Key points
For Edexcel, Boys Don’t Cry is examined in Paper 1, Section B: Post 1914 Prose/ Drama.
You will be asked to write an essay on a character, theme or relationship from Boys Don’t Cry.
This is a closed book exam so you will not be allowed to take a copy of the text in with you.
Remember
In your answer you should:
Write about key ideas, moments and characters
Refer to the novel as a whole
Refer to the wider Context refers to the background of a novel. It includes ideas about the author and important events and issues that were happening at the time it was written. and Blackman’s messages in the novel
Write carefully and check your work.
GCSE Exam-style question
You will usually be given a choice of two questions. You should only answer one.
The questions will contain and quotation and ask you to write about a character, theme or relationship from Boys Don’t Cry.
Read both questions fully before you choose and think carefully – which topic do you know most about?
Then carefully underline or highlight the key words.
Example question
Dante: "Melanie had turned up at my house and thrown a bomb into my whole life."
How are strong feelings presented in the novel?
Refer to context in your answer.
Remember
The quotation is there to help you answer the question. Ask yourself:
How does it link to the focus of the question?
Which moment in the book is this quotation from and why is it significant?
Does this quotation link to any other key events in the novel?
Inspecting the question
Assessment objectives
Your exam response will be marked using Assessment Objectives (AOs).
The ones for this question are below.
| What is the objective? | How do I do well? |
|---|---|
| AO1: The quality of your ideas, understanding of the text and use of supporting evidence | Stay focused on the question and show that you understand the text and the writer’s messages well. Use evidence clearly and carefully to support your answer. |
| AO3: Use of contextual ideas to support your argument | When it’s relevant, refer to context points that support your answer. These can be social, historical or biographical. |
| AO4: Accurate spelling, punctuation and grammar. | Check your writing carefully for errors. Paragraph your work and try to make sure your meaning is clear. |
Activity
Planning your answer
You should take a few minutes to plan your answer before you start writing.
You could bullet point your ideas, create a mind-map, or use any other method that works for you.
Top tips
Choose four or five key events from across the book that link directly to the question
Make sure to make links to the wider context of the book or Blackman’s wider message.
Write about events in the order they happen in the book as this allows you to show shifts in characters.
At the start of your answer, it is helpful to have a short introduction. An effective introduction should give a summary of the ideas you are about to present, and link to the question and the writer’s message.
After your introduction, each paragraph should include:
A topic sentence, which uses some of the language of the question, to introduce your argument
Evidence that supports your argument
Analysis of the effects of language or dramatic techniques
A final sentence that acts as a mini-summary.
You could include a short conclusion at the end of your answer to summarise the points you have made.
What if I can’t remember an exact quotation?
This is a closed book examination meaning you need to learn some key quotations from the novel. If you cannot exactly remember a quotation, try and describe the specific event or idea by to explain an idea or quotation in your own words.
For example, "my life is being flushed down the loo" could be paraphrased as Dante uses the comparison of something going down a toilet to explain how he feels about becoming a parent.
Example answers
Read and compare these two sample answers to the question:
Dante: "Melanie had turned up at my house and thrown a bomb into my whole life."
How are strong feelings presented in the novel?
Refer to context in your answer.
Answer 1
Answers could include:
At the beginning of the novel Dante does not accept Emma and hates being a parent. He tells us "Melanie had turned up at my house and thrown a bomb into my whole life". Dante uses the metaphor of a "bomb" because Emma suddenly destroyed all of his plans like going to university, which could help him get a better job and earn more money. Dante has to be a full-time single parent which is a big change for a teenager to deal with and the additional financial stress will probably mean that he'll struggle to pay for everything Emma needs.
Feedback
This response gives a clear point that links characters to the question with a precise quotation.
It links to the wider context of the book, in this case the opportunities provided by education in the UK.
The response develops the analysis in some detail.
To improve, the response could include more than one quotation.
Further links could be developed to the rest of the book and to the context.
The response could be linked more clearly to 'strong feelings' with a min-summary sentence.
Answer 2
Answers could include:
At the beginning of the novel Dante feels strong feelings of shock and denial. He does not accept Emma and struggles to accept his new reality of being a parent. When describing the events early in the novel, Dante reflects that "Melanie had turned up at my house and thrown a bomb into my whole life". By using the metaphor of a "bomb", Blackman emphasises how sudden and shocking Emma's arrival had felt to him - Dante feels like his life has been suddenly destroyed.
Furthermore, by comparing Emma to a weapon, Dante also shows how he feels that Emma is a threat to him - his way of life and future. His chances of going to university are now slim and this could impact on his career and earnings. Blackman has talked about how she felt that her teachers didn't encourage her to apply for further education when she was at school. Dante's character could reflect some of the frustration and anger the author may have felt at not being encouraged to achieve her potential. Dante must deal with these strong, negative emotions whilst finding a way to support Emma , which will be incredibly challenging for a teenager to do.
Feedback
This response gives a detailed point that links characters to the question.
There are precise quotations that support the point and reference more than one idea.
There is analysis of how the wider context of the novel drives the plot, including reference to author’s own experiences.
The response could also consider how readers might respond to Dante’s situation.
The writer's message could be explored further, For example:
Blackman may be reminding readers that becoming a parent is an incredibly challenging experience, especially for teenagers who have not yet finished their education. Therefore we may feel that as a society we should offer more support for new parents, such as childcare solutions for those who want to attend university.
GCSE English literature revision podcasts. audio
Whether you're at home or on the go, listen to these podcasts by Bitesize and BBC Sounds to refresh your memory of key texts.
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