My Web-Published prose:

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My book reviews

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My essays:

• Comment on the explicit or implicit ideological and moral basis for one or more Hollywood films of the same genre, and on how its stance is conveyed through narrative, characterisation and/ or mise-en-scene.
• ‘In connection with one Hollywood genre film, discuss the presence (or absence of characteristics of mise-en-scene, characterization and ideology, and how far the film accords with or diverges from the viewer’s expectations in its use of them.’
• The Radical Writings of P. B. Shelley (B.A. Literature & Media Studies Dissertation)
• Men must endure Their going hence, even as their coming hither: Ripness is all’ (King Lear.) Discuss how two of Shakespeare’s tragic heroes act and react within the interplay of choice and destiny.
• ‘Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown’ (Henry IV Part 2.) Discuss the range of political success and failure, authority and weakness displayed by TWO of the monarchs of the Richard II – Henry V series of history plays.
• Braine’s primary aim is to encourage his readers to reflect on the political and social systems around them.’ Discuss the ways in which Braine achieves this in Room At The Top.
• Survey attitudes to the French Revolution by two writers of the period. discuss the possible influence of these writings on the literature of Romanticism.
• The treatment of the theme of Urban Life in Twentieth Century Poetry
• A poem should not mean But be (Archibald Macleish) Does this requirement shed more light then darkness?
• The twin aims of 18th Century writers were habitually stated to be to entertain readers and to improve them. Compare Gulliver’s Travels and One of Moll Flanders and Joseph Andrews, seeking to describe the author’s balance between these two imperatives and how far, if at all, they succeed in unifying them
• Articulate with reference to texts, what the term tragedy as applied to drama/ film now means
• With reference to a part of Paradise Lost, describe how Milton presents his conception of evil.
• Is it possible to put forward a feminist film language as distinct from the pervading methods, structures and ideology of mainstream cinema?
• Does Doctor Faustus confront the gap between human aspiration for life and the reality of actual living?
• “…a safety-valve for anti-social feelings.” To what extent would you accept Michael Balcon’s assessment of the role and importance of Ealing Comedy in the period from 1949-1955?
• Is Heart of Darkness ultimately a rejection of imperialism’s authorized lies?
• ‘Blake’s voice is the voice of freedom.’ Do you agree with this claim?
• Achebe has commented that African writing has the advantage of ‘a largely unrecognised, huge oral tradition.’ Discuss the ways in which he puts this into practice in Things Fall Apart.