Conceptual understanding of English Literature texts is become an ever-increasingly important element of lessons in our schools as new and innovative methods of accessing texts is sought by teachers. We want to invigorate our lessons but oftentimes fall into the traps of trying to teach the same material in a different way. Let's be honest: it's not long before we're relying on our old plans with no time to become Robin Williams' John Keating in Dead Poet's Society, an inspiration author Dr. Haili Hughes alludes to in her introduction.
In a world of digestible, accessible quick-reads in the name of CPD for the time-poor teacher, this book is brazenly academic and profoundly useful, causing the reader to spontaneously combust with refections on their own day-to-day teaching. This book is heavy and feels like you're about to learn something that isn't confined to the strictures of the famous Dickensian novella.
The Structure
Hughes has written a true tome for our time with a book that offers academic articles and lesson ideas, resources and possible curriculum maps that many authors shy away from providing lest they be accused of codifying the subject in their image.
A Journey Through Critical Theory and their Lenses
The first section of the book is a brilliant dip into schools of thought - Romantic, Semiotics and Deconstruction for example - visited at first in a chronological diagram, then with definitions of each theory with notes on the protagonists of each before linking A Christmas Carol with each one.
this book is brazenly academic and profoundly useful
It's a beautiful deconstruction of literary criticism. Hughes is at pains to point out that, being an examiner for many years, critical theory for the sake of it will always appear as a bolt-on in exam answers; spotted a mile off and rarely with any depth. From this, it's easy to understand that, much like Didau and Gibbs & Helman before her, Hughes suggests ways of embedding critical thinking and analysis from as early as possible.
We're firm believers that excellent English Literature and Language teaching can change the world through exposing our young people to the knowledge of critical schools of philosophy, before developing the skills that lead to brilliant exam answers, and even better human experiences in their lives as a result.
English Teacher Case Studies
It's clear that Hughes is a huge proponent of embracing the knowledge of those around her and this book is no exception with seven case studies from a wide variety of English teachers and contexts. What is surprising and very welcome, is the inclusion of exemplar student work which adds to the accessibility of the book; actually seeing what is being spoken about in context is a gift and one that places the high academic intentions of the book into a tangible resource. More of this, please, because it places the teacher and their improvement to drive deeper thinking at the heart of the war-cry this book makes: high expectations for all students.
A Christmas Carol - Using Critical Theory at GCSE, will take you on your own journey of redemption without the need for a holy trinity of salvation-selling spirits
Ten Critical Essays
The book is completed with ten critical essays that cover an impressive amount of scope and detail, exploring common themes and questions through the lens of critical theory. Each of the essays gives a fresh insight into the heart of the text as well as crossing paths with common ideas explored frequently in the GCSE examination at the end of the two-year course.
Each one asks profound questions not only of the text, but also of your own viewpoint and - more often than not - challenges that view and encourages you to return to the beginning of the book or else run to the per-chapter notes and references which are a joy and treasure trove of interesting tidbits and other books to read.
There are recurring sections in each chapter which are gold:
Summed up in six
Every essay is summarised in six bitesize pieces of information, adding to the accessibility of the book.
Ideas for teaching
The dream, right? All of this knowledge from so many professionals is finally put into a digestible format with lesson suggestions and ... resources!
If, axiomatically, we're all time poor, then investing some of that time in reading this book with it's added extras with reap rewards in the future.
A Conclusion
There are times when the pleasure and privilege of reviewing books is gifted by the publisher but, here, I bought this copy for my own teaching and my jaw hit the floor and I ran to Twitter to proclaim my love:
I did indeed sit there moaning and groaning from points I'd missed, moments in my teaching I regret and profound realisations that not only did I have to change what I was doing but that everything would be better because of it.
A Christmas Carol - Using Critical Theory at GCSE will take you on your own journey of redemption without the need for a holy trinity of salvation-selling spirits and I feel absolutely indebted to Hughes and her ability to inspire a thirst for knowledge that will onyl benefit my students, but maybe not my bank balance.
Oh Captain! My Captain ... God Bless Hughes, every one!
A Christmas Carol - Using Critical Theory at GCSE: A Review is written by Dr. Hailie Hughes can be purchased now from Amazon and Routledge
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