The Ultimate Guide to Analyzing a Modern British Novel
"About a Boy" is about a chap who refuses to grow up until he meets a boy who forces him to look into the mirror and confront it. Nick Hornby didn't present a Peter Pan in inverse, but not a few male readers could relate to thirty-six-year-old Will Freeman. Afternoons at the pub. Saturdays at the cricket club, if not watching a football match on the telly. Jogging on the streets (of London), and into the crowded Kensington Gardens. You know the pattern, which is not too different from a yuppie who is trying to make it big in New York. Some of Hornby's fans might be thinking of "High Fidelity", which is a testosterone-filled version of "Sex and the City". The famed author has written that bestseller way before Darren Starr (and Sarah Jessica Parker) would think of the HBO series, though.
Nick Hornby is one out of countless authors that represent the modern British novel, and his works might reflect the opposing characteristics (or stranger features) of London. The British literature in days of yore wouldn't be so different, as the rolling hills in the southern areas would remind hardcore fans of Jane Austen. The monoliths, such as the popular Stonehenge, could be Medieval literature. (King Arthur fans, raise your voice!) And some old structures in northern cities (e.g. York) would remind fans of kitchen dramas of the "angry, young man" genre. There's no room for the Bard, but there are several courses that would give B.A. students lots of time to know him. Time could be a major problem, but there's always a way if students are really interested in literature.
The analysis of the modern British novel is likely to make up one course, which could be a cause for celebration or a reason to look for similar modules afterward. You may end up as a heavy reader, which your professor would be pleased.
The Common Themes That College Students Must Understand
The price of a house does go up after buyers found out that it is haunted. Neil Gaiman has a successful (writing) career, and his background has something to do with it. Think of the haunted history of St Paul's Cathedral if the "scientific stories" about Whispering Gallery are to be believed otherwise. Miss Peregrine's peculiar wards discover a time portal beneath the tombs, but let's not get too far. There are many local authors who have drawn inspiration from the storied past, and some might be darker than a dreary winter. It's impossible not to analyze a British book without any reference to a specter. (Shakespeare might have been the first to do it.) Why readers love Gaiman's quirky, sometimes brooding, stories? Reading his books (and the others) could be compared to a long introspection. It should bring out the best and worst out of people, but some readers are looking for cheap thrills. You can discover something else.
End of the affair. Kind of. Philip Pullman is still undecided about the release date of "The Secret Commonwealth", which may (or may not) be a continuation of his further discussion of his agnostic beliefs. You can still look back at His Dark Materials, which is still popular as its first release almost two decades ago. Pullman may be criticized for not being forthright about his religious views, but some would point out Lew Wallace’s misleading intentions in "Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ". Do the likes of Pullman make them a better authority? Your answer doesn't have to confront your religious views (or the lack of).
Why reading is better than paying a travel agency for a day-long (coach) tour. If you're not a huge fan of Doctor Who, then you haven't heard of the tens of tales of heroes and monsters. One intriguing story hypothesized the existence of a mysterious stone, which could have helped scientists and historians solve the mystery behind the monoliths. It should be compared to Arthurian romance, but don't expect to know the reason behind the naming of Arthur's Seat (in Edinburgh). (The last one refers to the fans of "Chariot's Fire", who would compare the noble athletes to Marvel superheroes.) Perspective gives these book an exciting spin, but you might look at it differently. Your professor would commend you.
What makes Alan Moore a league of his own? The author behind "Watchmen" was way ahead of his time. He might have foreseen how Marvel superheroes would change the mindset of Hollywood producers, but those who dislike the celluloid adaptation of Moore's "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" would point out the downside. You could make a comparative study between "V for Vendetta" and Len Deighton's “SS-GB”, where Great Britain is under Hitler. It doesn't mean that the Nazis are the perfect villains, as it would be linked to the (darker) recesses of the human psyche. Go figure? Absolutely not.
What makes British humor tick. Read Hornby's works again, if not write down your favorite quotes. Monty Python is another one to laugh about. It's not hard to spot it while reading a drab tale. The other writers might react to it, but try to imagine the pressure of the coursework in a different way. Does it make you feel like a veteran athlete who wants to prove something? You may be watching lots of tennis matches in Wimbledon, though.
A Few Reminders for the Beginners
You must have a favorite (British) book, which is a good thing. It should prevent you from thinking of the clichés if you want to impress your professor. Writing an essay is a personal experience, which doesn't mean that you must go on a holiday in the UK. You should have heard the remarks on the weather, though. What does a gray day mean to you? What is your reaction upon seeing a manicured field? (Central Park might give you some clues.) How do you deal with a batty aunt (or a similar kin)? Write it all down. Read the book (in study). Find comparisons (or contradictions). Make up your mind about it.
