English Literature

Course summary

At the core of all study is the human condition and what humanity truly is. We question the soul, spirit, social and political responsibility and what it is that drives us. Emotion is at the heart of each text, and students are in for a whirlwind ride as we explore tragedy, supernatural thrillers, romance, loss, heartbreak and everything in between. Year 12 Students study: > Poems of the Decade, a selection of poetry from 2001-2009; > The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde’s dark satire of 19th Century society; > Beloved by Toni Morrison, a Gothic Horror story set during the end of American Slavery; > Marlow’s Dr Faustus, a tragic tale about making a deal with the devil. Students also begin their coursework which is a 2000- 3000 word essay in which they compare two books of their choosing, one being either The Handmaid’s Tale or The Great Gatsby which we also read as a class. Year 13 Students study: > Othello, Shakespeare’s tragic play about jealousy, race, honour, and love; > A selection of Romantic Poems. Students also complete their coursework and revise all other elements of their course in preparation for their final exams.