The Vertical Hour

    AQA
    GCSE

    Nadia Blye, an American war correspondent turned academic, travels to rural Shropshire with her boyfriend Oliver to meet his estranged father, Philip. Philip, a cynical British doctor, challenges Nadia's support for the invasion of Iraq, sparking an intense ideological confrontation that exposes the fragility of her relationship with Oliver. The play operates as a dialectic on the ethics of interventionism, contrasting American idealism with British skepticism. Ultimately, the encounter forces Nadia to confront the limitations of her political certainty and results in the dissolution of her relationship.

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    • Understand key concepts related to The Vertical Hour
    • Apply knowledge of The Vertical Hour to exam questions

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    • "Your analysis of [character/theme] is insightful; consider exploring the writer's specific language choices further."
    • "You have identified key themes well; ensure you provide more detailed textual evidence to support your claims."
    • "A strong understanding of the plot is evident; focus on developing your evaluation of the writer's methods."
    • "Well done on structuring your argument; try to incorporate more sophisticated vocabulary when discussing literary devices."
    • "Good use of context; ensure this is integrated into your analysis of the text itself."

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