AQA GCSE English Literature: Key Quotes You Must Know for Every Text (Part 1)
If you’re preparing for your AQA GCSE English Literature exam in 2025, you probably already know that memorizing key quotes is absolutely essential. Whether you’re analyzing Shakespeare, a 19th-century novel, or a modern play, quoting accurately and insightfully can take your answers from a Grade 5 to a Grade 9.
In this ultimate guide, we break down the must-know quotes from some of the main texts on the AQA English Literature specification and explain why they’re so important. We’ll also give you top tips for memorization and exam success.
Why Quotes Matter in GCSE English Literature
The examiners want to see that you know the text well, and quoting directly is the best way to show that. But it’s not just about remembering quotes — you need to analyze them. Understanding why a character says something, how the language works, and what it reveals about the themes will earn you the higher marks.
Section 1: Shakespeare — Macbeth
Top Quotes and Analysis
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“Fair is foul, and foul is fair” (Act 1, Scene 1)
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Themes: Appearance vs reality, supernatural
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Why it’s key: Sets the tone for the entire play. The witches introduce the theme of moral confusion.
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“Is this a dagger which I see before me?” (Act 2, Scene 1)
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Themes: Ambition, fate, guilt
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Why it’s key: Shows Macbeth’s descent into madness and the influence of supernatural visions.
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“Out, damned spot! Out, I say!” (Act 5, Scene 1)
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Themes: Guilt, madness
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Why it’s key: Lady Macbeth’s breakdown shows the psychological consequences of their actions.
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Quick Tip:
Create flashcards with the quote on one side and analysis + theme on the back. Review these daily.
For more information on Macbeth, themes and quotes, read this article. Click on link.
Section 2: 19th-Century Novel — A Christmas Carol (Charles Dickens)
Top Quotes and Analysis
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“Bah! Humbug!” (Stave 1)
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Themes: Isolation, selfishness
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Why it’s key: Immediately defines Scrooge’s dismissive and cynical character.
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“He was a second father” (Stave 5)
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Themes: Redemption, transformation
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Why it’s key: Highlights the total change in Scrooge, showing Dickens’s moral message.
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“Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?” (Stave 1)
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Themes: Social injustice, poverty
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Why it’s key: Criticizes Victorian attitudes to the poor, echoing Dickens’s reformist beliefs.
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Revision Tip:
Use color coding when revising quotes — red for character, green for theme, blue for context.
Section 3: Modern Text — An Inspector Calls (J.B. Priestley)
Top Quotes and Analysis
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“We are members of one body” (Act 3)
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Themes: Social responsibility, collective conscience
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Why it’s key: Priestley’s central message — we are all connected.
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“Girls of that class—” (Act 2)
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Themes: Class, prejudice
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Why it’s key: Shows Mrs. Birling’s snobbery and highlights the play’s class critique.
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“The Inspector need not be a big man but he creates at once an impression of massiveness” (Stage directions)
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Themes: Power, morality
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Why it’s key: Reveals how the Inspector’s authority is moral rather than physical.
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Revision Tip:
Act out scenes with friends and say the quotes aloud — speaking them helps memory retention.
Section 4: Modern Novel — Lord of the Flies (William Golding)
Top Quotes and Analysis
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“Maybe there is a beast… maybe it’s only us.”
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Themes: Innate evil, savagery
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Why it’s key: Suggests that the real danger is human nature, not a physical monster.
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“The conch exploded into a thousand white fragments.”
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Themes: Order vs chaos
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Why it’s key: The destruction of the conch symbolizes the end of civilisation.
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“Ralph wept for the end of innocence.”
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Themes: Loss of innocence, trauma
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Why it’s key: Summarizes the emotional and moral devastation experienced by the boys.
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Quick Memory Hack:
Use mnemonic devices. For example, “Big Sad Cat” = Beast (evil), Shell (order), Crying (innocence).
Section 5: Poetry Anthology — Power and Conflict
While there are 15 poems, you only need to revise a selection well. Here are some core quotes from key poems:
Ozymandias (Shelley)
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“Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!”
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Irony — nothing remains. Highlights power’s impermanence.
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My Last Duchess (Browning)
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“I gave commands; then all smiles stopped together.”
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Chilling portrayal of control and abuse of power.
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Exposure (Owen)
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“But nothing happens.”
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Repetition shows the futility and mental toll of trench warfare.
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Storm on the Island (Heaney)
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“We are bombarded by the empty air.”
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Nature is portrayed as a powerful, invisible enemy.
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Tissue (Dharker)
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“Paper that lets the light shine through.”
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Paper = metaphor for fragility of human life and power.
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Exam Tip:
Practice comparing poems (e.g., Ozymandias vs My Last Duchess). Think about how power is shown differently.
Section 6: Unseen Poetry
Even though you don’t have the poem in advance, your skills in quote analysis still matter. Use quotes from the unseen poem in your answer — pick one or two short phrases and explain their effect.
Practice Structure:
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Identify a quote
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Zoom in on a word or image
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Link to a theme or emotion
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Consider why the poet chose this technique
Example:
“The sky was a bruised plum” – Metaphor implies violence and sadness. The sky becomes a physical body, hinting at emotional or literal pain.
Memorization Strategies for Quotes
1. The Rule of 3
Pick three quotes per theme and use them in all your practice essays. Repetition will help you recall them under pressure.
2. Mind Maps
Create quote mind maps for each character or theme. This helps you see connections and improves essay flow.
3. Sticky Notes
Place quotes on your bedroom wall, mirror, or bathroom. Daily exposure works wonders.
4. Quote Battles
Challenge a friend — who can say a quote and explain it faster and more effectively?
Bonus: Examiner-Style Advice for Using Quotes
Examiners are looking for:
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Accuracy: Get the wording right.
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Relevance: Pick quotes that link directly to the question.
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Insight: Don’t just drop a quote in — analyse it!
Here’s a great example of how to use a quote:
Macbeth’s vision of the dagger — “Is this a dagger which I see before me” — shows how ambition has unbalanced his mind. The hallucination reflects his inner conflict and the supernatural themes in the play.
Final Thoughts: Your Quote Arsenal for 2025
Having a solid bank of quotes gives you a major edge in the AQA GCSE English Literature exams. But remember — it’s not just about knowing them. It’s about understanding, analyzing, and using them effectively.
Here’s a final checklist for success:
✅ Learn 3–5 quotes per character and theme
✅ Practice using them in full paragraphs
✅ Link them to the writer’s intentions and context
✅ Vary your quotes to show a wide understanding
✅ Don’t panic — confidence comes with practice!
Ready to Boost Your Grade?
Here’s what to do next:
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Bookmark this guide and revisit it regularly.
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Practice writing exam-style paragraphs using the quotes.
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Share this with friends — teach them a quote and quiz each other.
Remember: In English Literature, a single quote, well-analyzed, can be worth more than a whole paragraph of waffle.
Good luck with your 2025 exams — and check out lots of our other articles on GCSE English language and literature.