Twentieth Century English Literature
- Arts
- 400 level
- 3 credit units
- 106 pages
- 15 units
This course opens up ways in which the realities of the twentieth century shaped the literary works of the time. It explores how writers represented the events of the century and how the desire for change informed the innovative and experimental techniques of their literature. The course discusses the socio-political, historical realities, the relationship between the literature of the previous century and the twentieth century literature, writers' choice of style and themes. It introduces postmodernism.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 208 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of ENG426, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
ENG426 · UNIT 3: Thematic Concerns, Styles and Techniques of Twentieth Century English Literature
Modernist works are imbued with interrelated themes that show lack of communication, fragmentation, solitariness/aloneness, trauma and gloom, existentialism, quest, unrealised love and unfulfilled life, class differences, and anti-heroism, and so on.
What you should be able to do
- Understand the historical and socio-political context of 20th-century English literature.
- Analyze the key themes and techniques of modernist and postmodernist writers.
- Critically appreciate the works of major 20th-century English novelists, poets, and playwrights.
- Compare and contrast different literary movements and styles.
- Evaluate the relevance of 20th-century literature to contemporary issues.
What it prepares you for
- Literary Critic
- Editor
- Content Writer
- Journalist
- Teacher
- Publishing
- Education
- Journalism
- Media
- Content Creation
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 1: Introduction to Modernism
Unit 3: Modernism, Post Modernism, and the Twentieth English Literature
The unit requires understanding of complex philosophical concepts such as existentialism and nihilism, which can be challenging for students new to these ideas.
- Module 3: Twentieth Century English Poetry
Unit 1: T.S Eliot's "The Wasteland"
Eliot's use of fragmented images, multiple allusions, and shifts in perspective requires close reading and familiarity with various literary and cultural references.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 39 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Introduction to Modernism
Unit 1: Britain, the Age of Change and the Old/New Literature · 3 hours
Read Unit 1: Understand the socio-political and historical context of Britain during the age of change.. Analyze the impact of the World Wars and new theories on literature.. Identify the differences between traditional and modern literature..
- Week 2Module 1: Introduction to Modernism
Unit 2: Modernist Thematic Concerns, Styles and Techniques. · 3 hours
Explore the thematic concerns of modernist writers, such as lack of communication and existentialism.. Examine the styles and techniques used in modernist literature, including stream of consciousness.. Analyze how modernist writers broke away from traditional literary forms..
- Week 3Module 1: Introduction to Modernism
Unit 3: Modernism, Post Modernism, and the Twentieth English Literature · 3 hours
Compare and contrast modernism and postmodernism.. Discuss the characteristics of literary postmodernism.. Analyze how postmodernism replenished modernism..
- Week 4Module 1: Introduction to Modernism
Unit 4: Post-Modernist Themes and Techniques · 3 hours
Discuss the themes and techniques of postmodernist writing.. Relate postmodernist themes and techniques to those of modernism.. Differentiate between modernist and postmodernist approaches..
- Week 5Module 2: The Novel in the Twentieth Century English Literature
Unit 1: Virginia Woolf: A Woman to the Fore · 3 hours
Analyze Virginia Woolf's modernist inclinations.. Identify modernist features in *Mrs. Dalloway*.. Discuss the themes of trauma, communication, and society in the novel..
- Week 6Module 2: The Novel in the Twentieth Century English Literature
Unit 2: D.H Lawrence and Vitality · 3 hours
Discuss D.H. Lawrence's modernist inclinations.. Identify modernist features in *Lady Chatterley's Lover*.. Analyze the themes of class, sexuality, and vitality in the novel..
- Week 7Module 2: The Novel in the Twentieth Century English Literature
Unit 3: Muriel Spark's *The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie* · 3 hours
Analyze Muriel Spark's *The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie*.. Discuss the themes of love, loyalty, and control in the novel.. Identify postmodernist features in the novel..
- Week 8Module 2: The Novel in the Twentieth Century English Literature
Unit 4: Kazuo Ishiguro's *The Remains of The Day*. · 3 hours
Analyze Kazuo Ishiguro's *The Remains of The Day*.. Discuss the themes of professionalism, dignity, and unrequited love.. Identify postmodernist techniques in the novel..
- Week 9Module 3: Twentieth Century English Poetry
Unit 1: T.S Eliot's "The Wasteland" · 3 hours
Summarize T.S. Eliot's "The Waste Land".. Discuss the themes of death, rebirth, and alienation.. Identify the techniques used in the poem, such as fragmentation and allusion..
- Week 10Module 3: Twentieth Century English Poetry
Unit 2: W.H Auden's Pessimistic Poetry · 3 hours
Relate W.H. Auden's personal life to his poetry.. Analyze the themes of death, grief, and the futility of existence in "Stop All the Clocks, Cut Off the Telephone".. Discuss Auden's use of imagery..
- Week 11Module 3: Twentieth Century English Poetry
Unit 3: The Poetry of W.B Yeats · 3 hours
Discuss the themes of change, war, and destruction in Yeats' "The Second Coming".. Analyze Yeats' use of imagery, metaphor, and symbolism.. Relate Yeats' work to other modernist writers..
- Week 12Module 3: Twentieth Century English Poetry
Unit 4: Wilfred Owen's "Anthem for Doomed Youth" · 3 hours
Discuss Wilfred Owen's "Anthem for Doomed Youth" as war poetry.. Analyze the themes of violence, death, and waste.. Compare and contrast the poetry of W.B. Yeats and Wilfred Owen..
- Week 13Module 4: Twentieth Century English Drama
Unit 1: Samuel Beckett's Theatre of the Absurd · 3 hours
Discuss Samuel Beckett's *Waiting for Godot* and the Theatre of the Absurd.. Analyze the themes of existentialism and friendship.. Examine the use of symbolism in the play..
Preparing for the exam
- Create a timeline of major literary movements and authors.
- Develop a glossary of key literary terms and concepts.
- Practice analyzing literary texts using different critical approaches.
- Focus on understanding the historical and cultural context of each work.
- Review all course materials, including assigned readings, lecture notes, and assignments.
Questions students ask about this course
What is ENG426 about?
This course opens up ways in which the realities of the twentieth century shaped the literary works of the time. It explores how writers represented the events of the century and how the desire for change informed the innovative and experimental techniques of their literature. The course discusses the socio-political, historical realities, the relationship between the literature of the previous century and the twentieth century literature, writers' choice of style and themes. It introduces postmodernism.
How many units does ENG426 have?
ENG426, Twentieth Century English Literature, has 15 units across 4 modules, over 106 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is ENG426?
ENG426 carries 3 credit units, at 400 level in Arts.
Is ENG426 hard?
ENG426 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.
How long does ENG426 take to study?
About 208 hours of study, spread across its 15 units.
How is ENG426 assessed?
ENG426 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What can I do with ENG426?
Literary Critic, Editor, Content Writer, Journalist and Teacher.