Course overview

Part 2 of this course builds on our first ten weeks before Christmas, but as each text is studied individually, it is possible to pursue Part 2 separately. We will explore the following texts: On Chesil Beach - Ian McEwan. Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell (2004) Day - A.L. Kennedy. Affinity - Sarah Waters. The Sense of an Ending - Julian Barnes. There will be a wealth of opportunity for discussion of these texts and their themes, which will involve memory, how narratives are structured and gender issues. The texts will also introduce concepts relating to how one reads texts closely and aligns these texts with modern literary movements.

Course description

Our first text Chesil Beach will examine the work of one of Britain鈥檚 leading authors who has evolved from enfant terrible to an almost establishment figure. Cloud Atlas, our second novel strikes against the sometimes parochial tone of British fiction, and elaborates its narrative across continents and times, resulting in a consummate postmodernist work.

With regard A. L. Kennedy and Sarah Waters, we will examine how the voices of modern women novelists has gained urgency in the last half a century in Britain, and we shall note how both these writers challenge stereotypes and the patriarchy. Naturally, we shall relate them to the constantly evolving feminist movement.

Our final text by Julian Barnes is full of a refined and urbane melancholy and we will seek to view him as belonging to the tradition of the melancholic throughout British literature.

The usual suspects of identity and its shifting focus in British society in the last half a century; the parochial versus the European or world view in modern British writing, which develops themes of diversity, multiculturalism will occupy our thoughts. Additionally, we will discover in each text simpler questions, such as what constitutes style and narrative structure. It is a course which will illustrate, therefore, why British literature continues to be both challenging and reassuring.

What financial support is available?

We don't want anything to stand in your way when it comes to bringing Adult learning within reach so if you need anything to support you to achieve your goals then speak to one of our education experts during your enrolment journey. Most of our courses are government funded but if you don't qualify or need alternative financial help to access them then let us know.

What other support is available?

All of our digital content, teaching and learning activities and assessments are designed to be accessible so if you need any additional support you can discuss this with the education experts during your enrolment journey and we will do all we can to make sure you have optimal access.

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