The Doll’s House and The Garden Party
by Katherine Mansfield
English Level Two Exemplars 2005
90378 Short Written Text
Here are four essay topics from the 2005 Level Two examinations. They all relate to
the study of Short Stories.
Your job is to choose the topic that appeals to you the most.
Write a 400 word response to that topic, using all of the notes that we have studied
together in class. You can write more. You cannot write less.
Please refer to the two short stories we have studied in class. (You can talk about
additional texts if you want.)
The essay is due next Friday, 17 March 2006.
You must include a copy of your plan with the finished essay. I have included my
ideas below for you to also consider when planning.
Enjoy.
1.
Compare (similarities) AND/OR contrast (differences) the techniques
used to achieve the author’s main purpose, in producing the texts you have
studied.
Features / Similarities
-The similar use of upper-class language in
parts of the stories -the similar portrayal of a
young girl beginning to question their parents’
beliefs as they grow up
Purpose
-Effectively convey the idea of the large gap
in the class distinctions within the society of
the time
-The differing way in thinking between the
children and the adults
2.
“A successful text must have relevance to our modern everyday lives.”
Analyse and/or Describe methods used to make the texts you have studied
relevant or applicable to current society.
Methods used
Attention to details and
descriptions
Distinctive stream of
consciousness
Symbolic narrative style
Relevance or application to current society
They illustrate the issue of “class distinction” in both stories
-“The Doll’s House”, relationship between Keizia and Isobel
used to enhance the idea of the impact that social status has on
children.
- “The Garden Party” Laura’s relationship with her mother,
Mrs Sheridan, shows how a person’s ideas and opinions can be
altered.
3.
Describe an important relationship between characters in the texts you
have studied AND analyse why this relationship helped develop the ideas in the
text.
Features / Similarities
important relationships that
help to develop ideas in the
texts
Purpose
-“The Doll’s House”, relationship between Keizia and Isobel
used to enhance the idea of the impact that social status has on
children.
- “The Garden Party” Laura’s relationship with her mother,
Mrs Sheridan, shows how a person’s ideas and opinions can be
altered.
4.
Describe important symbols in the texts you have studied AND analyse
how the symbols deepened your understanding of the ideas involved.
Symbols
a hat
a dead man’s body
a doll’s house
a lamp
How they deepened understanding of ideas
- “The Garden Party” Laura’s relationship with her mother,
Mrs Sheridan, shows how a person’s ideas and opinions can be
altered.
-the world isn’t perfect
-“The Doll’s House”, relationship between Keizia and Isobel
used to enhance the idea of the impact that social status has on
children.