Literary Analysis of American and English Literature

Course Description

This course teaches students how to analyse American and English literature. Students will engage with a curated selection of short works, ranging from the early narratives of Chaucer and Shakespeare to contemporary voices like Zadie Smith and Jhumpa Lahiri. The course is designed to enhance students' skills in literary analysis, interpretation, and cross-cultural literary appreciation. Emphasising interactive discussions and reflective writing, it aims to deepen their understanding of the nuances and complexities inherent in American and English literary traditions.

Classes

[ON-DEMAND CLASS] Introduction to Literary Analysis

Introduction to the course and the hidden layers of storytelling. Using Thomas C. Foster's guide, we will dissect quest narratives, symbols, and character archetypes. This class transforms the reading experience by revealing how to read literary works. 

Early English Literature

Geoffrey Chaucer's The Miller's Tale. We analyse Chaucer’s humour, irony, and social commentary, examining how he critiques medieval attitudes toward love and class.

The English Renaissance

William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice. Focusing on justice, mercy, and prejudice, we will analyse Shakespeare’s linguistic prowess and the play's commentary on race and religion in Elizabethan England.

[ON-DEMAND CLASS] Victorian Era 

Charles Dickens' 'The Signal-Man'. We explore themes of industrialisation and the supernatural. The analysis focuses on atmospheric tension and Dickens' portrayal of the Victorian zeitgeist.

English Romanticism

Mary Shelley's The Mortal Immortal. We examine Romantic motifs such as the sublime and forbidden knowledge, exploring the fascination with the supernatural and human suffering.

[ON-DEMAND CLASS] English Modernism 

Virginia Woolf's Kew Gardens. An exploration of experimental style and stream-of-consciousness. We analyse how Woolf captures the fleeting nature of thought and the Modernist shift from tradition.

Postwar English Literature 

Graham Greene's The Destructors. We analyse the social upheaval of post-WWII Britain, focusing on nihilism, rebellion, and the loss of innocence amidst the ruins of London.

[ON-DEMAND CLASS] Contemporary English Literature 

Zadie Smith's 'The Embassy of Cambodia'. A window into multicultural Britain. We discuss identity, immigration, and Smith's incisive social commentary on modern urban existence.

Early American Literature 

Washington Irving's 'Rip Van Winkle'. We explore myth, legend, and identity in the early American nation, analysing Irving’s use of folklore and allegory.

[ON-DEMAND CLASS] American Romanticism 

Edgar Allan Poe's The Fall of the House of Usher. A masterpiece of Gothic fiction. We scrutinise symbolism, mood, and psychological depth to understand the Romantic fascination with fear and the sublime.

American Realism 

Mark Twain's 'The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County'. We examine regional dialect and satire, exploring the Realist emphasis on everyday life and the American spirit.

[ON-DEMAND CLASS] The Harlem Renaissance 

Langston Hughes' Thank You, Ma'am. A reflection on empathy and dignity. We analyse character development and the social dynamics of the African American experience during the Harlem Renaissance.

American Modernism 

F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Ice Palace. We explore the clash of tradition and modernity in the Jazz Age, analysing Fitzgerald’s symbolism and his depiction of the American Dream.

Postwar American Literature 

Raymond Carver's Cathedral. An exploration of isolation and connection using minimalist style. We analyse how simple scenarios reveal deep emotional truths.

[ON-DEMAND CLASS] Contemporary American Literature 

Jhumpa Lahiri's Interpreter of Maladies. We explore cultural identity and the Indian diaspora. This session concludes with a course review and feedback on the semester's learning outcomes.