English Literature - Empathy Questions

Empathy Questions (40 minutes, 20 marks)

There will be two 20 mark questions to choose from for both 'Of Mice and Men' and 'An Inspector Calls'. You will only do one on each text. You may choose to do an empathy style task. This is when you are asked to write as if you are one of the characters at a particular part of the play or novel. Don't be tempted to think that these are an easy way out of writing in detail about the text. You are still expected to write the same amount as for an essay and to show that you know the text really well.

Here are some example exam tasks:

'Of Mice and Men'

1. Imagine that you are Candy at the end of Chapter 3 when your dog has been shot, you've joined with Lennie and George's dream and Lennie has fought Curley. Write your thoughts and feelings.
2. Imagine that you are George at the end of the novel. Write your thoughts and feelings. Remember how George would speak when you write your answer.
3. Imagine that you are Curley's Wife after visiting Crooks's room on Saturday night. Write your thoughts and feelings.
4. Imagine that you are Slim. At the end of the story you think back over what has happened. Write your thoughts and feelings.

'An Inspector Calls'

1. Imagine that you are Sheila at the end of Act 1. Write your thoughts and feelings. Remember how Sheila would speak when you write your answer.
2. Imagine that you are Mrs. Birling at the end of Act 2. Write down your thoughts and feelings. Remember how Mrs. Birling would speak when you write your answer.
3. Imagine that you are Gerald Croft at the end of the play. Write down your thoughts and feelings about the Birling family.
4. Imagine that you are Eric at the end of the play. Write down your thoughts and feelings about how you and your family have behaved.

It is important to:

• write in the 1st person
• put yourself in the 'shoes' of the character
• use typical things they would say, but not quoatations
• show a good knowledge of the character, the events they would refer to and how they would feel
• use small specific details to show you know the text well
• try not to refer to things the character would not be aware of
• show the character's key qualities/personality traits
• avoid simply retelling the story - comment on it from the character's point of view
• remember that it is the small, accurate,specific details that get you the higher marks

Examples:

• Slim at the end of the novel: It's a mighty sad day today and that's the truth. I never thought such a thing coulda happened on this here ranch but I guess I didn't know Lennie so well. He's only been here a few days I s'pose but he seemed like a nice guy. Arrived with George. They've travelled together for years. Kinda nice that I reckon, having somebody to talk to. Anyway, George said Lennie was a hell of a worker and he sure was. Lifted grain bags like nobody I've never seen before...

• Sheila at the end of Act 1: Well, this evening has not gone as expected I must say. I had been so excited about my engagement to Gerald. I know we've had some difficult times, with him vitually vanishing last summer, but just lately everything has been wonderful. The celebrations were going so well. We'd had a delightful meal and Daddy was telling us all how we shouldn't be silly and worry about war. Eric insisted on interrupting - I think he's a little tipsy - but everyone seemed happy and in good spirits...

To revise:

• Plan a list of things that you could include in answers to the tasks above. Think about what events the character would refer to. Think about their views of other characters. Jot down typical words and phrases for the character.
• Carry on with the two examples started for you. Spend no more than 40 minutes on this.
• Write some of your other answers out in full.