English Literature

Drama

Component 1: Drama requires the study of two plays: one Shakespeare play (from a choice of tragedy or comedy) and one other drama text. Students must explore dramatic form, the shaping of meaning, and the influence of context. The study of the Shakespeare play is supported by a critical anthology provided by Pearson, and students must engage with different interpretations of their chosen play.

Shakespeare Tragedy (Antony and Cleopatra, Hamlet, King Lear, Othello), Shakespeare Comedy (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Measure for Measure, The Taming of the Shrew, Twelfth Night), Other Drama Pre-1900 (Doctor Faustus, The Duchess of Malfi, The Importance of Being Earnest, The Rover) +1 more

Prose

Component 2: Prose focuses on the study of two thematically linked texts, at least one of which must be pre-1900. The 'Crime and Detection' theme explores the genre's conventions, narrative structures, and the social/historical contexts of crime and its investigation.

Crime and Detection (Lady Audley’s Secret, The Moonstone, The Cutting Season, In Cold Blood), The Supernatural (Dracula, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Beloved, The Little Stranger), Science and Society (Frankenstein, The War of the Worlds, The Handmaid’s Tale, Never Let Me Go) +3 more

Poetry

The study of the Modernist Period within Component 3: Poetry, focusing on the literary movement's characteristics, concerns, and the work of key poets. Students study either the anthology 'The Great Modern Poets' (edited by Michael Schmidt) or a selection of poems by T S Eliot.

Modernist Period (The Great Modern Poets, T S Eliot), The Movement (The Oxford Book of Twentieth Century English Verse, Philip Larkin), Post-2000 Specified Poetry (Poems of the Decade) +4 more

Non-examination assessment

Component 4 (Non-examination assessment) requires students to produce one extended comparative essay (2500–3000 words) on two complete literary texts of their own choice. These texts must be different from those studied in Components 1, 2, and 3, and may be drawn from poetry, drama, prose, or literary non-fiction. The assignment must explore links and connections between the texts, different interpretations, and relevant contexts.

Free choice of two complete literary texts

Rebecca

Daphne du Maurier's 'Rebecca' is a masterful psychological thriller and gothic romance that explores themes of memory, identity, and the haunting persistence of the past. Through the unnamed narrator's struggle to escape the shadow of her husband's first wife, the novel delves into the complexities of jealousy, social class, and gender expectations in the 1930s. A-Level study focuses on narrative technique, symbolism, and the novel's engagement with gothic and modernist traditions, offering rich opportunities for critical analysis.

The Lovely Bones

This subtopic explores Alice Sebold's 'The Lovely Bones' as a central prose text for A-Level study, focusing on its unique narrative perspective, thematic treatment of grief and trauma, and literary techniques. Students examine the novel's structure, characterisation, and use of the afterlife as a narrative device to address complex emotional and moral issues.

William Blake Selected Poems

This subtopic explores William Blake's selected poems, focusing on the duality of innocence and experience, social and political critique, and the visionary imagination. Students will analyze how Blake's use of symbolism, intertextual pairing, and innovative poetic forms challenges contemporary religious and societal norms, offering a radical poetic vision of human existence. Close reading and comparative analysis are essential for appreciating his artistry and philosophical depth.

Hamlet

Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' is a tragedy of revenge, madness, and moral corruption set in the Danish court. The play explores profound philosophical questions about mortality, identity, and the nature of action through its protagonist's introspective soliloquies and complex relationships. A-Level study demands close analysis of language, structure, and dramatic methods, while engaging with critical interpretations and the play's enduring relevance.

A Doll's House

A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen is a seminal 19th-century play that explores the constraints of Victorian marriage and the struggle for individual identity. The narrative follows Nora Helmer's awakening to her subservient position within her household, culminating in her dramatic departure, which challenged societal norms and sparked debates on gender roles and moral autonomy.

Dracula

The study of Bram Stoker's 'Dracula' at A-Level focuses on a detailed critical analysis of the novel's narrative techniques, thematic concerns, and its relation to Victorian cultural and historical contexts. Students explore the text's complex structure, its use of Gothic conventions, and the ways it addresses anxieties around sexuality, science, empire, and modernity, developing advanced skills in literary interpretation and essay writing.

Frankenstein

This subtopic explores Mary Shelley's Gothic novel 'Frankenstein', examining its complex narrative structure, themes of creation and responsibility, and critique of Enlightenment science. Students will analyse how Shelley uses multiple narrators, intertextual references, and Romantic imagery to question the boundaries of human ambition and the consequences of playing God, applying literary and contextual analysis to develop critical arguments.

Doctor Faustus

Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe presents the tragic downfall of a Renaissance scholar who, in his thirst for infinite knowledge and power, makes a pact with the devil. The play interrogates the limits of human ambition, the conflict between medieval morality and emerging humanism, and the psychological torment of damnation, all through innovative dramatic blank verse, allegorical figures, and a striking blend of tragic grandeur and grotesque comedy.

Carol Ann Duffy Selected Poems

This subtopic explores a selection of poems by Carol Ann Duffy, examining her distinctive poetic voice, thematic concerns, and innovative use of form. Students will critically engage with how Duffy explores contemporary issues such as identity, gender, love, and memory, while considering the influence of literary and cultural contexts. Through close analysis and comparison, learners develop an understanding of Duffy’s contribution to modern poetry.

A Midsummer Night's Dream

This subtopic explores Shakespeare's comedic masterpiece 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', examining its intricate plot of love, magic, and transformation. Students will analyse the play’s structure, language, and themes, considering its Elizabethan context and enduring appeal. Through critical engagement with the text, learners develop skills in literary analysis, interpretation, and evaluation essential for A-Level assessment.

Othello

An in-depth study of Shakespeare's tragedy, Othello, focusing on the destructive power of jealousy, manipulation, and racial prejudice. Students will explore thematic concerns, characterisation, dramatic methods, and critical interpretations within the context of Elizabethan and Jacobean society.

The Great Gatsby

This subtopic focuses on F. Scott Fitzgerald's seminal novel 'The Great Gatsby', examining its intricate narrative structure, symbolic depth, and incisive critique of the American Dream within the context of the Roaring Twenties. Students will engage with the text through close analysis of language, form, and structure, while also considering relevant social, historical, and literary contexts. The study equips learners with the skills to construct coherent, well-evidenced critical arguments suitable for the A-Level examination.

Wuthering Heights

This subtopic centres on Emily Brontë's 'Wuthering Heights', a complex narrative exploring destructive passion, social class, and the cyclical nature of revenge across two generations. Learners will analyse the novel's innovative narrative structure, Gothic and Romantic elements, and its critique of Victorian societal norms, applying close reading and contextual awareness to develop sophisticated interpretations for examination and coursework tasks.

The Taming of the Shrew

This subtopic explores Shakespeare's controversial comedy The Taming of the Shrew, examining its central narrative of Petruchio's 'taming' of the headstrong Katherina through psychological manipulation and deprivation. Critical analysis focuses on the play's complex treatment of gender roles, power dynamics, social hierarchy, and the tension between farce and genuine emotional transformation. Students evaluate Elizabethan marital conventions, the framing device of Christopher Sly, and the metatheatrical elements that invite multiple interpretations of Katherina’s final speech as either submission or subversive performance.

Twelfth Night

This subtopic delves into Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night', exploring its intricate blend of romantic comedy, mistaken identity, and social satire. Students will examine the play's thematic richness—such as the fluidity of gender, the folly of ambition, and the nature of love—while analysing its language, structure, and Elizabethan context. Practical application involves crafting critical arguments supported by textual evidence, preparing students for A-Level assessment tasks that demand nuanced interpretation and evaluation of literary techniques.

The Importance of Being Earnest

This subtopic delves into Oscar Wilde's 'The Importance of Being Earnest', a satirical comedy of manners that exposes the hypocrisies of Victorian society through wit, paradox, and farcical elements. Students will explore how Wilde uses double identities, triviality, and language to critique social conventions, morality, and the institution of marriage, developing skills in critical analysis and contextual understanding.

Poems of the Decade Anthology

The Poems of the Decade anthology offers a curated selection of twenty poems from the first decade of the twenty-first century, reflecting the plurality and innovation of contemporary poetry. It encourages students to engage with diverse poetic voices and styles, exploring how poets address modern themes such as identity, conflict, technology, and environmental change. Through close reading and comparative analysis, learners develop skills in critical interpretation and appreciation of poetic craft.