Struggling with breaking apart this one, definately over thinking it but i would love any advice
Frankenstien and The Bloody Chamber

since reading ur ao5 post ive been more interested in delving deeper into the words of the question, since its not something ive focussed that deeply on before. but i have found it difficult to imagine how i would be able to discuss all these interpretations in one essay? i have an example below of how ive thought about the question in relation to my texts, but kind of stuck on how i would address most of them in my paragraphs. the planning especially feels like it does take enough time to where i feel as if the way im more familiar may be easier.

the q i chose to look at was:

‘Romantic relationships are shown to be especially difficult for immigrants.’

SHOWN:

• implies the presentation of romantic relationships perhaps differs from reality. The romantic relationships of immigrants may appear to be fractured, but perhaps it is more developed and loving in the private sphere. Appearances vs reality.

• Shown to readers vs shown to characters

ESPECIALLY:

• Unique struggles associated with immigrants that their host country members do not face such as culture shock/othered as an 'exotic' being/pressure of the hybrid identity. 
• For TRF, the relationship is between the immigrant Changez and Erica, who is the most potent symbol of America (the aptonym). However, we also see Erica's struggles with mental health and her implied suicide. A lot of Changez' difficulties are reactive to Erica's behaviour, which can swing in support or against the statement. (i.e is he controlled to the whims of Erica, or is he simply failing to be a supportive partner)
• In SI, the comparison of "especially" is to Bernard and Queenie, who have significant relationship difficulties. Queenie, separated from her husband in the war, is lonely enough to go on to have an affair, and their relationship appears fundamentally flawed when they have different ideas about their interracial baby which ultimately is given away to Hortense. Meanwhile it seems like Hortense and Gilbert now bond even more given their baby. 

DIFFICULT:

• "TRF" seems to go even further than this into irreconciliable differences, with Changez ultimately still pining for her even in Pakistan. He leaves behind his coat at the airport (and the symbolism of it being mistaken as a threat is almost comedic in how fractured the relationship to America/Erica is), and he is still thinking of Erica hoping to catch her attention. Earlier on, Changez arguably achieves the height of "closeness" when he has physical intimacy with Erica, but he does do this by asking Erica to pretend he is Chris. 
• in "SI" the relationship between Hortense and Gilbert in the beginning is clearly difficult, disapproving of the room they are staying in, only marrying Gilbert to come to England. However, Gilbert is there to support Hortense, whose colonial mindset shatters eventually given for example the job rejection as a teacher because of her Jamaican qualifications, and there is renewed hope for the couple in the end.

hi! i saw that u teach the immigrant experience which is great because ive never seen a school other than mine do it (i do the reluctant fundamentalist and small island)

i was wondering if u had any tips/resources to share ab it? for the comparative section im mostly trodding along fine with set comparative paragraphs cus i feel like the themes interlink together quite well, altho im not sure if its recommended. i also find it hard to get good ao5 material and i often do make up critic names esp when i get a disagree one lol.

i also feel like the unseen extract is such a hit or miss sometimes. i wish it was easier to do context that wasnt solely just other books like the other genres, and ive been told my ao3 isnt the best sometimes. i also find it hard to say something different in my analysis if the whole extract is conveying one particular idea that ive already commented on

also ik some teachers dont believe in the principle of predictions but i was wondering if u had any! or at least any fringe themes/interesting points of comparison that students dont always address

I just want to say a huge thanks to everyone who came to the webinar today! It was really great to see you all there and know I could help you!

If you have any feedback for me, please do let me know here! Just comment below! Or share your love! 👉🏽👈🏽

Also, remember:

• I'll be taking suggestions for webinars in this space!
• If you recommend a friend and they pay £5, you go for free!
• I'm always happy to do these on Saturdays at this time, but I'm also available for the next two weeks! So please do come along!

The video of the webinar is taking some time to upload! But when it does, it will be available for everyone who signed up for the webinar (even if you weren't able to make it).

If you didn't sign up but you'd like to see it, I'll be creating a bank of webinar video recordings for a small monthly fee in the future!

Hi all!

The FREE AO1 webinar is happening tomorrow, so it's the last chance to sign up!

In the future, I'll be charging a small fee for these webinars, so I recommend getting in while you can! It's a great way to start off revision!

Learn how to create excellent, A*-worthy arguments for your English Literature exams!

https://shanistutoring.com/community/event/english-literature-a-level-ao1-masterclass

Hi all!

If you've signed up for the AO1 webinar happening this Saturday and you can't access the event page, I apologise! It seems there's a temporary problem with the software.

Don't worry, though! I can still see you're signing up!

If you'd like to access it to get the Google Meet link or just read the newest posts, please use this link in the meantime:

https://shanistutoring.com/community/event/english-literature-a-level-ao1-masterclass

Hi!

Here's the next statement for you to have a think about! These discussion prompts are aimed at helping you to hit top AO1 marks by making your essays sound more argumentative. It's excellent revision, because it forces you to think about your texts in different ways!

Please do comment with your thoughts! I won't say 'there are no silly answers', but I will say that we appreciate different perspectives. There's definitely not one single correct answer!

This week's discussion prompt is:

Literature reveals that hatred is often rooted in fear.

Prompts

Here are some prompts to get you started:

• Which of the texts you're studying would be interesting to talk about for this statement?
• What does it mean for something to be 'rooted in' fear?
• What do we mean when we say 'hatred'?
• Are we talking about hatred of people? In which case, is it hatred of singular people or groups of people?
• Is your answer different depending on which groups of people you're talking about?
• Is the answer true for all people in the text(s)? Or is it different depending on a person's identity?
• Do certain people experience more hatred or fear than others?

You might have your own questions or thoughts, so don't feel bogged down by mine. Either way, comment as many times as you like! I'll be there to watch and add input where we need it.

Both a and b, I find these questions so difficult as I don't fully understand how I am not hitting the mark scheme and am stuck at 11/15 or lower

Hi all!

I hope the weekend's looking good for all of you!

I've been chatting to students at school and have decided I want to add 2 more things to the AO5 post that I made on the main website:

• Interviews and statements from people involved in adaptations and performances (I've got to find a better way to put this), like actors, directors, costume designers, etc.
• Art made about the text (including cover art on different editions)

Is there anything else you think I've missed? I'd love to get a strong list to make sure that we cover everything! The point of the website is to give students as much knowledge as possible!