BGCSE and BJC Study Guide

Wed, Oct 5th 2011, 12:23 PM

"MEET JERRY"

Hello! My name is Jerry. My life, to say the least, is spectacular right now.  I have a stunning wife and seven little ones running around. Though I'm hoping to have 12 kids in total, seven isn't too bad for a rat of only one year, right? Well, hopefully my new residence will improve my chances. It's this delightful little heap of garbage some friends at work were discussing one day. "It's right there and open!" and "Prime real estate, I say!" were some of their remarks. Being a country rat, my wife was skeptical and a whisker away from downright saying "No," but after some gentle coaxing, she agreed to visit the lot with me. When we approached it, it was like climbing Mount Sinai. My wife began excitedly chattering a prayer to the "Rat-God" Rodentus. I merely smiled. I solemnly whispered to myself, "For the Humans, thank you Rodentus."

You see, in my opinion, Humans are the greatest blessing bestowed upon us by our God. They provide us with everything we need and more; without even knowing it! Their 'garbage," I think they call it, provides us with food and great shelter. A wise rat once said to me when I was a wee baby, "A man's garbage is a rat's treasure." Their garbage is as abundant and wide-spread as air, and Humans pay no heed to recycling it.

The wife and I, for our second honeymoon, took a trip back to her roots in the countryside. The truck tossed about like a ship on rough seas. During the bumpy truck ride, she austerely educated me on various aspects of her home. The first thing she boldly proclaimed was, "Ain't no garbage out here, ole boy!" When I proceeded to laugh at what I thought was an obvious joke, she lashed me with her tail. Let me tell you, she could be a lion-tamer with that tail of hers. When we disembarked our vessel and were greeted by the sweet aroma of filth, I almost felt sorry for her. As far as the eye could see, there was garbage, in the roads, around the stately houses and even in the tranquil meadows. At dinner, I took out a delectable piece of cheese I had been saving and we shared it between ourselves while I tried to comfort her. Gently I told her, "Honey...wherever there are Humans, there will be trash." She finally smiled.

In an attempt to placate my wife after that traumatic experience, I've recently moved the family to a bigger place. One day, while I was re-sorting my well-coveted selection of cheeses, one of my sons, Jerry IV, asked me how was it that we had moved house so easily. I decided it was time for a little Father-Rat and Son-Rat quality time. I gingerly led him through the streets of the Humans' domain. Building after building, I highlighted the presence of a garbage mound. I even showed him where my "three-quarter" brother had been living for all six years of his stagnant life.
"How is that so, Father?" my son asked while bristling his whiskers.

Putting on my best King Solomon guise and mustering up all the wisdom I had, I answered, "Because, son, when the Humans' garbage leaves their doors, it simultaneously leaves their minds." I'm not sure if my son was just humouring me, but he nodded his head as if he had grasped what I said.

So you see, Humans are Rodentus' angels. Without them, heavens, I shudder to think where we would be! However, thanks to Rodentus' continual divine blessings, they continue to make garbage. They continue to build our homes, feed our families and ensure our perennial survival. It would be a great horror if Rodentus took away his blessings or the Humans stopped producing garbage! It would also be a great shame, as I'm planning to host a massive family reunion next month, and you can't house and feed a thousand rats in air!
 
Continuous writing paper: Write a story, description or any other form of composition suggested by the photograph The writing prompts for BGCSE English Language included two photographs as stimuli. In 2011, the candidate who composed the essay with the highest score responded to this type of question. A beautifully crafted fable, Aldwyn Hogg's engaging narrative script reflects the writer's wit, creativity and sophisticated writing skills. Read "Meet Jerry" and note how well this young writer uses, among other devices, a few unusual characters, humour, dialogue and a keen eye for detail to make a very amusing, yet biting commentary about humankind's attitude toward the environment. Who would have thought a photograph of a garbage heap would have stimulated the writing of such a charming piece?

Aldwyn Hogg's delightful essay is a response to the Continuous Writing paper: Write a story, description or any other form of composition suggested by the photograph.  The composition may be directly about the subject of the photograph or take some suggestion(s) from it. There must be a clear connection between the photograph and your composition.

The Definition of "Fable"

The word "fable" refers to a succinct or concise, fictional story that often uses as characters, animals that speak and act like human beings. Sometimes plants, inanimate objects and mythical creatures such as dragons are also given human qualities.

Fables are meant to teach a moral lesson or to make an edifying or cautionary point. They are sometimes quite humorous in exposing useful truths about the immorality, foolishness or stupidity of humankind.

Fables have been told and enjoyed for millennia, and can be found in the literature of almost every country. Some of the best known fables in English are those which are attributed to Aesop, who is said to have been a slave in ancient Greece around 550 BCE. Remember "The Tortoise and the Hare" and "The Goose that Laid the Golden Eggs"?

Then there's George Orwell's "Animal Farm", which has long been studied in high schools and is known as both a fable and a satire.

FOR THE TEACHER:

Below are possible questions/exercises which should stimulate meaningful discussion with your students:

o Aldwyn's interpretation of the prompt is far from ordinary. In terms of the content/material used, he has written an original fable. After referring to the notes, explain why "Meet Jerry" is a fable. How does the story sustain its criticism of humankind's behavior?
o How are the characters in "Meet Jerry" like human beings in their behavior and attitudes? What are the ways in which we can say they are distinctly not like us?
o Jerry and his family members behave in certain ways that are very much in character with the habits of rats. Identify these behaviors. Discuss why Aldwyn includes them in his story.
o Humour can enhance an essay. Locate as many examples as possible of humor in "Meet Jerry." Analyze each one and comment on its effectiveness.
o Explore the ways in which Aldwyn establishes and maintains a tone of humor.
o Which storytelling devices does Aldwyn use to develop his narrative? Comment on the effectiveness of the different techniques/strategies used.
o Examiners were impressed by Aldwyn's use of varied vocabulary. Discuss his word choice and its effectiveness.
o Could Jerry's name be an allusion to a famous fictitious film personality?
o Why does Aldwyn consistently capitalize the 'H' in 'human'?
o What makes the conclusion of "Meet Jerry" one of its strengths?
Notes and tips for teachers and students prepared by Pamela Moultrie, subject secretary for BJC and BGCSE Language Arts

Aldwyn Hogg Jr.  St. Anne's School

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian

 Sponsored Ads