English IV

British Literature at Woods ~ Our selected texts reveal the evolution of the British literary tradition from its inception to the modern era, with representative works from major periods. Emphasis will be on the indelible effect of this literary heritage on American arts, letters, history and even contemporary life.

Assignments vary in form, but require frequent reading and writing outside of class. Be prepared to write essays and informal pieces, read nightly, and study and learn new vocabulary. We will have quizzes in class (some announced, some not) and tests at the end of most of our books. Please see the chart below for details on the grading breakdown.

General reading timeline

(Please note that this is subject to adjustment as we go through the year)

1^st term

Beowulf

Elizabethan poetry (selected)

Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Hamlet by William Shakespeare

2^nd term

Romantic poets (Wordsworth, Byron, Shelley)

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Selections from The Complete Sherlock Holmes by A.C. Doyle

3^rd term

The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

WWI poetry (Owens, Sassoon)

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley