Teach me Lit Podcast: Recent Episodes
Sophie Toovey
Exploring themes and ideas in a range of literary texts, in a student-friendly way to break down and explain technical jargon.
Looking at what Scrooge learns through seeing scenes of his lonely childhood, his generous boss Fezziwig and the heartbreaking time when Belle broke off their engagement.
What does Marley teach Scrooge? How Dickens shows the ghost of his old partner to be judged in the afterlife for what he failed to do in his lifetime.
What's wrong with the way Ebenezer Scrooge chooses to live his life anyway? Surely it's his business if he wants to keep his money to himself? This podcast gives an overview of why Dickens suggests that Scrooge's attitude is problematic.
Discussing the themes and images in 'My Mother's Perfume', particularly the sinister tone and atmosphere as the persona has a toxic relationship with the mother.
GCSE English Literature podcast exploring who is trapped and powerless in Of Mice and Men, looking at George's predicament in having to shoot Lennie to save him from Curley.
A GCSE English Literature revision podcast exploring how imperialism and the legacy of slavery affect justice in the novel and how this theme connects the threads of Boo Radley and Tom Robinson's stories.
How impulsive is Romeo in Shakespeare's tragedy? In this podcast I explore some different critical viewpoints, such as Romeo as a character fighting for masculine identity, and Romeo as 'tamed' by Juliet.
GCSE English Literature, Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Unpacking how Elizabeth Gaskell's novel is structured as a Bildungsroman around the change of Margaret Hale, and also how Thornton changes too from a Malthusian autocrat to someone prepared to make a difference in the lives of his workers.
A Level English Literature, North and South
Looking at how Austen satirises her society's obsession with social rank, and shows how Darcy changes and develops through comparing him with his aunt and her traditional views on marriage.
This podcast explores the way that Austen differs from other female novelists of her time, who often wrote melodramatic stories of virtuous heroines, kidnapped, and forced to suffer, before being rewarded with happy marriages. Austen's realism means that she avoids some of the black-and-white simplicity of Miss Prism's pronouncement: "The good ended happily; the bad ended unhappily. That is what Fiction means." (Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest) Lydia is a morally transgressive character, and she has to live with the consequences of her actions... Though she is not punished in the way that Lady Catherine and Collins suggest she should be. Austen's preferred method of didacticism is through satire and wit.
I explore how to approach this essay question when the marking is weighted towards context. Looking at Charlotte Lucas and lack of female empowerment and choices, Elizabeth Bennet and Darcy as a misunderstood hero. Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice for GCSE English Literature.
In this episode I explain the flaws in Lydia and Wickham's characters, and how Lydia's decision to run away with Wickham nearly ruins the lives of the whole family. Thankfully, Darcy comes to the rescue as the true hero of the story, not even seeking credit for his actions. Austen uses Lydia and Wickham to show the severe consequences of impropriety, and to display more brightly the better moral conduct of Elizabeth and Darcy.
Exploring the viewpoint that North and South is more centred around romance than industry. The reality is that Gaskell intertwines the romance plot with her industrial focus throughout the novel. I look at Chapter 10, where John and Margaret first clash in their ideologies about the ethics of industry, and where Gaskell lays the ground for their future relationship as the conflict between them is established. I look at the strike mob in Chapter 22, where Margaret defends John - forming an important midpoint in the novel's structure and combining both the romance and industrial focus. After this, John feels obligated to propose, but how will Gaskell resolve the tensions in the novel? A Level English Literature, Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South.
This podcast looks at the character of Catherine and how she represents youth and vitality in Arthur Miller's play. She catalyses Eddie Carbone's tragic fall and also provides a foil to his wife, Beatrice. Arguably she replaces one patriarchal authority for another when she marries Rodolpho, but there are signs Catherine has learned to assert her own desires, which could represent growing independence and freedom for women in post war America. GCSE English Literature
Is it true that Gaskell's sympathies lie chiefly with the working class? In this episode, I look at the different divisions in the Victorian social structure, and how the characters of Bessy Higgins and the Boucher family create pathos in the novel.
A Level English Literature, Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South
Why does everyone want or need to get married in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice? In this episode I unpack more about the situation of Mrs Bennet, young unmarried girls like Jane, Elizabeth and Charlotte Lucas, and then why men like Mr Collins would also be under pressure to find a wife. I explore why Bingley's sisters want him to marry Georgiana, and why Lady Catherine wants Darcy to marry her daughter Anne. What is Austen's viewpoint about this social pressure to marry? GCSE English Literature revision
Looking at the ideas Austen presents through the actions of Jane, Elizabeth and Charlotte Lucas, and how she suggests that young women should not be pressured into a loveless marriage merely for economic security. Through the actions of Bingley and Darcy, she also suggests that love justifies going against the judgement of your family, especially when it's based upon something as superficial as social ranking. GCSE English Literature 'Pride and Prejudice'.
Looking at how Darcy initially seems to be the antagonist of the novel, exhibiting pride and prejudice, but how Austen uses the characters of Collins and Wickham to then contrast to his heroic nature. Darcy learns from his mistakes, and ultimately rescues Lydia in a selfless and generous act of heroism. This moral character is what Austen values, above his income and social rank. GCSE English Literature, Pride and Prejudice.
Looking at how Austen uses Elizabeth Bennet to question society's definitions of propriety, female accomplishment, social values on marriage, and suggest a vision for mutual companionship and compatability. Also looking at the Bildungsroman structure and how Elizabeth's realisation of her own pride and prejudice lead to her development and maturation. For GCSE English Literature, Pride and Prejudice.
I give my top tips for writing a GCSE Literature essay, where the weighting is towards context, and use a question on Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice' as a worked example from WJEC English Literature. I talk about the importance of the question focus, returning to it throughout the essay, and avoiding the info dump of contextual information, instead using a 'salt and pepper' approach.
Exploring how lockdown can help us understand the monotony and the small radius of life for girls in Austen's day. For the Bennet family in Pride and Prejudice, all living under one roof, life is pretty stressful. The situation with the house being entailed to the next male relative also creates a pressure cooker effect, but Elizabeth refuses to bow to pressure to marry, unless it is for her own happiness and fulfilment.
You may also be interested in my podcast about the plight of single, poor women. https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-nnv5v-b08659
“The power struggle between men and women is at the heart of North and South.” This podcast explores this essay question, looking at the conflict between Margaret and Thornton, but also the wider class conflict in the novel.
London, Helstone and Milton. What do these different settings represent?
A Level English Literature. Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South.
Making connections and exploring memories in Jugged Hare, From Father to Son and His Father, Singing- from the WJEC Poetry anthology for controlled assessment.
Exploring the meaning of 'Jugged Hare' for GCSE English Literature. This poem is part of WJEC's anthology for controlled assessment.
Exploring the language, technique and structure of 'His Father, Singing', with a focus upon the theme of memory. For WJEC English Literature GCSE. I've previously published an episode looking at 'From Father to Son' and these two poems can be compared for controlled assessment. I bring together some points of comparison at the end of the podcast.
Exploring the language, technique and structure of From Father to Son, with a focus upon the theme of memory. For WJEC English Literature GCSE.
In order to kill the king, Lady Macbeth has to reject her feminine nature. Through close reference to Act 1 scene 5, examine how Shakespeare presents this, and the impact it has on the rest of the play.
I explore how to approach this question for GCSE English Literature.
GCSE English Literature revision podcast, exploring the theme of loneliness in Of Mice and Men and unpacking how the setting of 1930s America helps us to understand this context.
Top tips for the poetry comparison controlled assessment task, and could also be applied to the unseen poetry unit too. GCSE English Literature revision podcast.
How can you write an essay that addresses all the different aspects of context: the time the novel is set (1930s southern states USA), when it was written, and how it is received at different times? A revision podcast for GCSE English Literature.
A GCSE English Literature revision podcast exploring Aunt Alexandra's character in the novel and what she represents in terms of typical 1930s southern women.
Many situations in To Kill a Mockingbird seem hopeless: the verdict of Tom Robinson's trial, the situation of Boo Radley, and the ingrained racism of Maycomb which seems never-ending. However, we can see signs of hope in Atticus' defence of Tom, the softening of Alexandra's attitude and in Scout and Jem as the next generation, showing compassion and empathy towards others. GCSE English Literature revision podcast.
Analysis and revision of To Kill a Mockingbird chapter 1, looking at major themes and ideas introduced and the context of Maycomb being an 'old town' with values that are hard to shift. For GCSE English Literature.
Why a poem is like a puzzle and a circle Why it’s important to look for layers of meaning Revision help for tackling unseen poetry
GCSE English literature revision podcast, exploring the friendship of George and Lennie.
GCSE English literature revision podcast. What is the significance of dreams in Of Mice and Men?
What elements of a morality play can be seen in Doctor Faustus? What message does the play carry? A Level English Literature study podcast
In Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus, is Mephostophilis physical or spiritual? Is he free, or a slave? Honest, or a liar? Reactive, or proactive? And is he a friend or an enemy to Faustus? A Level English Literature study podcast.
An exploration of the theme of civilisation in William Golding's 'Lord of the Flies', with particular focus on the historical context, post WWII. For GCSE English Literature revision.
In order to kill the king, Lady Macbeth has to reject her feminine nature. Through close reference to Act 1 scene 5, examine how Shakespeare presents this, and the impact it has on the rest of the play.
I explore how to approach this question for GCSE English Literature.
"Many schools have attempted to reward good behaviour, but these attempts have always failed. Punishment is the most effective way to improve behaviour." Write an essay to explore how far you agree with this statement.
I talk through some ways to approach this exposition task. This is a sample exposition task in the style of GCSE expository writing.
'The Grammar of Light' analysis looking at Carol Ann Duffy's theory of language, an attempt to construct a wordless language. WJEC AS English Literature specification - part of the 'Mean Time' collection.
Analysis of Larkin's poems 'Here' and 'The Large Cool Store' from the 'Whitsun Weddings'. Part of WJEC AS English Literature specification.
Looking at 'Fraud', 'Nostalgia' and 'Litany' poems by Carol Ann Duffy and how the theme of greed ties these poems together. Includes contextual detail to help you understand the poems. These poems are on the AS English Literature specification for WJEC.
How strong is Lady Macbeth as she sleepwalks and suffers from guilt?
GCSE English Literature, Shakespeare
How strong is Lady Macbeth as she persuades Macbeth to kill Duncan and takes charge of the situation?
GCSE English Literature, Shakespeare
How strong is Lady Macbeth at the start of the play? Analysis of her soliloquy 'The raven himself is hoarse'.
GCSE English Literature, Shakespeare
Comparing 'Who's for the game?' by Jessie Pope with 'Dulce et decorum est' by Wilfred Owen. WWI poetry comparison.
In what ways is Macbeth a strong tragic hero, or a coward too afraid to go against his wife and do the right thing?
GCSE English Literature, Shakespeare
Exploring two soliloquies of Macbeth - one in 1.7 where he considers all the reasons not to kill Duncan, and one in 2.1 where he sees the vision of a dagger.
GCSE English Literature, Shakespeare
How important is the Prologue in understanding the play? I explore Faustus as a Renaissance man, a tragic hero, and an Everyman. Christopher Marlowe's Doctor Faustus for A Level English Literature.
"Fair is foul" say the Witches. How important is the deceptive nature of appearances in the play? Looks at key quotes up to "Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent underneath it."
GCSE English Literature, Shakespeare
In what ways is Margaret a subversive heroine in North and South?
A Level English Literature, Elizabeth Gaskell
A visit to Helstone reveals how much Margaret has changed. Bell’s death leaves her a wealthy heiress, while Thornton struggles for money. Her business proposition finally brings them together again.
A Level English Literature, Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South
Mr Bell visits and further contrasts are drawn between North and South. Mr Hale dies, and Margaret returns to London. A Level English Literature, Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South.
Boucher commits suicide, and Nicholas finds work with Thornton. A Level English Literature, Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South.
Frederick is involved in a scuffle which causes a man’s death, and Margaret lies to protect him. Thornton believes that she is engaged to Frederick, but protects her reputation anyway. A Level English Literature, Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South.
Frederick arrives, Mrs Hale dies, and Margaret is left to take charge. A Level English Literature, Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South.
Bessy dies, and Higgins meets Mr Hale. This is an important scene where Gaskell promotes her message of unity- social unity and religious unity. A Level English Literature, Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South.
Margaret writes to Frederick; Mrs Thornton hears that Margaret has rejected her son. A Level English Literature, Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South.
Thornton’s proposal marks the midpoint of the novel.
A Level English Literature, Elizabeth Gaskell
Mrs Hale takes a turn for the worse. The strikers form an angry mob and storm onto Thornton’s property, and Margaret rushes to defend him.
Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South for A Level English Literature.
The poverty of Boucher contrasts with the sumptuous dinner at the Thorntons house. Margaret begins to see Thornton more positively.
Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South for A Level English Literature.
Two crises loom on the horizon: the illness of Mrs Hale, and the imminent strike.
Podcast giving commentary on chapters 16-18 of Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South, for A Level English Literature.
Conflict discussed between the masters and the men as a potential strike looms on the horizon. Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South for A Level English Literature.
Contrast is drawn between the three young female characters: Margaret, Fanny and Bessy.
A Level English Literature, Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South.
Mr Thornton comes to tea. Analysis of chapters 9-11 for A Level English Literature, Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South.
Moving to Milton. Analysis of chapters 6-8 of Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South.
A Level English Literature.
What were the 39 Articles? What was the religious backdrop to Gaskell’s novel? How was social position connected to religious belief? Exploring Mr Hale’s decision to leave the Church and what that means for his family.
This podcast helps you to understand the historical context for North and South, for A Level English Literature.
Margaret breaks the news to her mother. Analysis of chapter 5 of Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South, for AS Level English Literature.
Henry Lennox proposes and then Mr Hale tells Margaret some shocking news. Analysis of Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South, chapters 3 and 4. AS Level English Literature.
Looking at the concept of economic marriage vs love, and social position in chapter 2 of Gaskell's North and South. For AS Level English Literature.
Notice how Margaret is established as different to the fashionable relatives she’s lived with in London.
A Level English Literature. Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South analysis.
A brief outline of the plot and points of contrast that form the structure of the novel.
A Level English Literature, Elizabeth Gaskell
Looking at how Gaskell builds on the form of the novel used by Austen 50 years previously, but writes in a totally different historical context: in the heart of the Industrial Revolution, setting her novel in the fictional town of Milton, based on Manchester.
A Level English Literature, Elizabeth Gaskell
Revising Dill and Jem’s characters in To Kill a Mockingbird for GCSE English Literature
You may also find my Study Vlog helpful https://youtu.be/cxKmJH7r1aU
How to structure a single character essay whilst including context and the core theme and conflict of the novel
Outlining Christian culture and hypocrisy in Maycomb, contrasting with Calpurnia’s church. Revision podcast for GCSE English Literature.
GCSE English Literature -revision podcast - Boo Radley
You might also like my Study Vlog analysing the section where Boo kills Bob Ewell https://youtu.be/ZPrLJsnzkcI
Giving a brief overview of the different questions on Section A of WJEC units 2 and 3: retrieval, verbal reasoning, text purpose, summary, synthesis, explain, how, what impression, comparison.
You may also find my Study vlog helpful https://youtu.be/sK94aZ_Zfj0
Looking at different aspects of context to explore in a GCSE English Literature essay.
You might also be interested in my Study Vlog https://youtu.be/-Krx1wAL0tc
Key points including the mockingbird symbol, female characters and set up for the trial.
Development of the obsession with Boo Radley ; Miss Maudie and her role as another instructor to Scout.
GCSE English Literature analysis of chapters 2-3 of To Kill a Mockingbird
You may also find my Study Vlog on these chapters helpful https://youtu.be/5DVyCKoxjqs
Looking at historical context, Dill, and Boo Radley as outsider figures who will teach Scout the central theme of empathy. GCSE English Literature.
Exploring the tragic structure and how all the characters, with the exception perhaps of Rodolpho, have to accept the failure if their hopes and dreams. GCSE English Literature.
Key quotes in Act 2 explored, including dramatic devices.
GCSE English Literature
Arthur Miller
Discussing Alfieri's role as a Chorus from Greek tragedy and how he speaks as the voice of reason to an increasingly illogical and agitated Eddie. GCSE English Literature.
Exploring tragic structure and features, language, symbolism and growing conflict between the characters. GCSE English Literature.
A podcast exploring the Bennets and what Austen suggests through their relationship about marriage, parenting and decorum. GCSE English Literature revision.
This podcast explores the GCSE literature mark scheme from WJEC, talking through the assessment objectives for each question using the Summer 2018 paper.
A podcast exploring what satire is and how Austen uses it in 'Pride and Prejudice'. GCSE English Literature revision.
A podcast exploring how Mr Collins is presented throughout the novel, with a focus on Austen's satire of those in her society keen to associate with those higher in rank to raise their own status. For GCSE English Literature on 'Pride and Prejudice'.
Looking at narrative voice, dialogue, structure, relationships, themes and moral code as key aspects of Austen’s technique in 'Pride and Prejudice' when completing extract analysis. GCSE English Literature.
Pride and Prejudice quotes to learn with mileage to explore themes, character and context. Revision for GCSE English Literature, Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.
‘It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.’
‘Mr Darcy may perhaps have heard of such a place as Gracechurch Street, but he would hardly think a month’s ablution enough to cleanse him from its impurities, were he once to enter it’.
‘We were born in the same parish, within the same park; the greatest part of our youth was passed together; inmates of the same house sharing the same amusements, objects of the same parental care.’
‘I have been so fortunate as to be distinguished by the patronage of the Right Honourable Lady Catherine de Bourgh… whose bounty and beneficence has preferred me to the valuable rectory of this parish.’
‘A woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages, to deserve the word.’
‘It does not appear to me that my hand is unworthy your acceptance, or that the establishment I can offer would be any other than highly desirable. My situation in life, my connections with the family of De Bourgh, and my relationship to your own, are circumstances highly in my favour; and you should take it into farther consideration that in spite of your manifold attractions, it is by no means certain that another offer of marriage may ever be made you.’
‘You will laugh when you know where I am gone, and I cannot help laughing myself at your surprise tomorrow morning, as soon as I am missed.’
‘One has got all the goodness, and the other all the appearance of it.’
‘In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.’
‘Mr Collins, to be sure, was neither sensible nor agreeable; his society was irksome, and his attachment to her must be imaginary. But still he would be her husband. Without thinking highly either of men or matrimony, marriage had always been her object; it was the only provision for well-educated young women of small fortune.’
‘She grew absolutely ashamed of herself. Of neither Darcy nor Wickham could she think without feeling that she had been blind, partial, prejudiced, absurd.’
‘Are the shades of Pemberley to be thus polluted?’
Using Freytag's pyramid and tragedy to map the structure of the play and apply to extract and essay responses. GCSE English Literature
A podcast explaining the importance of money, wealth and status in Austen's time, and looking at the varying statuses of different characters such as Bingley, Darcy, Lady Catherine and Collins, contrasted to the Bennet family. GCSE English Literature.
A podcast exploring why life was challenging for women such as Charlotte Lucas, Elizabeth Bennet and Lydia Bennet, understanding the context of the novel. GCSE English Literature revision.
A podcast exploring the character of Jane Bennet in Pride and Prejudice for GCSE English Literature.
Using Text B, this podcast explores how medieval, Renaissance and Reformation ideas influenced Marlowe’s presentation of hell. A Level English Literature.
Exploring what the genre of 'Bildungsroman' is and how it applied to Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice'
GCSE English Literature