The best related texts for every literary world module elective in English Extension 1

Choosing a related text to study for English Extension 1’s literary world elective can be difficult. Here are Concept’s top tips for the best electives to enhance your analysis for every module, with a summary of the module!

1. Literary Homelands

The module “Literary Homelands” focuses on exploring connections to notions of 'homelands', place, culture, and connections with others in an increasingly complex world, as well as representations of diverse cultural perspectives, historical and social contexts, and experiences of place, country, and culture. Here are some additional texts across different forms that could complement your study:

Prose Fiction:

• "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri: Explores themes of identity, cultural assimilation, and the immigrant experience in America.
• "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini: Provides insights into Afghan culture, family dynamics, and the impact of historical events on individuals and communities.
• "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: Examines race, identity, and belonging through the experiences of a Nigerian woman living in America and the UK.

Poetry:

• Langston Hughes' poetry collection: Offers perspectives on African American culture, identity, and the search for belonging in America.
• Pablo Neruda's poetry: Explores themes of love, nature, and identity rooted in the poet's Chilean heritage.

Drama:

• "A Raisin in the Sun" by Lorraine Hansberry: Examines the African American experience, aspirations, and struggles for a better life in mid-20th century America.
• "No Sugar" by Jack Davis: Provides insights into Indigenous Australian experiences, cultural resilience, and resistance to oppression.

Film:

• "The Joy Luck Club" directed by Wayne Wang: Explores the lives of Chinese American women and their relationships with their mothers, highlighting themes of cultural identity and generational differences.
• "Lion" directed by Garth Davis: Tells the true story of a young Indian man's journey to find his birth family after being separated from them as a child, addressing themes of identity, belonging, and cultural heritage.

Non-Fiction/Memoir:

• "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri: Offers a deeper exploration of cultural identity, family ties, and the immigrant experience through the lens of a Bengali American family.

Short Stories:

• "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri: Explores themes of cultural displacement, identity, and the immigrant experience through a collection of interconnected short stories.

These additional texts cover a range of themes and perspectives that align with the focus of the elective module, providing students with a broader understanding of the complexities of 'homelands', cultural identity, and the human experience across different literary forms and genres.

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2. Worlds of upheaval

For the "Worlds of Upheaval" elective in English Extension 1, students explore textual representations of individuals and communities navigating periods of significant social and political change and upheaval. They analyse how texts depict the struggles, aspirations, and ideas of individuals and groups during times of upheaval and consider the potential of texts to provoke change in attitudes, perspectives, and societal circumstances. Here are some additional texts across various forms that can complement this module:

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Prose Fiction:

• "The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck: Explores the plight of Dust Bowl migrants during the Great Depression and their quest for justice and dignity amidst social upheaval.
• "Beloved" by Toni Morrison: Examines the impact of slavery and its aftermath on individuals and communities, highlighting themes of trauma, memory, and resilience.
• "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini: Explores the repercussions of political unrest and conflict in Afghanistan, focusing on themes of guilt, redemption, and the search for identity.

Poetry:

• W.H. Auden's poetry collection: Includes poems like "September 1, 1939" and "The Shield of Achilles," which reflect on the social and political upheavals of the 20th century, including the outbreak of World War II and its aftermath.
• T.S. Eliot's "The Waste Land": Offers a fragmented depiction of post-World War I society and reflects on the disillusionment and alienation experienced by individuals amidst societal upheaval.

Drama:

• Arthur Miller's "The Crucible": Explores the Salem witch trials as an allegory for McCarthyism and examines the consequences of mass hysteria and the abuse of power during times of social and political upheaval.
• Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun": Chronicles the struggles of an African American family in 1950s Chicago as they confront racism, poverty, and the desire for a better life amidst societal change.

Film:

• "Schindler's List" directed by Steven Spielberg: Depicts the Holocaust and one man's efforts to save Jews from extermination, highlighting themes of moral responsibility and resilience in the face of genocide.
• "Pan's Labyrinth" directed by Guillermo del Toro: Set in post-Civil War Spain, the film intertwines fantasy and reality to explore the horrors of war and the resilience of the human spirit amidst political upheaval.

These additional texts offer diverse perspectives on individuals and societies grappling with upheaval, providing students with rich material for analysis and reflection on themes of justice, resilience, identity, and the human experience during turbulent times.

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3. Reimagined worlds

For the "Reimagined Worlds" elective in English Extension 1, students explore textual representations of reimagined worlds that challenge or confirm the known, question the unknown, and explore the possibilities of different realities. They analyze how texts invite readers to reconsider their understandings and perceptions of their world and offer creative and provocative insights into humanity. Here are some additional texts across various forms that can complement this module:

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Prose Fiction:

• "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro: Explores a dystopian world where clones are raised for organ donation, raising questions about identity, ethics, and the nature of humanity.
• "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood: Presents a reimagined world where women's rights are severely restricted, offering a chilling commentary on gender, power, and totalitarianism.
• "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley: Depicts a futuristic society where individuality is suppressed in favour of conformity and happiness is manufactured, prompting reflections on freedom, technology, and social control.

Poetry:

• T.S. Eliot's "The Waste Land": Offers fragmented depictions of a fragmented world, reflecting on the disintegration of traditional values and the search for meaning in a chaotic modern world.
• Octavia E. Butler's "Parable of the Sower": Presents a series of poems that imagine a future world ravaged by environmental and social collapse, exploring themes of survival, community, and hope in the face of adversity.

Film:

• "Inception" directed by Christopher Nolan: Explores the concept of dream worlds within dream worlds, challenging perceptions of reality and consciousness.
• "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" directed by Michel Gondry: Reimagines the possibilities of memory and love through a technology that erases painful memories, prompting reflections on the nature of identity and relationships.

Graphic Novels/Comics:

• "Watchmen" by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons: Presents an alternate reality where superheroes exist and examines the complexities of power, morality, and humanity in a world on the brink of nuclear war.
• "Saga" by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples: Imagines a universe where different species and cultures coexist, exploring themes of family, war, and cultural diversity.

These additional texts offer imaginative and thought-provoking explorations of reimagined worlds, challenging readers to reconsider their perspectives on humanity, society, and the possibilities of the world around them.

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4. Literary mindscapes

For the "Literary Mindscapes" elective in English Extension 1, students explore and evaluate how literary texts invite readers to engage with the interior worlds of individuals, including their perceptions, thoughts, emotions, and memories. Here are some additional texts across various forms that can complement this module:

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Prose Fiction:

• "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath: Provides a deeply introspective exploration of a young woman's mental illness and struggles with identity, offering insights into the complexities of the human mind.
• "Mrs. Dalloway" by Virginia Woolf: Explores a day in the life of Clarissa Dalloway as she navigates her thoughts, memories, and emotions, highlighting themes of identity, alienation, and the passage of time.
• "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger: Chronicles the internal journey of Holden Caulfield as he grapples with feelings of alienation, disillusionment, and the search for authenticity in a conformist society.

Poetry:

• Sylvia Plath's poetry collection: Includes poems like "Daddy," "Lady Lazarus," and "Ariel," which delve into the depths of the poet's psyche, addressing themes of mental illness, identity, and mortality.
• T.S. Eliot's "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock": Explores the fragmented thoughts and existential angst of an individual contemplating his place in the world and the passage of time.

Drama:

• "The Glass Menagerie" by Tennessee Williams: Provides a poignant portrayal of the Wingfield family's internal struggles and desires, showcasing how their mindscape shapes their interactions and relationships.
• "Death of a Salesman" by Arthur Miller: Examines the disillusionment and psychological turmoil of Willy Loman as he grapples with the American Dream and his sense of worth.

Film:

• "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" directed by Michel Gondry: Explores the intricacies of memory, love, and identity through the lens of a technology that erases painful memories, prompting reflections on the nature of the human mind and relationships.
• "Black Swan" directed by Darren Aronofsky: Provides a psychological thriller that delves into the obsessive and self-destructive mindset of a ballet dancer as she strives for perfection.

These additional texts offer nuanced explorations of the interior worlds of individuals, inviting readers to delve into the complexities of the human mind and reflect on themes of identity, consciousness, and the search for meaning in the world.

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5. Intersecting worlds

For the "Intersecting Worlds" elective in English Extension 1, students explore and evaluate how texts represent the intersection of human experience and activity with the natural domains of our planet. Here are some additional texts across various forms that can complement this module:

Prose Fiction:

• "The Overstory" by Richard Powers: Explores the interconnectedness of humanity with the natural world through the lives of various characters whose fates are intertwined with trees and forests.
• "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer: Chronicles the true story of Christopher McCandless, who leaves society behind to live in the wilderness, prompting reflections on the human desire for connection with nature and the consequences of isolation.
• "The Old Man and the Sea" by Ernest Hemingway: Examines the relationship between an aging fisherman and the sea, exploring themes of perseverance, mortality, and the sublime power of nature.

Nonfiction:

• "Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants" by Robin Wall Kimmerer: Blends indigenous wisdom with scientific understanding to explore humanity's relationship with the natural world and the importance of reciprocity and stewardship.
• "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson: Investigates the impact of human activity on the environment and calls for greater awareness and protection of nature, sparking the modern environmental movement.

Poetry:

• Mary Oliver's poetry collection: Includes poems like "Wild Geese," "The Summer Day," and "When Death Comes," which celebrate the beauty and mystery of the natural world and the interconnectedness of all living beings.
• Gary Snyder's poetry collection: Explores themes of ecology, Buddhism, and the human relationship with nature, offering insights into the interconnectedness of all life forms and the importance of environmental stewardship.

Film:

• "Grizzly Man" directed by Werner Herzog: Documents the life of Timothy Treadwell, an environmental activist who lived among wild grizzly bears in Alaska, raising questions about the boundaries between humans and nature and the consequences of human intervention.
• "The Emerald Forest" directed by John Boorman: Tells the story of a man's quest to find his son, who is abducted by indigenous people in the Amazon rainforest, exploring themes of cultural clash, environmental destruction, and the spiritual connection between humans and nature.

These additional texts offer nuanced explorations of the intersection of human experience with the natural world, inviting readers to reflect on the complexities of our relationship with nature and the impact of human activity on the environment.

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