Mastering the Page: AQA GCSE English Literature Revision

Mastering the Page: AQA GCSE English Literature Revision

di Pittville English Revision Station

Stagione 2

S2 E4: Mr Birling

Mr Birling embodies capitalist values and arrogance. This episode unpacks his obsession with wealth, status, and individualism, contrasting his views with Priestley’s socialist critique. We’ll also discuss how his dismissiveness of responsibility reflects the dangers of unchecked power.

S2 E3: Gerald Croft

Gerald Croft represents the privileged upper class and the resistance to change. In this episode, we explore his relationship with Eva, his hypocrisy, and his role as a bridge between the younger and older generations. Does Gerald truly change, or does he cling to his privilege?

S2 E2: Eva Smith

Though absent from the stage, Eva Smith is central to the play's message. This episode discusses her representation as the victim of a cruel and unequal society. We examine how Priestley uses Eva to highlight exploitation, inequality, and the consequences of social injustice.

S2 E1: Eric Birling

Eric Birling is one of the most complex characters in An Inspector Calls. This episode delves into his irresponsible actions, his growing guilt, and his transformation into someone who accepts responsibility. We explore how Priestley uses Eric to symbolise hope for change in the younger generation.

Stagione 1

S1 E15: "Kamikaze" by Beatrice Garland

Kamikaze tells the story of a Japanese pilot who is sent on a suicide mission but ultimately turns back. Garland explores the tension between duty and personal resistance, highlighting the power of cultural expectations, familial love, and individual choice in a moment of conflict.

S1 E14: "Checking Out Me History" by John Agard

In Checking Out Me History, Agard critiques the power structures that shape historical narratives. Through a lively, energetic style, Agard challenges the official histories taught in schools, and reclaims the power to tell one’s own story, focusing on the importance of cultural identity.

S1 E13: "The Emigree" by Carol Rumens

The Emigree explores the power of memory and the conflict between personal identity and political unrest. Through the voice of an exile, Rumens reflects on the lasting impact of leaving one’s homeland, and how power, both political and personal, shapes one's sense of belonging.

S1 E12: "Tissue" by Imtiaz Dharker

Tissue explores the fragile and transient nature of human life and power. Dharker uses the metaphor of paper to discuss themes of creation, destruction, and the passing of time, revealing how power is both fragile and lasting in different contexts.

S1 E11: "War Photographer" by Carol Ann Duffy

War Photographer reveals the power of the media in shaping our understanding of war. Through the eyes of a war photographer, Duffy explores the emotional toll of witnessing suffering and the conflict between the photographer’s duty and the haunting images they capture

S1 E10: "Poppies" by Jane Weir

Poppies focuses on the emotional experience of a mother sending her son to war. Weir explores the power of love, loss, and grief, and contrasts individual experience with national conflict, examining how personal and public powers intertwine in times of war.

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