ESLB4063.T6-Full.Notes

[Audio] ESLB4063 The Teaching and Appreciation of Literature ESLB4063-T6 -Full Notes TOPIC 6: Twentieth century British literature Subtopic 1: Modernism and Literary Innovation – Stream of Consciousness and Fragmentation Introductory Paragraph The 20th century was a time of enormous change—two world wars, rapid technological advances, and the breakdown of old social structures. In literature, this resulted in a movement called Modernism, which rejected traditional storytelling in favor of experimental, fragmented, and psychologically complex narratives. As TESL students, understanding these innovations in literary form can help you teach language not just as communication, but as expression of thought, emotion, and identity. Clear Explanations Modernism: A literary movement (roughly 1910s–1940s) that responded to modern life's chaos and uncertainty with innovative techniques and themes. Stream of Consciousness: A narrative method that attempts to capture the continuous flow of a character's inner thoughts, often without clear punctuation or structure. Fragmentation: Modernist texts often skip time, use disjointed narration, and challenge readers to piece together meaning. This reflects the sense of dislocation and disunity felt in the modern world. Rejection of Traditional Plot: Instead of linear storytelling, Modernist writers often focused on the internal world of characters. Relevant Examples Virginia Woolf's Mrs Dalloway: The novel follows Clarissa Dalloway's thoughts over a single day in London. Woolf uses stream of consciousness to explore memory, trauma, and identity. James Joyce's Ulysses: Considered one of the most challenging English-language novels, it represents a day in the life of Leopold Bloom with experimental language and deep internal monologue. For TESL students, teaching excerpts from these texts can improve learners' comprehension of complex syntax, interior monologue, and narrative voice. Bullet Points Summary Key techniques: Stream of consciousness, non-linear plots, fragmentation Purpose: To reflect modern life's complexity and psychological depth Authors: Virginia Woolf, James Joyce, T.S. Eliot TESL Application: Develops advanced reading strategies, inferencing skills, and appreciation of literary form © UNITAR International University 1.

[Audio] ESLB4063 The Teaching and Appreciation of Literature ESLB4063-T6 -Full Notes Subtopic 2: The Impact of War – Literature of World War I and II Introductory Paragraph War changes everything—lives, countries, values, and of course, literature. In the 20th century, British writers confronted the horror, grief, and trauma of both World Wars. As TESL students, exploring war literature helps you understand how language conveys pain, resistance, memory, and truth—themes that are not only literary but also deeply human. Clear Explanations World War I Literature: Often called the "soldier poets," WWI writers depicted the brutal realities of trench warfare and disillusionment with patriotic ideals. World War II Literature: Broader in scope, WWII literature includes narratives of survival, civilian life, resistance, and postwar recovery. Themes: Loss, trauma, futility, heroism, nationalism vs. humanity, and the questioning of authority. Relevant Examples Wilfred Owen's poems, like "Dulce et Decorum Est," graphically describe the violence of gas attacks and challenge the romanticization of war. Vera Brittain's Testament of Youth: A memoir by a nurse whose brother and fiancé died in WWI, offering a female perspective on loss and endurance. Graham Greene's The End of the Affair: Set during WWII, this novel uses a love story to explore faith, betrayal, and the psychological damage of war. TESL students can use war literature to teach figurative language, tone, historical vocabulary, and emotional expression. Bullet Points Summary Focus: Realities of war, trauma, loss, patriotism, human resilience Key authors: Wilfred Owen, Siegfried Sassoon, Vera Brittain, Graham Greene TESL Application: Teaches emotive vocabulary, historical context, and expressive writing © UNITAR International University 2.

[Audio] ESLB4063 The Teaching and Appreciation of Literature ESLB4063-T6 -Full Notes Subtopic 3: Postcolonial Voices and the Decline of Empire Introductory Paragraph As the British Empire crumbled in the mid-20th century, writers from former colonies began to reclaim their voices. Postcolonial literature confronts themes of identity, race, displacement, and power. For TESL students, engaging with these texts highlights how English is used in diverse cultural contexts—and how literature can challenge dominant histories. Clear Explanations Postcolonialism: A critical approach that analyzes literature from formerly colonized nations, especially in response to imperial narratives. Language and Identity: Many postcolonial writers use English in innovative ways to reflect local rhythms, dialects, and traditions. Themes: Cultural hybridity, resistance, historical revisionism, loss of home, diaspora, racism. Relevant Examples Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart (though Nigerian, widely studied in British literature contexts) counters colonial portrayals of Africa by telling the story from an African perspective. Jean Rhys's Wide Sargasso Sea: A prequel to Jane Eyre, this novel gives voice to the Creole woman Bertha Mason, examining racial and gender identity in colonial Jamaica. Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children reflects on British India's legacy using magical realism, cultural satire, and political allegory. TESL students benefit by examining code-switching, nonstandard English, and the politics of language. Bullet Points Summary Focus: Colonialism's legacy, hybrid identity, racial power structures Key authors: Jean Rhys, Salman Rushdie, Sam Selvon, Zadie Smith TESL Application: Enhances cultural awareness, sociolinguistic understanding, and narrative variety © UNITAR International University 3.

[Audio] ESLB4063 The Teaching and Appreciation of Literature ESLB4063-T6 -Full Notes Subtopic 4: Gender, Identity, and the Rise of Feminist Literature Introductory Paragraph The 20th century witnessed huge strides in women's rights—and literature was both a reflection and a catalyst of change. Feminist literature gave voice to the female experience, questioning gender roles, identity, and inequality. As TESL students, studying feminist texts offers insights into power, perspective, and how language shapes (and reshapes) identity. Clear Explanations Feminist Literature: Works that explore gender inequality, female subjectivity, and resistance to patriarchal norms. Themes: Autonomy, motherhood, sexuality, domesticity, voice, intersectionality (where gender meets race, class, and culture). Narrative Techniques: Female perspectives, stream of consciousness, interior monologue, fragmented storytelling. Relevant Examples Virginia Woolf's A Room of One's Own: A foundational feminist essay arguing that women need financial independence and personal space to create literature. Doris Lessing's The Golden Notebook: A complex novel about a woman's psychological and political struggles, told through interwoven narrative strands. Angela Carter's The Bloody Chamber: Retells fairy tales with dark, feminist twists, exposing gendered violence and reclaiming female power. TESL students can explore representation, gendered language, and tone through these texts. Bullet Points Summary Focus: Gender equality, female identity, body, voice Key authors: Virginia Woolf, Angela Carter, Doris Lessing TESL Application: Supports gender-sensitive teaching, encourages analysis of tone and perspective © UNITAR International University 4.

[Audio] ESLB4063 The Teaching and Appreciation of Literature ESLB4063-T6 -Full Notes Subtopic 5: Contemporary British Fiction – Globalization, Multiculturalism, and Digital Age Themes Introductory Paragraph As the 21st century began, British literature grew increasingly diverse and digitally aware. Globalization, immigration, and technology changed how stories were told and who got to tell them. Today's British writers reflect a multicultural world where identity is fluid, and storytelling is shaped by both tradition and innovation. For TESL students, contemporary literature provides fresh ways to discuss modern issues, global Englishes, and digital literacies. Clear Explanations Multiculturalism: Modern British literature includes voices from immigrant and diasporic communities, reflecting diverse lived experiences. Globalization and Identity: Themes include cultural clash, belonging, hybridity, and digital citizenship. Digital Influence: Texts often explore social media, surveillance, and digital storytelling. Relevant Examples Zadie Smith's White Teeth explores multicultural London through the lens of three interconnected families, touching on race, immigration, and generational change. Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go blends dystopia with questions of memory, ethics, and what it means to be human in a technologically advanced world. Ali Smith's Spring uses experimental narrative and current events (Brexit, refugee crisis) to explore empathy and political division. TESL students can connect literature with real-world issues and engage in discussions about social justice, media literacy, and cultural fluency. Bullet Points Summary Focus: Global identity, immigration, digital life, hybrid culture Key authors: Zadie Smith, Kazuo Ishiguro, Ali Smith, Hanif Kureishi TESL Application: Enhances cultural sensitivity, media awareness, and relevance to students' real-life contexts © UNITAR International University 5.