Course Duration: 2 years (Grades 10 and 11)
Objective: To develop students’ appreciation and critical understanding of English literary texts across various genres, enhancing their analytical and interpretative skills.
1. Poetry
Themes and Selected Poems:
- Nature:
- To the Nile – John Keats
- A Bird Came Down the Walk – Emily Dickinson
- The Eagle – Alfred Lord Tennyson
- To the Evening Star – William Blake
- Conflict:
- War is Kind – Stephen Crane
- The Terrorist, He’s Watching – Wislawa Szymborska
- Farewell to Barn and Stack and Tree – A.E. Housman
- Breakfast – Jacques Prévert (translated by Reggie Siriwardena)
- Society:
- Once upon a Time – Gabriel Okara
- I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings – Maya Angelou
- Richard Cory – Edwin Arlington Robinson
- Big Match 1983 – Yasmin Gooneratne
- Life:
- The Earthen Goblet – Harindranath Chattopadhyaya
- Father and Son – Cat Stevens
- Fear – Gabriela Mistral
- Clown’s Wife – John Agard
- Humour:
- The Camel’s Hump – Rudyard Kipling
- Upside Down – Alexander Kushner
- The Huntsman – Edward Lowbury
- Two’s Company – Raymond Wilson
Approach:
- Analysis: Examine themes, imagery, tone, and stylistic devices.
- Personal Response: Encourage students to connect with the poems and express their interpretations.
- Comparative Study: Draw parallels between poems within the same theme.
2. Prose (Short Stories)
Selected Works:
- The Nightingale and the Rose – Oscar Wilde
- The Lahore Attack – Kumar Sangakkara
- The Lumber Room – Saki
- An extract from Wave – Sonali Deraniyagala
Approach:
- Narrative Techniques: Discuss plot structure, characterisation, and narrative perspective.
- Themes and Context: Explore underlying messages and the socio-cultural backdrop.
- Critical Thinking: Foster discussions on moral and ethical questions raised in the stories.
3. Drama
Prescribed Plays:
- Twilight of a Crane – Yu Zuwa Junji Kinoshita
- The Bear – Anton Chekhov
Approach:
- Dramatic Elements: Analyse plot, character dynamics, and dialogue.
- Performance Appreciation: Encourage enactments to understand staging and expression.
- Thematic Exploration: Delve into central themes and their relevance.
4. Novel
Options:
- The Prince and the Pauper – Mark Twain
- Bringing Tony Home – Tissa Abeysekara
- The Vendor of Sweets – R.K. Narayan
Approach:
- Comprehensive Reading: Ensure thorough understanding of the plot and characters.
- Thematic Analysis: Discuss major themes and their implications.
- Contextual Study: Examine the historical and cultural settings of the novels.
5. Assessment and Evaluation
- Formative Assessments: Regular quizzes, assignments, and presentations to monitor progress.
- Summative Assessments: End-of-term examinations modelled on past O/L papers.
- Continuous Feedback: Provide constructive feedback to guide improvement.
Additional Resources:
- Past Papers and Marking Schemes: Utilise resources from the Department of Examinations and educational websites.
- Supplementary Readings: Encourage exploration of related literary works to broaden understanding.
- Multimedia Resources: Incorporate audio-visual materials to enhance engagement.