Assignment 5 in 50 words

It is interesting to consider whether popular poetry of the 1950’s made its readers into passive consumers.

My personal experience is that, while reading Ginsberg, I did indeed become passive.

This was because after about a line and a half, I didn’t have a fucking clue what was going on.

Basic maths

In different circumstances, Danny would have taken a maths degree.

However, he had eventually decided on English Literature.

The latest block, 1930s poetry, was particularly tough. Progress was minimal.

Danny took a couple of days off, planning to restart work with double the enthusiasm.

The mathematician inside him said: 2(0)=0

Assignment 1 in 50 words

A formerly rich family sells an orchard to pay off debts.

Erm...

No-one knows whether it’s supposed to be funny or tragic.

Then...

Err...

It’s set in Russia.

And...

It...

Well, nothing else really happens.

Nonetheless, Chekhov is still “one of the greatest influences on contemporary theatre.” (Andrew, 1982, p.9) 

Subversion (TMA6)

An old man got out of bed one day, and decided to take his chocolate brown Labrador for a walk.

It was sunny, and there was a light breeze outside and he considered this perfect weather for a stroll in the park.

When he had finished, he went back home.

Abiding memory of TMA5

Danny was disconcerted.

He had been expecting something, that hadn’t materialised.

Its absence wasn’t a bad thing; it was just that he’d become completely accustomed to its presence previously.

Now though, he’d completed a whole block of his Children’s Literature module without one mention of Freud, Oedipus, or sexual awakening!

Popularity vs. Prestige (TMA 4)

“Ron, I’ve been thinking. We should use longer words, and more metaphors.”

“Eh?!”

“We’ll have way more credibility!”

“So? We’ve done OK so far. Credibility or not, at least our stories are actually interesting!”

Harry inwardly agreed, but heard a tut from Hermione, who was busy reading Swallows and Amazons.

An awfully big lack of adventure (TMA3)

Peter slumped into his seat on the tube, and sighed.

Sometimes, he still contemplated the life he had exchanged for this daily grind:

The beautiful scenery, the complete freedom, the adventures with his loyal friends.

Mother or not, London had nothing on Neverland.

Wendy had a lot to answer for.

Authorial intent

The students were meeting the author.

Finally, they’d get the chance to ask him about the infamous foetus metaphor; the one their teacher had talked about at such length.

Giles asked him, outlining a few of the possibilities they’d discussed.

The author stared blankly.

“I just thought it sounded good.”

Homage to TMA2

After his surgery, Geoff was absolutely fine.

However, it was standard practice to keep such patients in overnight for observation.

Worried that her granddad would get bored, Sarah lent him Little Women; her favourite book.

That night, Geoff slipped into a coma.

The book was found open on page 4.

Wolfgate (or how TMA1 took over my life)

“Conspiracy theories abound, following recent developments in ‘Wolfgate’.

“The long awaited autopsy revealed not Granny, but several stones inside the wolf’s belly.

“In addition, Aviva have stated that a considerable life insurance policy was taken out by Granny the very day that Miss Hood was spotted walking in the woods...”