October half-term is the perfect time to take a break from the hustle of daily routines, enjoy autumn’s beauty, and spend quality time with family and friends. With Halloween festivities and the crisp, colourful weather, this is a great opportunity to embrace the season’s charm while keeping kids entertained. Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or creative indoor activities, here are some fantastic ideas to make the most of the October half-term.
Visiting a pumpkin patch is a quintessential autumn activity that kids and adults alike will enjoy. Many farms across the UK open their fields for pumpkin picking in October, offering a fun day out where you can choose the perfect pumpkin to carve for Halloween. Many pumpkin patches also host other activities, such as tractor rides, corn mazes, and petting zoos. Don’t forget to snap a few seasonal photos to capture the magic of autumn!
Top Tip: Check local farms for pre-booking requirements, as pumpkin patches can get busy during the half-term.
With the leaves turning golden and the crisp air setting in, October is one of the best months for enjoying the UK’s stunning natural landscapes. Take a trip to a nearby national park or woodland for a peaceful family hike, picnic, or wildlife spotting. Autumn is the perfect time for collecting conkers, pine cones, and colourful leaves to use in seasonal crafts later.
Where to go: The New Forest, Peak District, or Sherwood Forest are all fantastic for autumn walks.
Many attractions across the UK embrace the spooky spirit of Halloween with special events that range from family-friendly fun to haunted house experiences for older kids and teens. From ghost tours and haunted castles to pumpkin trails and fancy dress parties, there’s no shortage of ways to get into the Halloween spirit.
Where to find Halloween events: Check your local museums, stately homes, and theme parks for Halloween activities. Some, like Warwick Castle, have special Halloween experiences with spooky trails and stories.
For families with a love of outdoor sports, half-term is an excellent time to try an adventurous activity. Many outdoor centres offer everything from climbing, abseiling, and archery to paddle boarding and canoeing. Adventure parks and activity centres often run special half-term sessions where kids can learn new skills or try something new in a safe, supervised environment.
Great outdoor activity centres: Go Ape locations across the UK are ideal for tree-top climbing and zip-lining, while centres like PGL or local adventure parks offer multi-activity days.
The UK’s rich history offers a wide range of fascinating historical sites and castles to explore. Many of these places run special half-term activities for families, such as themed treasure hunts, costume days, or living history demonstrations. Visiting a castle or historic house is not only a great way to learn about history but also a chance to explore stunning grounds and gardens.
Top sites to visit: Windsor Castle, Tower of London, and Edinburgh Castle are popular, while lesser-known gems like Bodiam Castle and Kenilworth Castle often host half-term events.
If the weather isn’t on your side, a visit to a museum or science centre can provide an educational and exciting day out. Many museums across the UK offer free entry and have interactive exhibits that are perfect for children. Check if your local museum is offering any half-term workshops, craft activities, or temporary exhibitions that might pique the interest of curious minds.
Family-friendly museums: The Natural History Museum and the Science Museum in London are firm favourites, while the Eden Project in Cornwall and the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester are excellent alternatives.
For a creative day indoors, why not try some autumn-inspired arts and crafts? Leaf printing, pumpkin carving, and making Halloween decorations are great ways to get into the seasonal spirit. You can collect natural materials like leaves, acorns, and pinecones from a nearby park or forest to use in your projects. Baking Halloween-themed treats like spooky cookies or toffee apples is another way to make the day special.
Craft ideas: Make autumn wreaths, paint pine cones, or create spooky garlands to hang around the house.
Autumn is a wonderful time to see wildlife, as many animals prepare for winter. Whether you visit a wildlife reserve, zoo, or a local nature reserve, half-term is a great chance for kids to learn about nature. Many wildlife centres offer guided walks, bird-watching sessions, or even bat walks, where you can discover nocturnal creatures in a safe environment.
Top wildlife parks: Visit Longleat Safari Park or Woburn Safari Park for an exciting animal adventure, or take a quieter trip to a wildlife reserve like RSPB Minsmere or Slimbridge Wetland Centre.
Many theatres across the country put on special performances for children and families during the October half-term. Whether it’s a magical pantomime, a musical, or a puppet show, catching a live performance is a fantastic way to introduce children to the arts and enjoy a cosy afternoon together. Check your local theatre for family-friendly performances, including adaptations of popular books and films.
Theatres to watch: The West End in London offers big productions, while local theatres often have affordable, charming shows perfect for younger audiences.
Many theme parks across the UK go all out for Halloween, offering special spooky events alongside their usual rides and attractions. Some parks feature haunted mazes, scare zones, and Halloween-themed parades. These parks cater to various age groups, with milder activities for younger children and scarier thrills for teens and adults.
Theme parks to try: Alton Towers, Chessington World of Adventures, and LEGOLAND Windsor offer Halloween events perfect for a family day out.
If you’re looking for a cost-effective activity, why not create your own treasure hunt at home? You can make it Halloween-themed, with clues leading to hidden treats or spooky surprises. Tailor the difficulty to suit the age of your children, and let them solve puzzles or follow maps to find hidden treasures. This can be a brilliant way to engage their imagination and keep them entertained indoors.
For a relaxing day at home, plan a cosy movie marathon. You can theme it around Halloween with spooky-but-not-too-scary films for younger kids or pick a family-favourite series like Harry Potter. Create a cinema experience by making popcorn, dimming the lights, and letting everyone choose their favourite film.
Movie ideas: The Nightmare Before Christmas, Hocus Pocus, or Coco are great autumnal options.
October half-term offers a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the best of autumn, whether that’s embracing the season’s natural beauty, indulging in Halloween festivities, or spending quality time indoors. With a range of activities that cater to every interest and budget, there are plenty of ways to make the most of this break and create lasting memories with your family.
There are many subjects related to activities available for half-term. You can find them at the top of Oxford Open Learning’s Home Page by clicking on ‘Courses’. There are a variety of levels you can choose to study at for most subjects. You can also Contact Us for more information.
While long, hot summer days may be few and far between in the UK, the sunny season often evokes the desire, or intention, to escape. While escapism may take a different form for each individual, research suggests that people prefer to delve into a good book, rather than go to the cinema, or browse social media (Publishers Association 2023). So, what compels us to turn pages, even with the multitude of multi-media at our fingertips?
In our somewhat ironic universe, the origins of great, riveting literature often lie in fear on a collective scale. It is thought that ‘escapism’ emerged from society’s fluctuating and evolving fears and anxieties, marking a transition from literally escaping physical danger, to an ideological concept from the 1930s onwards. Terms such as ‘anxiety’, ‘claustrophobia’, and ‘paranoia’ are all referenced as common cultural emotions which motivate the urge to escape. As awareness of society’s collective consciousness grew, so did the notion of escapism as ‘taking flight from reality’ (Heilmen 1975). Thus, with contemporary society littered with instant news, is it surprising that populations have continued to use literature and its universality (as opposed to other technologies) as a mode of escaping reality? Perhaps not.
Particularly, there are so many texts themselves which explore the theme of escapism; characters and settings we can relate to on an existential level can be the most absorbing. Tennessee Williams, for instance, is argued to portray ordinary, American families whose suffering reflects his own life experiences, and consequently creates imaginary worlds to escape his reality (Aiaqeel 2016). It is these imaginary worlds which readers worldwide find irresistible.
What’s more, the lure of escapist literature is only enhanced by the introduction of hope. If escapist literature is to remedy feelings of fear and anxiety, it must provide us readers with its antithesis: a sense of hope. Segal (2024) recommends several books to escape ‘overrated’ real life, where texts with an ‘immersive loveliness’ enable true escape. That does not mean to say escapist literature must over-emphasise positivity.
In contrast, those texts which uplift and immerse us the most are those which include some ascent for the protagonist; a problem, a journey, and hopefully, a solution (or the possibility of one). Let’s take Bronte’s Jane Eyre, for instance. Its dark, feminist themes portray the somewhat misaligned fates of Jane and Mr. Rochester, whose relationship is a passionate but complicated one, with several casualties along the way. Yet it remains a classic, haunted romance and a superb example of escapist literature.
The timeless notion of such texts is what makes readers feel books are superior to other materials in escaping reality. Whatever way you choose to escape your own reality from time to time, it is a their ability to transport us to planets, people, and psyches distant from our own that is found only in the pages of a book.
References:
How We Escape It: An Essay – JSTOR Daily
(PDF) Escaping Reality in Tennessee Williams’s The Glass Menagerie (1944), A Streetcar Named Desire (1947), and Cat On A Hot Tin Roof (1956) | SMART M O V E S J O U R N A L IJELLH – Academia.edu
Five of the best escapist books – The Guardian
One in three say books offer best form of escapism when having a bad day – The Guardian
It’s World Heritage Day on the 18th of April. So, let’s shine a light on some of the UK’s most well-known heritage sites.
Stonehenge is perhaps one of the most iconic sites in Britain. Located in Wiltshire, the prehistoric stone circle is estimated to date back to 3100 BCE and was most probably built as a monument site for worship. Today, the site receives an estimated 1 million visitors each year.
Dating back to 122 CE, Hadrian’s Wall was built as a Roman defence against the ‘barbarians’ in the north of Britannia. It stretches from Wallsend on the River Tyne in the east of northern England to Bowness-on-Solway in the west. The wall was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987.
Located in Warwickshire, Kenilworth Castle is famous as the home of Robert Dudley, the (supposed) lover of Queen Elizabeth I. However, the castle predates Dudley, who only occupied it from 1563, by a few hundred years. The original castle was founded in the 1120s.
Overlooking The Channel, Dover Castle in Kent is one of the largest castles in England. As well as attracting many visitors each year, this castle has also been used as a location for a number of film and TV productions including Doctor Who, Into The Woods, and Avengers: Age of Ultron.
The Giant’s Causeway is an area of volcanic rock columns found on the coast of County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The rock formations are said to be between 50 and 60 million years old and, according to Gaelic legend, the area is the remains of a road built by the Irish giant Fionn mac Cumhaill so that he could cross the North Channel to meet Scottish giant Benandonner for a fight.
Also known as Holy Island, Lindisfarne is a tidal island (when the tide goes out it can be reached by land) off the coast of Northumberland that has been an important Christian site since the 6th century. Lindisfarne is perhaps most famous as the site of the first Viking raid on Britain in 793 CE – an event which kickstarted a long series of Viking invasions in Britain.
Also known as the Palace of Westminster, the grade 1 listed Gothic building serves as the meeting place of the House of Commons and the House of Lords. It is thought that the site of the Palace, along the bank of the River Thames in London, has been used as a meeting place and residence for England’s rulers since the 11th century.
Built between 1705 and 1722, Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire is most well-known as the birthplace of Winston Churchill. Despite being open to the public, and receiving around 950,000 visitors last year, the palace remains the home of the current Duke of Marlborough.
This is the site of one of the most famous battles in England’s history – the battle during which King Harold of England was defeated by the invading French leader, William, Duke of Normandy. William is now perhaps more widely known as William the Conqueror. After the battle, William had the Abbey built at the place of Harold’s death.
Located off the coast of North Cornwall, Tintagel Castle has long been associated with the legends of King Arthur. It is likely that the area surrounding the castle, the Tintagel Peninsula, had been occupied since the 1st century, but the ruined castle that stands there now upon a rocky islet wasn’t built until 1233. If you visit, you will see that the castle is very much a dramatic sight to behold.
If you are interested in studying History, Oxford Open Learning offers you the chance to do so at GCSE and A levels, listed below. You can also Contact Us by clicking on this link.
I grew up believing that there was one dominant learning style, which was what I experienced throughout school, university, and the early years of my career—auditory learning. In traditional educational settings, this typically involved teacher or tutor-led lectures, discussion groups, and corporate seminars or workshops in the workplace. However, as I delved into corporate training during my time as an HR professional, I learned about the theory of four distinct learning styles: Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing, and Kinesthetic (VARK).
1. Visual (V): Visual learners prefer to process information through visual aids such as diagrams, charts, graphs, videos, and other visual representations.
2. Auditory (A): Auditory learners prefer to process information through listening and speaking.
3. Reading/Writing (R): Reading/Writing learners prefer to process information through written text.
4. Kinesthetic (K): Kinesthetic learners prefer to process information through hands-on experiences and physical activities.
I have to admit, I haven’t questioned this theory, and research suggests that educators haven’t either, with 9 out of 10 of them believing that students learn better in their preferred style.
I was surprised to read that many neuroscientists consider the VARK theory to be a myth.
There is no proof of the value of learning styles as educational tools, and psychologists and neuroscientists are puzzled as to why this preoccupation with learning styles exists. This can probably be explained by the fact that even though scientists have failed to find evidence for VARK, they haven’t conclusively proved it invalid. The Null Hypothesis approach of rigorous scientific process, e.g. every theory is invalid until proven correct, doesn’t carry quite as much traction in the real world, evidently.
In the absence of scientific confirmation that VARK is failing students, it is understandable that educators continue to provide students with the choice of learning style they feel most comfortable with. While not evidence-based, the VARK model enables us to understand our learning preferences better and shape our lessons accordingly, making learning more enjoyable and subsequently more effective. However, it’s crucial to remain flexible in our approach and be willing to adapt to less ideal learning situations in pursuit of our educational goals.
October is here. Along with the Autumn, cold weather and Halloween, it brings with it an important occasion in the world of education: World Dyslexia Awareness Day, which falls on the 8th of this month, to be specific This day serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by individuals with dyslexia, a learning difference that affects the way people process and understand written language. Let’s take a look into what dyslexia is, its impact on remote learners, and offer valuable tips to empower those with dyslexia in the digital classroom.
Dyslexia is a neurological condition that primarily affects reading and language processing skills. It is not related to intelligence, and individuals with dyslexia often possess creative and innovative thinking abilities.
Dyslexia can manifest differently in each person, but common challenges include:
Difficulty with phonological awareness: Individuals with dyslexia may struggle to identify and manipulate the sounds within words, which can hinder their reading and spelling abilities.
Slow reading and decoding: Dyslexic learners may read more slowly and have difficulty accurately decoding words, which can lead to frustration and anxiety.
Working memory challenges: Remembering and processing information in real time can be challenging for individuals with dyslexia.
Spelling difficulties: Dyslexia often results in spelling errors and difficulty retaining spelling rules.
Dyslexia should never be seen as a limitation; instead, it can be a source of unique strengths and perspectives. History is full of individuals who not only coped with it but actually did quite well for themselves, too. The brilliant physicist Albert Einstein, renowned for his groundbreaking theories on relativity, for one. His ability to visualise complex scientific concepts and think creatively was undoubtedly influenced by his unique cognitive processes. Similarly, successful entrepreneurs such as Richard Branson and Ingvar Kamprad, the founder of IKEA, have openly shared their diagnoses.
These individuals and many others demonstrate that dyslexia need not hold anyone back. With the right support, strategies, and a belief in their own abilities, individuals with it can achieve extraordinary success and contribute significantly to society. It is by no means a roadblock; rather, an invitation to think differently.
The rise of remote learning has brought both opportunities and challenges for students with dyslexia. While the flexibility of online education can be advantageous, it also presents unique obstacles:
Screen Fatigue: Excessive screen time can exacerbate eye strain and fatigue for dyslexic learners, making it more challenging to focus on reading assignments.
Reduced Teacher Interaction: Remote learning may limit one-on-one interaction with teachers, making it difficult for dyslexic students to seek help when needed.
Navigating Digital Platforms: Dyslexic learners may face difficulties navigating digital platforms and software tools, leading to frustration and decreased confidence.
Independent Study: Remote learning often requires more independent study, which can be daunting for students with dyslexia who benefit from additional support.
Now, let’s explore practical strategies to help dyslexic students thrive in the remote learning environment:
Text-to-Speech Software: Text-to-speech (TTS) software can be a game-changer for dyslexic learners. It reads aloud digital text, helping students with reading comprehension and reducing the cognitive load of decoding words. Encourage students to use TTS tools for e-books, articles, and instructional materials.
Practice Mindful Screen Time: To combat screen fatigue, encourage regular breaks and the use of blue-light filters on devices. Establish a comfortable workspace with proper lighting to reduce eye strain.
Structured Learning Routine: Establish a structured daily routine that includes designated study times. Consistency helps students with dyslexia manage their time effectively and stay organised.
Accessible Learning Materials: Ensure that all digital learning materials are dyslexia-friendly. Use fonts like Arial or Verdana, which are easier to read, and provide transcripts or captions for multimedia content.
Visual Aids and Graphic Organisers: Incorporate visual aids and graphic organisers to help students organise their thoughts and better comprehend complex topics.
Use Audiobooks and Podcasts: Audiobooks and podcasts can be powerful learning tools for dyslexic students. Encourage them to explore subjects through auditory learning.
Foster Self-Advocacy: Teach students how to self-advocate by communicating their needs to teachers and seeking assistance when necessary. Encourage them to use virtual office hours and email for support.
Mindfulness and Stress Reduction: Dyslexic learners may experience anxiety related to their condition. Promote mindfulness practices and relaxation techniques to help students manage stress.
Peer Support and Online Communities: Connect students with dyslexia to online communities and support groups where they can share experiences, tips, and encouragement with peers
World Dyslexia Awareness Day reminds us of the importance of understanding and supporting individuals with dyslexia, especially in the context of remote learning. While it presents unique challenges, it should never be a barrier to education.
By implementing the strategies mentioned above and fostering a supportive learning environment, we can empower affected learners to excel in the digital classroom and beyond. And if you or anyone close to you has dyslexia, remember: it’s not a disadvantage, it’s a difference.
Autumn is round the corner and, despite the colour-drenched beauty of the natural world at this time of year, the season’s colder weather and shorter days can have a negative effect on mood. Furthermore, for many of us, the pressure is on again at school, college and work. It can be hard to stay motivated, and to remember the importance of self-care. Here are five ways to look after your wellbeing this autumn, so that you feel positive and resilient, function well, and enjoy a good quality of life.
When life is busy, it can be hard to fit in physical activity. But any way of moving more is likely to be good for you, whether it’s a team sport, running, swimming, dancing, getting off the bus one stop early and walking the extra steps, or taking the stairs instead of the lift. Physical activity is not only good for your body; it’s also likely to boost your mood and improve your sleep.
Could you find a little spare time in your schedule to try learning something new… perhaps something you’ve always been meaning to learn, but never seem to get around to? That might mean studying a new language, taking lessons in a sport, joining a craft group, learning a life skill like managing your finances, or even reading a biography of a celebrity you admire. The learning process is really beneficial for your brain and body, as this BBC podcast reveals. BBC Radio 4 – Just One Thing – with Michael Mosley – Learn Something New To Boost Your Brain And Learning -something new might boost your self-confidence and help you to meet some new people, too.
Life can get so busy… sometimes it can be easy to forget to make time for each other. Why not take a few minutes out of your day to simply enjoy having a conversation? Whether it’s a deep and meaningful discussion with a family member, a relaxed chat with a friend, or passing the time of day with a neighbour, conversation connects you with other people and is important for health and well-being. Just a few words can really make a difference.
Although screens can enhance our lives in a multitude of ways, they can also have negative effects on us, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Research shows that unplugging from technology – even for just a few hours – can make us more productive, help us communicate more effectively with others, increase our ability to learn, assist creativity, reduce levels of stress and anxiety, and improve sleep.
Each day, try to pause for a few minutes. Even if you’re feeling stressed or tired, try temporarily to cease any thoughts of the past or future, and simply exist in the present moment. Notice the details of what’s going on around you. This can have a beneficial effect which will stay with you when you pick up the threads of everyday life again.
It’s hoped that these suggestions will inspire you to prioritise your wellbeing this autumn. If you’d like to investigate further ways of improving your wellbeing, and/or need support with this, go to the NHS website.
Perfectionism is not, in and of itself, a negative trait. Perfectionists are often conscientious high achievers; our greatest weakness is also our greatest strength. But those trying to be constantly perfect can find that every task feels like an unconquerable burden and every essay a path to failure, however unlikely our friends and family might find our doom-laden predictions. Here are three thoughts to use to beat the unrealistic idealism that may currently be beating you.
What is perfect, anyway? Maybe you could decide. Perhaps perfection could simply mean sitting down at your messy desk, ignoring the clothes on the floor, and spending 10 minutes planning the first half of your essay. In this deeply imperfect and challenging world, if you were to be reasonable with yourself, your definition of perfect should, and could, be different. Redefine perfection: make it doable and make it your own.
A to-do list is a depressing sight, if, at every item, we are telling ourselves that we ‘have to’ or ‘must’ do this or that. But turn ‘have to’ into ‘get to’ and suddenly life seems more joyful. Perhaps it is an irritating piece of advice, an unwelcome call to simply have more gratitude, but studying is essentially an overwhelmingly positive thing. You are learning and growing, and you have access to great materials and educated teachers; you are lucky. And so, even if it feels at first like you are lying to yourself, tell yourself, next time you inspect your to-do list: “I get to plan my essay today”.
We will do it, but we are waiting for the perfect time when we are in the mood. Because we know we can do it well, and not just well but REALLY well. And so that is the aim. This isn’t laziness, for the fear is real: we cannot bear to submit anything less than our best; we cannot tolerate failure; and we want to be proud of what we have achieved. We have visualised (or we think we have) the perfect essay or assignment. But the truth is that you have a deadline. Perhaps you could achieve perfection if you had eternity to complete it. But you don’t. Most tasks have a timeline, whether it is 6 years to complete a part-time PhD, or one night to finish an essay. And the test is not what you can achieve, but what you can achieve in the time you have to complete it. The definition of perfect might simply be this: finished.
There’s a difference between writing and storytelling. Writing is easy and storytelling isn’t. You pick up a pencil and scribble words, that’s writing. Storytelling takes imagination, forward-thinking and planning. Crafting powerful beginnings and endings is crucial in captivating your readers from the very first page to the last. Understanding how to write effective beginnings and endings will elevate your writing. Let’s take a look at techniques and tips that will help you create compelling openings that grab attention and conclusions that will linger in your readers’ minds.
A well-crafted beginning sets the tone for your story and entices readers to continue. Here are some techniques to create compelling openings:
Hook Your Readers
The first line is everything. Make it attention-grabbing. The opening scene needs to raise questions or present an intriguing situation. This can be an engaging dialogue, a dramatic event, or a vivid description that piques curiosity. Pose questions that compel your readers to continue on for the answers.
Introduce Compelling Characters
Create characters that resonate with readers from the start. Give them a chance to shine. Take the time beforehand to develop unique personalities, and use this opening scene to make them relatable or intriguing to establish an immediate connection with your audience. Have them ‘save the cat’, which is a term meaning to have your protagonist do something positive to establish them as a good person to get the audience to root for them straight away.
Conflict
Start your story with a problem, dilemma or mystery to create suspense. This can be an internal struggle within the protagonist or an external obstacle they must overcome and will be what drives the story forward. You’ll be able to add context as you progress through the story, so don’t worry about details. In the beginning, the less your audience knows the better.
Foreshadowing
Go a step further by planting hints or clues about future events to create anticipation. Foreshadowing can add depth to your story and keep readers engaged, curious to uncover how the clues will unfold.
An effective ending is the final impression you leave on your readers. Consider these techniques to create memorable and satisfying conclusions:
Resolve Your Issues
This isn’t television, give your audience a satisfying ending. Tie up almost all of your loose ends too (it’s okay to leave one or two little ones unresolved for two reasons. Firstly, it gives a little authenticity to your world—not everything in life gets resolved. Secondly, if you ever get that sequel lined up, that unresolved plot might just come in handy.
Hold Up That Mirror
Use the ending to reflect on the character’s growth, lessons learned, or the overall message of your story. This allows readers to contemplate and appreciate the transformative journey. Leave room for interpretation by crafting an open-ended conclusion that sparks discussion or allows readers to imagine possibilities beyond the story’s confines. Just what did your hero do next? Don’t spell it out, give them a line that could mean one thing or another, or just point them in a certain direction. However, be mindful here of how subtle you’re being, if you’re too obvious or heavy-handed, you could just end up pulling another loose end.
Crafting effective beginnings and endings in fiction is an art that requires careful consideration. No matter what you do, at the very least ignore cliché and try your best to be original.
If you want to learn about writing beginnings and endings in non-fiction, an article on this subject will follow next week, and a link will be provided.
Okay, so before I start, remember this is English Literature – not History. You do not need to write chunky paragraphs about what was happening in the First World War, when it started, ended, or its causes. Of course, such pieces of information are important. But in English Literature, context is not about writing reams of historical details – it is more about showing how such things affected the writer’s ideas, or what was going on at the time in the writer’s life.
If you are studying an English Literature course, you will be aware that context is important. Your teacher or tutor has probably gone on about it – and reminded you to include it (context is, for some reason, something that students are inclined to forget!). Take Shakespeare, for example. What was happening when he was writing, way back in the 1500s-1600s? What was life like then? Whether you are writing about the evils of Macbeth or the humour in Twelfth Night, you do need to show the examiner that you have some understanding of such things. It is worth noting, however, that context isn’t required in every question on every English Literature course – particularly at Key Stage 4. For example, if you are studying An Inspector Calls for the IGCSE with Edexcel, context isn’t assessed. So, make sure you check so you are aware of when you need to write about context.
Context is often worth quite a lot of marks – at both GCSE, or IGCSE, and in A-Level courses. Treat it as a part of the process when you are studying the text in question. Sometimes, students think it is okay to ‘tag on’ a context paragraph – but it isn’t really, as examiners will want to see how it ties in with the text. Why is the supernatural an important part of Macbeth? Maybe it has something to do with King James who ruled at the time. What does Steinbeck show us about the American Dream in Of Mice and Men – and how does the behaviour of George and Lennie link in with this?
One thing that is good to do is ‘drip feed’ context into your work – make sure it is linked to the question and that it reinforces what you are writing. If you do this, you should be well on the way to success.
True Grit and The Revenant are two acclaimed novels that have gained popularity through their adaptations into films. Although both stories are set in the western frontier during the 19th century, and revolve around a protagonist who is seeking revenge against those who have wronged them, each serve as great examples of the differences between the romanticism of the traditional and the darker realism of revisionist westerns.
True Grit, written by Charles Portis in 1968, is a coming-of-age story that follows the young protagonist Mattie Ross on her quest to avenge her father’s death. Mattie hires U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn to help her track down the killer, Tom Chaney. The novel explores themes of justice, revenge, and morality, and portrays a world where violence is prevalent and justice is often delivered through the barrel of a gun.
In contrast, The Revenant, written by Michael Punke in 2002, is a survival story that follows the frontiersman Hugh Glass as he seeks revenge against the men who left him for dead after he was mauled by a grizzly bear. The novel explores themes of survival, vengeance, and the brutality of nature. It portrays a world where man is at the mercy of the unforgiving wilderness and where violence is a means of survival.
The main characters in both books are vastly different. True Grit‘s main protagonist, Mattie Ross, is a determined and intelligent young girl driven by her need for justice. She is a strong and independent character unafraid to stand up to men and often able to outsmart them. On the other hand, Hugh Glass in The Revenant is a seasoned frontiersman who has a deep connection to the wilderness. He is a survivor who is driven by his need for revenge and will stop at nothing to achieve it.
True Grit is a novel driven by its strong characters. Whilst Mattie Ross is the strong-willed and determined young woman seeking justice for her father’s murder, she is supported by the novel’s other main character, Rooster Cogburn, a gruff and rugged US Marshal seeking the same thing. Together, Mattie and Rooster make for a formidable team, and their interactions are some of the highlights of the novel.
The Revenant is plot-driven. Set in the wilderness of the American West, and the harsh and unforgiving environment plays a significant role in the story. Hugh Glass, the novel’s protagonist, is a fur trapper who is left for dead by his companions after being attacked by a grizzly bear. His journey to survive and seek revenge against those who abandoned him is the primary focus of the novel. The emphasis is not on the characters, but on the harsh world they live in.
Another significant difference between the two novels is their approach to violence. True Grit is a novel that is filled with violence, but it is also one that explores the consequences of that violence. Mattie Ross witnesses several violent events during the course of the the story, and these events have a profound impact on her character. In contrast, The Revenant is a novel that revels in its violence. The novel’s descriptions of the grizzly bear attack and the subsequent revenge plot are graphic and visceral, and they serve to highlight the brutal nature of life in the American West.
One of the primary differences between True Grit and The Revenant is their narrative style. True Grit is written in the first-person point of view, with Mattie Ross serving as the narrator. Not to accuse Mattie of being unreliable, but did events really play out as she tells it? Or is it possible her interpretation of events was misted by her own stubbornness? Pure conjecture of course, but a question worth asking.
In contrast, The Revenant is written in the third-person point of view, with the narrator following its protagonist. This difference in narrative style has a significant impact on the reader’s experience of the story as there’s no room here for any potentially unreliable narration. It is simply a pure and brutal telling of a desperate survival tale.
When compared, the differences between the two novels highlights the change in modern attitudes towards the Western genre. True Grit, the traditional classic, is a story full of quirky characters and tells how they alone tackle the frontier and come out on top, with throwaway and comforting tales of bravery, hope, and American values. The Revenant, however, is a much dirtier, cynical, and grittier rendition of the Old West. It is a much more accurate depiction of a time when justice was about as rare as heroes. Back then, the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly didn’t exist, but rather only the Morally Grey.
This is the last of 3 articles looking at the Western on screen and page. The first and second can be found by clicking here and here respectively.