Compare the main character in your two studied novels under one of the following headings: ❍ Personality ❍ Social values ❍ Relationships
Sample Answer (Higher Level)
The two novels that I have studied are Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck and Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman. Both novels feature a protagonist who is vulnerable or defenceless. Lennie from Of Mice and Men is a physically strong man with a childlike mind who gets himself into trouble because of his personality, while Sephy from Noughts & Crosses should be strong in her position as a Cross (a member of the ruling race), but is instead weakened by her dysfunctional family circumstances.
student points Personality
Lennie is a man with a childlike character and this means his personality is very quiet and easy to control. When George demands that he gives back the mouse, Lennie reluctantly but obediently agrees. ‘George snapped his fi ngers sharply, and at the sound Lennie laid the mouse in his hand.’ Lennie’s personality means that we feel sympathy for him whenever he does anything bad. He doesn’t understand that he is doing anything wrong.
student explains student illustrates
student points
This is in contrast to Sephy who comes across as quite intelligent but struggles with her identity and place in the world. ‘Be a good girl, study at school, study at university, get a good job, marry a good man, live a good life and they all lived happily ever after. The whole thing just makes me ... want to puke. I want something more in my life.’ Sephy’s personality shows she is rebellious, but much of this comes from the lack of aff ection from her parents and sister. Unlike Lennie, Sephy’s strength of mind and personality helps her to overcome her problems.
