Relationships Question

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Relationship Question

First Paragraph

Name your text. Name the author. Refer to the question and say what relationship you are going to discuss.

Second Paragraph

How is the relationship introduced? Have the couple known one another before the action of the play? Do we have a good or a bad impression of the relationship? What sort of people are they? What quotes would you choose to support your answers to each of these questions?

Third Paragraph

Does the relationship face any challenges? Are the challenges posed by the fact that the characters are very different types of people? Are the characters being honest with one another? Is there a power imbalance? Are other people causing any problems in the relationship? Are there other stresses being placed on the relationship? What quotes would you choose to support your answers to each of these questions?

Fourth Paragraph

How are the characters coping with the challenges to their relationship? Are they growing closer or being driven further apart? What quotes would you choose to support your answers to each of these questions?

Fifth Paragraph

Are there any additional challenges to the relationship? How would you describe the relationship at this point? Do you feel hopeful that the relationship will succeed? What quotes would you choose to support your answers to each of these questions?

Sixth Paragraph

Is there a moment in the text when the problems or challenges have caused such tension that the situation comes to a head? What happens? Is there a fight? Are the couple placed in a position from which there is no easy escape? Do they have to make a difficult decision? What quotes would you choose to support your answers to each of these questions? (Not every question may be relevant to your text, of course.)

Seventh Paragraph

How is the situation resolved? Does the relationship end well? Is one character more or less happy than the other at this stage? Do you feel hopeful for the future of the relationship? Do you think the characters have been bettered by the relationship? What feelings are you left with about the characters and the relationship? What quotes would you choose to support your answers to each of these questions? (Not every question may be relevant to your text, of course.)

Eighth Paragraph

How would you summarise the relationship? Did you learn any lesson from it? Refer back to the question again and to any points you made in your introduction. Do not repeat the exact words used in your introduction: vary your vocabulary. Do not introduce any new points in your conclusion, even if you think of something you'd really like to say. Have you a good quote that you could use to end the essay?