Exploring Gender Restrictions Through Albee's Character Martha

Learning Question How does Albee use the character of Martha to explore the constrictions placed on women in society? Learning Outcome To write a RESPONSE exploring the question and addressing the AO3 assessment criteria successfully.

What did the exam board say after last years exam? Some candidates provided generalised context which had little relevance to the question, writing mini-biographies of the writer or including random historical detail which, while accurate, had no relevance to the question. Similarly, those who included context as a bolt-on at the end of a paragraph performed less successfully than those who embedded context within their responses. The best candidates worked outwards from the text and relevant context was used to illuminate the candidate s argument. BAND AO3 Demonstrate understanding of the significance and influence of contexts in which texts are produced This is key context must be relevant to the question you are answering. confident evaluation of impact of contextual factors in shaping the production of texts (weighs up how relevant social factors have influenced the text, context is weaved through response, analysis is detailed) 5 13-16 marks clear awareness of the influence of contextual factors on the production of texts (refers to how relevant social factors have influenced the text, context is weaved through response, analysis is quite detailed) 4 9-12 marks sensible awareness of the influence of contextual factors on the production of texts (refers to social factors without fully exploring them, often at the end of points, some contextual information is not relevant to question) 3 5-8 marks

How does Albee use the character of Martha to explore the constrictions placed on women in society? Band 5 Criteria: Model 2: In Act 3, Albee uses Martha to explore the constrictions placed on women in American society. Through Martha, Albee highlights the hypocrisy of society in 1962 that frowns on women drinking but appears to tolerate excessive drinking in men. Using the derogatory plural common noun lunkheads to describe the men attracted to her, she describes how they need to fuel-up on alcohol. The idiom fuel-up implies that the men need to be intoxicated in order to flirt with her in full view of their wives which emphasises the double-standards in American society as unfaithful behaviour in men appeared to be excused if they had been drinking. Analysis is detailed. Context is weaved through response. Context relates directly to the characters in the play.

Outcome: To write a RESPONSE addressing the AO3 assessment criteria successfully. Question: How does Albee use the character of Martha to explore the constrictions placed on women in society? In Act 3, Albee uses Martha to explore the constrictions placed on women in American society in 1962. Using the derogatory common noun lunk-heads to describe the men who are attracted to her, she describes how they need to fuel-up on alcohol. Through Martha, Albee highlights the hypocrisy of a society that frowns on women drinking but appears to tolerate excessive drinking in men. The idiom fuel-up implies that the men need to be intoxicated in order to flirt with her in full view of their wives which again reveals the double- standards in American society as unfaithful behaviour in men appeared to be excused on the grounds of drunken behaviour. Model 2: Self Assessment: Look back at the model and check that you have included success criteria. Support: Band 5 criteria Model response (support station) In your margin, write a target. This is your opportunity to meet the success criteria before I mark your response.

PLENARY Use your highlighter to highlight your best example of AO3. BAND AO3 Demonstrate understanding of the significance and influence of contexts in which texts are produced Outcome confident evaluation of impact of contextual factors in shaping the production of texts 5 To write a RESPONSE addressing the AO3 assessment criteria successfully. clear awareness of the influence of contextual factors on the production of texts 4

Learning Question How does Albee use the character of Martha to explore the constrictions placed on women in society? Learning Outcome To understand how to write an essay response to this question.

Select and record relevant textual detail. Write any key words/terminology next to them. Childish/crude Act 1 (p.1 14) Insulting E.g: Screw you! exclamative - crude/vulgar Act 1 (p.24 46) Promiscuous Act 2 (p.62 72) Total War Act 2 (p. 80 92) Insecure Act 3 (p. 98 -111) Exposed/ Shattered Act 3 (123 128)

How does Albee use the character of Martha to explore the constrictions placed on women in society? Role of women in Patriarchal society wives and mothers Attitudes towards women Gender inequality Concepts of femininity

Using your structure strips, you will now write up your response to Using your structure strips, you will now write up your response to this question. this question. How does Albee use the character of Martha to explore the How does Albee use the character of Martha to explore the constrictions placed on women in society? constrictions placed on women in society?