Study Sessions: STG Literature Revision

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Podcast by Mr Baugh

Study Sessions: STG Literature Revision

Welcome to our new STG English Literature revision podcast! Hosted by Mr Baugh, each week we'll tackle some of the trickiest aspects of our English Lit set texts, including Lord of the Flies, A Christmas Carol, Macbeth and the poetry anthology.

Latest episodes

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07 February 2025

Scrooge’s Redemption: A Christmas Carol’s Moral and Social Critique

What does Scrooge’s transformation in A Christmas Carol reveal about morality, capitalism, and Victorian society? In this episode, we analyse the conceptual metaphors of cold and warmth, the Malthusian allusions in Scrooge’s worldview, and whether Dickens’ novella is a radical critique or a plea for personal generosity. We explore key quotations, including Scrooge’s desperate plea to “sponge away the writing on this stone,” and examine how Dickens balances individual redemption with broader social concerns. Tune in for a deep dive into one of literature’s most enduring moral fables.

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39:27

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31 January 2025

AQA Poetry Anthology 'Checking Out Me History' - the reclamation of identity

In this guest-hosted episode, Mrs Colson explores John Agard’s Checking Out Me History, a powerful critique of historical omissions. She breaks down Agard’s use of Creole, non-standard grammar, and striking imagery, uncovering themes of identity, power, and colonial narratives. Released to tie in with your exam preparation work, use this episode to sharpen and improve your analytical skills.

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14:21

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23 January 2025

Baughcuts: Piggy as an outsider in 'Lord of the Flies'

In this episode, I focus on Piggy's character in William Golding's Lord of the Flies. Through five significant quotations, I explore themes of marginalisation, dehumanisation, and Piggy's outsider status. This analysis highlights how Piggy's treatment by the group reflects broader societal tendencies to dismiss intellect and rationality in favour of charisma and dominance.

Quotations Featured in This Episode

  1. "Piggy, who in this context was an irrelevance."
    • Chapter: 1
    • Significance: Highlights Piggy’s early exclusion and how his intellect is undervalued because of superficial judgments.
  2. "For a moment the boys were a closed circuit of sympathy with Piggy outside."
    • Chapter: 1
    • Significance: Emphasises Piggy’s dehumanization and the group’s unity built on his exclusion.
  3. "Piggy glanced nervously into hell and cradled the conch."
    • Chapter: 2
    • Significance: Depicts Piggy as the lone advocate for order amidst the boys’ growing recklessness and chaos.
  4. "Life," said Piggy expansively, "is scientific, that's what it is..."
    • Chapter: 5
    • Significance: Illustrates Piggy’s intellectual isolation as the group descends into superstition and irrationality.
  5. "Piggy fell forty feet and landed on his back across the square red rock in the sea..."
    • Chapter: 11
    • Significance: Marks the collapse of order and Piggy’s ultimate dehumanisation as the group rejects reason entirely.

Key Themes Discussed

  • Marginalisation: How Piggy’s intellect and practicality are dismissed due to his physicality and awkwardness.
  • Dehumanisation: The boys reduce Piggy to a source of amusement and ultimately a victim of their savagery.
  • Outsider Status: Piggy’s role as the rational outsider highlights the fragility of civility in the face of primal instincts.

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08:26

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21 January 2025

From Conch to Chaos: Law, Order, Democracy and Dictatorship in 'Lord of the Flies'

This episode of Study Sessions focuses on Lord of the Flies as part of your mock exam revision and ties in specifically with the mock paper you've been given in class. I explore themes of law, order, democracy, and dictatorship, analysing the conch shell, Jack and Roger's authoritarianism, and the dehumanisation of Simon and Piggy. Discover how fear of the beast reflects human savagery and how Golding critiques society through this allegorical masterpiece. Packed with insights to help you excel in your exams, this episode is your ultimate guide to mastering Lord of the Flies!

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38:40

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14 January 2025

Mid-Year Assessment Special: Year 9 'An Inspector Calls' - 'We are responsible for each other'

In this episode of Study Sessions, we explore the theme of responsibility in J.B. Priestley’s An Inspector Calls. Perfect for Year 9 students preparing for their mid-year assessments, this episode analyses the characters’ failures to take responsibility for Eva Smith and how Priestley critiques societal attitudes.

I examine key moments in the play, including Arthur Birling’s arrogance, Sheila’s transformation, Gerald’s duplicity, and the Inspector’s powerful final speech. With detailed stylistic and linguistic analysis, I unravel how Priestley’s language and structure drive his moral message about accountability and interconnectedness.

Don’t miss our Easter egg, too! Prizes for those replying soonest!

Tune in to sharpen your analytical skills and ace your exam responses. Responsibility is more than a theme—it’s a lesson for us all.

Happy revising!

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20:56

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13 January 2025

Mid-Year Assessment Special: Year 8 'Animal Farm' - Napoleon, power and control

In this special Study Sessions episode, I explore George Orwell’s Animal Farm and analyse how Napoleon exemplifies power and control. Designed for Year 8 students preparing for their mid-year assessments, this episode examines Orwell’s techniques, the novella’s famous ending, and its allegorical significance. Plus, listen closely for an Easter egg for a chance to win a prize! Year 9 will have their own episode on An Inspector Calls later this week, too.

Make sure you subscribe for more literary insights!

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