Is English literature always this inappropriate?
Warning: this is going to be an unpleasant and disgusting post.
I always wanted to do English lit at a level and was seriously considering it for uni as well but all our discussions are so outside the realm of appropriate that I don’t know anymore.
I am studying Carter’s bloody chamber and other stories, Rossetti’s poetry and Webster’s Duchess of Malfi so far
Carter is particularly bad but in all of them discussions around extreme and unnatural s*xual encounters and relationships are ruining my experience of the subject.
I am deeply uncomfortable and now have no idea what to do. It is too late to change courses.
Is English lit a level always this gross and will English lit degree be the e same or worse?
I always wanted to do English lit at a level and was seriously considering it for uni as well but all our discussions are so outside the realm of appropriate that I don’t know anymore.
I am studying Carter’s bloody chamber and other stories, Rossetti’s poetry and Webster’s Duchess of Malfi so far
Carter is particularly bad but in all of them discussions around extreme and unnatural s*xual encounters and relationships are ruining my experience of the subject.
I am deeply uncomfortable and now have no idea what to do. It is too late to change courses.
Is English lit a level always this gross and will English lit degree be the e same or worse?
Reply 1
"What is art, after all, but a protest against the horrible inclemency of life?" - Aldous Huxley
A Level english literature is a step up from what you are used to, not only in terms of the depth in which you approach texts, but also the themes and time periods your texts will be written in.
While I am not familiar with the texts you've mentioned, the texts I have studied in English Literature A level did also include some mature themes, which I felt was a side-product of handling deeper and more thought-provoking pieces of literature, often where the author is using their work as a vessel to share messages about social issues.
If you can't handle these topics, that's fair enough, and it's unfortunate that your course is too heavy on these for you to be able to engage with the literature. It's not too late to drop or change subject, you'll just have a bit of catchup to do but your teacher will surely help you get up to date.
A Level english literature is a step up from what you are used to, not only in terms of the depth in which you approach texts, but also the themes and time periods your texts will be written in.
While I am not familiar with the texts you've mentioned, the texts I have studied in English Literature A level did also include some mature themes, which I felt was a side-product of handling deeper and more thought-provoking pieces of literature, often where the author is using their work as a vessel to share messages about social issues.
If you can't handle these topics, that's fair enough, and it's unfortunate that your course is too heavy on these for you to be able to engage with the literature. It's not too late to drop or change subject, you'll just have a bit of catchup to do but your teacher will surely help you get up to date.
Reply 2
Lucyhawkins
OP
3
Original post
by sound-famous-"What is art, after all, but a protest against the horrible inclemency of life?" - Aldous Huxley
A Level english literature is a step up from what you are used to, not only in terms of the depth in which you approach texts, but also the themes and time periods your texts will be written in.
While I am not familiar with the texts you've mentioned, the texts I have studied in English Literature A level did also include some mature themes, which I felt was a side-product of handling deeper and more thought-provoking pieces of literature, often where the author is using their work as a vessel to share messages about social issues.
If you can't handle these topics, that's fair enough, and it's unfortunate that your course is too heavy on these for you to be able to engage with the literature. It's not too late to drop or change subject, you'll just have a bit of catchup to do but your teacher will surely help you get up to date.
A Level english literature is a step up from what you are used to, not only in terms of the depth in which you approach texts, but also the themes and time periods your texts will be written in.
While I am not familiar with the texts you've mentioned, the texts I have studied in English Literature A level did also include some mature themes, which I felt was a side-product of handling deeper and more thought-provoking pieces of literature, often where the author is using their work as a vessel to share messages about social issues.
If you can't handle these topics, that's fair enough, and it's unfortunate that your course is too heavy on these for you to be able to engage with the literature. It's not too late to drop or change subject, you'll just have a bit of catchup to do but your teacher will surely help you get up to date.
My college has a deadline for course changes that has already passed but thank you for the reply. This perspective is helpful and I will keep it in the back of my mind in class tomorrow
Reply 3
Original post
by Lucyhawkins My college has a deadline for course changes that has already passed but thank you for the reply. This perspective is helpful and I will keep it in the back of my mind in class tomorrow
If you desperately want to change, your college might have some slight leniency on the deadline if you tell them you're feeling triggered by the topics, as it might become a bit of a pastoral issue.
Reply 4
11
This might be a bit of a weird comment but you arent from Worcestershire are you? as I know someone with your name?
(edited 1 year ago)
Reply 5
Original post
by Lucyhawkins Warning: this is going to be an unpleasant and disgusting post.
I always wanted to do English lit at a level and was seriously considering it for uni as well but all our discussions are so outside the realm of appropriate that I don’t know anymore.
I am studying Carter’s bloody chamber and other stories, Rossetti’s poetry and Webster’s Duchess of Malfi so far
Carter is particularly bad but in all of them discussions around extreme and unnatural s*xual encounters and relationships are ruining my experience of the subject.
I am deeply uncomfortable and now have no idea what to do. It is too late to change courses.
Is English lit a level always this gross and will English lit degree be the e same or worse?
I always wanted to do English lit at a level and was seriously considering it for uni as well but all our discussions are so outside the realm of appropriate that I don’t know anymore.
I am studying Carter’s bloody chamber and other stories, Rossetti’s poetry and Webster’s Duchess of Malfi so far
Carter is particularly bad but in all of them discussions around extreme and unnatural s*xual encounters and relationships are ruining my experience of the subject.
I am deeply uncomfortable and now have no idea what to do. It is too late to change courses.
Is English lit a level always this gross and will English lit degree be the e same or worse?
I thought about this post again recently and wondered how it was going one month later. Are you still doing english? How are you finding it now?
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- Official English Literature Applicants Thread 2025
- A level english help??
- English Literature and Language tips?
- pls help a very stressed student - uni courses
- English Lit degree without English Lit A Level
- English literature a level and gcse
- Frued: id for English literature
- Glasgow Uni Law Offer Help, advice needed
- English
- English at Oxbridge with an 8 at GCSE?
- Should I get my English language remarked I was 3 marks off a 6 which is for uni
- A-level choices!
- Humanities A levels: Latin, Greek, History, but Eng Lit or German
- English literature or English language A-levels
- Help for uni courses
- English at uni but bad gcse grades
- Classical Civilisation or English Literature A Level?
- A Level Literature Or Language more Important?
- Gcse
- a-level choices
Latest
Trending
Last reply 4 months ago
UCAT in 6 weeks..but my father wants me to learn ALL year 13 content!?!?!?Last reply 4 months ago
A Level+ Results Day 2025 Countdown thread - UCAS Hub is open #BeResultsProudLast reply 5 months ago
Further Maths Edexcel Grade Boundaries 2025 - CP1 CP2 FM1 FS1Last reply 6 months ago
LNAT Warning – Don’t Waste Your Time (or Money) on Arbitio!!!Last reply 6 months ago
Will I be predicted A*??? BIOLOGY plsss replyLast reply 6 months ago
How do I convince my teacher to let me take A-levels
How The Student Room is moderated
To keep The Student Room safe for everyone, we moderate posts that are added to the site.
