Not Just Language: The Life Within Literature

Anand G Shankar | Admissions Mentor & Test Prep Coach at Learners Cortex

Studying English literature could be the most challenging idea; nothing is tech, no guaranteed job placements, yet it opens the bounty of views about life, history, language, and self-realization. English literature single-handedly moves a mountain in our heart; this brings the same happiness as it is a pretzel for New Yorkers, beans for Londoners, rice for Kannadigas.

To clear the common misconception, English literature isn’t studied for improving English language, nor empowering the class of one’s English proficiency, not even to flaunt one’s poetic aspirations; this is a study of history, linguistics, and mankind at the right balances. The study may concern war, yet it won’t inform you much about how it shaped countries and economies today. The study may deal with the hard-core evolution of the English language; however, the focus on intricate grammar is slim, with astounding holistic character development of the language itself.

The study may bolster one’s self-reasoning and spiritual existentialism; nevertheless, this isn’t a self-help management book. It’s a mirror of everything we see, everything else we missed to see.

Studying English literature at the Master's level in the USA or the United Kingdom could be the epitome or the height of the best decision. In the UK, you will learn more about Shakespeare and the Renaissance, Romantic and Victorian literature, Modern and Postcolonial British authors, with heavy emphasis on close reading, historical context, and theoretical analysis. Most programs will be of one-year duration, and some of the finest universities to pursue a Master’s in English literature will be the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, University of Edinburgh, University of St Andrews, King’s College London, etc.

However, on the Atlantic counterpart, the program is of two years’ duration with heavy emphasis on American, British, World Literature, Literary theory, cultural studies, film, gender, race, and media. Some of the best universities to pursue are Harvard University, University of California, Berkeley, Columbia University, University of Chicago, Yale University, etc.

Here is the overview of studying English literature in the USA and UK — cost-wise, emphasis, and type of learning.

By Anand G Shankar