep longing for something unattainable. Despite his immense wealth and social status, he cannot escape the past. Gatsby's obsession with Daisy, whom he had a brief romantic affair with years ago, becomes the driving force behind his actions. His relentless pursuit of Daisy ultimately leads to his downfall, as he becomes entangled in a web of lies, deceit, and tragedy. Gatsby's character is defined by his relentless optimism and his unwavering belief in the power of dreams. He sees himself as a self-made man who can overcome any obstacle in his path. This optimism is symbolized by the green light at the end of Daisy's dock, which represents Gatsby's hopes and dreams for a future with her. However, this dream is ultimately shattered, as Gatsby's idealized version of Daisy clashes with the reality of who she truly is. Fitzgerald's portrayal of Gatsby serves as a critique of the society in which he lived. Gatsby's lavish parties and extravagant lifestyle are a reflection of the excesses and moral decadence of the Roaring Twenties. Despite his wealth and success, Gatsby is unable to find true happiness or fulfillment. His tragic fate serves as a cautionary tale about the emptiness of materialism and the fleeting nature of the American Dream. In conclusion, Jay Gatsby is a complex and multi-dimensional character who embodies the hopes and dreams of an era. His pursuit of wealth, his obsession with Daisy, and his ultimate downfall all contribute to the tragic narrative of The Great Gatsby. Through Gatsby's story, Fitzgerald explores themes of love, wealth, and the corruption of the American Dream. Gatsby's character serves as a reminder that true happiness cannot be found in material possessions, but rather in the pursuit of genuine human connection and self-discovery....
Gatsby's Dream and Daisy's Conflicts in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
In F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, "The Great Gatsby," the characters of Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan are central to the story's themes of love, wealth, and the American Dream. Gatsby's dream of rekindling his romance with Daisy after years apart is a driving force in the novel, while Daisy's conflicts with her own desires and societal expectations add depth to her character. Gatsby's dream of being reunited with Daisy stems from their past relationship, which was interrupted by World War I. Despite the passage of time and Daisy's marriage to Tom Buchanan, Gatsby remains fixated on the idea of winning her back. His extravagant parties and lavish lifestyle are all part of his grand plan to impress Daisy and show her that he is worthy of her love. Gatsby's dream represents the idea of the American Dream, where hard work and determination can lead to success and happiness. On the other hand, Daisy is torn between her feelings for Gatsby and her responsibilities as a wife and mother. She is attracted to Gatsby's wealth and charm, but she is also aware of the consequences of leaving her husband and disrupting her comfortable life. Daisy's conflicts highlight the societal pressures placed on women during the 1920s, where they were expected to prioritize their families and social status over their own desires. Despite her love for Gatsby, Daisy ultimately chooses to stay with Tom, leading to tragic consequences for all involved. In conclusion, Gatsby's dream of reuniting with Daisy and Daisy's conflicts with her own desires and societal expectations are central to the themes of love and the American Dream in "The Great Gatsby." The characters' struggles and choices reflect the complexities of human relationships and the pursuit of happiness in a society obsessed with wealth and status. Fitzgerald's novel continues to resonate with readers today, as it explores timeless themes of love, ambition, and the elusive nature of the American Dream....
Symbolism of Gatsby's Estate in 'The Great Gatsby'
Symbolism of Gatsby's Estate in The Great Gatsby In F. Scott Fitzgerald's renowned novel, The Great Gatsby, the opulent estate owned by the enigmatic Jay Gatsby serves as a powerful symbol that reflects the themes of wealth, illusion, and the pursuit of the American Dream. Situated in West Egg, Long Island, Gatsby's extravagant mansion becomes a focal point for the characters and a metaphorical representation of their aspirations and desires. First and foremost, Gatsby's estate symbolizes the allure and corrupting influence of wealth. With its sprawling lawns, grand architecture, and lavish parties, the mansion is a testament to Gatsby's immense fortune. The extravagant displays of wealth, such as the opulent parties, the luxurious cars, and the extravagant clothing, create an aura of allure and enchantment. However, beneath the surface, the mansion represents the dark side of wealth, as it is built on illegal activities and a quest for material possessions. This symbolizes the hollowness and moral decay that can accompany the pursuit of wealth. Furthermore, Gatsby's estate symbolizes the illusion of the American Dream. Gatsby himself is a self-made man who has risen from humble beginnings to become fabulously wealthy. His mansion, with its grandeur and ostentation, represents the illusion that anyone can achieve success and happiness through hard work and determination. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Gatsby's wealth is not enough to bring him the happiness he seeks. The mansion, with its empty rooms and unfulfilled dreams, serves as a reminder that the American Dream is often elusive and unattainable. Moreover, Gatsby's estate symbolizes the stark divide between the old and the new money in American society. Located in West Egg, the less prestigious area of Long Island, Gatsby's mansion stands in stark contrast to the more refined and established estates of East Egg. This juxtaposition highlights the distinction between those who have inherited their wealth and those who have acquired it through their own endeavors. The mansion becomes a symbol of Gatsby's desire to bridge this gap and gain acceptance into the upper echelons of society. In conclusion, Gatsby's estate in The Great Gatsby serves as a powerful symbol that represents the themes of wealth, illusion, and the pursuit of the American Dream. It symbolizes the allure and corrupting influence of wealth, the illusion of the American Dream, and the divide between old and new money. Through its vivid portrayal of Gatsby's opulent mansion, Fitzgerald invites readers to reflect on the complexities of wealth and the price one pays for the pursuit of material success....
Essay Jay Gatsby: The Tragic Hero in The Great Gatsby
In F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby is portrayed as a tragic hero. Despite his wealth and lavish parties, Gatsby is ultimately a man driven by his unrequited love for Daisy Buchanan. His tragic flaw lies in his inability to let go of the past and move on from his idealized version of Daisy. This flaw ultimately leads to his downfall, making him a classic example of a tragic hero. Gatsby's tragic flaw is evident in his relentless pursuit of Daisy. He is willing to do anything to win her back, even if it means sacrificing his own happiness. Gatsby's obsession with Daisy blinds him to the reality of their relationship, leading him to believe that he can recreate the past and make Daisy love him again. This delusion ultimately leads to his demise, as he is unable to accept that Daisy has moved on and will never leave her husband for him. Despite his flaws, Gatsby possesses qualities that make him a sympathetic character. He is a self-made man who rose from poverty to wealth through hard work and determination. Gatsby's ability to reinvent himself and create a new identity for the sole purpose of winning Daisy's love is both admirable and tragic. His tragic end is a result of his inability to reconcile his past with his present, leading to his ultimate downfall. In conclusion, Jay Gatsby is a tragic hero in The Great Gatsby. His tragic flaw, his inability to let go of the past and move on from his idealized version of Daisy, ultimately leads to his downfall. Despite his flaws, Gatsby is a sympathetic character who is driven by his unrequited love for Daisy. His tragic end serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of living in the past and the consequences of being unable to accept reality. Jay Gatsby will forever be remembered as a tragic hero whose pursuit of the American Dream ultimately led to his tragic demise....
Nick's Evolving Perceptions of Gatsby in Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" stands as a seminal work of American literature, celebrated for its exploration of the American Dream, societal decadence, and the elusive nature of identity. Central to the narrative is the character of Jay Gatsby, whose enigmatic persona is viewed through the lens of the narrator, Nick Carraway. Throughout the novel, Nick's perceptions of Gatsby undergo a profound evolution, mirroring the complexities of human relationships and the shifting sands of moral judgment. Initially, Nick's impression of Gatsby is shrouded in admiration and intrigue. As the story unfolds, Gatsby emerges as a figure of mythic proportions, embodying the aspirational spirit of the Jazz Age. Nick is captivated by Gatsby's charisma, wealth, and seemingly boundless optimism, viewing him as a symbol of hope and possibility in a world rife with disillusionment and moral decay. Fitzgerald employs vivid imagery and lyrical prose to convey the allure of Gatsby's lavish parties and the magnetic pull of his enigmatic persona, drawing readers into Nick's spellbound fascination with his mysterious neighbor. However, as Nick becomes increasingly entangled in Gatsby's tumultuous world, cracks begin to appear in the facade of glamour and intrigue. Through Nick's observant gaze, readers are afforded glimpses of Gatsby's darker motivations and questionable ethics. Despite his outward charm, Gatsby is revealed to be a flawed and morally ambiguous character, driven by a singular obsession with recapturing the past and winning back the love of Daisy Buchanan. Nick's growing disillusionment with Gatsby reflects a broader critique of the empty materialism and moral bankruptcy that pervade Gatsby's world, culminating in the novel's tragic denouement. Yet, even as Nick grapples with the disillusionment of his initial admiration, he is ultimately compelled to reconcile his conflicting perceptions of Gatsby. In the aftermath of Gatsby's demise, Nick reflects on the complexities of human nature and the impossibility of fully comprehending the enigma of Gatsby's character. Despite his flaws and contradictions, Gatsby eludes easy categorization, remaining a symbol of both aspiration and folly, innocence and corruption. Through Nick's introspective narration, Fitzgerald invites readers to confront the ambiguity of human morality and the elusive nature of truth, challenging them to reconsider their own perceptions of right and wrong. In conclusion, F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" offers a nuanced exploration of the complexities of human nature and the shifting sands of moral judgment. Through the character of Nick Carraway, readers are invited to accompany him on a journey of self-discovery and moral reckoning, as his perceptions of Jay Gatsby evolve from admiration to disillusionment and ultimately, to a nuanced understanding of the complexities of the human condition. In capturing the essence of Gatsby's enigmatic persona, Fitzgerald crafts a timeless meditation on the elusive nature of identity, the allure of the American Dream, and the enduring power of hope in the face of adversity....
Character Analysis of Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Character Analysis of Jay Gatsby in "The Great Gatsby" Jay Gatsby, the enigmatic protagonist of F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby," is a character shrouded in mystery and contradiction. From his lavish parties to his elusive past, Gatsby embodies the American Dream while simultaneously representing its downfall. Throughout the novel, Fitzgerald carefully crafts Gatsby's character, revealing layers of complexity that invite readers to ponder the true essence of this iconic figure. One of the defining traits of Jay Gatsby is his relentless pursuit of wealth and status. Born into a humble background, Gatsby transforms himself into a self-made millionaire, acquiring a vast fortune through dubious means. His opulent mansion, extravagant parties, and flashy attire serve as symbols of his success and ambition. However, beneath the facade of prosperity lies a deep-seated yearning for something more elusive: the love of Daisy Buchanan. Gatsby's obsession with Daisy drives much of the novel's plot, shaping his actions and motivations. His relentless pursuit of her, despite her marriage to Tom Buchanan, underscores his unwavering devotion and idealized perception of love. Gatsby's longing for Daisy represents not only a desire for romantic fulfillment but also a quest for validation and acceptance within the upper echelons of society. His fixation on the past and inability to move on from his idealized vision of Daisy ultimately lead to his tragic demise. Despite his flaws and questionable methods, Gatsby possesses a certain charisma and charm that captivates those around him. His mysterious demeanor and aura of sophistication make him a magnetic presence, drawing people into his orbit. However, beneath the surface charm lies a sense of loneliness and isolation, as Gatsby grapples with the emptiness of his hollow existence. His inability to form genuine connections with others, beyond superficial social interactions, highlights the inherent loneliness of the American Dream. In conclusion, Jay Gatsby emerges as a complex and multifaceted character in "The Great Gatsby," embodying both the allure and disillusionment of the American Dream. His relentless pursuit of wealth and love, coupled with his enigmatic persona, makes him a compelling figure whose legacy continues to resonate with readers today. Through Gatsby, Fitzgerald offers a poignant commentary on the nature of ambition, identity, and the elusive pursuit of happiness in the Roaring Twenties and beyond....
Can't find the essay examples you need?
Use the search box below to find your desired essay examples.
We combed through thousands of Labor Day deals â these are the absolute best
Follow today
More Brands
I knew I wanted to be on Broadway since age 6, when I saw my first musical. Growing up, that goal informed almost every decision I made: the kind of music I listened to, the books I read, and even where I went to college. After graduating, I moved to New York City to pursue this dream.
That same year I tested positive for the BRCA1 gene . The BRCA1 mutation means you have a 50% chance of developing breast cancer by age 70, and also a higher risk of other cancers, like ovarian cancer , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . I got tested because my mother had recently survived her second battle with breast cancer, and my grandmother and her sister both died of ovarian cancer. When the results came back positive, I was disappointed and sad, but I adapted my lifestyle accordingly. I got screened regularly. I started exercising, and changed my diet to limit my risk. Genetically, I couldnât do much. Epigenetically, I did everything in my power to prevent the gene from presenting itself.Â
Meanwhile, I worked. Eventually I made my Broadway debut at the age of 29. It was short-lived, but then I got a role on âThe Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidtâ on Netflix, where I remained for the next seven years. All the while, I was maintaining the healthy habits Iâd established in the wake of testing positive for the BRCA1 gene, with one exception: My doctors had started advising me, as I got older, to remove my fallopian tubes, but I always came up with excuses to put the surgery off.Â
When âKimmyâ was over, I realized just how much I missed the stage. As luck would have it I was soon asked to join the cast of a new musical adaptation of âThe Great Gatsbyâ on Broadway as Myrtle Wilson. For those who havenât read the book in a while (or ever, as was my case, though I still somehow managed to graduate high school), Myrtle is married to the poor gas station owner and dreams of a better life with Tom Buchanan. In the musical, Myrtle gets a big, splashy, musical comedy number in Act 1 and a gut-wrenching 11 oâclock ballad in Act 2. It was every Broadway fantasy I had ever dreamed of. The show was already getting a lot of attention and it hadnât even opened.
But a month or so before rehearsals began, my doctors again recommended I go through with removing my fallopian tubes. With Broadway rehearsals starting soon, and a grueling show schedule ahead of me, I decided to just go for it. I had the procedure 10 days before rehearsals started. Now, I thought, I could put it out of my head.
Two weeks later, I was at home practicing my lines when the phone rang. It was my doctor. They had found cancer in one of my fallopian tubes. Thankfully, it was caught early, but the standard of care was an immediate full hysterectomy, oophorectomy, and six rounds of chemotherapy every three weeks. I couldnât believe what he was telling me. After I could compose myself, I nervously asked, âCan I still do âGatsbyâ?â
We got out our calendars. âGatsbyâ was to rehearse for two more weeks before a four-week âpreviewsâ period â a grueling process where the cast rehearses changes to the show by day and performs them for an audience that evening. Then, the big opening night. I knew I had three days off soon, so I arranged to have the surgery then, and if the pathology reports came back clean, the doctors could let me delay starting chemo until after opening night.
I went into rehearsal and didnât tell anyone. Mostly because I was in denial. If I said it out loud, it would be true. That I have cancer. That I am rehearsing a Broadway show while being treated for cancer. Or maybe I thought someone would try and take my dream away from me.
I went into rehearsal the next morning and didnât tell anyone. Mostly because I was in denial. If I said it out loud, it would be true. That I have cancer. That I am rehearsing a Broadway show while being treated for cancer. Or maybe I thought someone would try and take my dream away from me. Or people might treat me differently. Best to keep it to myself until absolutely necessary, I thought. Besides, the stress of creating a new Broadway show was already so palpable in the room.
I found myself living a secret double life. In the early mornings I would meet with doctors, get blood work done and then run down the street to Broadway rehearsals, stashing my hospital bracelets along the way. Two weeks after my diagnoses, I secretly got a full hysterectomy, oophorectomy and cervix removal. Four days after that, I was on stage singing and dancing in full costumes and wigs like nothing had happened. (For the record, I do not recommend this.) I hid my scars with compression garments underneath my costumes, and I hid my pain too.
As an actor opening a new Broadway show, my job was to do things like learn a whole new set of lyrics a few hours before being expected to perform them flawlessly in front of a sold-out audience. As a secret cancer patient, I had to experience one of my first hot flashes alone on stage while 1,400 people watched. I would never know if the sensations I was feeling were just nerves, a side effect of a new medication, or both. I never knew if I was crying on stage because thatâs what my character would do or because I was sad knowing I would lose my eyelashes and eyebrows soon.
Thankfully, two weeks into previews, the doctors called to say the pathology reports came back clean and I could perform on opening night. I was absolutely elated. Still, as my cast and crew looked for opening night outfits, I secretly looked for wigs and scarves in case I needed them. As people were telling their friends and family about this new Broadway show they were in, I was telling friends and family about what to expect in the next coming months. My colleagues met with stylists; I met with oncologists.
Opening night finally arrived. Minutes before the show was about to start, I finally found a moment to be by myself in my dressing room. I started to sob uncontrollably. I had been so focused on getting to this night, I donât think I had ever fully allowed myself to acknowledge all I had been going through. But the show must go on. So I pulled myself together, put my costume on, circled up with my cast backstage for our pre-show ritual, and the curtains opened.
I walked to center stage at the end of Act 2 to sing my big solo. I was alone singing on a Broadway stage, just like I had always dreamed about. Iâve heard the journey of cancer described as incredibly lonely, and Iâve found that to be true. No matter how many people I have in my corner (and I have so many wonderful people), no matter how many people applaud for me or greet me at the stage door, no matter how many incredible cast members and crew surround me, this was ultimately something I had to do by myself.
And as I stood by myself on stage, just a spotlight on me and my secret hiding in plain sight, whatever I was feeling earlier melted away and was replaced with pride.
The next week, I told my cast the truth. In the months to come, I relied heavily on understudies until I took a leave of absence to finish out treatments. Drugs have thankfully come a long way in the past 10 years, and, while my experience wasnât fun, it was not even close to what the women in my family had to go through. I even got to keep 50% of my hair.
Iâm also comforted by the fact that soon Iâll be back on stage. And this time, I know Iâll be even stronger.
Sara Chase is a Broadway actor living in New York City. She is best known for playing Cyndee Pokorny on Tina Feyâs Emmy-nominated hit Netflix series, "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt," and "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: The Interactive Special." Follow her on Instagram @sarachase_.
Kindle Price: | $1.99 | Amazon.com Services LLC |
Promotions apply when you purchase
These promotions will be applied to this item:
Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.
Buying and sending ebooks to others.
These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the US. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required .
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we donât use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Report an issue.
The 'Great Gatsby' star was diagnosed with fallopian tube cancer and kept her health journey a secret while on Broadway
Steve Zak Photography/FilmMagic
Sara Chase is detailing the âdouble lifeâ she lived while dealing with cancer.
The Broadway performer had just landed her dream role as Myrtle in the musical adaptation of The Great Gatsby when she decided to have her fallopian tubes removed. The 41-year-old underwent the preventative surgery after previously testing positive for the BRCA1 gene mutation , which means she was more likely to develop cancer.
However, two weeks after starting to rehearse for the show, Chase received a call from her doctor and was told they found cancer in one of her fallopian tubes.
âThankfully, it was caught early, but the standard of care was an immediate full hysterectomy, oophorectomy, and six rounds of chemotherapy every three weeks,â she wrote in a personal essay for TODAY . âI couldnât believe what he was telling me.â
âI went into rehearsal the next morning and didnât tell anyone. Mostly because I was in denial,â she said. âIf I said it out loud, it would be true. That I have cancer. That I am rehearsing a Broadway show while being treated for cancer. Or maybe I thought someone would try and take my dream away from me. Or people might treat me differently. Best to keep it to myself until absolutely necessary, I thought.âÂ
Dia Dipasupil/Getty
Never miss a story â sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offerââ, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Chase said she found herself living a âsecret double lifeâ while undergoing treatment. She would meet with her doctors early in the morning, get blood work done and then stash her hospital bracelets before heading to her Broadway rehearsals.
âTwo weeks after my diagnosis, I secretly got a full hysterectomy, oophorectomy and cervix removal,â she wrote. âFour days after that, I was on stage singing and dancing in full costumes and wigs like nothing had happened. (For the record, I do not recommend this.) I hid my scars with compression garments underneath my costumes, and I hid my pain too.â
The actress recalled experiencing a lot of the side effects of her treatment alone while at work, having to pretend as if everything was okay.
âAs people were telling their friends and family about this new Broadway show they were in, I was telling friends and family about what to expect in the next coming months. My colleagues met with stylists; I met with oncologists,â she said.
Matthew Murphy
The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now !
By the time opening night came for The Great Gatsby , Chase said she stood in her dressing room and âstarted to sob uncontrollably.â With the grueling treatment and rehearsal schedule, she hadnât been able to sit and fully acknowledge what sheâd been through.
âIâve heard the journey of cancer described as incredibly lonely, and Iâve found that to be true,â she admitted. âNo matter how many people I have in my corner (and I have so many wonderful people), no matter how many people applaud for me or greet me at the stage door, no matter how many incredible cast members and crew surround me, this was ultimately something I had to do by myself.â
She continued, âAnd as I stood by myself on stage, just a spotlight on me and my secret hiding in plain sight, whatever I was feeling earlier melted away and was replaced with pride.â
The following week, Chase said she told her cast the truth about her health. She ultimately took a leave of absence and relied on understudies in order to finish treatment.
Chase wrote that sheâs âcomforted by the fact that soon Iâll be back on stage.âÂ
âAnd this time, I know Iâll be even stronger,â she said.
The spinoff essay: remembering norman kirk, new zealandâs great internationalist.
Fifty years ago today, prime minister Norman Kirk died unexpectedly. Anti-apartheid activist Trevor Richards considers his legacy.
The Spinoff Essay  showcases the best essayists in Aotearoa, on topics big and small. Made possible by the generous support of our members.
S aturday, 31 August 1974. I had been out at a party in Wellington. Returning home, I switched on the radio to catch the midnight news. The lead item was one of those âwhere were you whenâŚâ moments. It was news that probably no one in the country was expecting: Norman Kirk, elected prime minister in the November 1972 Labour landslide, was dead. He was 51. He had been in power for less than two years.
In the days that followed, people flocked to parliament to pay their respects. More than 30,000 filed past his casket. Queen Elizabeth sent Prince Charles to New Zealand to represent her at the funeral. According to The Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, the outpouring of grief was paralleled only by that which had followed the death of Labourâs first prime minister Michael Joseph Savage in 1940.
I remember the 1972 election campaign well. National had been in power since 1960. The line in Labourâs campaign, âItâs time for a change, itâs time for Labour,â captured the nationâs mood. Claire Robinson, a former communications professor at Massey University, has called âItâs Timeâ New Zealandâs best election slogan. Kirk dominated the 1972 campaign. It was a personal triumph.
Cinemas around the country screened Labourâs striking, full-colour, split-screen campaign advert. Kirk, against some initial personal opposition, had been persuaded to grow his hair a little longer for the campaign. Once a hulking 130 kilos, by 1972 he had slimmed down. His suits were fitted and stylish. Filmed racing up the steps of parliament, he looked dynamic; like a prime minister in waiting.
On election night 1972, my flatmates and I had celebrated Labourâs election victory with gusto. Twelve years of National party rule had finally come to an end. It was such a relief. The defeated National candidate for Papanui lived directly across the road from us. As the results of the election became clear, we blasted out âThe Internationaleâ  and âThe East is Redâ  into the cool, late-night air. I did not believe Labour had all the answers to what was needed â at the time, I thought they had very few of the answers â but there was at last room for some hope.
Any assessment of Kirkâs premiership needs to begin with an appreciation of what New Zealand was like in 1972 and where it had just come from.
I was born in 1946, one of the baby boomer generation. The New Zealand of my childhood and early teenage years was largely rural, male-dominated and conservative. Men wore the pants; women an apron. Male hairstyles ranged all the way from short back and sides to bald. Liquor licensing laws required hotels to close their bars at 6pm.
PÄkehÄ citizens â well, most of them â believed the country had the best race relations in the world. Prime minister Keith Holyoake had assured my Northland College school assembly that this was the case. Rugby was God, especially when played against South Africa. Since 1921, all-white South African rugby teams touring New Zealand had been welcomed by almost all PÄkehÄ. The breadth of MÄori opposition to such visits was never appreciated.
Frank Corner recalled, before leaving for New York in 1961 to take up the position of permanent representative to the United Nations, that the only piece of advice Holyoake had for him was to refrain from using the word âabhorrentâ in relation to apartheid. âMy people donât like itâ, Holyoake had said.
The nuclear issue wasnât an issue. Nuclear power was favoured by both National and Labour. Abortion and male homosexuality were illegal. In Wellington, coffee bars were seen as hangouts for bohemians. In 1965, Christchurch musician Rod Derrettâs hit âRugby, Racing and Beerâ Â summarised the culture of a generation.
By 1972, all this was changing. The newly elected third Labour government was facing a society in the midst of transition. The policies and values of post-second world war society were being vigorously challenged, in particular by baby boomers. The issues of concern were many: New Zealandâs involvement in the Vietnam war, French nuclear testing in the Pacific, the scheduled 1973 Springbok tour, and the presence of US military bases at Washdyke and Mt John. There was a range of issues affecting womenâs rights, especially the demand for access to safe and legal abortions. Issues affecting MÄori were being vigorously promoted: land loss, te reo and the role of the treaty. A MÄori renaissance was underway. Environmental issues also figured in this complex mix.
Labour had come to power in the midst of a developing battle over what sort of country we were going to be. The question was, whose side would Labour be on? For those demanding change, would the new Labour government be a help or a hindrance?
By the time the fourth Labour government left office in 1990, the New Zealand of my childhood was a distant memory. MÄori were recognised as tangata whenua. We were proudly anti-nuclear and anti-apartheid. Laws against male homosexuality had been repealed. Abortion access was being liberalised. Coffee became a huge part of daily life. (Wellington today has more cafes per capita than New York City.) The monoculture of rugby, racing and beer was well and truly dead.
This change did not occur overnight. It began in the second half of the 1960s, although the engine-room for much of the change was located in the 1970s. It was driven by ordinary New Zealanders who saw the need for change, who gave their energy and time to a wide variety of causes, who put their bodies on the line. It was an energy political parties and parliament were able to tap into.
Change often seemed slow in coming. It was a long and gradual process, but it had to start somewhere, and it started to gather real momentum after the election of the third Labour government in 1972. The person driving much of that change, especially in the international sphere, was Norman Kirk.Â
A lthough his tenure in office was brief, his accomplishments were greater than those of many of his predecessors whose time in office had been significantly longer. This was partly a consequence of the timing of his premiership. By the time he was elected, the force for social change was already robust and multifaceted. Kirkâs developing sense of both New Zealandâs place in the world, and the type of society we should strive to be back home, were broadly in step with many (but not all) of those winds of change.
From the outset, Kirk presented the image of a man in a hurry. Within a month of assuming the treasury benches, New Zealand had established diplomatic relations with the Peopleâs Republic of China. During the election campaign, he had promised that New Zealandâs military withdrawal from Vietnam would be completed by Christmas. It was. Before the year had come to an end, compulsory military training had been ended. In the months that followed, a grant was made to the United Nations Trust Fund for South Africa, a scheduled all-white South African rugby tour of New Zealand was cancelled, and our navy had become involved in protests against French nuclear testing in the Pacific.
At the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Ottawa in 1973, Kirk established warm personal relationships with the leaders of a number of Commonwealth countries, particularly Indira Gandhi (India), Julius Nyerere (Tanzania) and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (Bangladesh). Kirk invited Julius Nyerere to visit New Zealand, and in 1974 he became the first African head of state to set foot on New Zealand soil.
Kirk could be openly critical of the United States. In early September 1973, the democratically elected Chilean government of Salvador Allende was overthrown in a bloody coup. Kirk knew Allende and regarded him as a friend. Two weeks after the coup, Kirk addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York. He was openly critical of the direct role the US had played in the coup. The following day he met with president Nixon at the White House.
Kirk was heading an activist government unlike any seen in the previous 40 years.
Kirk said he wanted New Zealandâs foreign policy âto express New Zealandâs national ideals as well as to reflect our national interestsâ. This notion was behind two of the Kirk governmentâs most significant actions: opposition to French nuclear testing in the Pacific, and the cancellation of the 1973 South African rugby tour.
When France first began atmospheric nuclear testing in French Polynesia in the mid-1960s, official New Zealand protests followed. With the 1972 election of Labour governments in both New Zealand and Australia, official opposition to these tests became more strident. In May 1973, in an effort to have these tests banned, both governments took France to the International Court of Justice. The court issued an interim ruling calling for the tests to cease. France ignored the ruling.
In June 1973, New Zealand opposition to French nuclear testing went beyond words and legal challenges. Two navy frigates, HMNZS Otago and HMNZS Canterbury, sailed into the test area. Kirk told the 242 crew of the Otago that their Mururoa mission was an âhonourableâ one â they were to be âsilent witness[es] with the power to bring alive the conscience of the worldâ.
To emphasise the strength of New Zealandâs opposition to these tests, on board the Otago was cabinet minister Fraser Coleman. Explaining Colemanâs selection, Kirk said that the names of all 23 cabinet ministers had gone into a hat, and Fraser Colmanâs, the lowly ranked minister of immigration and mines, was drawn out. Some insiders unkindly suggested that yes, there were 23 slips of paper in the hat, but they all had Fraser Colemanâs name written on them.
The opposition National party declined Kirkâs invitation to send a representative on the protest voyage. Nationalâs leader, Jack Marshall, saw the despatch of the frigate as a âfutile and empty gestureâ that would only inflame the situation.
These protests grabbed world attention. They didnât result in an immediate end to French nuclear testing in the Pacific â that was only achieved in 1996 â but they were influential in Franceâs 1974 decision to conduct its tests underground.
Kirkâs determination to change the way New Zealand viewed itself, the way it presented itself to the world, had first been on display a couple of months earlier. On 10 April 1973, his announcement that the government would not allow a Springbok rugby tour of New Zealand to take place was probably the first major marker of a seismic shift.
It is doubtful that any single issue was more central to New Zealandâs changing political and social landscape than that of our rugby relationship with apartheid South Africa. No issue better encapsulated the differences between those in New Zealand seeking change and those committed to maintaining the status quo. It was a lightning rod for conflict.
Frank Corner, secretary of foreign affairs during Kirkâs prime ministership, told me in an interview in 1998 that Kirk âcould see that if he stopped the tour, he could lose the next election. But the tour did not fit in with his view of what New Zealand should do in the world, and what its standing would be should it proceed.â
It was a brave decision to stop the tour, and it engendered strong opposition, much of it absurd. Jock Wells, the president of the Wellington Rugby Football Union, called the tourâs cancellation âthe worst news I have heard since 34 years ago when Chamberlain stated that England was at war with Germany.â
The decision to stop the tour had a remarkable but little-known impact on one of South Africaâs most important anti-apartheid activists. In 1995, Nelson Mandela told Norman Kirkâs son Phillip that learning of the tourâs 1973 cancellation from his prison cell was the first time he thought apartheid might actually be able to be ended in his lifetime.
T he extent to which it was Kirk who drove the decision to stop the tour became clear the year following its cancellation. In 1974, former Auckland University Studentsâ Association president Bill Rudman was teaching at the University of Dar es Salaam. That yearâs Commonwealth finance ministers meeting was being held in the Tanzanian capital. Rudman was one of the New Zealand expats invited to meet with finance minister Bill Rowling. Rudman, who had been one of the 14 who had attended the inaugural meeting of the Halt All Racist Tours (HART) movement, congratulated Rowling on the governmentâs decision to stop the Springbok tour. Rowlingâs response took Rudman by surprise: âThat was Mr Kirkâs decision.â
Kirkâs understanding of his foreign affairs brief was detailed. In the early 1970s, the politics of South Africaâs liberation struggle were complicated. Meeting with Kirk in early 1974, I was part of a small National Anti-Apartheid delegation discussing recent developments there. We left impressed. Kirk opened the conversation, and after five minutes, we realised there really wasnât any need for us to be meeting with him. The position he was advocating was much stronger and more detailed than anything we had gone seeking to achieve.
Kirk was fortunate to have Frank Corner at the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He was both vastly experienced and on the same internationalist wavelength as Kirk.
Not all senior civil servants were an asset. Kirk was badly let down by the leadership of the Security Intelligence Service. Shortly after the cancellation of the 1973 rugby tour, HART became aware that the previous National government had given the SIS approval to bug HARTâs headquarters in Christchurch. An agent had been installed in the house next door. Electronic equipment enabled conversations to be picked up and recorded. One of my flatmates, HART activist Piers MacLaren, wrote a detailed letter to the prime minister advising him of this.
Kirkâs response was unambiguous. âThe Security Service considers that your allegations are unfounded and possibly libellous. In my turn, I can assure you that fears on your part that your name or the names of your flatmates are on Security Intelligence files are groundless.â Kirk had underlined the words âare groundlessâ with his fountain pen.
The prime minister was shortly to receive a shock. In her book Diary of the Kirk Years, Kirkâs private secretary Margaret Hayward writes, âBrigadier Gilbert [NZSIS director] is overseas and Mr Maling, the deputy director, has called to see the boss. The SIS is in trouble. Mr K told me Maling said they had been bugging Trevor Richards at HART headquarters ⌠Mr K was furious. The SIS had assured him they were doing no bugging at all. When HART had written to him, Mr K had referred the letter to the SIS which stated the allegations were unfounded. What the hell were they doing making a liar out of the Prime Minister?â A memorable phrase from Kirk followed: âAs things stood, it was like riding a bicycle downhill with no brakesâ.
The matter surfaced again in 1974, a few months before Kirkâs death. By then my relationship with Kirk was good. At the end of a meeting at which a small group of anti-apartheid activists had been discussing the liberation struggle in South Africa, the prime minister followed us to the corridor and called me back into the office. It was the first time I had seen him looking tentative, uncertain. âHow is our mutual friend?â, he asked a little awkwardly. I had no idea what he was talking about. âHas he been causing you more trouble?â I knew I was not going to be able to unscramble this one. âIâm sorry prime minister,â I replied, âIâm not sure what you are referring to.â He smiled and said, âBrigadier Gilbertâ.
I told him that I was not aware of any trouble, but that I had not of course been aware of the previous bugging until after the event. We stood for a few minutes and chatted. The prime minister made it clear that he was very concerned about what had happened and that he was going to âsort the SIS outâ. I left believing him.
Domestically, especially on matters relating to race relations, there had been significant progress since the change in government. In 1973, the Labour government announced that from 1974, Waitangi Day would be a national holiday known as New Zealand Day. With the exception of the 1940 centennial celebrations, Waitangi Day had barely registered with most New Zealanders. A public holiday only in Northland, it was regarded as no more than a local event. Kirk sought to change that; to make the day a celebration of New Zealandâs multiculturalism. A photograph of him walking hand-in-hand across the marae at Waitangi with a young MÄori boy remains one of the enduring images of his leadership.
Labourâs record on race was not, however, without serious blemish. Relations with the Pasifika community were badly damaged when dawn raids were instituted against alleged overstayers from Pacific Island nations. Dr Melani Anae, a foundation member of the Polynesian Panthers (an activist group opposing the Dawn Raids) and later an associate professor in Pacific Studies at Auckland University, described these raids as âthe most blatantly racist attack on Pacific peoples ⌠in New Zealandâs historyâ.
Kirk had less success dealing with domestic economic issues. This is unsurprising. Small states have a limited capacity to overcome unfavourable international economic headwinds, and Labour was to encounter these. But not immediately. One of his first actions was to give pensioners a Christmas bonus. Labourâs first prime minister, Michael Joseph Savage, had done the same in 1935. In Kirkâs first year, the countryâs books enjoyed a record surplus. The currency was revalued. External factors, however, were about to plunge the New Zealand economy towards recession.
The slowing world economy and an unprecedented rise in oil prices (âthe first oil shockâ) led to a rapid increase in government expenditure and spiralling inflation. By early 1974, the countryâs economy was suffering. Kirk remained determined, no matter what the state of the economy, to implement election promises. To do otherwise he regarded as a breach of faith. His economic views remained firmly rooted in social democrat orthodoxy. He believed that âthe role of the welfare state is to set people freeâ. The Dictionary of New Zealand Biography called Kirk âLabourâs last passionate believer in big government.â In the midst of a serious economic downturn, he died.
On issues such as abortion law reform and gay rights, Kirk was a social conservative, opposed to any change to the status quo.
O ver the period of his premiership, I had the opportunity to observe at close quarters, on the anti-apartheid issue, Kirk in action. My opinion of him was to change significantly.Â
At the time that Kirk became prime minister, there was little indication that he would be remembered as a great internationalist. I had been enthusiastic about the Labour campaign advert I had seen in cinemas â I wanted Labour to win the election â but on the issue that concerned me the most, my view of Kirk was decidedly unenthusiastic.
During the 1972 election campaign, his views on the scheduled 1973 rugby tour had inspired no confidence in me. National had prominently displayed full-page newspaper advertisements promising that it would not be blackmailed into stopping the rugby tour. Labour, on the other hand, had assiduously sought to avoid the issue. In the run-up to the election, Labour promised not to interfere with the tour.
Once in power, Kirk seemed to be holding true to Labourâs election promise. He clearly had concerns about the tour, but there was nothing publicly to indicate that he was going to move in to stop it. Concerned by this apparent lack of commitment, in early February 1973 I issued a press release outlining what HART would do if the tour proceeded. My statement suffered no ambiguity. It received wide attention. The prime ministerâs response was immediate and sharp: âRichards, you are not running the country.âÂ
I had always thought that Kirk and I had little in common. He was someone for whom 1960s counterculture had completely passed by. I had hair that my girlfriendâs mother said resembled a coprosma bush in a southerly. We were an unlikely pair to hit it off.
It was a difficult time for both the government and the anti-apartheid movement. We doubted the governmentâs commitment to stopping the tour, and Kirk â who, unknown to us, was becoming increasingly of the view that the tour should not proceed â was concerned that further statements from HART similar to that of early February would make his task more difficult. Kirkâs solution was to establish back-channel communications between himself and HART.Â
Following my February 1973 statement, the message Kirk initially wanted relayed to HART was that the job of the anti-apartheid movement was to be calm and quiet. The government believed that our views were well-known, and the ball game was now being played on a different field â theirs. As time went on, although there was little public evidence to suggest it, we were being told to relax â the prime minister had the matter in hand.
Sometimes things dropped off the back of a truck. A few weeks before the tourâs cancellation, the prime minister met with a deputation from the pro-tour lobby. Some time later, a full transcript of the meeting found its way into HARTâs hands. Clearly the government had wanted us to see it. The prime minister had told the delegation that his decision on the tour must be based only on one fact and that was what is in the best interests of New Zealand. Here was a PM thinking about who we were, New Zealandâs place in the world. âThere is no evidence that I can find,â he told the delegation, âthat supports in any way the continuation of the tour.â
In the period following the rugby tourâs cancellation, my relationship with Kirk changed. I settled into a comfortable, cooperative relationship with the prime minister. When he stopped the 1973 tour, Kirk said that âtodayâs announcement has been the establishment of a principleâ.
For the remainder of the governmentâs term in office, many sports bodies sought to ignore this principle. A number of New Zealand sporting bodies, most notably rugby clubs and the Lawn Tennis Federation, remained intent on either issuing invitations to, or accepting invitations from, whites-only sports bodies in South Africa to tour. HART became energetic little bureaucrats, providing a receptive government with the information they needed to dismantle the often duplicitous claims advanced by sports bodies justifying these tours.
On other issues, Kirkâs relationship with HART was also warm. In the period after the tour was cancelled, the government and HART both developed warm relations with the Tanzanian government: Kirk with Tanzanian president Julius Nyerere, myself with Tony Nyakyi, head of the Tanzanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
One day in June 1974, the phone rang. It was the prime minister. I was about to travel to Tanzania as a guest of government to take part in celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of the formation of the party that had led Tanzania to independence. The government had also been invited, but the New Zealand Foreign Ministry had failed to alert Kirk to this. He was furious. Would I please explain to Nyakyi and others why there would be no official New Zealand representation at the celebrations? It was all a far cry from âRichards, youâre not running the country.â
More than any other administration since the 1950s, the third Labour government pursued policies which laid the foundation for New Zealandâs shift into a more progressive social and political space. Specifically, it changed how New Zealand related to the world; how it thought of itself. Within that government, no one was more instrumental in that process than prime minister Norman Kirk. Together with Peter Fraser, he was one of New Zealandâs two great 20th century internationalists.
Problem solver & essay writer.
Description.
Solvo is your new superpower in education and beyond Maximize your academic potential with your own personal AI homework helper! Meet Solvoâan AI-powered math, chemistry, biology, physics solver & essay writer that revolutionizes the way you manage study assignments. Simply scan, type, or upload the task in front of you and let the app work its magic! Check out what Solvo can help you with: Scan & Solve ⢠Scan and solve math problems, equations, and more Faced with a boss-level problem (e.g., you need science answers) and donât know where to start? Snap a picture of itâyouâll see the result and in-depth solution steps. This way, you gain more insights into how to tackle certain tasks and become more confident solving them yourself next time! Math, science answers, and moreâyou name it, our AI homework helper helps with it in a flash. ⢠Ace any test and quiz Our AI homework helper can answer all sorts of questions typically used in tests and quizzes, including true or false, multiple-choice, and open questions. Biology solver? Chemistry solver? Itâs already in your pocket! Simply tap Text-Based Problems, snap a picture of the question, and get your answer in seconds. This feature can also help you test your knowledge and prepare for exams. Streamline Reading & Writing ⢠Write killer essays in a breeze Have excellent ideas for your essay but find it hard to articulate them clearly? No problemâSolvo is an experienced essay writer! Simply tap Create Essay and type your subject. You can go ahead and use the output directly or to get your creative juices flowing. ⢠Improve and reword your writing Solvo isnât just an essay writerâitâs a great editor! Already prepared a draft of your text and need help with polishing it into something truly A grade-worthy? Just upload your writing to our AI homework helper, and the app will offer suggestions to reword and improve it. This can be a game-changer if you feel stuck with a writing assignment. ⢠Read smarter, not harder Our AI homework helper can be a lifesaver if you need a quick overview of a book. Type the name of the book or its author, or upload the book if you've got a file, and no matter how long or complex, tap Generate Summary. Get the essentials in a breeze! Math solver, physics homework solver, essay writer, biology solver, chemistry solverâSolvo wears many hats! Yes, studies can be challenging, but with our AI homework helper, you're well-equipped to handle them! Get answers to all your problemsâincluding tricky science answersâwith prompt assistance for your tasks whenever and wherever you need it and enjoy studying with less anxiety. Be unstoppable in class with Premium! A subscription allows you to: ⢠Remove usage limits ⢠Get more detailed answers ⢠Use text recognition (OCR) ⢠Get instant responses Subscriptions are auto-billed based on the chosen plan. Privacy Policy - https://aiby.mobi/ai_study_ios/privacy Terms of Use - https://aiby.mobi/ai_study_ios/terms
Version 1.30
Get ready for the back-to-school season with Solvo! In this update: â Improved scanning and solving of visual tasks (including graphs, geometry, tables, and more) â Leave feedback after any solution, so we can continue improving task-solving â Copy and share any solution Donât forget to send feedback to [email protected] and leave your review on the App Store! It helps us make the app even better.
179 Ratings
Very helpful app I was needing something to help me with my daughterâs homework my daughter is horrible on taking notes in school. And if I have notes to see the task Iâm good at figuring it out how to do the rest so I tried this help because I couldnât find anything online to help me. So when this canât up I was like why not. And I was glad I did it tells u how to solve it. And I could figure out the rest by their help. The only thing I would like if they make another app or add on this this one for younger kids. I know a couple of parents that also need help with there kidâs homework (how to help there child I donât do it for my kids do there homework but I have to explain it to them sometimes and for that I need to refresh my mind as will) and this is a great app for that just hope they for something god younger students grades 2nd to 5th graders would help parents a lot.
I love this app. Its saved me multiple times on upcoming tests, and the great thing about it is it thoroughly goes through the topic step-by-step making sure you understand how the AI got to the solution. All that to be said, I really wish there was a feature to edit the text that was scanned in the picture. I think its already an intended design because theres text displayed saying if youâd made typos heres the time to fix it, but it doesn't work. Tapping on the screen doesn't do anything. You can copy and paste the text but theres no way to edit it where the users keyboard opens. This is a 10/10 if I could edit the prompt.
Solvo has truly been a remarkable discovery for me as a busy working mom. My son has been facing difficulties with certain subjects in school, and finding the time and energy to assist him with homework has been a challenge for me. Since we found Solvo, everything has changed for the better. My son doesnât give up on his assignments when theyâre difficult. Solvo gives me peace of mind. I know my son receives the help he needs. The app has empowered my son to become more independent in tackling his academic challenges without unnecessary stress. I highly recommend Solvo to all working parents who want to actively support their childrenâs education. Itâs an invention that has made a significant difference in our lives.
App privacy.
The developer, AIBY , indicated that the appâs privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developerâs privacy policy .
The following data may be used to track you across apps and websites owned by other companies:
The following data may be collected and linked to your identity:
The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:
Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More
English, French, German, Italian, Malay, Portuguese, Spanish
Themify - Widget & Icon Themes
Fonts Art: Keyboard for iPhone
ChatOn - AI Chat Bot Assistant
InPulse - Heart Rate Monitor
Plantum - AI Plant Identifier
AI Photo Generator: ARTA
Solvely-AI math solver
Pic Answer - AI Solver
Nerd AI - Tutor & Math Helper
Quizard AI: Homework Helper
Homework AI - Math Helper
Studdy AI - Homework Tutor
American women still have fewer orgasms than men , according to new research that suggests that decades after the sexual revolution, the âorgasm gapâ is still very much in effect.
One of the studyâs lead authors at the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction told The New York Times that the gap persists because many Americans continue to âprioritize menâs pleasure and undervalue womenâs sexual pleasure.â
As my research shows , these attitudes toward sexual pleasure have a long history.
But so do efforts to push back against them.
Almost a century ago, a pioneering American sex researcher named Katharine Bement Davis challenged the prevailing view that respectable women did not â and should not â experience sexual desire or have sex, except to please men or to have children.
Davisâ 1929 book, â Factors in the Sex Life of Twenty-Two Hundred Women ,â completely upended this thinking.
By surveying everyday American women, she was able to show that it was completely normal for American women to have sex for the sake of pleasure.
Davis spent the first half of her career policing womenâs sexuality, not promoting it.
In 1901, after earning her doctorate at the University of Chicago, Davis became superintendent of the New York State Reformatory for Women at Bedford Hills . While there, she studied the women in her care. Most female convicts, she concluded, were âimmoral women.â
Davisâ efforts to enforce sexual morality drew the attention of philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr. In 1917, he invited her to lead his private agency, the Bureau of Social Hygiene , founded to study and combat prostitution and venereal disease.
During World War I, Davis promoted sex education to curb sexually transmitted infections among soldiers and civilians. Through this work, she became convinced that sexual ignorance â not sexual immorality â posed the greatest danger to womenâs welfare.
Davis had long criticized the sexual double standard , which condoned menâs sexual experimentation but condemned womenâs sexual experience.
Now, she also recognized that this double standard promoted womenâs chastity at the expense of knowledge. She complained that discussions of womenâs sexuality were âtaboo,â which resulted in âdistorted views, baffled speculation, and unfortunate experiences.â
Insisting that Americans needed accurate information to achieve âa sane outlook on all matters pertaining to sex,â Davis made it her mission to teach women about sex.
But first, she needed to learn about womenâs actual sexual experiences. Davis decided to undertake a large-scale study of what she called âthe sex life of normal women.â
Subscribe to our free Stephinitely newsletter
Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Letâs get started.
Davisâ approach was a dramatic departure from existing studies of âabnormalâ sexuality focused on institutionalized populations. âExcept on the pathological side,â she remarked , âsex is scientifically an unexplored country.â
By contrast, Davis explained , she wanted to understand âthe woman who was not pathological mentally or physically.â
To that end, Davis distributed a detailed questionnaire to what she called âwomen of good standing in the communityâ from 1921 to 1923. The resulting study sample of 1,000 married women and 1,200 unmarried women was not representative â it skewed white, well-educated and well-to-do. But their responses allowed Davis to redefine female sexuality.
Davis launched her study of womenâs sexuality during what historians now refer to as Americaâs first sexual revolution . The second â and more well-known one â would take place in the 1960s .
In the 1920s, as one commentator noted , a ârevolution in manners and moralsâ was underway. Sex suffused popular culture. Contestants in beauty pageants displayed their charms in skimpy bathing costumes and short skirts. Actresses flaunted their sex appeal on stage and screen.
New attitudes about sex affected the daily lives of average Americans, too. Young women throughout the nation adopted the sexy look of â flappers ,â the term used for women who sported short skirts, rolled stockings and bobbed hair.
Prior to the 1920s, courtship often took place in the home, allowing parents to closely supervise couples. But the ubiquitous automobile â which one juvenile court judge had dubbed âa house of prostitution on wheelsâ â rendered adult chaperonage obsolete and granted young people unprecedented sexual freedom.
Meanwhile, birth control activists like Margaret Sanger and Mary Ware Dennett distributed contraceptive devices and disseminated sexual information in defiance of the Comstock Act of 1873 , which had defined birth control and sex education as âobsceneâ and made circulating such materials a federal crime.
Even amid the nationâs first sexual revolution, the facts of life remained in short supply.
According to surveys Davis distributed to married women, only about half of the respondents believed that they had been âadequately prepared ⌠for the sex side of marriage.â
After expanding her study to include unmarried women, Davis found that fewer than one-third of all participants received sex education from their parents.
Many women didnât know how pregnancy occurred. Some had been unprepared even for menstruation. One recalled that when she experienced her first period, âI naturally thought I was bleeding to death.â
In place of information, many women imbibed shame. âHaving acquired the feeling as a small child that any sex pleasure was shameful and a great sin,â as one respondent put it , some could never overcome their discomfort with sex. Another woman regarded all sexual thoughts as âsomething to be shunned like the devil.â
One response succinctly summarized the problem : âOur present secrecy, fear, and repression are responsible for most of our sex ills.â
Many women were eager to challenge what one called a âconspiracy of silenceâ surrounding female sexuality.
Study participants ended up providing Davis with more than 10,000 pages of handwritten responses. She used this information to produce the nationâs first major study of womenâs sexuality , a 400-plus page book brimming with both statistical data and personal stories.
â Factors in the Sex Life of Twenty-Two Hundred Women â covered a wide range of topics, ranging from sex education to sex play. Running throughout the entire work, however, was one central idea: Women liked sex.
Davis included data on birth control, same-sex relationships and masturbation. At the time, these practices were universally stigmatized and often criminalized. Yet significant proportions of study participants engaged in all these activities.
Nearly three-quarters of married respondents reported using contraceptives. Many probably took advantage of state laws allowing physicians to prescribe diaphragms to protect patientsâ health. Surprisingly, nearly 1 in 10 women admitted having abortions, even though the procedure was illegal in every state.
More than half of unmarried women and nearly one-third of married women stated that they had experienced â intense emotional relationships â with other women. In each group, approximately half described those relationships as sexual. This was a remarkably high figure, given prevailing views of homosexuality as sexual deviance and state laws criminalizing homosexual acts .
Nearly 65% of unmarried women and more than 40% of married women reported masturbating . Since nearly all physicians and pastors condemned the practice , Davis assumed the actual numbers were even higher.
Davisâ data demonstrated that ânormalâ women experienced what one called ânatural sex feeling.â In short, her study showed that many women enjoyed sex for its own sake.
Davis believed that reliable data would lead to âmore satisfactory adjustments of the sex relationship.â In other words, better information would lead to better sex.
Davis paved the way for future studies that validate womenâs sexual pleasure. While researching female sexuality, she established the National Research Councilâs Committee for Research on the Problems of Sex . The Rockefeller-funded committee later subsidized Alfred Kinseyâs studies of human sexuality.
Davisâ legacy lives on. The findings from the Kinsey Instituteâs latest study show that discussing sexual pleasure still matters, particularly for women. It also suggests that Americansâ understandings of sex have improved over the past century.
When Davis conducted her study in the 1920s, she found it âadvisableâ to define âorgasmâ for participants who were unclear on the concept. Now, a generation of better-informed Americans ponder how to address a persistent âorgasm gap.â
Anya Jabour is Regents Professor of History at the University of Montana. This essay originally appeared in The Conversation and is republished under a Creative Commons license.
Š 2024 The Conversation
The Tampa Bay Times e-Newspaper is a digital replica of the printed paper seven days a week that is available to read on desktop, mobile, and our app for subscribers only. To enjoy the e-Newspaper every day, please subscribe.
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Read our essay examples on The Great Gatsby to find inspiration and write your essay and know Gatsby's secret of brilliance and power.
But beneath all the decadence and romance, The Great Gatsby is a severe criticism of American upper class values. Fitzgerald uses the book's central conflict between Tom Buchanan and Jay Gatsby ...
Looking for good essay topics for The Great Gatsby? Check our list of The Great Gatsby essay titles and examples! đ We've also collected the 185 best tips on writing The Great Gatsby paper.
This is a novel set by Scott Fitzgerald as a critique of America. It takes place after the First World War when America was enjoying the fruits of a soaring economy. After its publication and leading, it was declared the quintessence of the immense American work of fiction as well as archetypal. From the novel, this essay is directed at finding ...
The Great Gatsby explores themes of the American Dream, wealth, love, and disillusionment through the tragic story of Jay Gatsby's pursuit of Daisy Buchanan and their complex relationships. Stay tuned for the full Great Gatsby summary, characters, context, themes and more!
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a classic novel that explores themes of wealth, love, and the American Dream. In this essay, we will examine the thesis statement that the pursuit of wealth and status ultimately leads to emptiness and disillusionment.
On the surface, The Great Gatsby is a story of the thwarted love between a man and a woman. The main theme of the novel, however, encompasses a much... read full [Essay Sample] for free
The Great Gatsby is typically considered F. Scott Fitzgerald's greatest novel. The Great Gatsby study guide contains a biography of F. Scott Fitzgerald, literature essays, quiz questions, major the...
In The Great Gatsby, appearances often conceal and distort reality. This fact is due in large part to Fitzgerald's use of a first-person narrator, Nick Carraway. Since only one side of the story ...
The Great Gatsby study guide prepared by our editorial team is a complete collection of materials necessary for understanding the great American novel. Along with the summary and analysis of every chapter, there are short reviews of the main themes, symbols, and literary devices used in the book. Of course, there is a comprehensive analysis of all the characters as well.
The world's most misunderstood novel. Robert Redford and Mia Farrow in the 1974 film of The Great Gatsby (Credit: Alamy) The Great Gatsby is synonymous with parties, glitz and glamour - but this ...
In regards to previous findings, this essay aims to shed some light on the way Fitzgerald uses the American Dream in The Great Gatsby, as portrayed in his characters, in order to criticise the state of American society.
The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is a story about a wealthy man named Gatsby. Gatsby lives a luxuriant life in West Egg of New York. Gatsby's wealth has an unknown secret because nobody seems to know where his wealth emerged from. Despite of having so much fortune, Gatsby's true American dream has not been achieved.
The Great Gatsby Paper The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is told from the perspective of one of the main characters, Nick Carraway. Nick tells the story of a man named Jay Gatsby, who is his neighbor in the West Egg. Fitzgerald portrays Gatsby as a man who everyone wants to know and copy but deep down are very envious of him.
"The Great Gatsby" is heavily associated with the themes of misplaced trust and its consequences. Gatsby's unyielding belief in transformative love and the American Dream blind him from the real world and ultimately sets him up for failure. Gatsby invests all his hopes and love in Daisy, hoping her love will fulfill his life and his deepest ...
Revision notes on The Great Gatsby: What To Compare It To for the OCR A Level English Literature syllabus, written by the English Literature experts at Save My Exams.
The Great Gatsby traces how the differences between these characters can be destructive even if they're all wealthy. Add a drop of Gatsby's unrequited love for Daisy, and you have a story that ultimately examines how far people go for romance, and what money simply can't buy. The answer to that isn't so obvious though.
Jay Gatsby of The Great Gatsby Essay. Jay Gatsby, the enigmatic protagonist of F. Scott Fitzgerald's iconic novel, The Great Gatsby, is a character that has captivated readers for generations. Through his extravagant lifestyle, his pursuit of the American Dream, and his elusive nature, Gatsby represents the epitome of the Jazz Age and the ...
During rehearsals for "The Great Gatsby" on Broadway, Sara Chase learned she had fallopian tube cancer and needed a hysterectomy, oophorectomy and chemotherapy. ... Essay / Updated Aug. 20 ...
The Great Gatsby is one of the greatest stories from the Roaring Twenties. Written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jay Gatsby's story of societal acceptance and romance is a classic for a reason: the ...
The Great Gatsby is a classic book from American Literature, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, one of the greatest writers of the 20th century. Fitzgerald... read full [Essay Sample] for free
The Great Gatsby is a 2023 stage musical with music and lyrics by Jason Howland and Nathan Tysen, and a book by Kait Kerrigan. It is based on the 1925 novel of the same name by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The show started its Broadway previews on March 29, 2024, at the Broadway Theatre and officially opened on April 25, 2024. [1] [2] [3] Synopsis
student-friendly tone and the clear way it presents the basics of essay writing in an easy-to-follow progression of useful lessons and activities. Through straightforward advice and thoughtful assignments, as well as Wyrick's precise instruction, the text gives students the ... Jennifer Troy Great Gatsby Answers Compatibility with Devices ...
Learn English through Story Level 6|The Great Gatsby | English Story-----...
In '50 American Classics,' readers are invited to traverse the vast and varied landscape of American literature through a meticulously curated selection of works that encompass a broad array of literary styles and themes.
'Great Gatsby' star Sara Chase was diagnosed with fallopian tube cancer and kept her health journey a secret while on Broadway, reflecting on the "lonely" battle in a personal essay
Keywords: Great Gatsby analysis, color blue significance, student essay, surprising grade, best teacher ever, insightful analysis This information is AI generated and may return results that are not relevant.
Fifty years ago this weekend, prime minister Norman Kirk died unexpectedly. Anti-apartheid activist Trevor Richards considers his legacy.
âSolvo is your new superpower in education and beyond Maximize your academic potential with your own personal AI homework helper! Meet Solvoâan AI-powered math, chemistry, biology, physics solver & essay writer that revolutionizes the way you manage study assignments. Simply scan, type, or uploadâŚ
This 1974 photo shows Robert Redford as Jay Gatsby, and Mia Farrow as Daisy, in "The Great Gatsby," an adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's short novel that captured the 1920s Jazz Age.