I will be discussing five of them all written post 1900. These poems are 'An advancement of learning' and 'Churning day' by Seamus Heaney, 'My Grandmother' written by Elizabeth Jennings, 'The road not taken' by Robert Frost and Mirror by Sylvia Plath.

GCSE English coursework Poetry Discuss some of the poems you have studied from the anthology 'best words'. Two must be by the same poet and you should look for comparisons within and between poems. You may wish to consider the subject matter and any underlying themes and/or how language contributes to effect The 'best words' anthology includes sixteen poems written before 1900 and 16 poems written after 1900. In this essay I will be discussing five of them all written post 1900. These poems are 'An advancement of learning' and 'Churning day' by Seamus Heaney, 'My Grandmother' written by Elizabeth Jennings, 'The road not taken' by Robert Frost and Mirror by Sylvia Plath. All the poems appear to have underlying themes and an interesting and clever use of language. The first poem is 'An Advancement Of Learning' by Heaney. Heaney's poems handled themes of love, death, generation and renewal. They have a strong dramatic sense. Many of his early poems deal with experiences of childhood and how apparently trivial moments can change entirely the way we look at the world. In this poem he confronts a rat. The poem starts with "I took the embankment path (As always deferring the bridge)" childhood ingenuousness and curiosity come into play here. The embankment path is more exciting than the bride so that is the way he chooses. "The river nosed past, pliable, oil-skinned,

  • Word count: 2497
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
Access this essay

This essay would be examining the methods through which the British won the Battle of Britain, through the use of radar and the careful use their fighter planes. It

Radar and excellent new fighters account for Britain's victory in the Battle of Britain. How far do you agree with this judgment? The Second World War was an arena for different tactics of war. Generals of both sides had several ideas on strategies that could stake a large claim in victory. The Battle of Britain was one of such imaginative tactics that the Germans wanted to use to put pressure on Britain. France had been overrun and Hitler did not expect the British to oppose and hold out for a battle. This essay would be examining the methods through which the British won the Battle of Britain, through the use of radar and the careful use their fighter planes. It would also point out the fact that the Germans underestimated the importance of the radar to the British which aloud them to identify German fighters. It would be highlighted that along with newly developed fighters of the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the radar systems, an aiding factor was the lack of clear planning of the German offensive. Following the fall of France in 1940, Britain was assumed to alone by the Germans, Hitler had thought that they would agree to his terms and the war was reaching its end. Contrary to his belief the British were resistant and rejected his surrender terms. Following this Seelöwe, Operation Sea-Lion, was established in which the Germans were going to take out the British Air

  • Word count: 1278
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
Access this essay

To what extent do major sporting events boost, local, regional and national economies?

To what extent do major sporting events boost, local, regional and national economies? The term 'economic impact' used in isolation is interpreted in different ways in both short and long term. Therefore, UK sport has adapted the following definition within its major events strategy: 'The net economic change in a host community that results from spending attributes to a sports event or facility'. (Turco and Kelsey 1992) I will look at how Major Sporting events within the U.K; boost the local, regional and national economy. I will use examples of sporting events held within the U.K and assess whether or not they have been beneficial to the local, regional and national areas Stimulate and reinforce sports development Employment impacts Investment in infrastructure Showcasing Britain across the world Establish trade and investment links between regions in the country Transport links improved Developing cultural and artistic programmes Global Event (2012 London Olympic bid) National (Manchester Commonwealth games) One-Off (F.A Cup Final, Millennium Stadium) Advantages Advantages Advantages Regeneration and New housing Employment - 9,000 full time jobs, Businesses will

  • Word count: 1626
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
Access this essay

Commentary: Importance of the Mihailov episode for the novel as a whole.

Commentary: Importance of the Mihailov episode for the novel as a whole. Tim Hoffmann English IB HL 29/09/03 During pages 492-505, special light is thrown on the character of Mihailov and the characters surrounding him. Compared to other sections, this episode is not particularly important to the plot. It does not involve any fundamental aspects that drastically change the rest of the book, but reveals characteristics and more importantly clearly shows Anna and Vronsky's relationship. This section comes directly after Levin and Kitty's wedding and the extreme happiness that ensued. This contrasts with this section as, although they show happiness, a blanket of boredom seems to lure over the entire section, for Vronsky in particular. Anna Karenin and Vronsky, who are lodging in Italy, visit Mihailov and this section shows many relevant connections to the rest of novel. In general, we find that Vronsky, who try's his hand at painting, when faced with the greater aptitude of Mihailov, stops his experimenting and allows Mihailov, a professional, to create a portrait of Anna. This shows Vronsky's weakness at this stage, and this same weakness is revealed earlier on in the novel. Although we are aware that Vronsky's love for Anna seems quite real, he does not attempt to tear her away from Karenin, but rather continues with many visits to Anna in secret. He does not stand up

  • Word count: 1423
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
Access this essay

By what means and how successfully does Chaucer convey the personality of the storyteller in the 'Wife of Bath's Prologue'?

By what means and how successfully does Chaucer convey the personality of the storyteller in the 'Wife of Bath's Prologue'? In the Wife of Bath's prologue, Chaucer's description of the Wife of Bath is very detailed and life like. It is difficult to believe this character is not a real person. Chaucer uses the Wife as a device to discuss social issues and status of the middle ages. Chaucer uses his knowledge of society and of the literature of the Middle Ages to give the Wife of Bath her personality. The Wife of Bath within one character is able to convey different views within society. The Wife of Bath believes in feminist views yet she conforms to the anti-feminist literary ideas of a Wife. The Wife is not a stereotype; Chaucer exploits all traditional things that men wrote about women and creates a woman who is bigger than all of them. Chaucer begins with Alison telling us that she is experienced in marriage, having had five husbands since the age of twelve. The Wife has a very businesslike attitude that suggests that she is also very capable of making a success in her trade as a cloth maker. The practical Alison shows her domesticity when she dismisses St Paul's statement that married women are like wooden vessels whereas virgins are like golden ones. She states that she cannot see much use in a household for golden dishes when wooden ones do the same job. "For wel ye

  • Word count: 1130
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
Access this essay

15th century France, the time and place that Victor Hugo set his book "The Hunchback of Notre Dome".

Josie Azzam English, Dance Period 4 April 27th, 2003 "Sic Transit Sanitas" In 15th century France, the time and place that Victor Hugo set his book "The Hunchback of Notre Dome" in, the role of religion played a major role, and those men and women of the church were respected, recognized and revered such as "Archdeacon of Josas, second acolyte of the bishop, in charge of two deanships and one hundred and seventy four parish priests" (66). Archdeacon Claude Frollo was a model man of the church in his subtle, thoughtful and solemn demeanor along with the many responsibilities of those in his charge. However, despite his vows to the church and his position of respectability within it, Claude Frollo is not what one expects of a priest; he is, in fact, an evil man. Even before that fateful day he saw his love dancing mesmerizing-like in the square, Claude Frollo was not what one would call a kindred spirit. From early childhood he was raised to be "a melancholy, solemn boy who studied ardently and learned quickly" (56). From then on always had a very studious manner; which is a surprising way for a child, who's supposed to be near opposite, such as Claude's brother, Jehan, who provides a perfect foil to his straight-arrow brother. With Claude's early upbringing as a scholar and the undertaking of Jehan's future, "From then on the weight of his responsibility made him take

  • Word count: 837
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
Access this essay

Comparing "Long Distance" and "The Sick Equation"

Comparing "Long Distance" and "The Sick Equation" "Long Distance" by Tony Harrison and "The Sick Equation" by Brian Patten are two poems written in different ways about different subjects. While "Long Distance" is a poem about the abundance of love, conquering even death, "The Sick Equation" is about the total lack of it. In Long Distance, Tony Harrison describes how his father is still in denial after two years of his mother's death. I believe that the poem is called Long Distance because death is the longest distance possible. This dark irony is mirrored in The Sick Equation, where the title describes how even though +1=2, at home 1+1 stays 1+1. I believe Brian Patten is talking about his parents, and even though they are still married they stay separate. Long Distance describes how Tony Harrison's fathers love was "Still raw love" as if his wife was still alive, and that his love hadn't faded even after two years. It shows that they had a very intimate relationship, a passionate love that will not die. Other points in the poem hint at how they had a very close and intimate relationship. In line two it describes how his Dad still warms his mother's slippers by the gas. This shows they had a very close relationship as slippers are very personal items, which he handles as if he was helping his wife. Other descriptions hint to us that they were

  • Word count: 956
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
Access this essay

With reference to 'The Speckled Band' by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and 'Lamb To The Slaughter' by Roald Dahl, compare the ways which the writers create atmosphere and tension, give us clues to the endings and suspend our disbelief.

Comparative Coursework With reference to 'The Speckled Band' by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and 'Lamb To The Slaughter' by Roald Dahl, compare the ways which the writers create atmosphere and tension, give us clues to the endings an suspend our disbelief. The main characters in Lamb To The Slaughter are Mary Maloney and Patrick Maloney. They are husband and wife. The story is about Mary, a woman who loves her husband dearly. She waits on him and gives him everything he asks for. She is six months pregnant with his baby. Patrick is a detective, and when he comes home from work one day he is acting very strangely. Mary is worried about him having something to eat. He tells her that he has some bad news; he tells her that he is leaving her. Mary is in shock, and she carries on down to the cellar to get him something to eat. She gets a leg of lamb for his supper, she comes back up the stairs and sees him standing by the window, he tells her not to bother with supper, and that he is going out. She walks up to him and hits him over the head with the lamb. He is left standing there for about four or five seconds, he then falls to the floor. The noise of him hitting the floor makes her realise what she has done. She begins thinking and realises that she could go to prison. She takes the lamb and puts it in the oven. She then goes out to the grocery store as normal, saying that she

  • Word count: 2791
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
Access this essay

Comparison between tabloid and broadsheet newspapers

Comparison between tabloid and broadsheet newspapers The two articles are both about youth culture committing crimes, which are shown in statistics, pictures, text, bullet points and headlines. They give information on the crimes being committed (e.g. how many percent carry knifes). One article comes from The Guardian (broadsheet) and The Mirror (tabloid) The broadsheet shows an impartial view of the story, and gives an honest opinion and it shown is long columns, bullet points and statistics and the bullet points have a description, unlike the tabloid. The tabloid try's to shock us, it try's to convince us that the youth cultures are thugs. They attack the readers, and all that is shown in pictures, articles, columns and statistics. The Mirror uses a large picture trying to really traumatize us; the picture is of a young teenager holding a significantly large knife, the image is used to frighten us. The Mirror has many statistics without really explaining them. The tabloid presents its articles with headlines, subheadings, by-line, images and really have an explanation, The Guardian presents it articles with long headlines, subtitles, by-line, statistics, long columns and the stats are followed by an explanation, which is really easy to understand. The Guardian and The Mirror have big differences, e.g. tabloids have more news about celebrities and gossip, and the

  • Word count: 914
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
Access this essay

The faces of the Goddess.

Maggie Walker Mr. McConnell ENG 4A1 December 21, 2001 The faces of the Goddess Throughout history women have empowered themselves by taking on many different titles and roles. This can be seen in the two allegorical fantasy novels The Mists of Avalon and Forest house, both written by Marion Zimmer Bradley. In both novels we see the female protagonists take on many different roles as they move throughout the different stages of their lives. In the novels it is believed that the Goddess shows herself in every woman. The stages and roles held by the two priestesses, Morgaine and Eilan, represent the different forms the Goddess takes. Morgaine shows the Goddess within her when she acts as the Maiden or Virgin huntress, the Mother of all men and as the Old Death-crone. These forms of the Goddess show themselves in Eilan as the Maiden, the loving Mother and the Lady of Ravens or Death-crone. Both Morgaine's and Eilan's actions throughout the novels show that they represent the three faces of the Goddess: the Virgin Maiden, the lover of men and gods; the Mother, life-giver and caretaker of men; and the Old Death-crone, killer of men. To begin, Morgaine represents the Virgin Maiden, the lover of the God and Summer-king. This is shown when Morgaine is thinking to herself about her past while weaving a spell to kill Avalloch. She is planning to set her lover Accolon on the

  • Word count: 2740
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
Access this essay