In this course, students will be introduced to literary and cinematic technique by studying recent film adaptations of English literature alongside the original text. We will take one period text, such as Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, Bleak House or Mrs. Dalloway, and one contemporary text, such as Atonement, Cloud Atlas or Never Let Me Go. Students will confront the problems and possibilities of adaptation, the demands of fidelity to the original text, and the need to find contemporary resonances. As well as developing an awareness of the practical issues of moving from a textual to a predominantly visual medium, students will learn to identity aesthetic, cultural and political influences in the adaptation of literature. This course also allows students to think creatively about storyboards and visual techniques, by sketching alternative scenarios.

recent film adaptations of English literature alongside the original text (one period text, such as Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, Bleak House or Mrs. Dalloway, and one contemporary text, such as Atonement, Cloud Atlas or Never Let Me Go.)

the problems and possibilities of adaptation; the demands of fidelity to the original text; the need to find contemporary resonances; aesthetic, cultural and political influences in the adaptation of literature