This question requires the candidates to assess Cliff Lewis’ role in the play. Most candidates merely narrated events that revolve around him without bringing out his roles.

Candidates were expected to discuss:

• The central theme of the frustrating social life of post-World War II Britain and its negative effects on relationships.
• Character Identification Cliff Lewis.

• Cliff’s role in the play: he plays the role of a concerned friend to Jimmy’s family and a peacemaker between Jimmy and Alison. Cliff is Jimmy’s partner in the candy stall business.  He is a foil to Jimmy.
• Cliff’s attitude in the play: he accommodates Jimmy’s excesses and cares for Alison, resigns himself to events and happenings in the society around him i.e. he doesn’t read the newspapers that much. He shows a dislike for Jimmy and Helena’s relationship. He is able to determine when it is most appropriate to leave a relationship.
• Significance of his role in the play: his presence at the Porters helps to lower the tensions between Jimmy and Alison. His role demonstrates the gap between the lower class who are mostly unemployed and the upper class in society. Cliff’s exit delivers a moral blow to the rather loose moral of the upper class relating to love and sex.

Candidates’ performance in this question was fair.