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English Literature at York is considered one of the best English courses in the country. We breeze gracefully through literature of all time periods, from Anglo-Saxon Beowulf to Modernist Beckett. But what about the lessons that don't come from books? Here are some things you might learn/have learnt already from studying Literature at York.
1. Whatever the module, whichever the seminar group, there will always be one person who brings the topic of discussion back to sex.
2. This is because, whatever the module, what you are discussing is most likely about sex.
3. There is always going to be a person in your seminar group who shall refer to ancient Greek philosophers like they are his/her personal acquaintances. Do not be alarmed; this person usually has no idea what they are saying.
4. If necessary, it is actually humanly possible to read Paradise Lost in four days. Albeit disorienting and just plain bad for contact lens wearers.
5. Nothing beats the Norton Anthologies as effective, improvised doorstoppers.
6. It's ok, post-lecture, to grin like an idiot for a while due to being infected by a lecturer's contagious enthusiasm for their subject.
7. Coming across poetry that solely addresses the poet’s own penis loses its shock value eventually.
8. Your 9.15 lecture shall progressively have less people as the term wears on. Also, the ones you do turn up for, you will wish you hadn't bothered, but as soon as you decide to luxuriate in bed and give it a pass, your fellow lit student will say it was mind-blowing, life-changing, beyond comparison... you get the idea.
9. When at some career's fair, surrounded by stands that advertise the shiny, secure sectors of finance, insurance, accountancy or some such, it's ok to want to punch that person who, with a consolatory tone, assures you there are so many things to do with an English degree.
10. Despite or because of all of the above and more, you actually love what you do.
11. You can get away with doing little to no work for the first two terms, possibly three.
great article sarah! very entertaining and very true!
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