Comparative Link Plans

Question 1

My Last Duchess
v
Little Red Cap

Answer 1

Man holds power over woman
Abuse of power from wealthy but insecure male
Resisting control as strong, independent female
Criticise patriarchal norms

Question 2

A Woman’s Last Word
v
Pygmalion’s Bride

Answer 2

Oppressive nature of patriarchal ideals
Forced to appear submissive to conform
Ridicules idealisations and lack of commitment
Exploits patriarchal norms to own benefit

Question 3

Porphyria’s Lover
v
Rip van Winkle

Answer 3

Females are victims to the possessions
Tragic murder of Porphyria criticises absurdity of patriarchal norms
Subjugation of Mrs RvW as warning to actively oppose oppression
Create pathos to convey message

Question 4

Porphyria’s Lover
v
Pygmalion’s Bride

Answer 4

Criticise unreasonable gender expectations
Satirise obsession with possession
Ridicule and exploit norms
Oppose possessive attitudes

Question 5

A Woman’s Last Word
v
Mrs Rip van Winkle

Answer 5

Women are forced to submit to men
Appears to conform to norms for persuasion
Temporary freedom if without active resistance
Disdain for need to submit to men

Question 6

My Last Duchess
v
Mrs Aesop

Answer 6

Submission furthers oppression
Extent of oppression if the male is not resisted
Power dynamic can be subverted when actively resisted
Submission is directly related to oppression

Question 7

A Woman’s Last Word
v
Little Red Cap/ Mrs Aesop

Answer 7

Women reclaim their voices from men in a patriarchal society
Ostensibly conforming to social norms
Actively subverting power dynamics and ridiculing patriarchal norms
Giving women a voice, symbolic of power

Question 8

My Last Duchess/ Pictor Ignotus
v
Mrs Aesop

Answer 8

Insecurity of characters
Own perception of self-image reveals contradictions
Insult and emasculation by a female directly reveals insecurities
Insecuriities used to ridicule character (eg. men))