Results & Directions

[gothwalk]

I just got another OU assignment back. "Discuss the ways in which Wide Sargasso Sea and Pygmalion exploit the traditions and conventions of their genre, both formally and in terms of content." I got 75%. This pleases me immensely, but is no help whatsover in deciding which way to go with the next course and the ongoing degree. My choices are basically down to English Literature or some kind of History. As long as the history is not Modern Irish or French Revolution, I'm pretty easy about precise periods. As long as I never have to go near Jean Rhys again, I'm pretty easy about genres of literature.

So, some of you people know me pretty well (and others don't know me from Adam, of course). What do you think I should do, and why?

Comments

[bardiphouka.livejournal.com]

It would depend on the courses offered? There are courses in either subject,both of which I have taught, that I would not take for tea or money.

[niallm.livejournal.com]

The intellectual rigor of history can be more satisfying than the flailing around in literature practiced by many English departments, who want to tell you what to think.

[socmot.livejournal.com]

As a would be history student, can I suggest that History is a very rigourous subject, which, if you enjoy the challenge, you might enjoy. While I enjoyed the subject itself, and absorbing the information, I found the actual study and analysis of it to be extremely difficult and subsequently failed my Leaving at Honours level in the subject, and also in Classical Studies (I know, Nina, I suck!). At least it wasn't for lack of interest in the subject.

On the other hand, English Lit. will help with your creative writing skills, and while I might be wrong, would be of more help day to day, something that might only be the case with history in a more abstract sense.

I think either English Literature or History would help with analytical skills, but in different ways. Given the fact that you write, I'd tend to suggest the English Lit. Although, given your SCA activities, perhaps it would be fun studying the history and then possibly re-enacting it...

[kehoea.livejournal.com]

History of Prussia. Prussia's dead cool. Frederick the Great thought up puns in French, and hung round with Voltaire, while making his backwater state into one of Europe's great powers, back when there still were Great Powers.

(Mental note; should really get around to reading it up in more detail myself. After I've finished the stack of Umberto Eco in sundry second languages that's sitting in my room.)

[(Anonymous)]

Can we see these essays?

J.