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Literary Genre
“Aspects of narrative contribute to your response to a text.”
(a)
With reference to one of your chosen texts, identify at least two aspects of
narrative and discuss how those aspects contributed to your response to that
text. (30)
(b)
With reference to two other texts, compare how aspects of narrative contributed to
your response to these texts.
In answer to (b), you may use the aspects of narrative discussed in (a) or any other aspects.
(40)
(a)
I have studied ‘Pompeii’ by Robert Harris. Throughout this thriller-style novel, Harris employs a variety of literary techniques to maintain the reader’s attention, and to develop tension and
suspense. I greatly enjoyed thisnovel, and much of my enjoyment was generated by his skilful use of aspects of narrative.
One of the main techniques used by Harris is his style of narration. The novel is narrated in the third person. We are not given an insight into any one character through first person narration. This can
have the effect of distancing the reader from the characters, making it harder to engage with the novel. However, Harris writes the narration from the point of view of specific characters. Although they do not narrate in the first person, the narration gives us access to their thoughts and private responses. For example, one of the main characters, Ampliatus, portrays himself as a brash,
confident business man. He mocks the peasants who are getting more and more
worried about the water situation, and looks down on their superstitious responses. But when the novel is narrated from his point of view, we realise that he is extremely concerned about the situation himself, and is clinging to a prophecy he commissioned that claims Pompeii will last for thousands of years. I thought this was a very useful technique. It greatly increased my understanding of the characters whose points of view were followed. My engagement with the
text increased, as I felt more invested in these characters. All their complexities made them much more interesting and believable.
Harris also uses irony to great effect throughout the novel. From the very title, ‘Pompeii’,to the cover artwork, it is clear from the outset that this novel will deal with the obliteration of the
town of Pompeii by the ash of Vesuvius’ eruption. The story of Pompeii is well-known, and when we hear the name we immediately think of the volcano. As we begin to read, however, it emerges that the characters of the novel are not preparing themselves for a volcanic eruption. In fact, they do not even realise that Vesuvius is a volcano. They believe it to be a normal mountain.
Literary Genre
“Aspects of narrative contribute to your response to a text.”
(a)
With reference to one of your chosen texts, identify at least two aspects of
narrative and discuss how those aspects contributed to your response to that
text. (30)
(b)
With reference to two other texts, compare how aspects of narrative contributed to
your response to these texts.
In answer to (b), you may use the aspects of narrative discussed in (a) or any other aspects.
(40)
(a)
I have studied ‘Pompeii’ by Robert Harris. Throughout this thriller-style novel, Harris employs a variety of literary techniques to maintain the reader’s attention, and to develop tension and
suspense. I greatly enjoyed thisnovel, and much of my enjoyment was generated by his skilful use of aspects of narrative.
One of the main techniques used by Harris is his style of narration. The novel is narrated in the third person. We are not given an insight into any one character through first person narration. This can
have the effect of distancing the reader from the characters, making it harder to engage with the novel. However, Harris writes the narration from the point of view of specific characters. Although they do not narrate in the first person, the narration gives us access to their thoughts and private responses. For example, one of the main characters, Ampliatus, portrays himself as a brash,
confident business man. He mocks the peasants who are getting more and more
worried about the water situation, and looks down on their superstitious responses. But when the novel is narrated from his point of view, we realise that he is extremely concerned about the situation himself, and is clinging to a prophecy he commissioned that claims Pompeii will last for thousands of years. I thought this was a very useful technique. It greatly increased my understanding of the characters whose points of view were followed. My engagement with the
text increased, as I felt more invested in these characters. All their complexities made them much more interesting and believable.
Harris also uses irony to great effect throughout the novel. From the very title, ‘Pompeii’,to the cover artwork, it is clear from the outset that this novel will deal with the obliteration of the
town of Pompeii by the ash of Vesuvius’ eruption. The story of Pompeii is well-known, and when we hear the name we immediately think of the volcano. As we begin to read, however, it emerges that the characters of the novel are not preparing themselves for a volcanic eruption. In fact, they do not even realise that Vesuvius is a volcano. They believe it to be a normal mountain.