Prompt 01
Essay task
In DNA by Dennis Kelly, the group's choice to hide their role in Adam's apparent death highlights the fragile and often corrupt nature of social hierarchies. Argue that Kelly illustrates how the urge to belong and protect oneself outweighs individual moral conscience.
In your essay, you should:
- Analyze how Kelly depicts the group dynamic and the changing power structure (e.g., Phil, Leah, and the broader gang).
- Examine how different characters react to moral dilemmas and what these reactions reveal about human behavior.
- Look at how dramatic techniques — including silence, staging, and dialogue — are employed to support your argument.
- Back up your points with close references to the text, citing key scenes and quotations.
Assessment focus
Develop a coherent argument with a clear line of reasoning, backed by textual evidence and analytical insights.