English Literature

Course summary

If you enjoy reading and would like to study a wide range of novels, poetry, and drama, then English Literature A Level will offer you both interest and challenge. In Year 12 you will study a Shakespeare play, such as ‘Othello’ or ‘Measure for Measure’, an anthology of love poetry, and a novel such as ‘The Great Gatsby’ by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The focus when studying these texts will be to explore the theme of ‘Love Through the Ages.’ There is also an expectation that you will pursue your interests by reading a variety of texts from the reading lists provided. Towards the end of Year 12, you will begin planning for your comparative critical study of two texts of your choice. This study will enable you to work with your teachers to choose a theme and texts that reflect your interests. In Year 13, you will study texts connected to the theme of ‘Modern Times: literature from 1945 to the present day.’ These texts include: ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ by Margaret Atwood, ‘Skirrid Hill’ by Owen Sheers, and ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ by Tennessee Williams and reflect the social, political, and moral changes in our world since the end of World War 2. You will also complete your independent critical study at the beginning of Year 13.