Critical essay

1. Critical essay ‘The Test’ May 2011

2. Task • Choose a novel or short story which makes you feel great sympathy for a character? Briefly outline the situation in which the character finds himself or herself in and show by what means you are made to feel sympathy.

3. Learning Intention • To write a critical essay on the characterisation of Marian in ‘The Test’.

4. Success Criteria • A strong introduction • At least 3 PEER paragraphs • Clear conclusion

5. Introduction You Must Mention: • The name of short story? • What is the author’s name? • What task will you be discussing? • Include a sentence (or two) about the plot

6. Example Introduction A short story that has a character that the reader feels sympathy for is 'The Test' by Angelica Gibb. ‘The Test’ is about a young black woman called Marian who is subjected to racism during her driving test. In order to analyse how Gibb creates sympathy for Marian the techniques of characterisation and plot will be examined.

7. Example Introduction A short story that has a character that the reader feels sympathy for is 'The Test' by Angelica Gibb. ‘The Test’ is about …………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………….In order to analyse how Gibb creates sympathy for………………………. the techniques of …………………. .................................................................................................................................................will be examined.

8. Paragraph 2 • One way that Gibb creates sympathy is through the racist language. • Who uses this language? • Find a quotation to show this. • What does this quotation show? What techniques are used to create sympathy for this character • Why does this quotation make you feel sympathy for Marian?

9. Paragraph 2 Example One way that Gibb creates sympathy is through the racist language. This is shown when the inspector says: “Old enough to have quite a flock of pickaninnies.” This phrase means that he believes that due to the colour of her skin she would have lots of children. The use of the metaphor “flock” compares black children to sheep which highlights that he sees black people as animals rather than humans. Additionally the word choice of “pickaninnies” has racist connotations as it is a further method to put black people down and present them in a more animalistic manner. Gibb uses this to illustrate the stereotypical view of the inspector and how he feels like he is justified to insult and verbally abuse Marian. Therefore Gibb is able to create sympathy as Marian is subjected to racist and cruel insults designed to hurt her.

10. Paragraph 2 • One way that Gibb creates sympathy is through the racist language. • Who uses this language? • Find a quotation to show this. • What does this quotation show? What techniques are used to create sympathy for this character • Why does this quotation make you feel sympathy for Marian?

11. Paragraph 3 • Another way Gibb creates sympathy is through the relationship between Marian and Mrs Ericson. • What is this relationship like? • Find a quotation to show this. • What does this quotation tell us about their feelings? What techniques are used to add detail to this quotation • Why does this quotation make you feel sympathy for Marian?

12. Paragraph 3 Example • Another way Gibb creates sympathy is through the relationship between Marian and Mrs Ericson. This is illustrated when Mrs Ericson states “If only I could pay you half what you’re worth.” The use of the word “worth” makes Marian seem like she is a possession. This highlights that even though Mrs Ericson may try to be kind to Marian that she still views her as unequal and therefore underpays her. Through this Gibb creates sympathy for Marian because she is treated badly and used by all the white people in her life, even her employer.

13. Paragraph 3 • Another way Gibb creates sympathy is through the relationship between Marian and Mrs Ericson. • What is this relationship like? • Find a quotation to show this. • What does this quotation tell us about their feelings? What techniques are used to add detail to this quotation • Why does this quotation make you feel sympathy for Marian?

14. Paragraph 4 • The increasingly negative relationship between Marian and the Inspector also creates sympathy. • How does this relationship become more negative? • Find a quotation to prove this. • What does this show about the inspector’s attitude? • What techniques show this is a negative relationship? • How did you feel about her at this point?

15. Paragraph 4 Example The relationship between Marian and the Inspector also creates sympathy. This illustrated as the inspector mocks her intelligence through the phrase: “Mandy got her degree, did she? Dog my cats!” This illustrates that he is surprised that she is well educated and sees her degree as a joke. The use of the word “Mandy” illustrates that he is trying to put her down and make her appear more childlike. Also through Gibb’s use of “Dog my cats” she suggests that he is trying to feign shock and make this suggestion that Marian is intelligent sound ridiculous. This causes the reader to feel sympathy for Marian as her accomplishments are being taken from her and reduced to cruel mockery.

16. Para 4 • The increasingly negative relationship between Marian and the Inspector also creates sympathy. • How does this relationship become more negative? • Find a quotation to prove this. • What does this show about the inspector’s attitude? • What techniques show this is a negative relationship? • How did you feel about her at this point?

17. Conclusion • In conclusion in “ The Test” by Angelica Gibb it is clear that the reader feels sympathy for Marian because she is subjected to racism, mocked and made fun of and treated unequally. Gibb’s use of characterisation and plot effectively creates this emotional response as she builds up the tension that Marian experiences. Therefore it is clear that as Marian is treated unfairly the reader feels sympathy for her.

18. Conclusion In conclusion in “ …………………………” by …………………… it is clear that the reader feels sympathy for ……………………… because …………………………… ………………………………………………… Gibb’s use of …………………………………. ……………………… effectively creates this emotional response as……………………….. Therefore……………………………………………………………………………………