English Literature

Course summary

English Literature allows students to explore the world of texts through a variety of genres. While it is a traditional course, it also gives us the opportunity to engage in fruitful discussions and debates over key issues arising from matters within the texts studied and also encourages students to read widely around the subject, thereby extending their general knowledge. We begin the course at AS by studying a pre-1900 prose text alongside a drama piece, analysing the novel and play’s meaning as shown through the changes in language and structure. While doing so, we also link this to the surrounding contextual factors and engaging in critical readings of the texts. This is developed later in the year through our analysis of post-1900 poetry –again giving us the chance to explore the texts’ contemporary world while comparing with more modern readings. These skills are enhanced and developed further at A2, with the students given an opportunity to produce their own analysis comparing two prose texts from different time periods in their non-examination assessment.