Yr 11 Adv: Narratives that Shape our World - Resources

Here are some focus questions for this module:

- How does narrative shape our understanding of the world?

- How do representation of cultures, ideas and ideologies in narratives shape our positions in the world?

- How does narrative shape our ideas about identity, belonging and who we are?

- In what ways are characters in texts imaginative rehearsals for ways of living?

- Can an unreliable character be a reliable narrator?

- How is narrative point of view used to create authority in texts?

Teachers can use a range of texts, chosen by a theme or idea. At some schools teachers are using texts that used to be on the HSC prescribed text list but are now no longer. They do this because the texts are available, however, these texts cannot be taught in same way as taught in the old HSC.

For example, if using The Great Gatsby and the sonnets of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, the focus must be on the texts as narratives that shape our world, rather than as Mod A: Comparative Study of Texts and Context - Intertextual Perspectives. Both texts can be read in terms of ideas about romantic love, mortality and hope, however, the texts must now be taught in terms of the new rubric. It needs to cover all the core principles of literary devices (more to come!), ie, close study of texts, as well as how stories impact our idea of ourselves. You can relate this to who gets to tell the stories now; how social media had connected people around the world to share their stories; how people appeal to stories of the past for their identity; how this concept has been challenged, and what the political implications are for these ideas

Key is this: In this module, students explore a range of narratives from the past and the contemporary era that illuminate and convey ideas, attitudes and values. They consider the powerful role of stories and storytelling as a feature of narrative in past and present societies, as a way of: connecting people within and across cultures, communities and historical eras; inspiring change or consolidating stability; revealing, affirming or questioning cultural practices; sharing collective or individual experiences; or celebrating aesthetic achievement.

So, in The Great Gatsby and the sonnets of Barrett Browning, what are the values of their contexts, how have their stories been used, and how do they fit with our values today? You can argue that the representation of romantic love in these texts is flawed and damaging. How do these texts tell us about who we are today? What are our views about romantic love, identity, mortality, expectations for happiness in life, and how are these ideas valued according to different contexts? What were the original contexts? For each text, how has context influenced the text? Who was the original audience? How did they react to the text? What values or ideas does the text present? What languages choices are made? How do these language choices create the message of the text? Do these values and ideas change in new or modern contexts? How and why? How do you think your reaction to the texts differs from the original audiences' reaction? (This is called Reception Studies)

Next post....more on resources for Gatsby and Barrett Browning