Literature from my school years

Didn't study this as part of the curriculum, but analysed it enough to play the part of Lysander in the short scene where he 'falls in love' with Helena. I'm pretty sure I completely butchered it.

Beautiful, short and sweet. Probably should re-read it just to see what my perspective would be now. Let's add a few more adjectives - poignant, haunting, bleak. Must-read.

The social awkwardness of the pre-pubescent teen with a baby brother suffering from hydrocephalus. Can't really remember the specifics now (obviously it didn't leave such an impact - can remember writing some really crap essays on it though... haha).

Ahh don't you love the days when the material you study is still light-hearted and relatively optimistic? I've always loved High Fantasy (LOTR, HP, Game of Thrones, etc.) - a great read. Not so sure about thematic material though, but that year was particularly crap for English anyway.

Same year as 'I, Coriander'. Umm don't know... definitely was a struggle to get the book finished in time for finals :P
Something about the environment and a chronic insomniac as the main character.

This was a poem from a small stack of poems we studied by Hone Tuwhare, a NZ poet.
How stunning is this?? His poetry is stunning, full stop.
horiwood.com/2010/11/24/hone-tuwhares-no-ordinary-su-poem-in-rememberance-of-world-events-11-24-10/

Some of my best essays are analyses of his poems.

The thing I love about Shakespeare is that an amateur can easily tease out the major themes and wax lyrical about character development, disruption of Chain of Being, symbolism, etc. I think this would have had a greater impact if I was older, or if I saw it as a play, not read out very badly by people who barely comprehend the grammar to people who barely comprehend the grammar.

Aaand the dark material begins. I was very unused to reading this style of writing, and I guess I was a little too immature for the themes. But wow... it was hard to read. Poignant and striking, but hard to read nevertheless. And hard to craft essays D:

I chose this book as part of a massive paper on our theme of choice (mine being the development and eternal appeal of evil in literature, or something along those lines). Once you have them pointed out to you, the themes and symbols are really obvious.
I think this book really scared me, at the end, when I 'fully' comprehended the implications of the author.

I analysed this text twice in my short-lived career in high school as an English student - first as a short seminar, second as part of that aforementioned massive paper.
Absolute classic read. You can't call yourself a connoisseur of literature without this book under your belt. If you don't already know what happens, prepared to be put through a session of deep thinking about base human nature and the like.

Yet another text in that massive paper. Honestly, how can you write a paper on evil without mentioning the titular character? Lecter is the epitome of evil (or rather, psychopaths are the epitome of evil). What I was interested in was why he was able to be cast in the role of protagonist. Of course, the colourful Mason Verger and Krendler made for pretty hilarious reading as well.
I don't dare watch the movie - I like my perceptions of the characters just the way they are :D

Shakespeare again. Essays on Shakespeare are always annoying to write. Memorising his quotes word for word (and the apostrophes, do not forget) are generally such a pain. But we got to see the version of the play that starred Sir Ian McKellan. That man is amazing, though I disagree with some of his blatantly dismissive religious views.
Ah Lear! Makes me want to hit that character over the head with something heavy for being so blind.
Edmund was also featured in my massive paper.

Poor little doll-wife. Absolute classic. I have no words.

We got to see the movie starring Anthony Hopkins as well. That door slam. Must try it someday with a proper, heavy door. All the ones in my house have this dampening mechanism which means I don't get that satisfactory 'bang'. I can't believe Ibsen was able to write that pathetic alternative ending and was able to stomach its performance on stage.