TUTORS
ENG1501 ASSIGNMENT 03 ANSWERS DUE 06
AUGUST 2024
FOR EXAMS, PORTFOLIO, AND ASSIGNMENT
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, ASSIGNMENT 03: The novel
Section A: Reflective essay: Novel (Unit 4)
In 300 – 400 words reflect on Unit 4 of your study guide and how it relates to your
prior knowledge and experience, as well as how it has informed your appreciation
of novels. Write your reflections in paragraph form guided by the questions below.
1. Have you read any novels? If so, what types of novels have you read?
(When we refer to a type, we really mean a “genre”. A genre refers to the
categories into which novels can be classified, such as crime novels, romance
novels, science fiction or fantasy novels. Share the title and author of a South
African novel you have read (if you have read one). Does it have any similarities
with Small Things? Mention a few.
2. When working through Unit 4, which parts of this unit were the clearest to you?
(Elaborate) Which ones did you struggle with? (Expand)
3. Did you find the prescribed novel interesting and was it easy for you to read?
What made the novel interesting?
Did you dislike this novel? If so, why did you dislike it?
ANSWER
In reflecting on Unit 4 of the ENG1501 study guide, I find that my previous
experiences with reading novels have greatly enhanced my understanding and
appreciation of the prescribed novel. I have read crime novels, romance, and
science fiction which help widen my knowledge of how stories are told and analysed.
One South African novel that stands out to me is “Cry, the Beloved Country” by Alan
Paton. Like “Small Things” by Nthikeng Mohlele, this novel explores the themes of
societal issues, the spirit of humanity, and self-suffering. Both novels are
characterised by themes such as identity, social inequality, and the role of larger
structures in people’s lives, which makes both novels stimulating and evocative.
I found Unit 4 extremely helpful as it introduced the concept of analysing novels,
especially the analysis of narrative structure, characters, and symbols. I found the
sections on narrative techniques and thematic analysis to be the most
understandable because I was given practical ways of how to analyze a novel and
gain a deeper understanding of how it was constructed. One of the topics that
enriched my understanding was symbolism, as it gives insight into how authors
embed deeper meanings in their works.