Critical Essay - The Test Flashcards
What is the first paragraph for the essay?
‘The Test’ by Angelica Gibbs is a disturbing and thought provoking short story that successfully (changes depending on Q). The protagonist Marian is attempting her second driving test when she has to endure unacceptable racist taunts from her instructor. Through the writers key use of characterisation, key incidents and dialogue she conveys the appalling treatment Marian suffers as a result of the deep-seated racist attitudes prevalent in her society.
What is the first and second paragraph for the quote; “ They probably do like it better when a white person shows up with you “?
1) Early on in the short story, through Gibbs’s use of dialogue. The theme of racial prejudice is hinted at, when Mrs Ericson says that Marian’s cousin may have put her off in the last test and Marian States
2) This shows the reader that Marian is aware of racial prejudice in her society and through Gibbs’s use of foreshadowing, the reader gets the idea that this may play a part in the outcome in Marian’s test.
(If sympathy for a character could also add the fact that Mrs Ericson is in-denial to this, shown by quote “ Oh I don’t think it’s that “)
(Could also talk about how this is made more conceivable through the setting)
What is the first and second paragraph for the quote; “ If i could only pay you half of what your worth “
1) The readers sympathy towards Marian grows when talking about how Marian is such a big help Marian’s employer exclaims
2) Through Gibbs’s use of dialogue the reader feels intense sympathy for Martian due to the fact that we know that Marian is very helpful and hard working however she gets paid very poorly for the amount of work she does
What is the first and second paragraph for the quote; “ The inspector who finally reached the car was… a genial, middle aged man who grinned broadly “?
1) Despite knowing that Marian failed her first test, we know that Marian is a good driver through what her employer says to her “ You drive beautifully, Marian “ . This makes the reader question whether or not Marian was discriminated against in her last test especially when Marian tells her employer “ I don’t remember doing all the things the inspector marked down on my blank”. Nonetheless from the reader believes this should not be the case this time round when Marian and her employer see the instructor for the first time
2) Due to Gibbs’s use of word choice like genial and grinned the reader believes the driver is a friendly, pleasant cheerful man and subsequently believe that Marian will have a better outcome in this test
What is the first and second paragraph for the quote; “ Mandy and I Don’t mind company “?
1) The use of a subtle key incident by Gibbs, is the start of the instructors racial prejudice towards Marian. As when Marian’s test begins, she is met by the instructor’s not so subtle attempt to demoralise Marian
2) This at first may seem like a genuine mistake on the instructors behalf but it is actually the start of the racial conflict between Marian and the instructor. This insincere offer to Marian’s employer gave Marian no choice on the matter and manipulated Mrs Ericson into refusing politely.
What is the first and second paragraph for the quote; “ Old enough to have quite a flock of pickanenies, eh? “ ?
1) Language relevant to the setting when the instructor and Marian are in the car together and alone for the first time is used very effectively by Gibbs. When asking Marian her age, the instructors racial views and attitude towards Marian are made more apparent through his comment
2) If irrelevantly asking Marian her age wasn’t enough and surmising she has lots of kids. The instructor then uses the derogatory term for a small black child by his hint towards the slaves role as cotton pickers and portrays the idea that if Marian had any kids they would be like animals to him. As a result of the instructors deep-seated racist attitude, he dehumanises Marian because he can and knows Marian is in no position to stop him however she is sadly and probably rather used to it.
What is the first, second and third paragraph for the quotes: “ You-all ain’t Southern?” / “ you-all came from down yondah “ / “ You-all sho can read fine “ “ Swanee River “
1) To try and provoke an emotional response from Marian the instructor - for a second time - uses the reference to black slavery by speaking in a southern accent
2) Shown by Gibbs’s use of tone in this dialogue it is easy for the reader to see that the instructor is trying harder to provoke an emotional response from Marian, as the southern accent relates to the fact that many black slaves come from the deep south. The reader is now very much aware of the instructors intentions and how and how derogatory he is being and very much admire Marian for having the strength to ignore this appalling behaviour. The idea that the instructor is referring to the past of slaves is reinforcedwhen he whistles
3) This song refers to slaves as they would sing it in the plantations, showing how he does not differentiate between slave and Marian and sees only their colour Through Gibbs’s use of word choice which is relevant to the setting.
What is the first and second paragraph for the quote: “ Mandy “ / “ Mandy-Lou “ / “ Mistress Mandy “
1) Throughout the short story Gibbs uses rising tension to show how the racial taunts from the instructor, progressively get worse as he tries to provoke an emotional response from Marian. This can be clearly shown by how he repeatedly calls Marian by the wrong name. At first when Marian’s employer is still there the names are very subtle, discreet and look more like a genuine mistake on the instructor’s behalf.
2) Although when Marian and the instructor are alone in the in the car and the conflict really starts to develop the name - calling becomes more apparent to be deliberate and more childish with a very sinister and derogatory meaning, that ties in with the idea that the he believes he can treat her in any way he likes with no repercussions
3) The more childish names relate to the fact that employers would call their salves what they wanted, by doing this the it shows the instructor believes Marian’s skin colour entitles him to refer to her in anyway he chooses and that he thinks he controls her. This is really effective as it builds up the tension between Marian and the instructor and keeps the reader interested in what shall happen next.
What is the first and second paragraph for the quote: “ Made four very black crosses at random in the squares on Marian’s application blank “
1) To help reinforce the idea that Marian’s skin colour and the instructor’s racial attitude and views ultimately resulted in Marian failing her test. Gibbs successfully uses falling action after Marian snapped
2) This helps to show that all along the instructor’s intention was to fail Marian as when she snapped he pounced at his chance to fail her. He also never cared about how he failed Marian as long as she did shown by how he filled in her application form
(If for sympathy could also add the “ Oh, Marian again? “
What is the structure and ideas for the conclusion of the essay?
1) The short story has given the reader an insight into how subtle and discreet racial prejudice could be during these times.
2) The reader will also be very shocked by how in denial some people are of racial prejudice during these times. This is shown when Marian’s employer was disappointed in Marian when she returns back to the test centre, which shows that she believes it is completely Marian’s fault when it wasn’t.
3) Even though Marian’s case was horrific as she was subjected o a barrage of racist comments, i believe during these times sadly it would be classed as a minor incident compared to some of the horrible, horrific and appalling treatment some black people faced during these times and possibly still do experience.Nonetheless Gibbs teaches us that any form of prejudicial mistreatment is irrefutably wrong
4) The instructor’s racial taunts, views and attitudes towards Marian are what ultimately resulted in her failing the test and he probably did represent how some white people behaved during these times
How can the intro change for; Theme/Idea of racial prejudice?
Successfully explores the theme/idea of racial prejudice in the 1940s of America
How can the intro change for; Character involved in some form of conflict?
Successfully in the early 1940s of America deals with the racist conflict between the protagonist and antagonist
How can the intro change for;character that the reader comes to dislike intensely?
Successfully Makes the reader detest and intensely dislike the antagonist who racially boats and goads the protagonist into failing her driving test
What is the first and second paragraph for the quote: “ Damn you “
1) Gibbs’s use of climax helps to show the instructor’s intentions all along when Marian stalls the car and cries out
2) Marian’s dialogue here is very effective as all along Marian was subjected to a barrage of racial taunts to which she calmly had no response however as the tension grew it became clear that Marian could no longer which resulted in her snapping
How can the intro change for; which setting in time and/or place is an important feature?
Successfully uses the setting and of the early 1940s of America and timing of during the day to show and convey how racial prejudice can be so discreet, subtle and devastating
