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Both texts present P. T. Barnum's life: successful
Text 1 is adapted from The Life of P. T. Barnum by Phineas T. Barnum (1855). Text 2 is adapted from Why does the new film about P. T. Barnum gloss over his cruelty and racism? by Jane Fryer (2017). The question asks candidates to evaluate a statement about both texts and compare how the writers present Barnum's life.
'Both texts present P. T. Barnum's life as successful.' How far do you agree with this statement? In your answer you should: discuss what the texts show you about the life of P. T. Barnum; explain how far you agree that P. T. Barnum's life is presented as successful; compare the ways the texts present the life of P. T. Barnum. Support your response with quotations from both texts.
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Marking points
- 1 Evaluates how far the candidate agrees with the statement about Barnum's life being presented as successful.
- 2 Uses textual references from both texts to support evaluation.
- 3 Compares the writers' ideas and perspectives in Text 1 and Text 2.
- 4 Comments on how the texts present or convey Barnum's life, not only on whether his life was successful in reality.
Full-mark answer
I partly agree that both texts present Barnum's life as successful, but they do so in very different ways. Text 1, written by Barnum himself, is strongly self-congratulatory. He says his first object was to 'put money in my purse' and that he succeeded 'beyond my wildest expectations', so he presents financial success as clear proof of achievement. He also claims a public benefit, saying his museums spread knowledge of animal life and 'instructed the masses'. This makes his success seem educational and philanthropic as well as commercial. Text 2 also acknowledges success, calling him the man who 'invented showbusiness' and saying he 'made a fortune'. However, Fryer repeatedly questions the cost of that success. Her references to 'exploited people', 'hoax or scam' and the treatment of Joice Heth make Barnum's success seem morally corrupt. The texts therefore both show money, fame and influence, including Jenny Lind's tour, but Text 1 celebrates these achievements whereas Text 2 presents them as impressive yet dishonest and exploitative.
Why this answer loses marks
An answer that only decides whether Barnum's life was successful.
The examiner report says less successful candidates focused on whether Barnum's life was successful rather than how the texts presented his life.