“Miss Brill” Higher Essay Questions
Answers to questions on prose fiction should refer to the text and to such relevant
features as characterisation, setting, language, key incident(s), climax, turning point,
plot, structure, narrative technique, theme, ideas, description . . .
Choose an novel or short story in which ideas and/or characters and/or incidents appear
to be designed to shock the reader.
Explain what you find shocking about the text and discuss to what extent this enhances your
understanding of the text as a whole.
Choose a novel or short story which explores loss or futility or failure.
Discuss how the writer explores one of these ideas in a way you find effective.
Choose a novel or a short story in which there is a character who is not only realistic as
a person but who has symbolic significance in the text as a whole.
Show how the writer makes you aware of both aspects of the character.
Choose a novel or short story in which the writer explores feelings of rejection or
isolation or alienation.
Explain how the writer makes you aware of these feelings and go on to show how this
exploration enhances your appreciation of the text as a whole.
Choose a novel or short story in which there is a disturbing or violent incident.
Explain briefly what happens during this incident and discuss to what extent the
disturbing or violent nature of the incident is important to your understanding of
the text as a whole.
Choose a novel or short story in which a specific location or setting is crucial to the
plot.
Discuss how the writer makes you aware of the setting’s importance and how this
feature is used to enhance your appreciation of the text as a whole.
Choose a novel or short story which deals with true love, unrequited love or love
betrayed.
Discuss the writer’s explanation of the theme and show to what extent it conveys a powerful
message about the nature of love.
Choose a novel or short story with a central character you consider to be heroic.
Show how the heroic qualities are revealed and discuss how this portrayal of the character
enhances your understanding of the text as a whole.