English Exam Review PDF

PART A - ESSAY Mr Morkin will pick the themes and theories. There will be 3 essay questions. You only have to pick one ★​ By referring to at least 2 stories or poems covered this semester discuss “theme of __“ Choice over Chance -​ Gatsby - Gatsby orchestrated his OWN life -​ The Wedding G...

PART A - ESSAY Mr Morkin will pick the themes and theories. There will be 3 essay questions. You only have to pick one ★​ By referring to at least 2 stories or poems covered this semester discuss “theme of __“ Choice over Chance -​ Gatsby - Gatsby orchestrated his OWN life -​ The Wedding Gift - she made the choice to get married herself -​ The Road Not Taken - “I took the one less travelled by” Introduction: Life tends to present individuals with opportunities to either take control of their future through deliberate choices or to rely on the uncertainty of chance. The theme of “choice over chance” is explored in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the short story The Wedding Gift written by Thomas Raddall, and Robert Frost’s poem The Road Not Taken. In The Great Gatsby, the protagonist strictly crafts his life to align with his dreams and aspirations, which demonstrates the power of intentional decision-making. Similarly, in The Wedding Gift, the main character's choice to marry reflects a great sense of autonomy and control over her life. Finally, in The Road Not Taken, the narrator’s deliberate decision to go on the less traveled path symbolizes the impact that personal choice has on an individual's journey. Body Paragraphs 1)​ In The Great Gatsby, the theme of “choice over chance” is exemplified through Gatsby’s precise efforts to shape his life in pursuit of his dreams. Gatsby’s decision to reinvent himself is a prime example of his dependence on choice rather than chance to change his circumstances. He deliberately transforms from a son of poor farmers into the wealthy and mysterious Jay Gatsby, creating a persona that aligns with his ambitions. When Gatsby declares: “Can't change the past? Why of course you can!”It highlights his resolute belief that through determination and planning, he can recreate a version of life that fulfills his wishes. This choice-driven mentality illustrates the fact that Gatsby’s life is the creation of his intentional actions, not mere coincidences, further underlining the statement that conscious decisions can shape one’s life. Moreover, Gatsby’s relentless pursuit of receiving romantic attention from Daisy represents his commitment to choosing his own path over leaving it to chance. He carefully builds his wealth and hosts lavish parties, in hopes of luring Daisy back into his life, which is illustrated in the following quote: “He had deliberately given Daisy a sense of security; he let her believe that he was a person from much the same strata as herself—that he was fully able to take care of her”. This quote reveals Gatsby’s belief in the power of his choices and efforts to  align his life with the goal of reuniting with Daisy. Ultimately, Gatsby’s life serves as an example of the idea that choice dictates one’s path much better than mere chance. 2)​ Subsequently, the theme of “choice over chance” is evident in The Wedding Gift, written by Thomas Raddall, through Kezia’s character development and the decisions she faces. Kezia’s initial reluctance to marry Mr. Hathaway demonstrates her desire to exercise a form of choice in her life, despite the pressure from both her society and family. The following quote emphasizes Kezia’s reluctance to marry by telling Mr. and Mrs. Barclay: “I don’t want to marry anybody”. This statement reveals her direct action in rejecting an expected marriage and her wish for autonomy. However, the pressure exerted by the Barclay’s, who see Mr. Hathaway, as a “good match” for her, forces Kezia into an awkward position where her personal choice is ignored in favour of a preordained decision. This tension highlights the theme of “choice over chance”, as Kezia’s preference is overshadowed by the societal expectations that dictate her future. Additionally, later in the story, Kezia’s ability to take control in the midst of chaos further emphasizes the theme. When she and Mr. Mears are trapped in a snowstorm and forced to take shelter, Kezia refuses to give in to helplessness. Instead, she takes charge of the situation, instructing Mr. Mears to remove his wet clothing and arrange a strategy for warmth, despite his initial hesitation: “You’d far better take off those wet moccasins and stockings” she orders him, displaying her independence. This moment reinforces the idea that Kezia is no longer willing to let chance dictate her actions, instead choosing to assert control over circumstances. Therefore, Kezia’s journey from a reluctant, arranged wife to a self-determined individual underscores the theme of “choice over chance”, as she gradually learns to take control of her own destiny. 3)​ Lastly, in The Road Not Taken, the author, Robert Frost, intricately explores the theme of “choice over chance”, featuring how our decisions shape our lives. The narrator reflects on a situation where two paths diverged in the woods, and he could not “travel both”, symbolizing the inevitability of having to make a choice between the two. He states: “And sorry I could not travel both / And be one traveller, long I stood,” illustrating the internal conflict that comes with choosing one path over another. This moment of difficult contemplation presents the theme of choice, as the narrator must decide on a course of action. The hesitation and reflection indicate the pressure of making choices in life, where each decision affects the other. Furthermore, the narrator’s selection to take the less-popular road further emphasizes the theme of “choice over chance”. He states: “I took the one less traveled by, / And that has made all the difference,”, which expresses a preference for uncommon experiences, suggesting that personal choices can also lead to significant outcomes and distinct moments. Frost reflects on how the paths we choose, often in the face of uncertainty, bring about outcomes that are ultimately determined by our own agency. Thus, The Road Not Taken reveals how choice, rather than chance,  plays an important role in shaping an individual's journey. Through the reflections on both the chosen path and the one left behind, Frost conveys that while we may contemplate about the paths that we didn’t choose, it is the decisions we make that truly define our lives. Conclusion: In conclusion, the theme of “choice over chance” is a central idea that reflects the power of decision in shaping our lives and futures. In The Great Gatsby, Gatsby’s fixed pursuit of Daisy highlights how his choices define his identity, even as fate challenges his dreams. In The Wedding Gift, Ketzia actively refuses to conform to the expectations of marriage, demonstrating how personal force defeats external pressures. Finally, in The Road Not Taken, Frost illustrates how the narrator’s decision to take the less-travelled path profoundly impacts his life, emphasizing the significance of conscious choices over mere chance. Together, these works of literature display that while life may present us with situations beyond our control, it is our choices that ultimately determine the course of our lives. PART B - Cite Passage ➔​ Plot: Refers to the sequence of events that occur in a narrative (EX: In Romeo and Juliet, the plot tells the story of two young lovers from disputing families who die due to a misunderstanding ➔​ Theme: A universal idea, lesson or message explored throughout a work of literature (EX: Betrayal, Courage, Freedom, Coming of Age, Justice) ➔​ Setting: The time, location, and environment in which a story takes place (EX: 19th century rural England) ➔​ Character: A person, animal, being, creature, or thing in a story (EX: protagonist, antagonist, round, flat, static, dynamic) On cite passage, Morkin will ask; Choose a significant relationship from Shakespeare novel or Fitzgerald's novel, explain why it was successful or a failure, and apply it to ____ (include one of the literary theories to get a grade boost) ★​ Myrtle & George -​ George Wilson is a poor, hardworking man who runs a garage in the Valley of Ashes. -​ Myrtle Wilson is dissatisfied with her lower-class life and desires wealth, luxury, and social mobility.  -​ Myrtle resents George's inability to provide the life she dreams of, calling him "a man [she] married because [she] thought he was a gentleman." -​ George is deeply devoted to Myrtle, while Myrtle is more assertive and controlling within the relationship. -​ Myrtle's affair with Tom Buchanan reflects her desire for power and wealth, as she seeks an escape from George's world. -​ George remains oblivious to the affair initially but becomes desperate and unstable when he discovers Myrtle's betrayal. -​ Myrtle's love for George fades when she realizes he cannot provide the life she wants. -​ George genuinely loves Myrtle, but his passive nature and financial struggles leave him unable to meet her emotional and material needs. -​ The relationship is built on illusions and mismatched expectations rather than mutual understanding or love. -​ Myrtle's desire for wealth and status leads to her tragic death, as she mistakes Gatsby’s car for Tom's. -​ George’s grief and obsession with avenging Myrtle’s death ultimately result in the murder-suicide of Gatsby and himself. Why the Relationship Fails: ○​ Myrtle yearns for wealth and status, while George is content with a modest life. ○​ Their contrasting desires prevent them from forming a strong emotional connection. ○​ The class divide creates tension in their marriage, with Myrtle blaming George for her lack of opportunities. ○​ Myrtle seeks escape through her affair with Tom, emphasizing her dissatisfaction. ○​ George’s passive devotion contrasts with Myrtle’s assertiveness and ambition. ○​ Myrtle's lack of respect for George undermines the foundation of their marriage. Applying The Marxist Theory: ○​ Myrtle and George's relationship reflects the broader theme of class struggle in The Great Gatsby. ○​ Myrtle’s dissatisfaction stems from her lower-class status and the materialism of the Jazz Age. ○​ Her affair with Tom represents her attempt to break free from the constraints of poverty. ○​ George symbolizes the oppressed working class, powerless in the face of the wealthy elite (e.g., Tom Buchanan). ○​ The novel critiques the pursuit of wealth and the illusion of the American Dream. ○​ Myrtle’s death and George’s despair illustrate the destructive impact of economic inequality and class aspirations.