Part B: Mark Scheme and Model Answer (OCR GCSE English Literature): Model Answers

Part B: Mark Scheme and Model Answer

• Mark Scheme: For the comparative essay, all five assessment objectives (AO1 to AO5) are equally weighted. Top marks are awarded for an essay that demonstrates an excellent understanding of both texts, with a well-structured argument that effectively explores connections and contrasts between the texts. Consistent and precise use of literary terms, along with a deep understanding of context and critical perspectives, is essential.

Model Answer comparing DNA and an Inspector calls

In both DNA by Dennis Kelly and An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley, the theme of collective responsibility is central, but it is approached differently in each play. In DNA, Kelly explores how a group of teenagers try to cover up a tragic accident. As the group members manipulate each other and shift the blame, Kelly highlights the darker side of human nature, showing how people can avoid responsibility and even dehumanise others to protect themselves. The moral decay within the group suggests that without taking responsibility, society is capable of cruelty.

In contrast, An Inspector Calls presents collective responsibility as a moral duty. Priestley uses the character of the Inspector as a moral guide, showing the interconnectedness of society. The Inspector's speeches, particularly "we are members of one body," convey Priestley's socialist message: that all actions have consequences, and the failure to accept responsibility leads to suffering. The play is a critique of the selfishness of the upper classes, who fail to acknowledge their role in others' misfortune, much like the characters in DNA.

Despite these differences, both texts explore the idea that ignoring responsibility can lead to devastating consequences. In DNA, the group falls apart, and in An Inspector Calls, the Birlings' moral failure is exposed. In both plays, the younger characters (Sheila and Eric in An Inspector Calls; Leah in DNA) show more potential for change, suggesting hope for the future. This reflects the idea that the next generation might learn from past mistakes and embrace collective responsibility, a key message in both works.

Priestley's play is deeply rooted in post-war socialist ideals, with the Inspector symbolising a force for moral justice. On the other hand, Kelly's DNA reflects modern anxieties about peer pressure and the absence of moral authority, making both plays relevant to their respective periods but offering universal lessons about the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions.