YEAR 13 LESSON ONE [9th Sept 11]: Homework.

Welcome back and congratulations on an outstanding set of results. Now we can really dig into the world of Literature.

The first session began with a brief overview of the AQA A2 course structure [closed book exam = 60% of final A2 mark, coursework = 40% of final A2 mark].

Students were then encouraged to consider the features of the gothic tradition. Students received copies of 'Little RedCape' from the Grimm Brothers 1812 Collection of Germanic folk tales and Angela Carter's 'The Werewolf' from The Bloody Chamber published in 1979. These two texts were used along with reference to Poe and Maupassant as generally accepted examples of Literature believed to reflect elements of the gothic tradition.

The second section of the session involved the class discussing the themes, form and general content of T.S.Eliot's 'The Love Song of J.Alfred Prufrock'. This poem was offered to the class as a potential coursework text but students, as always, are encouraged to discover their own poem.Students now have access to a whole range of poems that are suitable for the coursework task.

The links below will take you to The National Poetry Archive and a BBC Poetry site. Feel free to browse and discover a world of poets and their poetry:

http://www.poetryarchive.org/poetryarchive/poetsHome.do

http://www.bbc.co.uk/poetryseason/poets/

Any student interested in the life and work of the formidable T.S.Eliot might be interested in this excellent BBC documentary.Click on link to access the You Tube version. This BE CURIOUS link also contains a link to Eliot reading Prufrock. Note the reader comments reacting to the reading of this famous poem:

http://becuriouslit.blogspot.com/2010/09/ts-eliot-arena-bbc-documentary.html

Homework: Read Eliot's Prufrock and begin to read Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. In the next session I will be discussing the significance of Walton's letters. Students should try and watch the BBC 'Romantics' documentary. It will provide some valid and relevant contextual information that will benefit your reading of Shelley's disturbing and brilliant novel.

The attitude throughout this session was superb.Keep it up you crazy freaks. It was great to see you all again. Keep reading.