ENGLISH HOME LANGUAGE PAPER 2
GRADE 12
SENIOR CERTIFICATE EXAMINATIONS
MAY/JUNE2017

INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION

1. Read this page carefully before you begin to answer the questions.
2. Do not attempt to read the entire question paper. Consult the table of contents on page 4 and mark the numbers of the questions set on texts you have studied. Thereafter, read these questions and choose the ones you wish to answer.
3. This question paper consists of THREE sections:
   SECTION A: Poetry (30 marks)
   SECTION B: Novel (25 marks)
   SECTION C: Drama (25 marks)
4. Answer FIVE QUESTIONS in all: THREE from SECTION A, ONE from SECTION B and ONE from SECTION C as follows:
   SECTION A: POETRY
   PRESCRIBED POETRY – Answer TWO questions.
   UNSEEN POETRY – COMPULSORY question.
   SECTION B: NOVEL
   Answer ONE question.
   SECTION C: DRAMA
   Answer ONE question.
5. CHOICE OF ANSWERS FOR SECTIONS B (NOVEL) AND C (DRAMA):
   
   • Answer questions ONLY on the novel and the drama you have studied.
   • Answer ONE essay question and ONE contextual question. If you answer the essay question in SECTION B, you must answer the contextual question in SECTION C. If you answer the contextual question in SECTION B, you must answer the essay question in SECTION C. Use the checklist to assist you.
6. LENGTH OF ANSWERS:
   
   • The essay question on Poetry should be answered in about 250–300 words.
   • Essay questions on the Novel and Drama sections should be answered in 400–450 words.
   • The length of answers to contextual questions should be determined by the mark allocation. Candidates should aim for conciseness and relevance.
7. Follow the instructions at the beginning of each section carefully.
8. Number your answers correctly according to the numbering system used in this question paper.
9. Start EACH section on a NEW page.
10. Suggested time management:
    SECTION A: approximately 40 minutes
    SECTION B: approximately 55 minutes
    SECTION C: approximately 55 minutes
11. Write neatly and legibly.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

*NOTE:
In SECTIONS B and C, answer ONE ESSAY and ONE CONTEXTUAL question.
You may NOT answer TWO essay questions or TWO contextual questions.
CHECKLIST
Use this checklist to ensure that you have answered the correct number of questions.

NOTE:
In SECTIONS B and C, ensure that you have answered ONE ESSAY question and ONE CONTEXTUAL question.
You may NOT answer TWO essay questions or TWO contextual questions.

SECTION A: POETRY
PRESCRIBED POETRY
Answer any TWO of the following questions.
QUESTION 1: POETRY – ESSAY QUESTION
Read the poem below and then answer the question that follows.

Blake portrays the suffering citizens of London as being responsible for their own oppression.
By close reference to diction, imagery and tone, critically discuss the validity of this statement.
Your response should take the form of a well-constructed essay of 250–300 words (about ONE page). [10]

QUESTION 2: POETRY – CONTEXTUAL QUESTION

2.1 How does the first stanza evoke admiration for Winter? (2)
2.2 Explain the implication of the word, 'brim' (line 14) in the context of the third stanza. (2)
2.3 Refer to line 10: 'Let in the needles of the noon.'
Comment on the appropriateness of this image in context. (3)
2.4 Campbell's poem is about the interdependence of the seasons.
To what extent do you agree with the above statement? Justify your response with reference to the poem as a whole. (3)
[10]

QUESTION 3: POETRY – CONTEXTUAL QUESTION

3.1 What are the implications of the word, 'home' (line 3) in context? (2)
3.2 Explain the effect of personifying the sun in stanza 1. (2)
3.3 Refer to lines 10–14: 'Are limbs, so … sleep at all?'
Comment on how the rhetorical questions introduce a change of tone in the poem. (3)
3.4 In 'Futility', Wilfred Owen strongly opposes the idea that it is noble and good to die for one's country.
To what extent do you agree with the above statement? Justify your response with reference to the poem as a whole. (3)
[10]

QUESTION 4: POETRY – CONTEXTUAL QUESTION
Read the poem below and then answer the questions that follow.

IN DETENTION – Chris van Wyk
4.1 What would the police like people to believe about the deaths of prisoners in detention? (2)
4.2 What is the significance of using the pronoun, 'He', throughout the poem? (2)
4.3 Comment on the appropriateness of the tone of the poem. (3)
4.4 'In Detention' is a satirical poem.
To what extent do you agree with the above statement? Justify your response with reference to the poem as a whole. (3)
[10]

AND

UNSEEN POETRY (COMPULSORY)
QUESTION 5: UNSEEN POETRY – CONTEXTUAL QUESTION

Glossary: immanent 1 – ingrained; inevitable
5.1 What impression does the word, 'restless' (line 2) suggest about life on the docks? (2)
5.2 Account for the speaker's use of the word, 'cockroach' (line 3) to describe the police cars. (2)
5.3 Refer to line 5: 'violence like a bug-infested rag'.
Comment on the effectiveness of this image in the context of the poem. (3)
5.4 The title of the poem is ironic.
To what extent do you agree with the above statement? Justify your response with reference to the poem as a whole. (3)
[10]
TOTAL SECTION A: 30

SECTION B: NOVEL
Answer ONLY on the novel you have studied.
ANIMAL FARM – George Orwell
Answer EITHER QUESTION 6 (essay question) OR QUESTION 7 (contextual question).

Related Items

QUESTION 6: ANIMAL FARM – ESSAY QUESTION
Animal Farm explores the notion that characters can be both admirable and seriously flawed.
Critically assess the validity of the above statement.
Your response should take the form of a well-constructed essay of 400–450 words (2–2½ pages). [25]

QUESTION 7: ANIMAL FARM – CONTEXTUAL QUESTION
Read the extracts below and then answer the questions that follow.
EXTRACT A


7.1 Account for Napoleon's wanting to blame Snowball for the destruction of the windmill. (3)
7.2 Refer to lines 9–12: 'Snowball has done … nearly a year.'
Is Napoleon accurate in his characterisation of Snowball? Justify your response. (3)
7.3 Refer to lines 20–21: 'This very morning … rain or shine.'
Explain Napoleon's reasons for insisting that the animals 'begin rebuilding the windmill'. (3)
7.4 Comment on the atmosphere that has developed on Animal Farm. (3)
AND
EXTRACT B


7.5 Place the above extract in context. (3)
7.6 Refer to lines 6–13: 'Hitherto the animals … from now onwards.'
Symbols and rituals play an important role in the daily life of Animal Farm.
Comment on the fact that the symbols and rituals are abolished by the pigs. (3)
7.7 Refer to lines 19–21: 'I will give … The Manor Farm!'
Drawing on your knowledge of the novel as a whole, discuss the irony of Napoleon's 'toast'. (3)
7.8 Animal Farm is a criticism of a totalitarian regime.
Critically discuss whether the novel is successful as a criticism of totalitarianism. (4)
[25]

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE – Jane Austen
Answer EITHER QUESTION 8 (essay question) OR QUESTION 9 (contextual question).
QUESTION 8: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE – ESSAY QUESTION
In Pride and Prejudice the main character is both admirable and significantly flawed.
Critically assess the validity of the above statement.
Your response should take the form of a well-constructed essay of 400–450 words (2–2½ pages). [25]

QUESTION 9: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE – CONTEXTUAL QUESTION
Read the extracts below and then answer the questions that follow.
EXTRACT C

9.1 Refer to lines 1–3: 'She has only … than many girls.'
What does Mrs Bennet's observation in line 3 suggest about the financial position of women in Austen's society? (3)
9.2 Refer to lines 5–7: 'Lady Catherine herself … of distinguished birth.'
How do these lines contribute to your understanding of Lady Catherine's character? (3)
9.3 Refer to lines 13–15: 'These are the … bound to pay.'
Suggest why Mr Collins feels indebted to Lady Catherine. (3)
9.4 Refer to lines 16–23: ' "You judge very ... were fully answered.'
Comment on how Mr Bennet's expectations of Mr Collins 'were fully answered'. (3)
AND
EXTRACT D

9.5 Refer to line 3: 'But I was embarrassed.'
Account for Elizabeth's embarrassment. (3)
9.6 Comment on the significance of Darcy's acknowledgement in line 4, 'And so was I.' (3)
9.7 Discuss how Elizabeth's assessment that Lady Catherine ought to be 'happy' (line 13) is ironic in this context. (3)
9.8 In EXTRACT D, Darcy and Elizabeth are engaged in a serious conversation.
Do you think that this conversation is unorthodox or unusual in Austen's society? Justify your response (4)
[25]

THE GREAT GATSBY – F Scott Fitzgerald
Answer EITHER QUESTION 10 (essay question) OR QUESTION 11 (contextual question).
QUESTION 10: THE GREAT GATSBY – ESSAY QUESTION
Gatsby is both admirable and significantly flawed. However, his admirable qualities are more significant than his flaws.
Critically assess the validity of the above statement.
Your response should take the form of a well-constructed essay of 400–450 words (2–2½ pages). [25]

QUESTION 11: THE GREAT GATSBY – CONTEXTUAL QUESTION
Read the extracts below and then answer the questions that follow.
EXTRACT E

11.1 Refer to line 9: 'I think he hardly knew what he was saying'.
Account for Gatsby's current state of mind. (3)
11.2 Refer to lines 1–2: 'My house looks … catches the light.'
Explain the significance of Gatsby's house. (3)
11.3 Refer to lines 13–14: 'Do you mean … the other night?'
Comment on what this question indicates about Nick's and Gatsby's respective moral codes. (3)
11.4 Suggest how Gatsby's parties reflect the lifestyle of many people in Fitzgerald's America. (3)
AND
EXTRACT F

11.5 Account for the confrontation between Tom and Gatsby. (3)
11.6 Refer to lines 3–4: 'I picked him … wasn't far wrong.'
Discuss the irony of Tom's attitude to Gatsby. (3)
11.7 Refer to lines 22–23: 'But with every word she was drawing further and further into herself'.
Comment on whether Daisy's reaction in this extract is typical of her character up to this point in the novel. (3)
11.8 Refer to lines 23–24: 'only the dead dream fought on as the afternoon slipped away'.
Using this extract as a starting point, critically discuss to what extent Gatsby's dream has been unattainable from the beginning. (4)
[25]
TOTAL SECTION B: 25

SECTION C: DRAMA
Answer ONLY on the play you have studied.
OTHELLO – William Shakespeare
Answer EITHER QUESTION 12 (essay question) OR QUESTION 13 (contextual question).
QUESTION 12: OTHELLO – ESSAY QUESTION
To a significant degree, Othello deserves what happens to him.
Critically discuss the extent to which you agree with the above statement.
Your response should take the form of a well-constructed essay of 400–450 words (2–2½ pages). [25]

QUESTION 13: OTHELLO – CONTEXTUAL QUESTION
Read the extracts below and then answer the questions that follow.
EXTRACT G


13.1 Refer to lines 3–5: 'Tush – never tell ... know of this.'
Account for Roderigo's current state of mind. (3)
13.2 Explain how this extract sets the scene for the events that follow. (3)
13.3 Refer to lines 6–8: ' 'Sblood, but you ... Abhor me.'
Suggest how Iago's choice of language is intended to influence Roderigo. (3)
13.4 Refer to line 14: 'But he, as loving his own pride and purposes'.
Discuss the irony in Iago's description of Othello.(3)
AND
EXTRACT H


13.5 Refer to line 4: 'I will in Cassio's lodging lose this napkin'.
Explain the significance of the handkerchief in the play. (3)
13.6 Refer to line 10: 'Thou hast set me on the rack.'
Discuss how this image contributes to your understanding of Othello's state of mind at this stage in the play. (3)
13.7 Refer to Iago's responses to Othello in the following lines:
'Why, how now, General! No more of that.' (Line 9)
'How now, my lord?' (Line 13)
'I am sorry to hear this.' (Line 20)
Comment on Iago's intention in these lines. In your response, deal with these lines together and not separately. (3)
13.8 Refer to Othello's speech in lines 21–33: 'I had been … Othello's occupation's gone.'
Is Othello justified in making this highly dramatic speech? Argue in support of your response, using your knowledge of the play as a whole. (4)
[25]

THE CRUCIBLE – Arthur Miller
Answer EITHER QUESTION 14 (essay question) OR QUESTION 15 (contextual question).
QUESTION 14: THE CRUCIBLE – ESSAY QUESTION
To a significant degree, the hero of The Crucible deserves what happens to him.
Critically discuss the extent to which you agree with the above statement.
Your response should take the form of a well-constructed essay of 400–450 words (2–2½ pages). [25]

QUESTION 15: THE CRUCIBLE – CONTEXTUAL QUESTION
Read the extracts below and then answer the questions that follow.
EXTRACT I

15.1 Refer to lines 5–6: 'How can it be the Devil? Why should he choose my house to strike?'
Account for Parris's current state of mind. (3)
15.2 Refer to the stage directions in line 10: 'Now HALE takes her [Tituba's] hand. She is surprised.'
Suggest why Tituba is surprised when Hale takes her hand. (3)
15.3 Refer to Hale's 'rising exaltation' (line 18).
What does Hale's response reveal about his attitude at this stage of the play? (3)
15.4 Refer to lines 18–19: 'You are God's … are selected, Tituba'.
Discuss how Hale's words to Tituba have an influence on the other girls in the village. (3)
AND
EXTRACT J

15.5 Explain the significance of Danforth's eyes narrowing in line 9. (3)
15.6 Discuss the irony in 'I am not empowered to trade your life for a lie' (lines 15–16). (3)
15.7 Refer to the following lines:
'When the Devil … in his company?' (Lines 1–2)
'To your knowledge was Rebecca Nurse ever – ' (Line 24)
Comment on why Rebecca Nurse is targeted by Danforth. (3)
15.8 Refer to line 25: '(Crying out, with hatred.)'
Is Proctor justified in being consumed by hatred? Argue in support of your response, using your knowledge of the play as a whole. (4)
[25]

TOTAL SECTION C:25
GRAND TOTAL:80