AQA A-Level English Literature A Paper 2: Texts in shared contexts (2B), June 2025: Question 1

Question 01

Feminine Gospels – Carol Ann Duffy

Examine the significance of the collection’s title, Feminine Gospels.

You must write about at least two poems in your answer.

[25 marks]

Possible content:

Please refer to pages 4 to 7.

AO5 Explore literary texts informed by different interpretations

Students might consider:

• the implications of the word ‘feminine’, in terms of the collection’s focus on sharing women’s

stories, possibly as a reaction to women being traditionally side-lined by men’s actions and

decisions throughout history, eg ‘Loud’, ‘Tall’, ‘Beautiful’, ‘Work’ and ‘History’

• the implications of the word ‘gospels’ in terms of its promising a new kind of teaching or revelation,

eg as shown in poems that present a revisionist retelling of the biblical gospels of Matthew, Mark,

Luke and John

• Duffy’s decision to dedicate the collection to her four brothers, as listeners rather than authors of

these new ‘gospels’ which tell a new kind of ‘gospel truth’

• that the word ‘gospels’ is a literal translation of the Greek word meaning ‘the good news’, and was

used by the New Testament evangelists to indicate news of salvation or liberation; this may be

seen in poems that celebrate women’s increasing power and status, eg ‘TLOSGH’

• that Duffy is proposing a new way of approaching life, just as the writers of the original gospels

proposed following a new road that departed from established tradition

• poems that contain explicitly religious elements, eg ‘The Virgin’s Memo’

• the fact that the collection is headed by ‘The Long Queen’, who presides over a matriarchy and a

powerful ‘feminine’ collective

• the collection’s concerns with issues that may be seen as typically ‘feminine’ in scope, eg ‘The

Diet’ and ‘The Woman Who Shopped’

• etc.

AO4 Explore connections across literary texts

Focus might be on:

• poetic representations of gender, power and patriarchy in modern literature

• etc.

AO3 Demonstrate understanding of the significance and influence of the contexts in which

literary texts are written and received

Focus might be on:

•12 how attitudes to gender, power and patriarchy are expressed within this poetry collection and how

this reflects changing attitudes over time

• the ways in which poetic methods are an integral part of strengthening the collection’s presentation

of gender, power and patriarchy

• etc.

AO2 Analyse ways in which meanings are shaped in literary texts

Focus might be on:

• aspects of poetic form and genre

• aspects of structure, eg use of stanzas as well as the overall organisation of the collection and the

links and connections that may be made between the sections

• aspects of language, eg rhyme, rhythm and imagery

• etc.

AO1 Articulate informed, personal and creative responses to literary texts, using associated

concepts and terminology, and coherent, accurate written expression

• quality of argument

• organisation of ideas

• use of appropriate concepts and terminology

• technical accuracy.

Accept any valid interpretations, any valid comments on contexts and any valid discussion of

authorial methods.