1. Essay titles Key moment Interesting character Sympathy Important theme
Fails driving test, she knows this will happen, failed because she shouted at him, racist attitudes
Marian: intelligent, calm, knowledgeable
Inspector: racist, lacks intelligence,
Marian: fails driving test, racist comments from Inspector, treated unfairly by Mrs Ericson
Racism: fails test, inspector uses racist language

2. 9th October Learning intentions We are learning to plan an essay
Success criteria
Mindmap for possible questions
Select relevant points, quotations and techniques

4. Essay titles Key moment/turning point Interesting character Conflict
Important theme
Fails driving test, she knows this will happen, failed because she shouted at him, racist attitudes
Start of the test, immediate racism, sets the tone of the story, know she will fail
Marian: intelligent, calm, knowledgeable
Inspector: racist, lacks intelligence,
Marian fails driving test, racist comments from Inspector, treated unfairly by Mrs Ericson, struggle with inspector to try to get her driving license
Racism: fails test, inspector uses racist language

5. ‘The Test’
Critical essay
May 2011

6. 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.

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

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

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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?

13. 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 word “flock” highlights that he sees black people as animals rather than humans. Gibb uses this to illustrate the 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.

14. 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?

15. 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?

16. 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 choice of “worth” suggests Marian is like a possession. Also the word choice of “half” suggests that Marian is underpaid due to the colour of her skin and should be given at least double the wages she currently has. 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.

17. 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?

18. 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?

19. 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 choice “Mandy” illustrates that he is trying to put her down and make her appear more childlike by changing her name. This is also a very controlling act showing that he is the dominant character due to the fact that he is white. Also through Gibb’s use of the exclamation “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.

20. 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?

21. 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.

22. 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……………………………………………………………………………………