English Literature

Course summary

The first year involves the study of the following: ● Comparative and contextual study from a topic area: DYSTOPIA - Margaret Attwood: ‘The Handmaid’s Tale - Ray Bradbury: ‘Fahrenheit 451’ - Analysis of unseen extracts of dystopian fiction ● NEA (coursework) close reading OR re-creative writing piece with commentary: Thomas Hardy: ‘Selected Poems’ The second year will include: ● Comparative NEA (coursework) comparing Tennessee Williams’s ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’ with a post-2000 novel of your ● Shakespeare: ‘Hamlet’ ● Drama and poetry pre-1900: Christina Rossetti ‘Selected Poems’ ● Ibsen: ‘A Doll’s House’ An English lesson is one in which ideas are shared and views about texts are thought through and discussed. We consider the contexts, purposes and audiences which shape texts. You will need to listen to others thoughtfully and be prepared to discuss your own views. You will be expected to read and write extensively, both in lessons and independently. It will be necessary to read the set texts several times.