Literature
Join us on our courses as we explore the world of literature, from classic books to poetry. Our experienced instructors will guide you through the works of renowned authors and help you develop a deeper appreciation for the written word.
Enroll now and embark on a journey of literary discovery!
John Betjeman (1906–1984) and Philip Larkin (1922–1985) were friends who greatly admired each other’s work. It has often been suggested that they were remarkably similar poets, and there is certainly some truth in that view. Both drew inspiration from the ordinary experiences of everyday life—a visit to a church, a train journey, an ambulance arriving in a quiet street, or a trip to the hospital.
Yet beneath these similarities lie important differences in tone, outlook and poetic vision. Their public reputations can also be misleading. Larkin was far more than simply a poetic pessimist, while Betjeman’s work extends well beyond the light verse for which he is often remembered.
This course will explore some of their finest poems, examining how each poet responded to the changing world around them and why their work continues to resonate with readers today. By comparing and contrasting their poetry, we will gain a deeper appreciation of two of the most distinctive and insightful voices in twentieth-century literature.
Both enjoyable and thought-provoking, their poetry offers a rich and rewarding exploration of modern life, memory, faith, love and loss.
No previous knowledge is required, and all texts will be provided
John Betjeman & Philip Larkin
Two Poets of Everyday Experience
The Changing Role of the Poet Laureate
The Poet Laureates: Four Centuries of Verse and Ceremony
Join our new tutor, Michael, for a fascinating journey through over four hundred years of English literary history as we explore the changing role of the Poet Laureate, from John Dryden in the seventeenth century to Simon Armitage today.
Discover the outstanding poets who have held this unique position, the less successful appointments, and the many colourful personalities in between. Along the way, we will explore how the role has evolved, what it has demanded of its holders, and why it continues to matter in modern Britain.
Together we will answer intriguing questions such as:
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Which Poet Laureate wrote the immortal words of Dido's Lament for Henry Purcell?
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Which Laureate inspired Byron to write, "Oh! cease thy varied song! A bard may chant too often, and too long!"?
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Which Poet Laureate admitted that the official poems he was required to write were the most difficult of his career?
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What does the Poet Laureateship have in common with the Eurovision Song Contest?
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How has the role changed in recent decades, and where might it be heading in the future?
Packed with poetry, history, humour and fascinating stories, this course offers an entertaining and thought-provoking look at one of Britain's oldest literary institutions.
Whether to seek fame, to make money, or out of sheer devilment, writers have been lying to us for centuries; women have pretended to be men, young poets have pretended to be medieval; nobodies have pretended to be famous celebrities.
But why do we mind, when novelists lie to us all the time - quite openly feeding us yarns, tall tales and outright improbable porkies? What price Truth? Why do we value it so much in our reading? What do we expect when we read: based on a true story? Is there more then one truth to be told, in some situations?
We will examine a range of infamous hoaxers - from Thomas Chatterton, James McPherson and the entirely imaginary Australian Poet ‘Erne Malley’... to modern writers like Robert Harris (Selling Hitler, a scandal which ruined the cherished reputation of a esteemed academic..), William Boyd (Any Human Heart, Sweet Caress, but especially his biography of the fictional artist Nat Tate). And we will ask: Is it okay to perpetrate a cruel hoax so long as it’s for artistic reasons and no money changes hands? And: What is the connection between fiction and story-telling and deception and wishful thinking? Where is the dividing line between Art and Truth and Literature and Lies??
We may not come to any solid conclusions
Literary Hoaxes and Impostures:
A Lie to tell a Truth
A Christmas Carol and the Reinvention of Christmas
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol remains one of the most beloved and heart-warming festive stories ever written. A timeless tale of redemption, generosity and goodwill, it has delighted readers for generations and inspired countless adaptations for film, television, theatre, musicals and even ballet.
In this enjoyable and thought-provoking course, we will explore A Christmas Carol in the context of Dickens’ wider Christmas writings and examine why the story has retained such an enduring appeal. We will also discover how Dickens helped transform Christmas from a largely rural celebration into a festival suited to the rapidly growing towns and cities of the Industrial Revolution.
Along the way, we will consider the social concerns that inspired the novel, the memorable characters that populate its pages, and the lasting influence Dickens has had on the way we celebrate Christmas today.
A perfect course for the festive season, combining literary appreciation, social history and plenty of Christmas spirit with one of Britain’s greatest novelists.
Thomas Hardy: Bard of Wessex
The Sequel
Following on from last term’s successful course, this new series is open to everyone—you do not need to have attended the previous course to enjoy it.
Thomas Hardy is best known today as the author of classic novels such as Tess of the d’Urbervilles, Jude the Obscure and Far from the Madding Crowd, as well as the creator of the fictional landscape of Wessex. Yet Hardy himself regarded his poetry as his greatest achievement and continued writing verse throughout his life.
Although his poetic output was vast, this course will focus on some of the finest examples of his work, exploring the themes, ideas and experiences that inspired him. From love and loss to nature, memory and the passage of time, Hardy’s poetry offers a rich and often deeply moving perspective on the human condition.
If you know Hardy only through his novels, you may be surprised by the power, originality and accessibility of his poetry—work that deserves to be far better known than it is today.
No previous knowledge is required, and all texts will be provided.
