Insert
The source that follows is:
- Source A: 19th-century prose fiction
- Young Goodman Brown by Nathaniel Hawthorne
An extract from a work first published in 1835.
This extract is from a short story by Nathaniel Hawthorne in which Aylmer, a scientist obsessed with perfection, recalls a dream and persuades his wife, Georgiana, to risk an operation to remove her birthmark, leading them to withdraw into his laboratory to attempt the procedure.
Source A
1 The mind is in a sad state when Sleep, the all-involving, cannot confine her spectres within the dim region of her sway, but suffers them to break forth, affrighting this actual life with secrets that perchance belong to a deeper one. Aylmer now remembered his dream. He had fancied himself with his servant Aminadab, attempting an operation for the removal of the birthmark; but the
6 deeper went the knife, the deeper sank the hand, until at length its tiny grasp appeared to have caught hold of Georgiana’s heart; whence, however, her husband was inexorably resolved to cut or wrench it away. When the dream had shaped itself perfectly in his memory, Aylmer sat in his
11 wife’s presence with a guilty feeling. Truth often finds its way to the mind close muffled in robes of sleep, and then speaks with uncompromising directness of matters in regard to which we practise an unconscious self- deception during our waking moments. Until now he had not been aware of the tyrannizing influence acquired by one idea over his mind, and of the lengths
16 which he might find in his heart to go for the sake of giving himself peace. “Aylmer,” resumed Georgiana, solemnly, “I know not what may be the cost to both of us to rid me of this fatal birthmark. Perhaps its removal may cause cureless deformity; or it may be the stain goes as deep as life itself. Again:
21 do we know that there is a possibility, on any terms, of unclasping the firm gripe of this little hand which was laid upon me before I came into the world?” “Dearest Georgiana, I have spent much thought upon the subject,” hastily
26 interrupted Aylmer. “I am convinced of the perfect practicability of its removal.” “If there be the remotest possibility of it,” continued Georgiana, “let the attempt be made at whatever risk. Danger is nothing to me; for life, while
31 this hateful mark makes me the object of your horror and disgust,—life is a burden which I would fling down with joy. Either remove this dreadful hand, or take my wretched life! You have deep science. All the world bears witness of it. You have achieved great wonders. Cannot you remove this little, little mark, which I cover with the tips of two small fingers? Is this beyond your
36 power, for the sake of your own peace, and to save your poor wife from madness?” “Noblest, dearest, tenderest wife,” cried Aylmer, rapturously, “doubt not my power. I have already given this matter the deepest thought—thought which
41 might almost have enlightened me to create a being less perfect than yourself. Georgiana, you have led me deeper than ever into the heart of science. I feel myself fully competent to render this dear cheek as faultless as its fellow; and then, most beloved, what will be my triumph when I shall have corrected what Nature left imperfect in her fairest work! Even Pygmalion, when his
46 sculptured woman assumed life, felt not greater ecstasy than mine will be.” “It is resolved, then,” said Georgiana, faintly smiling. “And, Aylmer, spare me not, though you should find the birthmark take refuge in my heart at last.”
51 Her husband tenderly kissed her cheek—her right cheek—not that which bore the impress of the crimson hand. The next day Aylmer apprised his wife of a plan that he had formed whereby he might have opportunity for the intense thought and constant watchfulness which
56 the proposed operation would require; while Georgiana, likewise, would enjoy the perfect repose essential to its success. They were to seclude themselves in the extensive apartments occupied by Aylmer as a laboratory, and where, during his toilsome youth, he had made discoveries in the elemental powers of Nature that had roused the admiration of all the learned societies in Europe.
61 Seated calmly in this laboratory, the pale philosopher had investigated the secrets of the highest cloud region and of the profoundest mines; he had satisfied himself of the causes that kindled and kept alive the fires of the volcano; and had explained the mystery of fountains, and how it is that they gush forth, some so bright and pure, and others with such rich medicinal
66 virtues, from the dark bosom of the earth. Here, too, at an earlier period, he had studied the wonders of the human frame, and attempted to fathom the very process by which Nature assimilates all her precious influences from earth and air, and from the spiritual world, to create and foster man, her masterpiece. The latter pursuit, however, Aylmer had long laid aside in unwilling
71 recognition of the truth—against which all seekers sooner or later stumble—that our great creative Mother, while she amuses us with apparently working in the broadest sunshine, is yet severely careful to keep her own secrets, and, in spite of her pretended openness, shows us nothing but results. She permits us, indeed, to mar, but seldom to mend, and, like a
76 jealous patentee, on no account to make. Now, however, Aylmer resumed these half-forgotten investigations; not, of course, with such hopes or wishes as first suggested them; but because they involved much physiological truth and lay in the path of his proposed scheme for the treatment of Georgiana.
Questions
Instructions
- Answer all questions.
- Use black ink or black ball point pen.
- Fill in the boxes on this page.
- You must answer the questions in the spaces provided.
- Do not write outside the box around each page or on blank pages.
- Do all rough work in this book. Cross through any work you do not want to be marked.
- You must refer to the insert booklet provided.
- You must not use a dictionary.
Information
- The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
- Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes
- The maximum mark for this paper is 80.
- There are 40 marks for Section A and 40 marks for Section B.
- You are reminded of the need for good English and clear presentation in your answers.
- You will be assessed on the quality of your reading in Section A.
- You will be assessed on the quality of your writing in Section B.
Advice
- You are advised to spend about 15 minutes reading through the source and all five questions you have to answer.
- You should make sure you leave sufficient time to check your answers.
Section A: Reading
Answer all questions in this section. You are advised to spend about 45 minutes on this section.
Question 1
Read again the first part of the source, from lines 1 to 5.
Answer all parts of this question.
Choose one answer for each question.
1.1 During his toilsome youth, the pale philosopher made discoveries in what?
- the elemental powers of Nature
- the highest cloud region
- the profoundest mines
[1 mark]
1.2 According to the description, which natural processes had the pale philosopher explained?
- The fires of volcanoes and why fountains gush from the earth
- The movements of the planets and the ebb and flow of the tides
- The nature of lightning and how rainbows are formed
[1 mark]
1.3 Which pair best describes the areas of nature that Aylmer had investigated?
- the upper atmosphere and the deepest mines
- the polar seas and the desert interior
- the coastal tides and the forest canopy
[1 mark]
1.4 According to the narrator, which group of natural phenomena had Aylmer examined and explained?
- Atmospheric heights, subterranean depths, the sustaining of volcanic fires, and why fountains differ in purity and medicinal qualities
- Ocean currents and tides, the shifting of deserts, the appearance of comets, and the colouring of auroras
- Human anatomy and surgery, animal magnetism, herbal cures, and the development of anaesthesia
[1 mark]
Question 2
Look in detail at this extract, from lines 66 to 79 of the source:
66 virtues, from the dark bosom of the earth. Here, too, at an earlier period, he had studied the wonders of the human frame, and attempted to fathom the very process by which Nature assimilates all her precious influences from earth and air, and from the spiritual world, to create and foster man, her masterpiece. The latter pursuit, however, Aylmer had long laid aside in unwilling
71 recognition of the truth—against which all seekers sooner or later stumble—that our great creative Mother, while she amuses us with apparently working in the broadest sunshine, is yet severely careful to keep her own secrets, and, in spite of her pretended openness, shows us nothing but results. She permits us, indeed, to mar, but seldom to mend, and, like a
76 jealous patentee, on no account to make. Now, however, Aylmer resumed these half-forgotten investigations; not, of course, with such hopes or wishes as first suggested them; but because they involved much physiological truth and lay in the path of his proposed scheme for the treatment of Georgiana.
How does the writer use language here to present the idea that Nature keeps her secrets? You could include the writer’s choice of:
- words and phrases
- language features and techniques
- sentence forms.
[8 marks]
Question 3
You now need to think about the structure of the source as a whole. This text is from the middle of a story.
How has the writer structured the text to create a sense of menace?
You could write about:
- how menace intensifies from beginning to end
- how the writer uses structure to create an effect
- the writer's use of any other structural features, such as changes in mood, tone or perspective.
[8 marks]
Question 4
For this question focus on the second part of the source, from line 16 to the end.
In this part of the source, where Aylmer gets excited about removing the birthmark, his reaction might seem loving. The writer suggests that he is actually more interested in the glory of the scientific challenge than his wife's safety.
To what extent do you agree and/or disagree with this statement?
In your response, you could:
- consider your impressions of Aylmer's excitement about removing the birthmark
- comment on the methods the writer uses to portray Aylmer's scientific ambition
- support your response with references to the text.
[20 marks]
Question 5
An online culture site is inviting creative writing that explores city life and technology.
Choose one of the options below for your entry.
-
Option A: Describe a city transport control room from your imagination. You may choose to use the picture provided for ideas:
-
Option B: Write the opening of a story about a city brought to a halt by a failed app.
(24 marks for content and organisation, 16 marks for technical accuracy)
[40 marks]