Shakespeare’s presents the world in which Othello is set as ‘a world riddled with corruption and prejudice’ however, The society of 17th century Venice depicted a hierarchy that favored the white males, such as Cassio, in the play resulting in the suppression of Othello and the female characters in the play such as Desdemona and... Continue Reading →
Streetcar Named Desire: The Secrets of Blanche and Stanley
In ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ Tennessee Williams uses the characters of Stanley and Blanche as polar opposites who present the two sides of America: ‘the Old South vs the new America’. The character of Stanley is used as a tool to expose all of Blanche’s secrets and delusions as his blunt and primal nature does... Continue Reading →
How does Adichie present Papa’s relationships in Purple Hibiscus
Eugene Achike is presented as both a despotic tyrant and a vulnerable man desperately seeking the approval that he believes lies in the Catholic religion of “absolutist purity”[1], and leads him to perpetuate the same patriarchal abusive relationships on his own family as a result. Eugene is “her [Kambili’s] personal household god” and is... Continue Reading →
How are themes of colonialism, freedom and tyranny presented in the opening chapters of ‘Purple Hibiscus’?
Chimamanda Adichie attempts to “delve into the violence, corruption, and hopelessness of Nigeria…under Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha”[1] through the mirroring of Kambili’s father as well as the burgeoning development of Kambili herself. Which is, indirectly, in conflict with this restrictive regime both externally as a representation of Nigeria’s post-colonial civil wars and internally,... Continue Reading →
Critical Responses to Purple Hibiscus
"The author's straightforward prose captures the tragic riddle of a man who has made an unquestionably positive contribution to the lives of strangers while abandoning the needs of those who are closest to him." The New York Times Book Review "At once the portrait of a country and a family, of terrible choices and... Continue Reading →
Retrieval Challenge: Literature Revision
A 'Retrieval Challenge Grid' for the revision of our upcoming A-level Literature Mock Exam. Topics covered include 'A Streetcar Named Desire', 'Othello' and 'Poems of the Decade'
A Streetcar Named Desire: Essay Questions
A list of potential essay questions to form revision and speed planning practice Examine the view that the conflict between Stanley and Blanche is primarily based on their difference in social class. 'A play about secrets and the catastrophic consequences of their exposure' In light of this statement explore Williams' presentation of secrets... Continue Reading →
A Streetcar Named Desire: Blanche
Blanche's Monologue Blanche's Costume Development
Race and Characterisation in Othello
‘Othello’ is a socio-critique of the flaws in Jacobean society and of the presentation of stereotypes based on race. Shakespeare presents race and the characterization of Othello through his marriage to Desdemona, how others treat him and his initially strong “reputation”. His reputability deteriorates as the play progresses leading to his downfall. Shakespeare exemplifies... Continue Reading →
