Classic Novels of English Literature: A Cultural and Historical Exploration

This course will explore classic literature across various genres and time periods, with a focus on understanding the historical and cultural context in which they were written. Students will read novels, poetry, and plays and engage in group discussions, character analysis, and activities to deepen their understanding and appreciation of the literature. Homework will involve extensive reading of classic literature. The course aims to encourage beginner readers to love and have a broad knowledge of English literature, while improving their reading and speaking skills.

Students will also use John Sutherland's "A Little History of Literature" as a guide to understanding the historical and cultural context of the works being studied. This book provides a comprehensive overview of literature's development from ancient times to the present day and will be an invaluable resource for understanding the texts being studied. Students will reference the book throughout the course to gain a deeper understanding of the literary works, movements, and figures that have shaped literature throughout history.

Spring semester classes

Syllabas

Week1Time

What is Literature?

This class will focus on the novel as a central literary form, examining its unique features and exploring how its cultural and historical context shapes its meaning, making it a fascinating journey into the world of literature.

Week2Time

Don Quixote, Miguel de Cervantes

In this class, students will explore the cultural and historical background of Miguel de Cervantes' Don Quixote, including the influence of the Spanish Golden Age, the concept of chivalry, and the social and political climate of 16th century Spain. They will analyse how these factors shaped the novel's themes, characters, and plot, and evaluate the lasting impact of Don Quixote on Spanish and world literature.

Week3Time

The Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan

In this class, students will explore the cultural and historical context surrounding John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress, examining the religious and political climate of 17th century England that gave rise to Bunyan's influential work. Through analysis of the text, students will gain a deeper understanding of the enduring significance of The Pilgrim's Progress as a reflection of its time and as a timeless work of literature.

Week4Time

[ON-DEMAND CLASS] Gulliver’s Travels, Jonathan Swift

In this class, students will investigate the cultural and historical context of Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels, exploring the political and social climate of 18th century England that informed Swift's satirical masterpiece. Through close reading of the text and examination of primary sources, students will gain a deeper understanding of Swift's commentary on Enlightenment philosophy, colonialism, and human nature, as well as the enduring relevance of Gulliver's Travels in contemporary society.

Week5Time

Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen

In this class, students will explore the cultural and historical context of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, examining the social norms and gender roles of late 18th and early 19th century England that are reflected in the novel. Through close reading and discussion, students will gain a deeper understanding of the societal values of the time, including class consciousness, gender inequality, and the importance of marriage and reputation.

Week6Time

Oliver Twist, Charles Dickens

In this class, students will explore the cultural and historical context of Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist, examining the social and economic conditions of 19th century England that are portrayed in the novel. Through close reading and analysis, students will gain a deeper understanding of the societal values and struggles of the time, including the prevalence of poverty and its impact on working-class families, the harsh treatment of orphans and the homeless, and the criminal underworld that emerged as a result of these conditions. Students will also consider the novel's commentary on morality, justice, and the role of government in addressing these societal issues.

Week7Time

Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë

In this class, students will examine the cultural and historical context of Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre, exploring the social and gender conventions of mid-19th century England that are reflected in the novel. Through close reading and analysis, students will gain a deeper understanding of the societal values and challenges of the time, including the limited opportunities and expectations for women, the impact of industrialisation on society and individuals, and the tension between individual desires and societal norms. Students will also consider the novel's themes of identity, independence, and morality.

Week8Time

[ON-DEMAND CLASS] The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne

In this class, students will explore the cultural and historical context of Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, examining the religious and social values of 17th century Puritan New England that are depicted in the novel. Through close reading and analysis, students will gain a deeper understanding of the societal attitudes and beliefs of the time, including the strict moral code of the Puritan community, the role of religion in everyday life, and the treatment of women who violated societal norms. Students will also consider the novel's commentary on sin, guilt, and redemption, as well as its relevance to contemporary issues of morality and social justice.

Week9Time

Moby-Dick, Herman Melville

In this class, students will examine the cultural and historical context of Herman Melville's Moby-Dick, exploring the social, economic, and environmental conditions of 19th century America that are depicted in the novel. Through close reading and analysis, students will gain a deeper understanding of the societal values and challenges of the time, including the impact of industrialisation on the environment and human relationships, the role of technology in the economy, and the tension between individual ambition and community responsibility. Students will also consider the novel's themes of obsession, revenge, and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world.

Week10Time

Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Harriet Beecher Stowe

In this class, students will examine the cultural and historical context of Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin, analysing the social and political conditions of mid-19th century America that are portrayed in the novel. Through close reading and critical analysis, students will gain a deeper understanding of the societal values and challenges of the time, including the institution of slavery, racial discrimination and violence, and the role of women in advocating for social justice. Students will also consider the novel's impact on public opinion and the abolitionist movement, as well as its enduring relevance to contemporary issues of race, power, and social change.

Week11Time

Madame Bovary, Gustave Flaubert

In this class, students will explore the cultural and historical context of Gustave Flaubert's Madame Bovary, examining the social and gender roles of 19th century France that are depicted in the novel. Through close reading and analysis, students will gain a deeper understanding of the societal values and challenges of the time, including the constraints on women's lives, the impact of industrialisation on rural communities, and the role of literature and art in shaping cultural norms. Students will also consider the novel's themes of love, desire, and the search for meaning in a changing world.

Week12Time

[ON-DEMAND CLASS] Crime and Punishment, Fyodor Dostoyevsky

In this class, students will examine the cultural and historical context of Fyodor Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment, exploring the social, political, and philosophical conditions of 19th century Russia that are portrayed in the novel. Through close reading and analysis, students will gain a deeper understanding of the societal values and challenges of the time, including the impact of poverty, the struggle for social and political change, and the search for spiritual and moral meaning in a rapidly changing world. Students will also consider the novel's themes of guilt, redemption, and the human psyche.

Week13Time

Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy

In this class, students will explore the cultural and historical context of Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina, examining the social and gender conventions of 19th century Russia that are reflected in the novel. Through close reading and analysis, students will gain a deeper understanding of the societal values and challenges of the time, including the limited opportunities and expectations for women, the role of the aristocracy in Russian society, and the impact of modernisation on traditional ways of life. Students will also consider the novel's themes of love, marriage, and the search for happiness in a complex and changing world.

Week14Time

The Return of the Native, Thomas Hardy

In this class, students will examine the cultural and historical context of Thomas Hardy's The Return of the Native, exploring the social and environmental conditions of 19th century rural England that are portrayed in the novel. Through close reading and analysis, students will gain a deeper understanding of the societal values and challenges of the time, including the impact of industrialisation on rural communities, the tension between tradition and progress, and the struggle for individual freedom and self-expression. Students will also consider the novel's themes of love, fate, and the relationship between humans and the natural world.

Week15Time

[ON-DEMAND CLASS] The Portrait of a Lady, Henry James

In this class, students will explore the cultural and historical context of Henry James' The Portrait of a Lady, examining the social and gender conventions of late 19th century Europe and America that are depicted in the novel. Through close reading and analysis, students will gain a deeper understanding of the societal values and challenges of the time, including the constraints on women's lives and the impact of changing attitudes towards marriage and sexuality. Students will also consider the novel's themes of identity, independence, and the tension between individual desires and societal expectations.

Autumn semester classes

Syllabas

Week1Time

The Red Badge of Courage, Stephen Crane

In this lecture, we will examine the historical and cultural context surrounding the writing of The Red Badge of Courage, including the impact of the Civil War on American literature and the emergence of literary naturalism. We will also explore how the novel reflects the changing attitudes towards war and heroism during the late 19th century.

Week2Time

Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad

In this lecture, we will examine the historical and cultural context surrounding the writing of Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, including the impact of European imperialism on Africa, and the literary movement of modernism. We will also explore how the novel reflects the changing attitudes towards race, colonialism, and morality during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Week3Time

The House of Mirth, Edith Wharton

In this lecture, we will examine the historical and cultural context surrounding the writing of The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton, including the social expectations of New York high society during the Gilded Age and the emergence of the New Woman movement. We will also explore how the novel reflects the changing attitudes towards gender roles, class, and social mobility in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Week4Time

[ON-DEMAND CLASS] The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald

In this lecture, we will examine the historical and cultural context surrounding the writing of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, including the excesses and social upheavals of the Roaring Twenties and the disillusionment that followed World War I. We will also explore how the novel reflects the changing attitudes towards the American Dream, social class, and morality during the early 20th century.

Week5Time

Mrs. Dalloway, Virginia Woolf

In this lecture, we will examine the historical and cultural context surrounding the writing of Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf, including the aftermath of World War I and the rise of modernist literature. We will also explore how the novel reflects the changing attitudes towards gender roles, mental health, and the meaning of life during the early 20th century.

Week6Time

The Trial, Franz Kafka

In this lecture, we will examine the historical and cultural context surrounding the writing of The Trial by Franz Kafka, including the rise of totalitarianism in Europe, the modernist literary movement, and the existential crisis of the individual in a rapidly changing society. We will also explore how the novel reflects the changing attitudes towards bureaucracy, law, and justice during the early 20th century.

Week7Time

Native Son, Richard Wright

In this lecture, we will examine the historical and cultural context surrounding the writing of Native Son by Richard Wright, including the ongoing struggles for civil rights and racial equality in the United States during the 1930s, and the influence of naturalism and existentialism on American literature. We will also explore how the novel reflects the changing attitudes towards race, class, and social justice during the early 20th century.

Week8Time

[ON-DEMAND CLASS] 1984, George Orwell

In this lecture, we will examine the historical and cultural context surrounding the writing of 1984 by George Orwell, including the rise of totalitarianism and the Cold War, the impact of World War II on global politics and society, and the influence of dystopian literature. We will also explore how the novel reflects the changing attitudes towards government control, individualism, and truth during the mid-20th century.

Week9Time

Invisible Man, Ralph Ellison

In this lecture, we will examine the historical and cultural context surrounding the writing of Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison, including the ongoing struggles for civil rights and racial equality in the United States during the mid-20th century, and the influence of existentialism and modernism on American literature. We will also explore how the novel reflects the changing attitudes towards race, identity, and the American Dream during the post-war era.

Week10Time

Seize the Day, Saul Bellow

In this lecture, we will examine the historical and cultural context surrounding the writing of Seize the Day by Saul Bellow, including the aftermath of World War II and the rise of consumer culture in the United States, and the influence of modernism and existentialism on American literature. We will also explore how the novel reflects the changing attitudes towards identity, success, and the search for meaning during the post-war era.

Week11Time

One Hundred Years of Solitude, Gabriel García Márquez

In this lecture, we will examine the historical and cultural context surrounding the writing of One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez, including the political and social upheavals in Latin America during the mid-20th century, and the influence of magical realism on literature. We will also explore how the novel reflects the changing attitudes towards colonialism, identity, and cultural heritage in Latin America.

Week12Time

[ON-DEMAND CLASS] If on a winter’s night a traveler, Italo Calvino

In this lecture, we will examine the historical and cultural context surrounding the writing of "If on a winter’s night a traveler" by Italo Calvino, including the influence of postmodernism on literature, and the changing role of the reader in the creation of meaning. We will also explore how the novel reflects the changing attitudes towards language, narrative, and the nature of fiction during the late 20th century.

Week13Time

Song of Solomon, Toni Morrison

In this lecture, we will examine the historical and cultural context surrounding the writing of Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison, including the ongoing struggles for civil rights and racial equality in the United States during the mid-20th century, and the influence of magical realism and African American folklore on literature. We will also explore how the novel reflects the changing attitudes towards race, identity, and the search for cultural heritage and roots during the post-civil rights era.

Week14Time

White Noise, Don Delillo

In this lecture, we will examine the historical and cultural context surrounding the writing of White Noise by Don Delillo, including the rise of consumer culture and technology, the influence of postmodernism on literature, and the cultural anxiety surrounding death and mortality during the late 20th century. We will also explore how the novel reflects the changing attitudes towards identity, family, and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world.

eek15Time

[ON-DEMAND CLASS] Possession, A.S. Byatt

In this lecture, we will examine the historical and cultural context surrounding the writing of Possession by A.S. Byatt, including the influence of postmodernism on literature, the changing role of women in academia and society, and the ongoing debates surrounding the ownership and interpretation of cultural artifacts. We will also explore how the novel reflects the changing attitudes towards love, language, and the nature of scholarship during the late 20th century.