English Literature

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

Studying Literature has helped me to view the world in so many ways. I am particularly fascinated by the ways novels can reveal historical details about the times they were written in. I would like to study Literature from all over the world in more depth. I have become deeply involved in the lives of the characters of many of the novels I have read. Whether it is Curley's wife in "Of Mice and Men" or Tess in "Tess of the D'Urbervilles," I inhabit their world while I am reading about their lives. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about Steinbeck's projection of the depression era and Hardy's presentation of Tess' demise within Literature. A novel which I read outside of my studies that I found inspiring was Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre." Jane brings up the problem of gender inequality, and I like the way that Bronte uses dialogue within the novel to express that Jane feels that society is patriarchal. I would love to study feminism in further detail at university as I find it an interesting topic. Another book that I read outside of my studies that interested me was "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro. I really liked the dystopian elements within it and how it highlights and warns of the dangers of cloning human beings. At university, I will aspire to develop the skills I already have as well as learning new ones. I hope that studying English Literature helps me to further my love for both reading and writing.

How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

Studying for A level English Literature has broadened my knowledge of the features of dramatic tragedy and the various elements that make up crime writing. Using a critical anthology has allowed me to view the various literary works through a range of different theories such as Marxism or Feminism. I can confidently analyse the effects writers create through their use of language. In year 12, I had the pleasure of being able to go to London to visit the Globe Theatre with my English class, which gave me more of an insight into the setup of a Shakespearean play and the different elements within a Shakespearean play. I found this useful as I am currently studying "Othello."

What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

I like to help where possible at school. In year 12, I volunteered to read with some year 7's who have trouble reading, which enabled them to improve their reading skills. I felt that this was beneficial as reading is a great skill to have not just for academic reasons, but also for entertainment. This helped me with my communication skills and helped me take some responsibility. I currently work at Primark part-time, which has helped me to manage my time, so that I can balance school work with other activities outside of school.