Comparative and contextual essays - Literature in English A Level Study Notes

Think of a comparative essay like comparing two different types of ice cream – say, chocolate and vanilla. You're not just saying which one you like better; you're looking at their similarities (both are cold, sweet, creamy) and their differences (one is brown, one is white; different flavours). In English Literature, you'll compare two texts (like two poems or two novels) to see how they are alike and different, especially in their ideas, characters, or writing styles.

Now, a contextual essay is like understanding why that chocolate ice cream became popular. Was it because chocolate became easier to get? Did a famous chef invent a new recipe? Context means looking at the 'world' around the text – the time it was written, the society, the politics, the beliefs people had. It helps us understand why an author wrote something the way they did and what messages they were trying to send to their readers. It's like putting on special glasses that let you see the hidden background story of a book!

When you put them together, a comparative and contextual essay means you're comparing two texts and also thinking about the world they came from. It's like comparing chocolate and vanilla ice cream, but also knowing that chocolate ice cream was invented in France in the 17th century, and vanilla became popular later because vanilla beans were easier to import.

Let's imagine you're comparing two popular superhero movies: Spider-Man: Homecoming and Wonder Woman.

1. Comparison: You might compare how Peter Parker (Spider-Man) and Diana Prince (Wonder Woman) both struggle with their new responsibilities. You'd look at their powers, their costumes, and how they interact with the world. You'd notice similarities (both are heroes trying to do good) and differences (Spider-Man is a high-schooler, Wonder Woman is an Amazonian princess).

2. Context: Now, let's add context. Spider-Man: Homecoming came out in 2017. What was happening then? People were very aware of technology, social media, and the challenges of being a teenager in a modern world. The film reflects this with Peter's YouTube videos and his struggle to balance school with heroics. Wonder Woman also came out in 2017, but it's set during World War I. The context of WWI (a huge, devastating war) is crucial. It explains why Diana is so determined to stop Ares and why the world she enters is so different from her peaceful home. The film also came out at a time when there was a lot of discussion about female empowerment, and Wonder Woman became a symbol for many.

So, a comparative and contextual essay would look at how both heroes deal with their powers and responsibilities, but also explain how the specific time and world they exist in (or were created in) shapes their stories and their messages.