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.By Sophie Toovey

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.By Sophie Toovey

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.By Sophie Toovey

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.By Sophie Toovey

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.By Sophie Toovey

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.By Sophie Toovey

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 ShakespeareBy Sophie Toovey

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 SouthBy Sophie Toovey

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.By Sophie Toovey

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 ende…

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.By Sophie Toovey

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 impropriet…

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 fu…

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 o…

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…

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 w…

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, a…

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 maturati…

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 …

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 bo…

“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.By Sophie Toovey

London, Helstone and Milton. What do these different settings represent? A Level English Literature. Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South.By Sophie Toovey

Making connections and exploring memories in Jugged Hare, From Father to Son and His Father, Singing- from the WJEC Poetry anthology for controlled assessment.By Sophie Toovey

Exploring the meaning of 'Jugged Hare' for GCSE English Literature. This poem is part of WJEC's anthology for controlled assessment.By Sophie Toovey

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.By Sophie Toovey

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.By Sophie Toovey

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.By Sophie Toovey

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.By Sophie Toovey

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.By Sophie Toovey

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.By Sophie Toovey

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 an…

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.By Sophie Toovey

Why a poem is like a puzzle and a circleWhy it’s important to look for layers of meaningRevision help for tackling unseen poetryBy Sophie Toovey

GCSE English literature revision podcast, exploring the friendship of George and Lennie.By Sophie Toovey

GCSE English literature revision podcast. What is the significance of dreams in Of Mice and Men?By Sophie Toovey

What elements of a morality play can be seen in Doctor Faustus? What message does the play carry? A Level English Literature study podcastBy Sophie Toovey

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.By Sophie Toovey

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.By Sophie Toovey

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.By Sophie Toovey

"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…

Explaining and teaching what an exposition is for GCSE writing exam.By Sophie Toovey

'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.By Sophie Toovey

Analysis of Larkin's poems 'Here' and 'The Large Cool Store' from the 'Whitsun Weddings'. Part of WJEC AS English Literature specification.By Sophie Toovey

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.By Sophie Toovey

How strong is Lady Macbeth as she sleepwalks and suffers from guilt? GCSE English Literature, ShakespeareBy Sophie Toovey

How strong is Lady Macbeth as she persuades Macbeth to kill Duncan and takes charge of the situation? GCSE English Literature, ShakespeareBy Sophie Toovey

How strong is Lady Macbeth at the start of the play? Analysis of her soliloquy 'The raven himself is hoarse'. GCSE English Literature, ShakespeareBy Sophie Toovey

Comparing 'Who's for the game?' by Jessie Pope with 'Dulce et decorum est' by Wilfred Owen. WWI poetry comparison.By Sophie Toovey