Translations by Brian Friel

[CLOWN TICKLE]

Has anyone studied this for A Level, can they give me any help

[nicnic]

I studied it quite a few years ago...what sort of help are you looking for?

[CLOWN TICKLE]

My daughter is doing it for A level via ICS and am not sure what thew examiner is looking for, though Im a teacher its not of english so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[nicnic]

I think part of A Level English Lit is looking at the play in context, so read around the subject to gain the full understanding. Apart from going into the specifics of this play, they'll look for accurate use of quotations, insights into imagery and characters. One massive thing in this play is the use of language and the links to Greek myths, look at the way the irish language is used. Also how can in relate to the modern world - one major theme is the fact that nobody is listening to each other. I'm not sure if this will work but here's a web page on the historical context http://www.qub.ac.uk/en/imperial/ireland/trans.htm Sorry for not being more help, as it was about 7 years ago that I studied this and unless you have a specific question i'm probably no good!!

[Quizmonkey]

I played Owen in a great production of it about five years ago - it's an amazing play, probably my favourite Friel. Not sure what you're looking for...

[maxdragon]

A top play by a brilliant author. Interesting parallel ideas about the link between language and culture; that a nations culture exists within the context of its language and seems dislocated outside it. That is set against the background of cultural domination by an aggressive foreign power.

Studied it a great deal! Specify what you need and I've probably got an essay about it somewhere.

[maxdragon]

Forgot to mention the context of the 'school'. At the historical time in question, all official schools had been disbanded by the British authorities. It was technically illegal to educate an Irish person, hence the 'hedge' schools which took place in out of the way locations such as barns, in secret.

My own Grandfather was just old enough to have been affected by this and never learned to read/write as a consequence. (until my father learned and taught his father).

This is a background of which an Irish audience/readership would be aware. It represents a conscious attempt by the colonial power to eradicate the native culture.