ENG1501 Assignment 3
Memo (Complete answers)
Due 11 August 2025
For assistance contact
Email:
, Section A: Reflection: Novel (Unit 4)
Prior to embarking on this module and Unit 4, I had indeed read several novels. One novel I
particularly enjoyed was The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. What appealed to me most was its
unique premise: a woman gets to explore different versions of her life, allowing for profound
reflections on choices, regrets, and the meaning of happiness. The speculative fiction genre,
coupled with the philosophical undertones and relatable characters, made it a truly engaging
read. In contrast, I found Moby Dick by Herman Melville to be a very challenging and ultimately
unlikable read. While I appreciate its literary significance, the extensive digressions into whaling
facts and the dense, often meandering prose made it incredibly difficult to stay engaged. I found
myself frequently losing the thread of the narrative and struggling to connect with the characters
or their motivations.
Reflecting closely on my study of Unit 4, I found the explanations of narrative voice and
perspective particularly well-explained and easy to grasp. Specifically, learning about the
nuances between first-person, third-person limited, and omniscient narration, and how each
impacts the reader's understanding of the story and characters, was very insightful. The examples
provided in the study guide helped solidify these concepts. However, I found the section on
different types of literary theory (e.g., structuralism, post-structuralism) more challenging to
fully comprehend. While the unit introduced these theories, I felt I would benefit from more
detailed explanations and practical applications to truly grasp their analytical potential. I
understood the basic premise of each, but applying them critically felt a bit out of reach.
My experience of reading the prescribed novel, Small Things, was a mix of fascination and
frustration. I found it a relatively "difficult" read due to its fragmented narrative, the narrator's
often abstract and repetitive musings, and the lack of a clear, linear plot progression. Despite
this, I found it incredibly interesting. The raw emotional honesty of the narrator and his
obsessive love for Desiree was compelling, even if at times overwhelming. My favourite
character, surprisingly, was the narrator himself. While his flaws are glaring, his vulnerability
and the depth of his internal world made him incredibly human and relatable in his brokenness.
My least favourite character was perhaps the unnamed "friend" or antagonist who consistently
seems to undermine the narrator, though he serves a crucial role in highlighting the narrator's
struggles. Reading the novel evoked a strong sense of melancholy and a profound empathy for
the narrator's suffering and unrequited desires. I felt a deep sadness for his inability to find peace
or fulfillment. The ending of the novel was particularly poignant and, in a way, fitting. It didn't
offer a neat resolution, but rather a continuation of the narrator's existential struggle, leaving a
lasting impression of the enduring nature of human longing and pain.
Memo (Complete answers)
Due 11 August 2025
For assistance contact
Email:
, Section A: Reflection: Novel (Unit 4)
Prior to embarking on this module and Unit 4, I had indeed read several novels. One novel I
particularly enjoyed was The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. What appealed to me most was its
unique premise: a woman gets to explore different versions of her life, allowing for profound
reflections on choices, regrets, and the meaning of happiness. The speculative fiction genre,
coupled with the philosophical undertones and relatable characters, made it a truly engaging
read. In contrast, I found Moby Dick by Herman Melville to be a very challenging and ultimately
unlikable read. While I appreciate its literary significance, the extensive digressions into whaling
facts and the dense, often meandering prose made it incredibly difficult to stay engaged. I found
myself frequently losing the thread of the narrative and struggling to connect with the characters
or their motivations.
Reflecting closely on my study of Unit 4, I found the explanations of narrative voice and
perspective particularly well-explained and easy to grasp. Specifically, learning about the
nuances between first-person, third-person limited, and omniscient narration, and how each
impacts the reader's understanding of the story and characters, was very insightful. The examples
provided in the study guide helped solidify these concepts. However, I found the section on
different types of literary theory (e.g., structuralism, post-structuralism) more challenging to
fully comprehend. While the unit introduced these theories, I felt I would benefit from more
detailed explanations and practical applications to truly grasp their analytical potential. I
understood the basic premise of each, but applying them critically felt a bit out of reach.
My experience of reading the prescribed novel, Small Things, was a mix of fascination and
frustration. I found it a relatively "difficult" read due to its fragmented narrative, the narrator's
often abstract and repetitive musings, and the lack of a clear, linear plot progression. Despite
this, I found it incredibly interesting. The raw emotional honesty of the narrator and his
obsessive love for Desiree was compelling, even if at times overwhelming. My favourite
character, surprisingly, was the narrator himself. While his flaws are glaring, his vulnerability
and the depth of his internal world made him incredibly human and relatable in his brokenness.
My least favourite character was perhaps the unnamed "friend" or antagonist who consistently
seems to undermine the narrator, though he serves a crucial role in highlighting the narrator's
struggles. Reading the novel evoked a strong sense of melancholy and a profound empathy for
the narrator's suffering and unrequited desires. I felt a deep sadness for his inability to find peace
or fulfillment. The ending of the novel was particularly poignant and, in a way, fitting. It didn't
offer a neat resolution, but rather a continuation of the narrator's existential struggle, leaving a
lasting impression of the enduring nature of human longing and pain.
