Critical Essay Writing ‘A Hanging’ by George Orwell

Learning Intentions We are learning to: Structure a successful critical essay. Select important quotations from ‘A Hanging’. Develop our analysis of key quotations from ‘A Hanging’.

Essay Question Choose a non-fiction text which made you think about a social issue. Explain briefly what that issue is and at greater length show how the writer’s treatment of the issue conveyed her or his point of view. In your answer you must refer closely to the text and to at least two of: setting, theme, style, descriptive detail, or any other relevant feature.

Unpicking the Question/ Planning The Social Issue- Capital punishment Authors point of view- anti- capital punishment. Techniques- Setting- horrific description of the jail. Imagery- image of the puddle. Symbolism- symbol of the dog. Ending- reaction of the men following the death.

Looking for Quotations In your jotters write quotations that correspond with- 2 x horrific descriptions of the jail 1 x image of the puddle 2 x symbolism of the dog 1 x the reaction of the men at the end (post hanging)

HOMEWORK ALERT! Write detailed analysis for the 6 quotations that you have chosen from the text. Example- “A sickly light, like yellow tinfoil, was slanting over the high walls into the jail yard.” The word ‘sickly’ gives an instant impression of disease or ill health. This suggests that the prisoners may be ill just like the weak lighting in the prison. The image of ‘yellow tinfoil’ continues this idea as yellowing is often a sign of decay. ‘Tinfoil’ is also often warped which highlights that the light was inadequate and that perhaps visibility was poor. The ‘high walls’ suggest that the jail was isolated and cut off from society and reinforces the idea that there was no way out for the prisoners inside.

Introduction T.A.R.T Title- ‘A Hanging’ Author- George Orwell Relate to question- ‘made me think about the social issues regarding capital punishment’ & mention Orwell’s views. Theme- The horrific nature of taking the live of a healthy human being.

Writing main body paragraphs In this essay we will create either PEAR or PEAEAR paragraphs. Point- What will be the focus of the paragraph Evidence- What quotation will you use? Analysis- What detailed comments can you make about that quotation? Relate to question- why is this relevant to your task?

Example P- My views on capital punishment were challenged when I was faced with Orwell’s harrowing description of the setting of the prison that housed men who had been sentenced to death. E- “A sickly light, like yellow tinfoil, was slanting over the high walls into the jail yard.”

A-The word ‘sickly’ gives an instant impression of disease or ill health. This suggests that the prisoners may be ill just like the weak lighting in the prison. The image of ‘yellow tinfoil’ continues this idea as yellowing is often a sign of decay. ‘Tinfoil’ is also often warped which highlights that the light was inadequate and that perhaps visibility was poor. The ‘high walls’ suggest that the jail was isolated and cut off from society and reinforces the idea that there was no way out for the prisoners inside. R- This made me feel sympathetic to the prisoners as they had to live in such an inhumane environment. George Orwell’s clever depiction of the setting as being intolerable and disease ridden influenced my views on capital punishment be making me consider what right we have to treat fellow human beings in this way.

Setting PEAR 1 & 2 Point- mention SETTING and give some context to the quotation that you are going to use. Evidence- setting quotation 1/2 Analysis- go into detail. Single out words/ expressions from the quotation. Try to identify techniques such as word choice, simile, tone etc… Relate to question- link back to how this influenced your opinions regarding capital punishment.

Puddle- PEAR 3 Point- mention that the puddle was the clear turning point/ moment of realisation/ epiphany for Orwell. Give a bit of context to the puddle. Evidence- puddle quotation Analysis- give a deep, meaningful explanation of the extended metaphor of the ‘tide’. You may also focus on specific word choices. Relate to question- how did this affect your views regarding capital punishment?

The Dog- PEAR 4/5 P- explain that the dog is a SYMBOL. The dog symbolises compassion/ forgiveness/ equality (qualities that the guards do not seem to possess). E- insert quotation A- analyse the behaviour of the dog, explain how it CONTRASTS with the behaviour of the guards. R- how did this move you as a reader/ influence your views?

The reaction of the Guards P- Explain that Orwell uses DIALOGUE between the guards to express how uncomfortable they feel post-hanging. E- insert quotation A- select words or phrases that suggest that the guards have relaxed but are acting unnaturally immediately after the hanging. Explain that Orwell does this to highlight that hanging another human is unnatural. Explain that the men are using humour as a COPING MECHANISM to help them deal with the horror of the hanging. R- personal response.

In conclusion… Rework the wording of the question i.e. “In conclusion, ‘A Hanging’ by George Orwell is a piece of prose non fiction that made me deeply consider the issue of capital punishment. Orwell uses setting, turning point, symbolism and dramatic ending in order to discreetly influence my views on Capital punishment. This piece of writing really made me consider what right a person has to take the life of another human being, which was- ultimately- Orwell’s purpose when creating this piece of text.

Prepping for the timed critical essay Make cue cards under the following headings- Irony Symbolism Turning point Setting Characterisation Dramatic ending Include quotation(s) and bullet pointed analysis.

Wednesday 2nd September Timed Critical Essay 1 Question will be one of the questions from the 9 that are published on the blog. Your essay must include- TART introduction 7 quotations (PEAR or PEAEAR paragraphs) Detailed/ deep/ meaningful analysis Conclusion. Essay will be graded out of 20. (10-14 = C, 14-17= B, 18-20= A)

What can I do to study? Continue to revise your cue cards (have someone at home test you if possible) Read through the notes/ power points on the blog (nat6englishblog.wordpress.com) Set aside 50 minutes and attempt a timed critical essay to see how you will cope with the time conditions. Read through the 9 essay questions on the blog. Think about how you might answer these questions. Really conscientious students might create a skeleton plan for all 9 questions in order to be fully prepared.