Students were provided with an overview of the A2 Literature course [40% coursework/ 60% exam]. The coursework consists of two essays: one at BGS and one at BHS.
The very conventional and regular form of Wordsworth's 'Daffodils' was compared with the irregular modernist form of Eliot's Prufrock. Students were shown two paintings created by PICASSO at the beginning of the twentieth century and these very literal examples from PICASSO's 'blue period' were compared with PICASSO's more abstract representations created later in the twentieth century. Les Demoiselles d'Avignon was created in 1907, only a couple of years after the two literal 'blue period' portraits yet PICASSO has completely changed the form and structure of his work. Picasso's change in form was used to illustrate the difference between Wordsworth's conventional use of form and Eliot's experimental and fragmented monologue used to represent the thoughts of Prufrock.
The class were encouraged to consider how Eliot shapes meaning using metaphorical association. Why 'like a patient etherised upon a table'? Why the 'ragged claws'? Why the gigantic ambiguous animal lurking within the city?
The class response to the poem was EXTREMELY IMPRESSIVE. A great start to the academic year.
HOMEWORK:
Read Prufrock. Specific reading focus should be a consideration of how Eliot uses metaphor to shape meaning. Next week we will also discuss whether this poem should be considered canonical. BRING SOME THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS. Do you sympathise with Prufrock? What is Eliot's aim in presenting such an alienated and anxious character? How significant is the historical context? How does Eliot represent the city? Why?
Also, read Walton's letters in Shelley's The Modern Prometheus and read the first three chapters of Victor's narrative. I will be asking students to consider HOW Shelley attempts to engage the reader in the opening section of the novel. What kind of character is Walton? Is he a sympathetic character? How significant is the response of Victor in the final letter?
Students should peruse the resources offered here:
This History Channel documentary examines some contextual issues that link to Shelley's novel. This is a fairly 'light' documentary and is accessible and engaging:
This is the 'NATURE' episode of THE ROMANTICS documenary broadcast by the BBC. The last ten minutes deal specifically with Shelley's novel:
T.S.Eliot Documentary:
T.S.Eliot reads Prufrock:
Robert Webb offers his view of Prufrock:
You lot were superb today. Long may it continue.
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