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This resource is designed to guide students through the comparative study of Barbie (directed by Greta Gerwig), Small Things Like These (by Claire Keegan), and Sive (by John B. Keane) as part of the 2026 curriculum. Rather than providing pre-written notes, this resource focuses on questions and prompts to help students develop their own observations and reflections on the cultural context of the texts.

Contents
Aspect of Cultural Context:

Includes key themes such as social class and status, gender roles, authority figures, religion and morality, community and isolation, economic pressures, and the ending and resolution.
Comparative Analysis:

Thought-provoking questions encourage students to compare Barbie with Small Things Like These and Sive, highlighting connections and contrasts across the texts.
Personal Reflection Prompts:

Reflective questions prompt students to connect the themes of the texts to their own lives, experiences, and observations of society.
Focused Analysis of Barbie:

Each cultural aspect is explored in detail for Barbie, encouraging students to critically examine its portrayal of privilege, gender dynamics, authority, moral judgement, community, economic challenges, and thematic resolution.
Learning Objectives:
Enable students to create their own notes and insights based on guided prompts and questions.
Develop a deeper understanding of how cultural context shapes characters, themes, and narratives.
Encourage critical thinking, personal reflection, and independent analysis in preparation for comparative essay writing.
This resource empowers students to engage actively with the texts, fostering independence in note-making and a personalised approach to understanding the cultural contexts of Barbie, Small Things Like These, and Sive. It’s particularly suited for students preparing for the Leaving Certificate English exam.