Literature

Compare ways in which relationships are portrayed in ‘The Teddy Bear’s

Picnic’ and ‘The Rough Crossing’ in a 500-word (+/- 10%) essay.
B1 – Problems in TTB (lack of communication)

B2 –

B3 – Problems between the couple (Adrian taken by the beauty of a younger girl)

B4 –

Introduction – overview of both stories

B1 – relationships are similar (slowly dissolve…)

B2 – How relationships determine what happens – TTB – murder of Mr Ainley-Foxleton

and TRC – metaphor

B3 – end of both stories (Edwin controls Deborah and Eva and Adrian maintain
balance)

Identify a topic sentence for each of the main body paragraphs.

B1 – Lack of communication is an issue which is extensively explored in both stories

and which allows the reader to comprehend why certain things occur and others
remain neglected.

B2 – Alcohol plays a crucial part in the unfolding of events in these two stories, where
protagonists in these stories resort to alcohol to find comfort in their empty existence.

B3 – The ending of both stories allows the reader to foreshadow what might happen
next. Several underlying messages become particularly evident throughout the
narration, and particularly towards the end.

B1 – TTB

B2 – TRC

B3 – Compare and contrast

General -> link -> specific

Authors have extensively explored the notion of human relationship and marital
issues in their literary works. This is a universal theme which readers can always relate
to. This can be evidently seen in William Shakespeare’s tragedy, ‘Macbeth’ which
revolves around a manipulative wife whose capable of moulding her husband into
a monster. Similarly, this is done by F. Scott Fitzgerald and William Trevor in their stories

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‘The Rough Crossing’ and ‘The Teddy-bear’s Picnic’ respectively, where they explore
how marital relationships evolve.

Specific -> general

In both stories, the authors allow us to take a closer look at the realities between
couples. This is explored in the married life of Edwin and Deborah and that of Adrian
and Eva. Clearly, Fitzgerald and Trevor give us a better insight into the complexities
which lurk behind the surface of married life, which are not always overly romantic
and helplessly emotional.

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