OCR GCSE English Literature Exploring poetry and Shakespeare June 2024 question paper J352/02

2h 80 marks

11 questions

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(a)

Compare the ways in which these poems present how a person feels about themselves.

You should consider:

• ideas and attitudes in each poem

• tone and atmosphere in each poem

• the effects of the language and structure used.

[20]

Answer

(b)

AND

Explore in detail one other poem from your anthology which presents a satisfying relationship.

[20]

Answer

Conflict

Read the two poems below and then answer both part (a) and part (b).

You should spend about 45 minutes on part (a) and 30 minutes on part (b).

Songs for the People by Frances E W Harper

Let me make the songs for the people, Songs for the old and young; Songs to stir like a battle-cry Wherever they are sung.

Not for the clashing of sabres, 5 For carnage nor for strife; But songs to thrill the hearts of men With more abundant life.

Let me make the songs for the weary, Amid life’s fever and fret, 10 Till hearts shall relax their tension, And careworn brows forget.

Let me sing for little children, Before their footsteps stray, Sweet anthems of love and duty, 15 To float o’er life’s highway.

I would sing for the poor and aged, When shadows dim their sight; Of the bright and restful mansions, Where there shall be no night. 20

Our world, so worn and weary, Needs music, pure and strong, To hush the jangle and discords Of sorrow, pain, and wrong.

Music to soothe all its sorrow, 25 Till war and crime shall cease; And the hearts of men grown tender Girdle the world with peace.

I look at the world by Langston Hughes

I look at the world From awakening eyes in a black face– And this is what I see: This fenced-off narrow space Assigned to me. 5

I look then at the silly walls Through dark eyes in a dark face– And this is what I know: That all these walls oppression builds Will have to go! 10

I look at my own body With eyes no longer blind– And I see that my own hands can make The world that’s in my mind. Then let us hurry, comrades, 15 The road to find.

(a)

Compare how these poems present a demand for a conflict to end.

You should consider:

• ideas and attitudes in each poem

• tone and atmosphere in each poem

• the effects of the language and structure used.

[20]

Answer

(b)

[20]

Answer

Youth and Age

Read the two poems below and then answer both part (a) and part (b).

You should spend about 45 minutes on part (a) and 30 minutes on part (b).

Holy Thursday by William Blake

‘Twas on a holy Thursday, their innocent faces clean, The children walking two and two in red and blue and green: Grey-headed beadles walked before, with wands as white as snow, Till into the high dome of Paul’s they like Thames waters flow.

O what a multitude they seemed, these flowers of London town! 5 Seated in companies they sit, with radiance all their own. The hum of multitudes was there, but multitudes of lambs, Thousands of little boys and girls raising their innocent hands.

Now like a mighty wind they raise to heaven the voice of song, Or like harmonious thunderings the seats of heaven among: 10 Beneath them sit the aged men, wise guardians of the poor. Then cherish pity, lest you drive an angel from your door.

Lunch by Lotte Kramer

She came in muttering to herself. Old age had not destroyed Her height and bearing.

‘You walked across? Such a rough day.’ The waitress in her chat 5 Showed slight concern.

‘Roast beef today and apple-tart.’ The plastic turban gone Her face was naked:

The twist and movement more revealed, 10 Her bones, a brittle grate, with Beauty burnt away.

Are these the only words each day, The only other hands Holding a plate? 15

And as the radio crackled jazz her unheard, gutted mouth Was never still.

(a)

Compare how these two poems present contrasts between young people and old people.

You should consider:

• ideas and attitudes in each poem

• tone and atmosphere in each poem