Syllabus

Read through this and ensure you use the language of it in your responses.

Elective II: Texts in Time
In this elective students compare how the treatment of similar content in a pair of texts composed in different times and contexts may reflect changing values and perspectives. By considering the texts in their contexts and comparing values, ideas and language forms and features, students come to a heightened understanding of the meaning and significance of each text.


These are some practise questions for year 12, think about how they could be adapted for year 11. Obviously some things would change.

Adaptations of Past HSC Questions
1) Analyse the ways in which a comparative study of Frankenstein and Blade Runner invites consideration of humanity’s connection with the natural world.

2) Texts in Time involves portrayals, in varying contexts, of the individual and the natural world.Analyse TWO differences between Shelley’s and Scott’s portrayals, making detailed reference to your prescribed texts.

3) How does a comparative study of Frankenstein and Blade Runner bring to the fore ideas about the consequences of the desire for control?In your response, make detailed reference to your TWO prescribed texts.

4) When they are considered together, how do Shelley’s and Scott’s representations sustain interest in humanity’s relationship with nature?

5) How has your perception of Texts in Time been illuminated by your comparative study of the prescribed texts?

6) You have studied two texts composed at different times. When you compared these texts and their contexts, how was your understanding of each text developed and reshaped.

7) In comparing your TWO texts you will have to become aware of how the contexts of the texts have shaped their form and meaning. Of more interest, perhaps is the comparison of the values associated with each text.To what extent has this point of view been your experience to your study of Texts in Time?

8) Compare how TWO prescribed texts you have studied explore the tension between humanity and the natural world.

Questions used by school etc: 1. The creators of Frankenstein and Blade Runner have anchored their visions in the social and cultural realities of their time. Despite contextual differences, however, at the heart of both texts is a fear that we may not be able to control what we create. Is this your view of these texts?

2. Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, and Blade Runner, directed by Ridley Scott, share many common attributes, most notably, that time has demonstrated both texts’ significance to society. Explore this statement.

3. To what extent do the two texts present similar or different criticisms of society?

4. Similar issues, explored in different contexts, may reflect changes in values and perspectives. How is this demonstrated in the comparison of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner?

5. In spite of different contexts and values, both Shelley and Scott are concerned with the question of what constitutes true humanity. Explore this statement.

6. “What does it mean to be human?” Explore this statement in relation to Blade Runner and Frankenstein.

7. Both Frankenstein and Blade Runner share a common premise. If humanity, through scientific advancement, is able to create life artificially, then ethical quandary will arise. How are the relationships between the creator and created used by Scott and Shelley to illustrate a common premise. In your response also explore how they reflect societal concerns of the time in which they were composed.