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Sample essay on Cue for Treason

Topic: Author inspired to write because of a personal, social or political concern.

Every well-constructed novel evidences an author's themes to address issues in society. A novel can never be a textbook for revolution nor a therapist's guidebook, but within its generous ambiance, it can set out some moral parameters for the times. Geoffrey Trease's "Cue for Treason" does just this; he identifies several themes such as loyalty, patriotism and treason to create a parallel between the worlds of Elizabeth I and England under siege in early World War II. The novel's themes, characters, setting and style show that Trease is able to connect with his readers. Among a mass of propaganda is a veneer of national stability, which contrasts strongly with the relative harmony of our own end-of-century lives. Trease here invites us to explore a whole new world of peace beyond war, democracy beyond tyranny, and a national celebration of arts and culture.

Introduction

Knowledgeable, wide canvas opening.

Establishes a central plank of this essay - that the art of the novel offers 'ambiance' for dramatisation, discussion, interpretation, identification.

Outlines plan of this essay.

Echoes set topic and addresses historical setting and author's agenda.

Initial mention of major themes.

As a picaresque novel, "Cue for Treason" revolves solely round the endeavours of Peter Brownrigg. Through this young Englishman, Trease identifies with his intended young readers. Peter is an ambitious teenager whose adventures through the marginal and influential levels of society in Elizabethan England allow him to develop as an appealing character. Another primary character is 'Kit Kirkstone' a pseudonym for Catharine Russell. She was a companion for Peter throughout his journeys and represents females' equality. Every successful novel explores conflicts, and here it is Good and Evil. Magistrate Armthwaite and Sir Philip Morton represent the evil side of this novel's world with his scandalous efforts to assassinate the Queen. So through these characters and their interactions within various settings, Trease conveys the central themes of this novel.

Paragraph 2: Characters

claims that readers identify (meet the author's agenda)

four characters mentioned - enough to base a case on, shows knowledge of novel

writing that argues - last sentence relates to topic

In this settings-driven novel, Trease evokes a strong sense of national pride through vivid descriptions of rural Elizabethan England. Vividly portraying England's lush countryside for preoccupied bomb-sheltered readers allows them to visualise it and value the land they inherit. These settings significantly enhance the ambiance of the novel, at times to suggest that they may be threatened by the deathtrap of invasion and tyranny. The rocky crags and idyllic tarns even appeal to readers on their own behalf to treasure the sceptred isle of England. Although readers are necessarily limited to appreciating the settings through Peter's eyes, his perspective acts as an advantage allowing the reader to explore the times as an hypothetical tourist in his own country. This is a characteristic apparent in such historical fiction which is less often concerned with fact than with the experience of the leading character who is embodying the author's personal, social or political concern agenda.

Paragraph 3: Settings

ties setting to essay topic

shows judgement about worth of Trease's prose

elaborates on this author's ambiance theme

literary reference from Shakespeare "this sceptered isle. . . this little England."

appreciates advantage of participant narrator

introduces this writer's own original thinking: reader as "tourist in his own country" - which is a variant on the essay topic: to rebuild nation's confidence and pride in itself

echoes words of essay topic in paragraph's recapitulation

Simple in style, this novel is designed primarily for lighthearted reading in bomb-shelters during the London Blitz. Trease's political concerns extend to employing olde English language. On characterisation, Trease injects new dimensions of realism in his use of Peter as participant narrator. In addition, the author's own editorialisings do not intrude jarringly but do remind us that it is Peter telling the story as an old man in hindsight. They offer the uninformed reader whatever historical or literary explanations are necessary. They do not distract the reader from attention on the plot. The characters' dialogue does not weigh down the viscosity of the storyline, but once again compels the readers to believe in the novel's agenda. Overall, Trease's style enhances the novel's persuasiveness and credibility.

Paragraph 4: Style discussion

identifies style suits target readers

discusses craft of characterisation

comments on author's apparent interpolations

worth of dialogue

relates style to essay's topic

makes judgments about novel's success

Entertainment such as literature succeeds when the author has the ability to make readers feel with him. If this connection is not made, readers are unable to believe his concerns and accept its themes. However, Trease succeeds drawing on his social concern for his own compatriots in chaotic times and offers them a source to draw strength from. All this novel's elements: plot, character, setting, theme and style, combine beautifully to produce a beacon of hope for national pride, and must surely have bred loyalty in readers across England in its times of national doubt. It is just conceivable that through the efforts of historical novelists such as Trease, the war was eventually won. #

Paragraph 5: Conclusions

judges that author has succeeded in making connection with readers

reiterates author's agenda

ties in all paragraphs to single conclusion

an interesting hypothetical to finish on a high note

T. W. 2001 (edited)

Back to Cue for Treason page

As a picaresque novel, "Cue for Treason" revolves solely round the endeavours of Peter Brownrigg. Through this young Englishman, Trease identifies with his intended young readers. Peter is an ambitious teenager whose adventures through the marginal and influential levels of society in Elizabethan England allow him to develop as an appealing character. Another primary character is 'Kit Kirkstone' a pseudonym for Catharine Russell. She was a companion for Peter throughout his journeys and represents females' equality. Every successful novel explores conflicts, and here it is Good and Evil. Magistrate Armthwaite and Sir Philip Morton represent the evil side of this novel's world with his scandalous efforts to assassinate the Queen. So through these characters and their interactions within various settings, Trease conveys the central themes of this novel.	Paragraph 2: Characters claims that readers identify (meet the author's agenda) four characters mentioned - enough to base a case on, shows knowledge of novel writing that argues - last sentence relates to topic
In this settings-driven novel, Trease evokes a strong sense of national pride through vivid descriptions of rural Elizabethan England. Vividly portraying England's lush countryside for preoccupied bomb-sheltered readers allows them to visualise it and value the land they inherit. These settings significantly enhance the ambiance of the novel, at times to suggest that they may be threatened by the deathtrap of invasion and tyranny. The rocky crags and idyllic tarns even appeal to readers on their own behalf to treasure the sceptred isle of England. Although readers are necessarily limited to appreciating the settings through Peter's eyes, his perspective acts as an advantage allowing the reader to explore the times as an hypothetical tourist in his own country. This is a characteristic apparent in such historical fiction which is less often concerned with fact than with the experience of the leading character who is embodying the author's personal, social or political concern agenda.	Paragraph 3: Settings ties setting to essay topic shows judgement about worth of Trease's prose elaborates on this author's ambiance theme literary reference from Shakespeare "this sceptered isle. . . this little England." appreciates advantage of participant narrator introduces this writer's own original thinking: reader as "tourist in his own country" - which is a variant on the essay topic: to rebuild nation's confidence and pride in itself echoes words of essay topic in paragraph's recapitulation
Simple in style, this novel is designed primarily for lighthearted reading in bomb-shelters during the London Blitz. Trease's political concerns extend to employing olde English language. On characterisation, Trease injects new dimensions of realism in his use of Peter as participant narrator. In addition, the author's own editorialisings do not intrude jarringly but do remind us that it is Peter telling the story as an old man in hindsight. They offer the uninformed reader whatever historical or literary explanations are necessary. They do not distract the reader from attention on the plot. The characters' dialogue does not weigh down the viscosity of the storyline, but once again compels the readers to believe in the novel's agenda. Overall, Trease's style enhances the novel's persuasiveness and credibility.	Paragraph 4: Style discussion identifies style suits target readers discusses craft of characterisation comments on author's apparent interpolations worth of dialogue relates style to essay's topic makes judgments about novel's success
Entertainment such as literature succeeds when the author has the ability to make readers feel with him. If this connection is not made, readers are unable to believe his concerns and accept its themes. However, Trease succeeds drawing on his social concern for his own compatriots in chaotic times and offers them a source to draw strength from. All this novel's elements: plot, character, setting, theme and style, combine beautifully to produce a beacon of hope for national pride, and must surely have bred loyalty in readers across England in its times of national doubt. It is just conceivable that through the efforts of historical novelists such as Trease, the war was eventually won. #	Paragraph 5: Conclusions judges that author has succeeded in making connection with readers reiterates author's agenda ties in all paragraphs to single conclusion an interesting hypothetical to finish on a high note