Coursework titles

Whilst it advisable that each of you submit original essay titles/questions, it is perfectly admissable that there be overlap. Do not be overprotective of your ideas: share them online with the rest of us - albeit in prototype form - and ask for our scrutiny, praise and encouragement; I envisage that most of your initial ideas will need refinement and I see no reason why I should be the only one to be involved in the criticism. Just REMEMBER that they MUST offer you plenty of opportunity to address the various requirements of the Assessment Objectives, particularly in regard to each of the AOs' weightings. For example, 'large' questions such as 'How do Stoppard and Bronte reflect 19th Century attitudes to marriage?' will require much generalisation and a temptation to write reems of histo-social conext analysis when AO4 is worth just 2%. You need to find a smaller area for close scrutiny in which AO4 will be evident in a subtler way and for which you can offer a high standard of tight analysis of language, structure and form (AO2) and create a sense of DEBATE for which there are multiple interpretations that you will take into account before making a judgement of your own (AO3).

Happy Christmas!

General thoughts and epiphanies

Unsure where to stick your earth-shaking insights, confused queries or general rants? Whack 'em in here.

Intertextual Links

As you know, the exam board stipulates that all essay titles must be in by 30th (I think) January. It is time to begin making notes of any ideas that occur to you regarding intertextual links, whether it be between characters, themes, language, staging, humour or anything else.

One comparison that struck me as I was reading through 'Earnest' could be the stage directions and set description in Act 2 of 'Earnest' and in Scene 1 of 'Arcadia'. Might be worth a look. On this note, one area which all of you could do with improving is your knowledge of genre, i.e. theatre and stagecraft. Have a scout around for information online.

Mrs Chater: Randy Old Tart or Feminist Icon

Some of you, in your essays, commented on the relevance of Mrs Chater in the scene, albeit by proxy; I am interested in her function, considering she never physically materialises. Are we supposed to view her as a wanton sexual predator, void of morals and self-serving; or could we argue that she is in fact a prototype 21st Century woman, in command of her sexuality and independence, striving to free herself of the shackles of Regency society? Over to you...

Welcome to the Arcadia Blog

I have been emailed by a few of you bright young things regarding insights into the text not discussed in class. I feel that, whilst this is entirely welcome and appropriate, how unfortunate it would be if the thoughts and reflections were limited to myself and sender only.

Therefore, I have established this blog which we can all access at any time to drop in thoughts and questions regarding Arcadia . Seeing as we spend so little time together and will be faced with innumerable obstructions to free-range literature discussion in class due to course requirements and logistical necessities, should people not feel suitably enlightened or fulfilled in class, they can voice their concerns online for the perusal and comment of their peers.

Let's hope that we have a significant demand for the forum - get commenting!

Jim Denchfield