tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6650080146272323615.post6802728352828040026..comments2023-05-22T10:56:58.915+01:00Comments on Chloe Tells Tales: Why Bother Studying Literature At All?Chloehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00183206722136871230noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6650080146272323615.post-33758702005764610612014-06-26T10:40:41.929+01:002014-06-26T10:40:41.929+01:00I think schools need to use books that not only te...I think schools need to use books that not only teach children about the power of the written word, but also the magic of storytelling. We need an education system that gives people a lifelong passion for reading, even if that means one or two populist choices on the curriculum. Education has to be about more than getting grades and meeting targets. And, while we're on the subject, how about more focus on the short story in education?DThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11803989273524731892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6650080146272323615.post-84637021982079901242014-06-24T23:32:52.958+01:002014-06-24T23:32:52.958+01:00Those are all good choices. (I've read five of...Those are all good choices. (I've read five of them.) And I'm sure as you said, there are tons more. I think it's ironic, though, that it's such a matter of importance whether to teach British or American novels. I grew up hooked on English and Irish novelists (I'm American), as well as American novelists. I think it had a broadening experience. Elizabeth Varadan, Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01708206753256682635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6650080146272323615.post-13562892497769461112014-06-24T14:22:16.640+01:002014-06-24T14:22:16.640+01:00I guess in a way that was my point - the books nee...I guess in a way that was my point - the books need to engage children and make them think, and there must be so many books out there able to do that. "Stale" is a very good word to use! I hadn't really thought about whether a book set in another culture would make it harder to engage with. I think I actually found it easier as a kid! It takes me more effort now to get into a book set in an unfamiliar culture - perhaps I have just become lazy in my reading!Chloehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00183206722136871230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6650080146272323615.post-69900745664189721872014-06-23T12:21:43.595+01:002014-06-23T12:21:43.595+01:00Ah - well I very much differ! HA! (when it comes t...Ah - well I very much differ! HA! (when it comes to the "place" of a novel) <br /><br />It's funny, because I was talking about this yesterday with my family. I can't stand Gov - but I also thought the same thing about him removing the text "To Kill a Mocking Bird". On reflection, I appreciate the text now as an important tool to address history and race, but actually, when I read it, I found it hard to relate to and I didn't feel much for these characters because I couldn't recognise them. My family said the same - the American nature of the novel made it feel "over there" and not "here". It felt distant and removed from my life, and with something as serious as race I think we need to think about literature in a way that doesn't have to be teaching history or tradition or culture. I think for a subject as serious and relevant as race, the text needs to speak closely and relevantly to those who are reading it and this should vary across the board!<br /><br />I'm all for different texts from all over the world (and picking and choosing texts is a tricky business) - but I think it's about time we start addressing the stale nature of the English syllabus. If we only have a few books to capture young minds, then they ought to be amazing ones (not necc because they tick all the 'teaching' boxes) but because kids want to read them. Because ultimately those texts will spark a fire and allow kids to fall in love with reading and open them up to more books down the line. <br /><br />I loved Lord of the Flies at school - so would definitely keep that on your list. And would loved to have read 1984 - great idea for getting kids to think objectively about the direction/future of society. And its juicy!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6650080146272323615.post-90150952184524262062014-06-20T10:07:38.036+01:002014-06-20T10:07:38.036+01:00Well back in the day when you had to read by candl...Well back in the day when you had to read by candlelight... ;)<br /><br />I think you're right. I guess that's kind of the point I was trying to make too. It doesn't matter whether books are American or English - let's read good books!Chloehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00183206722136871230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6650080146272323615.post-5876133159656094832014-06-20T10:06:33.543+01:002014-06-20T10:06:33.543+01:00I can't honestly remember much of Owen Meany, ...I can't honestly remember much of Owen Meany, but that was actually what I loved most about Rebecca... the main character's dullness, weakness, namelessness in comparison tothe strong, almost-sinister presence of Rebecca for whom the whole book is named after even though she doesn't appear in it. I thought that was a stroke of genius.<br /><br />I love the idea you had for your assignment. Two very funny books - Cold Comfort Farm is one of my favourites. I bet it was an interesting comparison!Chloehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00183206722136871230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6650080146272323615.post-57414338623256847492014-06-20T10:04:05.969+01:002014-06-20T10:04:05.969+01:00Thank-you :0)Thank-you :0)Chloehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00183206722136871230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6650080146272323615.post-26592637613654419862014-06-20T08:14:26.512+01:002014-06-20T08:14:26.512+01:00GCSE's? The only thing that penetrated my lite...GCSE's? The only thing that penetrated my literature aversion during 'O' levels (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GCE_Ordinary_Level) was Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad. It blew my mind and changed my reading life as our English teacher got us teenage boys to appreciate the mastery this non-English writer had of the English language, making a relatively plain story line into something that caught my/our imagination. So, with the curriculum debate, you have to consider the art of teaching - if the teaching makes it live then maybe the content is less important; I'm sure there are brilliant novels which many assign to the 'not for me' category because they had to endure an uninspiring teacher on a day they wished they were elsewhere; and sadly maybe even literature itself.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12708544667002348932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6650080146272323615.post-16836107215531986752014-06-19T15:01:37.615+01:002014-06-19T15:01:37.615+01:00This comment has been removed by the author.Dan Purduehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17931812271782255562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6650080146272323615.post-15073267765514850622014-06-19T14:49:30.792+01:002014-06-19T14:49:30.792+01:00Maybe it's my engineer's temperament, but ...Maybe it's my engineer's temperament, but I've always enjoyed taking things about to see how they work, and literature is no exception. I agree with a lot of your list, but Owen Meany goes on f o r e v e r, and I think the heroine of Rebecca is one of du Maurier's weaker and less interesting characters.<br /><br />The debate about what 'should' be taught in schools has been interesting, because it seems my school bucked the trend as we didn't study TKAMB or Of Mice and Men. We did lots of Shakespeare and The Lord of the Flies. I can't remember studying any 'foreign' literature at that point.<br /><br />My favourite essay from my GCSE days is one where we were free to make up our own assignment. Mine was an examination of the humour in Cold Comfort Farm and The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I was amazed at the similar techniques at work and the process of putting the essay together left me with a deep appreciation of both books. I think they'd be a good addition to the syllabus!Dan Purduehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17931812271782255562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6650080146272323615.post-43153788747409711532014-06-18T20:59:37.062+01:002014-06-18T20:59:37.062+01:00Important post. I think you have a good list there...Important post. I think you have a good list there.<br /><br />Thanks for your comment on my post. Congrats to you as well! :)Danahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16272293468239097754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6650080146272323615.post-47947948605743448402014-06-18T10:35:22.569+01:002014-06-18T10:35:22.569+01:00That's another one that's been dropped fro...That's another one that's been dropped from the syllabus I think. I'd love to see it sometime.Chloehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00183206722136871230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6650080146272323615.post-25216711031184713142014-06-18T10:34:50.178+01:002014-06-18T10:34:50.178+01:00I think if you put effort into the process, studyi...I think if you put effort into the process, studying almost anything is beneficial.Chloehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00183206722136871230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6650080146272323615.post-75074859590743737482014-06-18T09:46:57.574+01:002014-06-18T09:46:57.574+01:00I'd say the insight into other cultures and li...I'd say the insight into other cultures and lives and the world view this can give is a good reason to study literature. I remember studying Arthur Miller's 'The Crucible' for GSCE English - a completely different world that was fascinating to explore.Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09877883607133338348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6650080146272323615.post-25955774722622060802014-06-17T15:40:04.599+01:002014-06-17T15:40:04.599+01:00Great post. I've wondered before whether it wa...Great post. I've wondered before whether it was comparatively pointless to get a degree in English, but looking back, the 'soft skills' and the sheet enjoyment (plus the fact I now make a living with words) make it all worthwhile. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07414383276847435706noreply@blogger.com