How do you think Cross in his portrayal of Jimmy makes a rude and violent child such a sympathetic figure? Support your ideas with details from the writing.

Mark scheme

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

1. There are a number of reasons which could be advanced.
2. The most obvious and probably the most popular are the facts of his home situation which emerge quite quickly in the novel.
3. It is clear that his unhappiness creates tensions which emerge in frequent anti-social behaviour, a notch or two up from what might be expected to be the usual behaviour of the young growing male.
4. The fact that he only dimly understands what is going on adds to the sympathy.
5. Another line could be, of course, that the reader naturally responds to his energy, curiosity and humour, particularly in the context of his domestic life.
6. Whatever is the chosen route taken by the candidate, examiners should differentiate according to the way the argument is developed and supported by detail.
7. For the highest reward expect a close engagement with Cross's writing.