Section B questions

1. Consider the ways in which gothic writing could be said to explore the fear of forces

beyond human understanding.

2. “For writers in the gothic tradition, the struggle between good and evil is always of

central importance and good is rarely victorious.”

How far do you agree with this view?

 3. “Gothic writing is often unintentionally comic rather than truly terrifying.” 
 To what extent do you agree with this criticism of gothic writing?

 4. To what extent do you agree with the view that, in gothic writing, death is the

punishment for sin?

5. “Gothic literature demonstrates the consequences of disrupting the natural order

of things.”

Consider the texts you have read in the light of this comment.

6. “Gothic writing lacks tension and suspense because the end is always inevitable.”
To what extent do you agree that gothic writing does lack tension and suspense?

7. How far do you agree that gothic texts serve as a warning to the reader of the dangers of breaking moral and social codes?

8. To what extent do you think that dreams and illusions are an important feature of gothic texts?

9.  "Gothic texts raise important questions about the representation of women in literature." Discuss.

10. Explore some of the ways writers of gothic texts challenge the readers of their work.

11. "Gothic settings are desolate, alienating and full of menace." In the light of this comment consider some of the ways in which writers use settings in the gothic texts you have studied.

12.  "Gothic texts show the supernatural intertwined with the ordinary." Discuss this view in relation to the texts you have studied.

13. To what extent can we say that gothic texts are about characters who struggle with making choices?

14. "All gothic texts are about a conflict of duty." How far do you agree with this view? 

Section B timed essay

Section B timed essay Monday 28 May.

More Dr Faustus revision materials

This OpenLearn study guide is useful, particularly its focus on some key scenes and the way it offers critical perspectives.

Revising Doctor Faustus

The Dr faustus study guide linked to this blog has excellent resources. In particular, look at this analysis of Faustus's first encounter with Mephistopheles. It offers the kind of detailed exploration that will lead to a grade A answer in the exam. Also, look at other sections of the study guide for more analysis of the text and for very helpful context information.

Dr Faustus questions

1. What do you think is the significance of the comic scenes in the play?
2. How far do you agree that 'Dr Faustus' is a play about the dangers of possessing knowledge?
3. 'Faustus is a self-centred character for whom no sympathy is deserved.' How far do you agree with this view?
4. It has been said that Mephistopheles is a more interesting character for an audience than Faustus. How far do you agree?
5. To what extent do you agree that our interest in Dr Faustus rests not in his being like a real person but in what he represents?
6. To what extent do you agree that the play 'has too many flaws, lacks coherence and is just a series of set-pieces'?
7. Mephistopheles says, "Why, this is hell, nor am I out of it." To what extent do you think that Marlowe presents life on earth as hellish in the play?
8. To what extent do you think that Faustus's greatest sin is his misuse of the supernatural
powers given to him by Mephistopheles?
9. Discuss the view that the play provokes more laughter in the audience than terror.
10. “Faustus’s desire to be superhuman leads him to be inhuman.” To what extent do you agree with this view?
11. Faustus describes Mephistopheles as a “bewitching fiend”. To what extent do you agree with this view of him?

Section B timed essay

Section B timed essay Monday 21 May.

Frankenstein questions

1. 'The key to understanding the novel is to read it as a cautionary tale about the dangers of scientific research." How far do you agree?
2. To what extent do the characters in the novel benefit from the education they receive?
3. How far can the novel be interpreted as a study of parent-child relationships?
4. Discuss the view that the novel suffers from having too many narrative levels.
5. In an introduction to the novel Mary Shelley stated that she wished to “curdle the
blood and quicken the beatings of the heart”.
To what extent do you think she achieves her aims?
6. Some readers have seen the novel as an illustration of the fear of the power of science. To what extent do you agree with this view of the novel?
7. To what extent do you agree with the view that the humans in Frankenstein are more
monstrous than the “Monster”?