French A-Level (AQA) Paper 2: Writing Section B: Films Jean-Pierre Jeunet: Un long Dimanche de fiançailles Question: Examinez les rapports entre les personnages principaux du film. A* Exam Response. This essay examines several of the key relationships in Jeunet’s 2004 film. It starts by examining the relationships between the soldiers stationed at ‘Bingo Crépuscule’ in the trenches of the Somme. The paragraphs focus on the strength of friendship and unity shared between these conscripted men and, specifically, there is a focus on the kindness that the soldiers show towards the much younger and naive, Manech Langonnet. It considers, in particular, the roles of Célestin Poux and Benoît Notre Dame. The essay then moves from the trenches to the domestic home front and examines the relationships between Mathilde and her aunt and uncle, as well as between Mathilde and the private detective, Germain Pire. Finally, the essay examines the relationship between Mathilde and Manech. Ultimately, this essay demonstrates that this is the strongest relationship within the film. This essay is also useful for general revision of the film as it covers a multitude of key relationships with precise examples taken from a variety of scenes. Word Count: 1683

French A-Level (AQA) Paper 2: Writing Section B: Films Jean-Pierre Jeunet: Un long Dimanche de fiançailles Question: « Un long Dimanche de fiançailles suscite plus de sympathie pour Mathilde que pour Tina. » Dans quelle mesure êtes-vous d’accord avec ce jugement ? A* Exam Response. This essay examines the hardships faced by both Mathilde Donnay and Tina Lombardi in Jeunet’s 2004 film & analyses the sympathy which the events of the film elicit for both characters. It ultimately argues that the film elicits greater sympathy for Tina than it does for the central protagonist and narrator, Mathilde. Word Count: 1040

This essay explores the theme of uncertainty in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Question: Explore how Shakespeare presents uncertainty in Hamlet. You must relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors and ideas from your critical reading. Word Count: 2134 This essay explores both the initial uncertainty that plagues Hamlet while he seeks proof of his uncle’s crime as well as Hamlet’s uncertainty of self. Indeed, Hamlet’s ‘need to know’ proves ironic as, even when the uncertainty surrounding the guilt of Claudius is removed, Hamlet’s fatal flaw of procrastination endures. All quotations used from this play, as well as all critical quotations, are footnoted in the essay for ease of reference. (Page references refer to the Wordsworth Classics edition). This essay will be useful for any student studying Hamlet as part of their KS5 curriculum.

This essay explores the theme of belonging in the novel Wide Sargasso Sea, written by Jean Rhys. Question: ‘I know that house where I will be cold and not belonging.’ Discuss the idea of ‘belonging’ in Wide Sargasso Sea. Word Count: 2199 The essay argues that, for the protagonist of Antoinette Cosway, belonging is an unattainable goal. It explores her futile attempts to belong through various examples including: Her relationship with her mother, Anette. Her relationship with Tia. Her relationship with her husband. Throughout, the essay explores how her inability to belong is linked to her crisis of identity and the insoluble problems associated with hybridity as a Creole heroine. It explores her failed attempts to assimilate into her home community in the West Indies and into her husband’s society in Europe. Positioned between two cultural identities, this character is thereby coerced into playing the role of the outsider whose partial belonging to multiple locations results in complete and ubiquitous rejection everywhere. All quotations used from the novel as well as all critical quotations are footnoted in this essay for ease of reference. (Page references refer to the Penguin Classics edition). This essay will be useful for any student studying Wide Sargasso Sea as part of their KS5 curriculum or writing on it for their NEA. It would be especially useful for those students looking to engage with the ideas/themes of identity and differences.