Enduring Love prep

Hi all,

Further to the post below about coursework, you need to make sure that you have completed the following by the first Monday back please:

1) Read Enduring Love in its entirety. I know that some of you have completed this already; if you haven't yet read the novel then you really need to get on with it, ie make a good start this weekend and then read consistently through the week.

2) Completed the questions and tasks on my original EL post, including the 500 words.

I know that you have Hamlet work to complete as well, but if you have time and have completed 1 and 2, please have a go at this also:

3) Make brief notes on the main events of Chapters 1-5. For each chapter, select and explain 5 quotations which you think are most helpful in showing different elements of narrative technique (go back to the work we've completed on Keats for ideas here, eg time and sequence, characterisation etc).

While I'm here, thank you for your work on Monday, when we discussed some themes related to both EL and Keats, focusing on Science / Rationality vs Religion / Art, and the different ways in which they seek to explain existence. We then moved on to consider the opening page of EL, identifying ways in which McEwan begins his narrative through, for example, establishing a strong narrative persona, holding back key information and setting questions in the reader's mind. Also, we considered some of the main options available to novelists in choosing their forms of narration, and discussed the opportunities and limitations presented by each.

Finally, on what is turning into a longer than expected post, a note about wider reading to support us with this text. I would recommend reading one or two other McEwan texts; Atonement usually goes down well, I can't get going with Saturday but I hear it's very good when you do, and some people like Amsterdam but I didn't! Black Dogs is short and pretty dark, so if you are feeling gloomy, start there. Also, that reminds me, I've photocopied an article for each of you on Lamia - if you do get read this in time to come and get it from me on Thurs, please do!

Have a wonderful break Year 12, and further congratulations on your efforts this term. It's very possible that I will not be in school after half term as you know, but do come to the lessons as either myself or Mr Marshall (or both) will be there to take them.

Ta ta,

Mr Boulter