iGCSE English Literature CCEA

This subject offers 12 topics in 2 modules:

  1. Jane Eyre 6 topics
  2. Poetry: Carol Ann Duffy 6 topics
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  • 2
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  • 12
    topics
  • 4,407
    words of revision content
  • 34+
    minutes of audio lessons

This page was last modified on 28 September 2024.

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English Literature

Jane Eyre

Character Profiles

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Character Profiles

Character Profiles

Jane Eyre

  • Jane Eyre is the protagonist and narrator of the novel.
  • She is an orphan who is mistreated by her relatives, the Reeds.
  • Jane's strength of character is established in her spirited response to her unfair treatment.
  • As a student at Lowood School, Jane develops a sense of justice and a deep-seated belief in God.
  • When she goes to work at Thornfield Hall, she falls in love with her employer, Mr. Rochester.
  • Jane’s quest for love, independence, and a sense of self-worth shapes the novel.

Edward Rochester

  • Edward Rochester is the master of Thornfield Hall.
  • Before meeting Jane, he lived a life of excess and experienced disillusionment and regret.
  • Rochester appreciates Jane's clarity, honesty, and strong moral character.
  • His previous relationships are troubled, particularly his disastrous marriage to Bertha Mason, which was based on deception.
  • Despite his faults, Rochester's capacity for change helps him to redeem himself in Jane's eyes.

St. John Rivers

  • St. John Rivers is Jane's cousin and a clergyman with strong Christian ideals.
  • He offers Jane proposal of marriage, but it's based on conventional duty not love.
  • St. John is cold and detached, viewing emotions as distractions from his religious goals.
  • He contrasts with Jane's other love interest, Mr. Rochester, who is characterized by passion and impulse.
  • St. John serves as a foil to Rochester, highlighting the central theme of passion versus reason.

Bertha Mason

  • Bertha Mason is Mr. Rochester’s first wife, whom he married under deceitful circumstances.
  • She is mentally ill and kept hidden in the attic at Thornfield.
  • Bertha's character embodies the Victorian beliefs about the 'madwoman' and the 'other'.
  • She is a symbol of Rochester's past mistakes and his misguided approach to love and marriage.
  • Bertha's existence reveals the darker side of Rochester’s character and the oppressive nature of Victorian marriage.

Helen Burns

  • Helen Burns is Jane's friend at Lowood School.
  • Helen displays deep religious faith and acceptance of her fate, influencing Jane's spiritual beliefs.
  • She is based on Charlotte Bronte's sister Maria, who died of tuberculosis.
  • Her death has a lasting impact on Jane, highlighting the novel's recurring theme of mortality.

Course material for English Literature, module Jane Eyre, topic Character Profiles

English Literature

Poetry: Carol Ann Duffy

In Mrs Tilscher's Class

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In Mrs Tilscher's Class

Introduction to "In Mrs Tilscher's Class"

  • "In Mrs Tilscher's Class" is a poem by Carol Ann Duffy that nostalgically recalls the joy of childhood learning and the transition in emotions as children grow older.
  • Duffy utilises her firsthand experiences to depict a vividly authentic and personal journey from childhood innocence to the dawning of adolescence.

Themes

  • Childhood and Growing Up: The poem conveys the innocence, creativity and curiosity of childhood while presenting the complex transition to adolescence.
  • Education: The poem explores the impact of education on children's imagination and understanding of the world.
  • Coming of Age: The poem traces the discovery of adult issues, notably the awareness of sexuality, marking the end of innocent childhood.

Key Techniques and Analysis

  • Duffy uses imagery to bring to life the details of the classroom and childhood experiences.
    • "chalky pyramids" and "laugh of a bell" create multi-sensory impressions, enhancing the description of a classroom scene.
  • The use of emotive language mirrors the progression from childhood to adolescence.
    • Phrases such as "sugar paper" and "gold star" evoke positive emotions associated with childhood, while "rough boy" and "slapping her thighs" hint at the discomforting realities of growing up.
  • Simile and metaphors are used to express abstract ideas in more concrete terms, emphasising the transformation of childhood.
    • E.g. "you ran through the gates, impatient to be grown, as if you saw the classroom shrink" - The classroom "shrinking" metaphorically signifies the loss of childhood.
  • The forceful enjambment in the final stanza ("the classroom glowed like a sweet shop...") evokes the desire to grow up faster with the school bell acting as an exciting interruption to the learning.

Structure and Form

  • The poem comprises two stanzas: the first, longer stanza represents a lengthy childhood; the second, shorter stanza suggests a swift transition to adolescence.
  • The free verse form allows for a natural, free-flowing depiction of childhood experiences and perception.
  • The shift in tone from the lively first three quarters to the somewhat darker final quarter mirrors the transition from childhood to adolescence.

Conclusion

  • In "In Mrs Tilscher's Class", Duffy effectively captures the joys and complexities of growing up. The detailed imagery, emotive language, structured form all contribute to a vivid depiction of a phase of life many relate to.

Course material for English Literature, module Poetry: Carol Ann Duffy, topic In Mrs Tilscher's Class

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