Why do you think telling the story from Jimmy's point of view makes the novel so powerful? Support your answer with details from Cross's writing.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2010). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [25] One fairly obvious point will probably be widely advanced in response to this proposition.
2. [25] It is likely to be that the reader finds everything more vivid and immediate because the novel is told in the first person which puts the reader in the centre of Jimmy's mind.
3. [25] However, it might turn out to be something of cul-de-sac for candidates, not least because there is no reason to believe that the novelist's voice might not have delivered something equally memorable.
4. [25] Answers might simply become a list of 'compelling' moments in the novel, though Examiners should, of course, reward these examples if they are apt.
5. [25] A better argument is that Jimmy's lack of understanding is often the reader's as well and it is this that gives narrative impetus to the novel as the reader struggles to find the truth.
6. [25] Conversely, where adult characters and events establish truth, the effect is often striking.
7. [25] Sometimes the contrast between adult and child perception is very amusing, sometimes it is intensely moving and shocking.
8. [25] Whatever the nature of the argument, even for reasonable reward expect some attempt to describe the compelling nature of the results.
9. [25] This should be central to any answer considered for higher reward.
10. [25] Remember to refer to the photostats and band descriptors to arrive at your mark.
11. [25] Refer to the band descriptors in arriving at your mark.