Article: IB English A1

Visit howtoib.com, the almost definitive guide to the International Baccalaureate as taught at South Island School, Hong Kong.

English A1 - the predecessor of “English A Literature”

- Kenneth Chan

Last updated January 28, 2012

I am always thankful that I am able to appreciate literature, for I feel that the study of literary works allows me a glimpse of the essence of human nature and the nuances of society. Yet, what I love most is that, as much as it is human, literature is composed of time, place and culture, transcending the limits of ‘here’ and ‘now’.

What’s studied in the course?

English A1 is a literature course. That means it’s focused on textual analysis, not language. In HL, 15 texts are studied. Yes. 15. SL does 11. (evil smirk)

How far has setting served to carry or underscore thematic concerns in fiction you have studied?

Practice IB English A1 Paper 2 essay.
Date: July 2011

In Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s 1899 semi-autobiographical short story, The Yellow Wallpaper (henceforth YW), the narrator, a woman who has recently given birth to her first child, is tormented by isolation enforced by her husband. Similarly, Ernest Hemingway’s 1933 semi-autobiographical short story A Way You’ll Never Be (henceforth Way) describes the tormented mind of Nick Adams, an American volunteer in the Italian army in World War One, as he tries to complete a propaganda mission. In both stories, setting is all-important in carrying and underscoring the themes presented, using the protagonists’ placements within their settings as well as their interactions with the physical setting. The identification of the microcosm settings with the larger world serves as warnings in both YW and Way, of the misguided nature of Victorian ideals and the danger of glorifying war, respectively.

Update: "Song of forgetting"

You may remember this pathetic thing from two or three years ago: http://literatureeh.blogspot.com/2010/04/that-day.html

At that time, I submitted it for consideration to be included in the ESF Anthology of students' creative pieces.

So, 'lo and behold:

Incredibly, I got published. The book's called "Mirrors with Memories". You can buy it at Commercial Press, I think. (Hong Kong publisher)

Can't believe they took 2-3 years to get this thing out, though...

Thoughts on the characters of Tennessee Williams' _A Streetcar Named Desire_

Author's note: Wow. Haven't been here in a long time... I should pick it up again...

Blanche has a dream. She wants a new life. She wants to escape from her past. She want to succeed in this last bid for happiness. But Stanley and Stella have their own lives! Their own dreams! They just want to live happily together, raise their baby, indulge in the normal passions of a young couple and have fun with friends like Steve and Eunice! Everything was fine!

Why does Blanche have to intrude? -That's what she is! An intruder! She's not the only one who's struggling. In case she failed to notice (which she did), the Kowalski's aren't rich. Sure, you should be able to rely on the kindness of family, and Stanley was in no way right in his disposal of her, but I definitely don't begrudge him his hostility toward Blanche.