King Lear resources

Click here for some good resources from the RSC on King Lear...

AS Comms - Example answer for Question 2 - Groups

Choose one of the statements below in order to explore the relationship between our individual identity and the groups we belong to:

 

a)   Belonging to a group inevitably involves repressing or altering our individual identity so that we can fit in with the group’s norms and practices

 

b)   Belonging to a group enables us to freely express who we are in the knowledge that we will be accepted and valued

 

 

c)   Belonging to a group offers a structured, safe arena within which to discover and explore who we are as individuals

 

 

Introduction

Show understanding of key terms of question and whether you agree/disagree with the statement

 

I believe that statement B best describes the way in which we construct our individual identity and the groups that we belong to. I think that above all, humans are social creatures and we rely on the support of different groups at key points in our life. By being accepted by different groups we are able to learn more about who we are because we are continually sharing information about ourselves and comparing ourselves to others. This might be through shared interests and codes of communication in friendship groups at school or college, or it could be by providing us with role models in the family groups or within the work place. I think that whilst sometimes groups might make us behave in particular ways, most of the time we are able to express ourselves freely through the connections we make.

 

 

 

 

Paragraph One

Focus on a theory of identity and you could apply this to the question – include examples from your own experiences

 

One way in which we are immediately brought into contact with a group is through our key agents of socialisation which, for most of us, is firstly through our primary agents of socialisation – our parents. The family is the first group we belong to and provides us a clear sense of identification, for example some researchers found if you ask someone very young who they are they are then they will probably tell you they are someone’s son or daughter, or that they have a brother or sister. When I was younger the fact that I had supportive parents increased my self-esteem and made me more confident. Looking back I can see that some of the attitudes and values I still have today, such as being creative and standing up for myself are the result of the first group I belonged to, my family.

 

 

 

Paragraph Two

Focus on another theory of identity and explore this through examples

 

Furthermore, with my friendship group at school I can see that this group, or ‘team’ as Goffman would term it, really helped me to discover who I was and express my own personality. My close friends always encouraged me to develop by giving me positive feedback – for example when I decided to enter writing competitions as a teenager it was my friendship group who made me believe I could succeed (self-fulfilling prophecy). Without them I wouldn’t have had the confidence to do this. When we got older and started going out in town we always got ready together, doing our hair and listening to music, in this way all the members of the group were supporting each other’s self-presentation. In fact, most of the fun of going out was being part of the group (rather than meeting anyone new!) I found that I revealed more of my hidden self and reduced my blind self through the conversations we had when we all got together.

 

 

Paragraph Three

Focus on a final element of identity

 

When I got my first part time job, I became a member of another kind of group where I was accepted and valued. I worked in a busy restaurant and it was often stressful dealing with difficult customers. The other waitresses I worked with always supported me and made me laugh when things were really hectic – we had shared codes of communication, such as the names we gave to the chefs and certain customers. I also really looked up to one older girl who was studying at university, in a way she became my intellectual ideal self as I saw it what it was possible to achieve if you worked hard.

 

 

Counter-Argument

Any examples of the opposite happening? Any elements of theories you don’t think always apply in group situations?

 

Of course, some people could argue that my experiences of belonging in groups didn’t really allow me to freely express myself – it just moulded me into the cultural, social and educational expectations of others. I would agree that there have been points in my life where I have not said exactly what is on my mind because I don’t want to upset the group. For example, I am always positive and supportive to my friends when we are discussing relationships (even if I secretly sometimes think they are in the wrong!) You could say in this way I am being cynical and playing my role within the group – which is often the listener.

 

 

Conclusion

Come back to the key terms, how far do you now agree or disagree with the statement?

 

In conclusion though, without the experiences of belonging to supportive groups, I don’t think I’d be the person I am today. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs we all have ‘belonging needs’  and without the love, affectation and feedback we get from being part of groups we cannot achieve our own sense of self-worth. Without groups I would not be able to achieve my individual potential.

 

A2 Comms - Revision guides for the perspectives

Here are the padlet walls for you to work on and to return to later to help you with your revision:

Market Liberalism

PostColonialism

Post Modernism

Feminism

Marxism

Double click within your wall to add a comment, an image, a clip from Youtube or a file. Use the headings on the board to guide you...

AS COMMS - Answers to Question 3

1. Identify and briefly explain the use of icons, indexes and symbols in this text. (6)
Icons: the images of the players are the key iconic signifiers used in the advert, as is the surface of the world, on which they are standing. Their role is to reinforce the football club being promoted, since they are (were) the most famous players there. The paradigmatic choices of light and shadow reinforce the idea that they are standing on the world – rather than a football pitch. The interpretation might be that Arsenal’s success knows no boundaries, as well as perhaps suggesting that their fanbase – like their team – comes from all over the globe. Indexes: the body language of the players can be seen as an indexical signifier. The hands on hips act as evidence of confidence and power. It reinforces the sense that the players & the club dominate the world – and suggests success as well as power. Symbols: the club’s badge, positioned bottom left of the advert, is a symbolic signifier. This is also featured on the football shirts and shorts that the players wear. The badge reinforces the identity of the club and creates a shared meaning amongst fans. The use of the gun on the badge is clearly a symbolic as well as an iconic signifier, hinting at the origins of the club. The colour red is also a symbolic signifier in this context – part of the code created to create the syntagm of ‘Arsenal’. The red used in the players’ kit is also used for the copy ‘Arsenal’ at the bottom right of the advert and has connotations of power and excitement.

2. Comment on the use of anchorage within this text. (6)
Anchorage is used to help fix the meaning of the text. Without the words used in the advert, it would be a picture of some Arsenal players standing on the Earth’s surface. The purpose of the text would not be clear. The words ‘Join us now…’ limit the range of interpretation as it becomes clear this text is encouraging people to become members of the club and informing them of the benefits of doing so - ‘and get the entire 2009/10 season for free.’ The inclusion of ‘now’ creates a sense of urgency and suggests this may be a limited offer. The slogan, positioned at the bottom of the text, ‘Wherever. Forever. Arsenal.’ consists of three one word phrases. The function is not to inform so much as to inspire a sense of excitement and magnitude about what ‘Arsenal’ means. The first two words (perhaps seen to define the final word – Arsenal) suggest there are no boundaries to being an Arsenal fan, geographical or those of time.

3. How are Arsenal being represented within the text? (8)
Arsenal are representing themselves as a global, successful and exciting football club in this advert, a club that any fan should want to be a part of. The paradigmatic choice of the light shining on the players from behind creates the idea that they are lighting up the world or leading the way, both in terms of the football played and in terms of their influence. Their domination of the world – suggested by their position on top of it – is sold to us as something that we must want to be a part of. It is timeless (‘Forever’) and all conquering (‘Wherever’). The advert is an invitation to be a part of this crusade (‘Join us..’) Some might argue that it is quite a masculine world being represented (Arsenal does have a Ladies team too). Not only are the male players chosen, but they are positioned in an authoritative and commanding way – legs apart, hands on hips, eyes confidently meeting the camera. The mode of address is direct and unassailable.

AS LangLit: All My Sons

A2 Comms

Click here to listen to a debate on Ethical Consumerism (great for Objects of Desire), hosted by Michael Buerk.

A2 Literature - discussion about King Lear

Click here to listen to Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss King Lear - perfect for revising the play and for gathering different interpretations that you could use in the exam. The programme lasts for about 45 minutes.