What is LitSoc?
The Literary Society (LitSoc) has had a hugely successful start to the Academic year, with rapidly increasing numbers, The Lecture Theatre is now LitSoc’s new home every Monday evening. Year Eleven also has its very own LitSoc ‘bubble’ every Friday lunchtime. Pupils enjoy the trademark Litsoc experience: literature and tea!
During this Half term, pupils have enjoyed an introduction to ‘Apocalyptic Literature’, reading Ray Bradbury’s short story ‘Embroidery’. To mark National Poetry Day, we celebrated the poetry of Jackie Kay and Carol Ann Duffy. LitSoc then delved into the minds of killers and their publications as well as exploring literary representations of female murderers: extracts from Ian Brady’s ‘Gates of Janus’, Steinbeck’s ‘East of Eden’ and Sarah Schmidt’s reimagining of the Lizzie Borden case ‘See What I Have Done’ were found to be of interest for this challenging topic.
This Half term ended with a superb Halloween themed session; pupils donned their finest gruesome costumes and had the opportunity to learn all about the literary vampire. The session explored the evolution of the vampire figure through literature and popular culture. Extracts from John Polidori’s ‘The Vampyre’ and Le Fanu’s ‘Carmilla’ were discussed and enjoyed.
Mrs Vincent and Mrs Bond asked the Sixth Form members what LitSoc means to them, they were asked to finish the phrase ‘LitSoc is…’, answers included:
“Like the first rain after a draught”
“Like having two cool aunts”
“The best co-curricular”
“The highlight of my week”
“My home”
“The only place I will ever drink tea”
“A discussion with friends”
“A welcome escape into literature”
Committed, good-humoured and engaged, we would like to thank all members of The Literary Society for their constant dedication. We feel incredibly lucky to share literature with such enquiring young minds.
Mrs Laura Bond, Teacher of English, Second in Department