This document outlines the three-part process for answering character or theme questions about a text. Part 1 involves identifying general elements about how the character point or theme is handled in the whole work. Part 2 analyzes how the character point or theme is shown specifically in the given extract, using quotes as evidence. Part 3 discusses how the character point or theme is developed elsewhere in the text, using references and quotes from other parts as evidence. The document provides an example of applying this three-part structure to answer a sample question about a character in a novel.

2. THREE PARTS
This question will always be about something related to
character or theme in the extract you’ve been given and
the text as a whole.
There are three processes you must go through when
answering this question.
1) Identify what the SQA calls “elements of commonality.” (2
marks)
2) Analyse how the character point/theme is established
within the extract (2 marks)
3) Show how it is developed in the rest of the text. (6 marks)

3. “ELEMENTS OF COMMONALITY”
For us this essentially means stating in very general terms how the
character point or theme is handled in the novel as a whole.
For example
Q. In the novel, Duror is presented not just as an evil character, but
one who might be worthy of some sympathy. With reference to
this extract and elsewhere in the novel, explain how both
aspects of Duror’s character are portrayed.
A. In the novel Duror is presented as an evil character because he
persecutes and tortures the innocent Cone Gatherers due to
their perceived imperfections. However, he is also sympathetic
because he has many problems and difficulties in his personal
life. (2 marks)

4. EXTRACT
A further two marks can be gained by analysing how the character
point/theme is shown in the extract. You should use quotations in this
part of your answer. You will get 2 marks for a detailed comment with a
quote, 1 mark for a basic comment with a quote, and 0 for a quote
alone.
Example
In the extract Duror’s evil is shown as “he was going to lie again, this time
knowing it would implicate her in his chosen evil.” His evil nature is
shown to be a corrupting influence on Lady Runcie Campbell, and
Duror is shown to be committing this evil willingly, with full knowledge
of right and wrong. However, later in the extract Lady Runcie Campbell
talks with Duror about his wife. “She noticed how pale he had turned,
how ill he looked.” This reminds us of Duror’s problems with his wife
and the many years of mental suffering he has endured because of her
condition, which reminds us that he is in some ways a sympathetic
character. (2 marks)

5. THE REST OF THE TEXT
You can get up to a further 6 marks for reference and comment to the rest of
the text. In this part of the question, you will be rewarded for quoting OR
referencing another relevant part of the text. You can get up to three marks
here for giving appropriate references. The other three come from your
comment/analysis.
Example
Duror’s evil is shown in the rest of the text in a number of places. He lurks in
the woods fantasizing about murdering the Cone Gatherers near the
beginning of the novel (1 mark) This shows he sees them as inferior
beings, like the animals in the woods that he hunts (1 mark)
The lies he spreads to the housekeeper about Calum exposing himself in the
wood (1 mark) show his desire to corrupt Calum’s innocence in the eyes of
others (1 mark)
However, we can feel some sympathy for him when he collapses and cries
out for Peggy at the end of the deer drive (1 mark) as this shows that he is
mentally ill and is suffering due to the years of struggle with his wife. (1
mark)

6. NOW LET’S PRACTISE
Follow this structure and – assuming you know
the text well enough – you should get full marks
every time.
You have an extract in front of you now. Using the
structure we have just discussed, answer
question 36 only.