Using the PACCT Method for Analysing English Literature

Literary analysis can often feel overwhelming, especially when tackling complex or lengthy texts. This is where the PACCT method truly shines.

PACCT is a structured approach that simplifies analysis, enabling students to engage deeply with the text and proving invaluable for teachers doing online tutoring in planning sessions. The clear structure allows students to incorporate prior knowledge and understanding within a framework that makes the text more accessible.

PACCT stands for: Plot, Atmosphere, Characters, Context, and Themes. This article demonstrates how the PACCT method can be applied effectively to two very different texts: Shakespeare’s The Tempest and Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men. 

Why not ask your GCSE English tutor about the PACCT method?

Understanding the PACCT Method

The PACCT method consists of five main components:

1. Plot: What happens in the story, including key events and conflicts?
2. Atmosphere: What is the mood or tone of the text, and how does it affect the reader’s experience?
3. Character: Who are the characters, and how do their backgrounds influence their actions?
4. Context: What is the historical, cultural, and social context in which the text was written?
5. Themes: What are the central ideas or messages conveyed through the text?

GCSE English tutors can start with any of these components to analyse the literature. Many find it helpful to begin with Context, as it provides students with background on the author’s environment, influences, and social issues of the time.

The PACCT method distinguishes itself from other approaches by showing how each element informs the others. When focusing on a character, students can consider related themes, key plot points involving the character, the significance of the context, and the internal mood and external atmosphere shaped by the character’s words, thoughts, and interactions.

The PACCT Method in Action: Exploring The Tempest

1. Plot: In The Tempest, the plot revolves around Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan, who has been exiled to a remote island. The play opens with Prospero, wielding his magical powers, causing a shipwreck that brings his old enemies—including his usurping brother Antonio—onto the island. This event initiates a series of actions tied to themes of power, betrayal, and redemption. Students can explore how these events contribute to Prospero’s journey from vengeful anger to forgiveness.
2. Atmosphere: The atmosphere of The Tempest is haunting and magical, with Shakespeare using vivid imagery and the remote island setting to create an aura of mysticism and hidden knowledge. The initial tempest symbolises chaos and upheaval, mirroring the characters’ internal conflicts and transformations. Prospero’s control over the storm also exemplifies the use of pathetic fallacy—a literary device where the external setting reflects the internal turmoil of the characters.
3. Character: The characters in The Tempest are complex and often morally ambiguous. For example, Prospero, as a betrayed duke and a father, raises questions about both his power and his competence. His manipulation of his daughter Miranda’s interactions with Ferdinand, potentially to secure her future, invites students to examine his motivations and consider their own views on parental control. Students may relate to the themes of familial expectations and autonomy, making the analysis more personal.
4. Context: Examining the context of 17th-century Europe, particularly the colonial attitudes of the time, helps students understand some of Prospero’s actions and attitudes. During this period, distant lands, such as the island in the play, were seen as resources to be exploited, with native inhabitants (represented here by Caliban) viewed as subjects for control. This historical background provides an engaging starting point for discussions on colonialism and cultural conflict.
5. Themes: Themes in The Tempest, such as power, freedom, and forgiveness, are woven throughout the text. Prospero’s interactions with Ariel and Caliban showcase the dynamics of authority and servitude, while the journey towards reconciliation mirrors broader themes of redemption. These themes connect back to the characters, the historical context, and the plot, encouraging students to see the play’s messages about human nature and relationships.

Analysing Of Mice and Men with the PACCT Method

1. Plot: The plot of Of Mice and Men is inseparably tied to the relationship between George and Lennie. Their shared dream of owning land propels the narrative, infusing it with themes of hope and despair. The novel, set during the Great Depression, addresses economic hardship, loneliness, and the fragile bonds of friendship that develop within such a bleak environment.
2. Atmosphere: In Of Mice and Men, the atmosphere is one of isolation and yearning, punctuated by brief moments of camaraderie. Steinbeck’s descriptive language captures the stark, dusty setting of the ranch and the transient nature of the characters’ lives. Students can analyse how these descriptions evoke a strong sense of place and consider Steinbeck’s effectiveness in creating an immersive atmosphere that reflects the characters’ emotions.
3. Character: George and Lennie are at the core of the novel’s exploration of friendship, vulnerability, and survival. George is pragmatic and protective, while Lennie embodies innocence, strength, and danger. Their friendship offers a poignant study of interdependence, opening up discussions about mental health and social attitudes towards disability. Analysing these characters encourages students to connect with broader social issues, making their engagement with the text more meaningful.
4. Context: The historical context of the Great Depression shapes the characters and themes in Of Mice and Men. Understanding the economic and racial conditions of the time enables students to better empathise with characters like Crooks and Curley’s wife. Tasks such as imagining a letter Crooks might write to his family or a letter from Curley’s wife to her mother offer students a chance to practise empathy while deepening their understanding of the text.
5. Themes: The elusive American Dream is a central theme, symbolising hope and ambition yet ultimately leading to disillusionment. This theme is inextricable from the characters and plot, with the dream of land ownership bringing George, Lennie, Candy, and Crooks together, only to dissolve as the story progresses. For advanced students, this theme could be analysed as a critique of societal structures and the isolation of the time, exploring how Steinbeck portrays the breakdown of dreams and connections.

The Impact of the PACCT Method

By applying the PACCT method, students gain a structured yet flexible approach to literary analysis. The method divides the text into manageable components, encouraging students to engage deeply with the material while supporting them in expressing empathy and understanding. 

With time, students can confidently apply the PACCT approach in exams and assessments, equipping them with a reliable strategy for tackling complex texts. This framework provides students with a solid foundation in analysis, allowing for nuanced and thoughtful responses.

For further insights, feedback, or examples of how you’ve implemented the PACCT method in teaching, feel free to get in touch with me using the author link below and share your experiences. 

You can find a GCSE English tutor to help you use the PACCT method and much more in an online tutoring session on Sherpa.

References

• Babatola, O. (2024). The PACCT method: A structured approach to literary analysis for teachers and students. Unpublished manuscript.
• Shakespeare, W. (1611). The Tempest. Project Gutenberg.
• Steinbeck, J. (1937). Of Mice and Men.