English Literature is a perfect subject if you are interested in debating and analysing how texts across time reflect the ever-changing world around us and you have a curiosity about your fellow humans. In each year you will study a selection of Drama, Poetry and Prose texts across a wide-ranging time period, providing insights and perspectives from which we can all learn to think more critically and also develop our empathy and humanity.
Content Overview
Year 1
Theme: Love Through the Ages
Paper 1: Shakespeare and Poetry
Drama: Our set text is Shakespeare’s ‘Measure for Measure’ and you will answer an extract-based question in the exam which looks at themes, dramatic conventions and contextual influences.
Poetry: You will be issued with an anthology of pre-1900 poetry by the exam board and you will then answer a question on themes, poetic techniques and contextual influences for one of the 14 poems you study.
Paper 2: Prose
Unseen Prose: You will be presented with an unseen prose extract taken from a novel and will answer a question to demonstrate your analytical skills and contextual understanding.
Comparative Prose: You will answer a question from a choice of two on your two set text novels, Emily Bronte’s ‘Wuthering Heights’ and F Scott Fitzgerald’s ‘The Great Gatsby’, focusing on themes and comparison and contrast of the time periods in which they were written.
Year 2
Theme: Modern Times: Literature from 1945 to Present
We study an Unseen Poetry module to prepare for the question on the A Level Paper 1.
Paper 2
Unseen Prose: Contextual factors affecting literature from 1945 onwards
Drama: Tennessee Williams’ social realism play ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’
Comparative Poetry and Prose: Sylvia Plath’s ‘Ariel’ with Kathryn Stockett’s ‘The Help’
You will also be required to complete a Non-Exam Assessment (NEA) in the first term: this ‘Independent Critical Study of Texts Across Time’ will be a critical essay on two texts of your choosing (approval needed), one of which MUST be written pre-1900. 2,500 words and an academic bibliography must be included.
