Literary Worlds
Los Roques Island 2016, Oceans
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The world is a very confusing place. Real life has no clear narrative arc. It is like a wild cacophony of problems and events that overlap and intertwine, without rhyme, reason or logic. Ever tried to solve a complex maths problem in a noisy classroom? Tried shaping language into something meaningful, beautiful and true, while being bombarded by loud music and idle chatter? Real life is a bit like a noisy classroom or a nightclub at midnight - loud, chaotic and impossible to navigate successfully.
So how do we grow and evolve our understanding of ourselves, others and our place in the world? How do we find the truths of our identity? Where will our most deeply held assumptions, values and beliefs be challenged and tested? Philosopher, Ludwig Wittgenstein said, “always take flight to where there is a free view over the whole single great problem, even if this view is still not a clear one.” But where are these places where we can go to get a better perspective on “reality”? The answer? Literary worlds. Composers invite us into microcosms where we can stand outside and observe human nature, relationships, problems and events. These literary worlds allow composers to filter out the distracting ‘noise’ of reality in order to represent events, people and ideas in ways that challenge our thinking, values and beliefs. It is these literary worlds - their contexts, features and purposes that are explored in this course. |
A 'literary world' is the term used to describe any time, place and situation depicted in a work of fiction (and sometimes in non-fiction). It refers to the idea that the composer builds a time and place with sounds, words or images which draws the reader in and suspends his or her disbelief. The reader then journeys through this world, just as s/he would journey in the real world/ In this world we, the readers, are able to live vicariously through the characters or watch them from a distance (depending where we are positioned by the writer). Participating in/observing this fictional world is very similar to participating in the real world. We learn lessons and grow from our/the characters' experiences. Daily, our beliefs, values and ideas are challenged, subverted, broadened or reaffirmed. Sometimes we become aware of something totally new. |
In this article, writer, Shubhangi Swarup reflects on the reasons she creates literary worlds. Questions on the text
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In this module, you need to learn to create your own worlds in writing. The "Research Texts" (right) provide important insights into how you can improve your own writing through the establishment of setting. Read them (and any other texts you find useful) and:
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Research Texts
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Here you will find an online version of the introduction to an anthology of short stories by horror/thriller writer, Robert R McCammon. You will need to scroll down to find the actual text under the heading, "Introduction".
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Brave New World is a dystopian novel written in 1931. Read the notes on Brave New World from Literary Wonderlands, edited by Laura Miller (pp148-153) Read the notes on The Use of Satire in Brave New World by Rebecca Johnson Read about the Historical Context and Reception of Brave New World in this Encyclopedia Britannica article by Kate Lohnes Annotate a copy of the text to help you answer the following questions. |
Read The Yellow Wall-Paper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman and consider the following questions.
DISCUSSION POINTS
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Investigate the context of the text which was written in 1892. On the right are some online resources you should use in your investigation. You should examine these and other texts in detail and record your findings on the following:
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Research Sites
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Get lost in these maps of fictional worlds This article explores the ways Andrew DeGraff depicts the fictional worlds of novels in maps. The Zest website gives more information about DeGraff's 'literary atlas', Plotted. |
Worksheet 1: Navigating the Common Module & Evaluating Literary Worlds
This worksheet invites students to break down the common module rubric and reflect on the article about Shubhangi Swarup. |
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Rubric Poster
This poster breaks the Literary Worlds Common Module rubric down in a colourful poster. |
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Worksheet 2: Exploring and Analysing Literary Worlds.
A worksheet with room for response to the questions on the site. |
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Worksheet 3: Exploring and Analysing Literary Worlds
Analysis of the Introduction to Blue World by Robert R McCammon to consider the way readers are invited into literary worlds by writers and how language can be used to compel us to enter. |
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Worksheet 4: Context and Brave New World
In conjunction with an extract from Literary Wonderlands, students |
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Chapter 1 of Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Students can use this text to analyse and annotate. |
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Worksheet 4: Deep analysis of text and context in The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
This worksheet looks at the ways personal and historical contexts can be reflected in a text and the relationship between text, context, composer and responder. It ends with a learning reflection. |
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