From my early beginnings as a young introvert, the public library has always been a bit of a refuge. Years later, not much has changed, albeit with an additional affinity for endless hours spent scouring second-hand bookstores to add to my ever-growing “to-read” pile.
From one bookworm to another, this column will be underscoring and outlining various literary genres, authors, and recent reads and can serve as an introduction for those unfamiliar with these works, as a refresher for long-time aficionados, and maybe as an inspiration for readers to share their own suggested topics. Do you have a topic that you would like covered in this column? Feel free to contact me for an interview and a feature in an upcoming column.
Who
This week, we focus on the works of a notable author in the Western literary canon, namely Ernest Hemingway.
Born on July 21, 1899 in Cicero, Illinois, Ernest Hemingway was “American novelist and short-story writer, [who was] awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1954.”
Hemingway was particularly known for his singular writing style. In particular, his “prose style was probably the most widely imitated of any in the 20th century.” For example, in his works, he strove for a simple style, free of emotion, sentimentality, and verbosity.
What
Some notable works by Ernest Hemingway include The Sun Also Rises, A Farewell to Arms, For Whom the Bell Tolls, and The Old Man and the Sea.
Other works include Islands in the Stream, A Moveable Feast, and To Have and Have Not.
Where
These works are set though the world, including the United States, Spain, Italy, and Cuba.
When
These novels are set through the twentieth century.
Why
The works of Ernest Hemingway may be of interest to AU students who would like to learn more about the universal themes of love, war, perseverance, and death. In addition, these novels, novellas, and short stories may appeal to learners interested in studying Hemingway’s unique writing technique.
How
AU’s wide range of diverse courses make it easy to study this topic in depth. Courses related to Ernest Hemingway are available in a variety of disciplines, including ones that may fit into your Degree Works. (Always check with an AU counsellor to see if these particular courses fulfill your personal graduation requirements!)
AU students interested in learning more about this topic may enroll in ENGL 344: American Literature I, a senior-level, three-credit course, which “introduces students to American literature, its history and development, and its rich variety of forms and techniques.” (Please note that this course requires several prerequisites, including ENGL 211: Prose Forms and ENGL 212: Poetry and Plays).
Students may also be interested in ENGL 345: American Literature II, another senior-level, three-credit course, which “follows the introduction to American literature begun in ENGL 344. ENGL 345 continues the exploration of the history and development of American literature and its rich variety of forms and techniques.” (This course also requires ENGL 211: Prose Forms and ENGL 212: Poetry and Plays). Happy reading!
