Random ramblings

Well, following the tradition of the day. I'll also write a journal about 'school'. I went to my first class at 10am. It was only supposed an introduction about the unit but the lecturer decided to discuss a little more in depth.

It was interesting to see to see how many either dropped out or didn't continue. I like it of course. There's only 14 students in the class and I'm the only guy! The lecturer is a lesbian as well (surely counts as two?).

We were handed information sheets for the module, Creating Childhood, and I know which books I'll be reading for the year.

Alice's Adventure in Wonderland (Carroll)
Treasure Island (Stevenson)
The Secret Garden (Burnett)
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Baum)
A Wizard of Earthsea (LeGuin)
Northern Lights (Pullman)
Harry Potter and the Philospher's Stone (Rowling)
Exodus (Bertagna)

Now, the idea is to start with how literature for children developed. So, the books start off in the 1800s. This links with one of the other modules I've to study, Romanticism. Gradually the books become more modern until we read Exodus which was released in 2002.

The idea is that children's literature was developed to ideologically manipulative the working (and above) class children away from revolution. British society was trying to change the way we think and deal with children. They promoted a 'pre-Eden ideal' which meant children were this innocent and untouched creation.

Parliament passed the education act of 1870 meaning more children would be educated instead of going down mines and up chimneys! Then virtues of innocence etc were promoted as being childlike. Religion was heavily used by some writers as well.

Now, this means nothing to most. But, I'll comment on the reading list. I've heard of almost all of these books but never read them. In year five/six (9-10 years old?), I was forced to read the Secret Garden and it'll be interesting to see how much I can remember.

For the Pullman and Rowling books, we've been told that we should really read the entire series. His dark materials is three books I believe, whereas the Harry Potter series is seven or eight, now? I don't mind Pullman, I read a little of the first and it seemed semi-interesting. I'm not a big fan of Harry Potter at all, though. I'm actually quite disappointed that we've to read those books which essentially spoil a good unit.

Reading a 'bad' book isn't a problem in its self. But, it's the volume at which we're expected to read. In some units it's a book a week. For any 'reasonable' student that's just not possible. I also have the bad habit of reading my own books instead of the ones I'm supposed.

I'm going to finish Nineteen Eighty Four (Orwell) as soon as possible because I don't want to leave it almost unfinished for weeks. I've just finished Part II (page 237) and Julia/Winston have been caught by the thought police in the room above Mr Charringtons shop.

I've two more classes this afternoon. The next one is in thirty minutes and I'll leave soon. I know I'll be studying the poetry of Wordsworth in one of the classes. I find poetry insanely boring and horrible to read/study. I doubt this will be any exception.

TL;DR !