4.2 Exploring ConflictCASSIO:A knave teach me my duty! But I'll beat the knave into a twiggen bottle. (Othello: Act 2, Scene 3)

Conflict is everywhere in narrative; it is what makes stories interesting, and performances breath-taking. Writers & Playwrights have been exploring ideas of conflict between people and their societies.

This guide will help you with your exploration into this important module, and improve your understanding of how to achieve the best possible mark!

ConflictConflict itself has many different meanings. Both a noun and a verb, the Oxford English Dictionary (OED Online) defines it as:An encounter with arms; a fight, battle (n)A mental or spiritual struggle within a man (n)Of interests, opinions, statements, feelings that are incompatible, to clash (v)

Activity:What texts, plays, or films can you think of that have a physical, metal, or spiritual struggle? What similarities / differences can you find?

The BIG questionsQuestions to ask throughout the module are:How do different groups or individuals make themselves heard?How do writers use language to show relationships, drive narrative, and construct views about society?How do people interact?Does this change according to their social status? Gender? Relation? How do people claim power and position over others in talk?How do people express their identity through language?What communicative strategies do people use when in conflict with others?4.2.1 Methods of language analysisThroughout this module, an understanding of language analysis will help you to secure the highest possible marks. Use these following sources of information to help with your understanding:

Stylistic Study Guide 1 by English Biz This covers topics such as: Genre, Context, Audience, Effects, Methods, Purpose.Download here

Stylistic Study Guide 2 by English Biz This covers topics such as: Graphology, Lexis, Grammar, Semantics, Pragmatics, PhonologyDownload here

Top website. Ill be back!4.2.2 Writing about SocietyHow does F. Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby relate to the following ideas:

Key questionThinking startersHow are people presented, their points of view, and their relationships with others?Nick Carraway The novels narrator. The story is entirely told through his eyes How does this effect his interpretation of other characters?Jay Gatsby A young man who has incredible, and mysterious, wealth. How does Nick portray him, and why?Daisy Buchanan Loved by Gatsby, to the point of obsession. A major source of conflict!How is the narrative structured? Are times, events, places presented in certain ways?

Disrupted chronology The novel moves forwards in time, but there are frequent disruptions where the narrative looks backwards into the past. Why could this be? Does time move at a steady pace?The final line in the novel: So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past. What does this quote suggest about time?How does the writer reveal the speech & thought processes of characters and the narrator?Why does F. Scott Fitzgerald tell the story through the eyes of Nick Carraway? How does this affect our understanding of the other characters thoughts and emotions?How do situations of conflict express ideas about societies and their values?What does East Egg say about society as a whole?How does the novels approach to themes such as love, friendship, equality and the American dream?To what extent is conflict resolved?Some of the following sources of information will really help you in your research. Remember to position yourself within the research you dont have to agree with it!

Crossref-it.info An excellent, well resourced site with information about F. Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby. Be sure to check out their useful study guides.Click here to visit

Sparknotes A useful resource to find information on characters, as well as a step by step guide to each chapter. Click here to visit

Yorknotes A set of flash cards that will help with your revision of structure, form and languageClick here to visit

Great Gatsby Video Game A free, online flash based game apparently discovered in an unwanted yard sale.Click here to visitUseful websitesUsefulness of resources4.2.3 Critical CommentaryIn the exam, you will be required to re-cast a piece of text, potentially changing the narration of events from another characters perspective.

What you need to show:

How and why you chose words and sentence structures for your re-cast. What did you want to portray, and why?Conceptual understanding that you understand the effects of language choices and how you show this in your writing.How and why the original writer used the language that they did and how these choices had to be adapted for your own text. 4.2.4 Dramatic EncountersThe final part of Paper 2, this question requires you to analyse one of the following texts:AuthorTextWilliam ShakespeareOthelloArthur MillerAll My SonsTennessee WilliamsA Streetcar Named DesireRory KinnearThe HerdHow do each of the following texts:Represent speechUse language to create distinctive charactersShow characters asserting power over others via languageLink conflict with the wider issues of the play

Click here for a sample paper Section BClick each text name for a link to useful researchSummaryWorth 20% of your A level, Exploring Conflict is a crucial part of the AQA qualification, but DONT PANIC!

The skills that you will be required to show, such as language analysis, understanding of writers intent, and an analysis of wider cultural themes are a continuation of your previous study at GCSE.

If you are struggling at any point, the best advice is to ask your peers and fellow students online. Student Room can be a useful forum to do this. Alternatively, ask your teach for some extra help!

Below are a series of texts and websites for further reading:

www.englishbiz.co.uk Scroll down to the A Level Revision Guides section

http://tinyurl.com/buczlge - Top 5 revision techniques for A Level English students