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This resource provides an in-depth exploration of the Cultural Context in Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan, tailored for the Comparative Study in the 2026 Leaving Certificate. It is designed to facilitate comparisons with Barbie and Sive and includes prompts for personal reflection, fostering critical thinking and engagement with the texts.

What’s Included:
Cultural Context Framework

Clear headings to explore key aspects of cultural context, including:
Social Class and Status
Gender Roles
Authority Figures
Religion and Morality
Community and Isolation
Economic Pressures
Ending and Resolution
Guiding questions for each aspect, helping students identify and analyse how these themes are presented in Small Things Like These.
Comparative Focus

Prompts to compare Small Things Like These with Barbie and Sive.
Thoughtful questions that encourage students to examine similarities and differences in cultural context across the three texts.
Personal Reflection Prompts

Space for students to connect their personal insights with the themes, promoting deeper understanding of cultural and social issues.
Detailed and Structured Layout

A systematic approach to help students break down complex ideas.
Focused questions to encourage engagement with the text and support preparation for essay writing.
Cultural Context in Small Things Like These

Dedicated sections with guiding questions for each key theme, helping students explore the nuances of the text:
Treatment of characters based on social standing.
Gender expectations and limitations.
The influence of authority figures and power dynamics.
The role of religion and morality.
Community support and isolation.
The impact of economic pressures on characters’ lives.
How the ending ties cultural context to the broader story.
This teaching resource equips students with a structured approach to understanding and analysing cultural context in Small Things Like These while enabling meaningful comparisons with other texts. It supports both Higher Level and Ordinary Level study, ensuring accessibility for all learners.