Course Description:
The course introduces students to the English novel and exposes them to the more subtle and complex literary elements and linguistic skills through close reading and evaluation of selected novels and to the critical skills acquired in the previous English literature courses.
The course surveys:
1. The rise of the English novel in the 18th century.
2. The study of two selected novels by famous 18th century novelists.
3. One 20th century novel.
Major focus will be on:
1. Narrative techniques.
2. Character development.
3. Other elements of fiction.
4. Cultural and historical contexts during which the selected novels were written.
Students are expected to have grasped the novel as a literary genre, its narrative techniques, characters, themes and message(s).
Required texts:
Ian Watt, The Rise of the Novel: Studies in Defoe, Richardson and Fielding. Penguin, 1981.
Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe.
Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice.
William Faulkner, The Sound and the Fury.
Grading:
Quizzes 5 marks each
Exams 25-30 marks each
Time Table