Textual Conversations
The main idea behind Module A is that it is a comparative study of two different texts. These texts are always connected in some way. In most cases, you’ll be given one older text along with a newer text that is based on, inspired by or adapted from the older one. Your essay responses should analyse the relationship between them.
Let’s take a look at HOW to do that based on some phrases from the rubric.
Resonances and dissonances means you should be thinking about the ways in which your texts are similar and different.
Obvious things to consider are similarities and differences in the plot and characters. Compare how the stories begin, unfold and end. Think about how the on text’s characters are like or unlike their counterparts in the other text.
Once you’ve done this, however, you should look a bit deeper at how the texts explore certain themes and concepts. Your prescribed texts will always deal with similar topics and share important thematic ideas—your job is to think about similarities and differences in the way these topics and ideas are presented by the two composers. For example, you could analyse how two texts are dissonant in how they address the concept of Colonialism, or how the themes of Power and Revenge resonate similarly through both texts.
When you do this, it is important to think about another key phrase in the rubric: the conventions, contexts, values and purpose of the texts.
A big part of Module A is understanding the historical and contextual background of the texts you are studying. In other words, you should consider what kind of world each composer was living in. After you’ve done that, you should also think about how the composer’s world influenced their composition. Ask yourself: how did the composer’s environment shape how the text’s themes were explored? Once you’ve answered this question for both texts, there are two conclusions you can reach:
- The two composers’ different contexts resulted in a dissonance in the way a theme is presented. This reflects how times have changed.
- There is a resonance in the way a theme is presented despite a difference in context. This reflects how certain things are timeless and enduring.
One final thing to address is how a text reimagines or reframes the other text. This is very similar to what we have already done so far. It means that we have to discuss how a composer deliberately adapts the ideas of another composer in order to explore different perspectives and present new ideas. In Module A, analysis of these sorts of adaptations usually requires a solid understanding of the social, historical and cultural factors influencing composers. Questions to ask include:
- How has Composer 1 reshaped Composer 2’s through a feminist lens?
- How has Composer 1 adapted Composer 2’s ideas to better reflect modern-day values?
- How has Composer 1 challenged Composer 2’s representation of colonisation? Is Composer 1 a postcolonial author?
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