Elizabeth Taylor was a novelist and prolific short story writer. Her stories were published in The New Yorker, Harpers Bazaar, Vogue and Woman's Own, and broadcast on the Radio. Rosamond Lehmann described her writing as 'sophisticated, sensitive and brilliantly amusing, with a kind of stripped, piercing feminine wit'. We will discuss one or two stories at each session, beginning with Hester Lilly. We'll be looking at how the stories impact on us, thinking about the way they may have been received when first published, and asking questions relevant to the style, content and structure of each. What is it about the short story that draws some writers to continue producing them after they've become established as novelists? We'll read firstly for pleasure, but additionally, for meanings.
Course aim
To discuss a selection of short stories by the writer, Elizabeth Taylor, with a view to investigating their content and construction.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- You will need your own personal email address so that you’re able to login to the WEA’s digital learning platform: WEA Canvas. You will need to be able to understand how to follow URL links to pages on the internet. If you want to understand more about Canvas please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- You will need to be able to follow links to join our WEA live video learning platform: WEA Zoom. If you’d like to understand more about our video learning platform, Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline and http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- No skills or experience needed
- This course is suitable for beginners and improvers
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Identify and interpret themes and ideas in a story.
- Discuss the ways in which a story can both reflect and critique the society and times in which it is produced.
- Assess the impact of key events of the time or setting of the stories, and look for parallels with our lives today.
How will I be taught?
- The WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas will be used to provide resources or to support lessons, enable assessment, provide learner feedback and for other activities for individuals away from the course. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- The WEA tutor will use a range of different teaching and learning methods and encourage you and the group to be actively involved in your learning
- You may be asked to undertake additional work in your own time to support your learning
- You will be expected to carry out a range of activities in your own time
- There will be a set reading schedule, with one or two stories to read in preparation for each session.
What kind of feedback can I expect?
- A range of informal activities will be used by the tutor to see what you are learning which may include quizzes, question and answer, small projects and discussion
- You will have opportunities to discuss your progress with your tutor
- You will be encouraged to share your work with the group and discuss your learning
- The tutor will give informal feedback about progress. Group discussion and self-assessment will also be encouraged.
What else do I need to know?
- What you need: You will need an internet connection, speakers, a microphone and a webcam so that you can use our video learning platform, Zoom. If you’d like to understand more Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- You will need a personal email address to join the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas so that you can receive resources, record your progress and achievement and to work with others and share ideas. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- All of the stories can be found in the collection: Elizabeth Taylor, Complete Short Stories. ISBN-10 : 1844088405 ISBN-13 : 978-1844088409
Pre-course work, reading and information sources
- Please read the story Hester Lilly, for discussion at the first session.
What can I do next?
- Progress to another WEA course
- Progress to a course with another provider
- Become involved with the WEA in a range of voluntary work and other activities including campaigning as a WEA member
- Become involved as a volunteer for a WEA partner or another organisation
- You could progress to Higher Education courses. Follow link to the PEARL website for information http://pearl.open.ac.uk/
- Access the WEA What Next? booklet here http://www.wea.org.uk/learn-wea/what-can-i-do-next
- Join a reading group Join a writing group
Download full course information sheet
Literature: Introducing the Short Stories of Elizabeth Taylor
