LC1A -- Literary Classics 1A: Mystery, Romance, Suspense, and Fun!

Course Summary: Join me as we step into the world of literary classics that will enthrall and delight you as they have millions of readers for hundreds of years. You’ll you encounter unforgettable characters as they unravel mysteries and overcome hardships on the path to finding happiness. 

Pride and Prejudice: We’ll begin our journey with a special treat: Jane Austen’s exquisite novel Pride and Prejudice, that is so well-loved it was made into movies in 1940 and again in 2005, and into BBC mini-series in 1980 and again in 1995. This literary classic story of two people who dislike each other, yet find themselves on an unlikely path to love and marriage, doesn’t go out of date!

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic tale: The Hound of the Baskervilles: We’ll continue our summer fun with a scary mystery set on the moors of Scotland where a huge hound has been sighted, bringing an old haunted tale back to life, as a young man’s life is threatened. Not to worry: Sherlock Holmes, detective extraordinaire is on the case!

Jane Eyre: Then, still in England, we’ll venture into the 19th century Victorian era as we read Charlotte Bronte’s famous novel, Jane Eyre. We’ll immerse ourselves in the coming of age story of young Jane, a rebellious orphan girl who winds up in the home of a mysterious fellow with a dark secret. Find out how this friendless orphan finds a pathway to independence, self-sufficiency and true happiness.

Gone with the Wind: For our last, and arguably most thrilling adventure, we’ll plunge into the Civil War in America, where we’ll meet the bold and dashing blockade runner Rhett Butler, and the feisty and alluring Scarlett O’Hara. We’ll follow their quest for survival and happiness in the aftermath of the Civil War, as we read Margaret Mitchell’s enduring classic Gone with the Wind. This American epic depicts the Antebellum Southern society, the onset of the Civil War and the period of Reconstruction as experienced by powerfully drawn characters who live through this momentous history, and it’s even better than the movie :  )

Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations—One of Dickens’ great masterpieces, this is a coming-of-age story about a loveable boy named Pip as he makes his way in the world. We’ll end with this novel as it touches on so many aspects of life and growing up, as well as delivering unforgettable characters, humor, excitement, and some choice fantasy. Be prepared to be astonished!

Assignments: You’ll be reading all of these literary classics so you’ll need to give yourself plenty of time to relax with each book. Allow extra time if you read slowly so you can enjoy the stories without having to rush. Please use actual, physical books so you can mark your progress, underline or mark passages, find the pages we read in class, and have the pleasure of reading a book that is unlike reading on a Kindle, etc.

For each literary work, you will write a paper on assigned topics or a topic of your choice. One of your essays will be corrected/edited and returned to you with the teacher’s comments. And we’ll discuss at least 2 of your written assignments in class.

About Books:

No ebooks! No virtual editions! Real books! 

They can’t find the pages we’re discussing if they have a virtual edition.

And they can’t make notes in the margins, etc.

Real books only!

1. Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen

Publisher: Penguin Classics, Edited with an introduction and notes by Vivien Jones

2. The Hound of the Baskervilles, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Publisher: Wisehouse Classics

NOTE: Since this is a novella, much shorter than our novels, students may get another version. This is the ONLY exception! 

The might prefer a version with illustrations. 

But they’re still better off using the Wisehouse Classics version if possible, too they can follow more quickly in class instead of hunting for the passage I’m discussing.

3. Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte

Publisher: Penguin Classics, Edited and with an introduction by Stevie Davies

4. Gone with the Wind, by Margaret Mitchell

Published by Scribner, with a preface by Pat Conroy

Class Size: 10-15 students (Grades 8+ preferred)

Class Time: 7:30-9:00 on Sundays*

Class Dates: Twelve Weeks*

Homework: Around 30-60 mins of homework time each week

*Note: The detailed class time and dates will be determined by the majority of the registered students

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