ENG1501
ASSIGNMENT 3 2025
UNIQUE NO.
DUE DATE: 11 AUGUST 2025
, SECTION A: Reflection (15 marks)
Before starting this module, I had read a few novels but not consistently. One novel I
truly enjoyed was Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. What stood out to me was the
setting in pre-colonial Nigeria and the way Achebe used the Igbo culture to tell a
powerful story about change, identity, and loss. I particularly admired the protagonist,
Okonkwo, who was complex and flawed, making the story feel more realistic and
emotionally engaging. On the other hand, I struggled with Great Expectations by
Charles Dickens. I found the language old-fashioned and the pacing quite slow, which
made it difficult for me to stay interested. The length and style were the main reasons I
couldn’t connect with it.
Studying Unit 4 helped deepen my understanding of how to approach and analyze
novels. I found the section explaining how to examine theme and characterisation
very useful. I learned how authors use literary devices to build characters and develop
complex themes like love, loss, and identity. For instance, the guidance on how to
identify a narrator’s perspective helped me better understand Small Things and its
emotional depth. However, I struggled a bit with understanding stream-of-
consciousness writing, which was new to me. It was challenging to differentiate
between the narrator’s memories, present thoughts, and philosophical reflections at
times.
My experience of reading Small Things was mixed but ultimately rewarding. At first, I
found the writing style a bit abstract and poetic, which made it difficult to follow.
However, as I continued reading, I became more comfortable with the narrator’s voice
and the emotional tone of the novel. I would say it was a moderately difficult read
because of the introspective style. I found the story thought-provoking and sad,
especially the way it deals with unfulfilled love and loneliness. My favourite character
was the narrator because of his honesty and vulnerability. He is deeply human, flawed,
and reflective. My least favourite character was Desiree, as she came across as
emotionally distant and insensitive, although I also understand we only see her through
the narrator’s perspective. The ending left me feeling pensive—it doesn’t resolve the
ASSIGNMENT 3 2025
UNIQUE NO.
DUE DATE: 11 AUGUST 2025
, SECTION A: Reflection (15 marks)
Before starting this module, I had read a few novels but not consistently. One novel I
truly enjoyed was Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. What stood out to me was the
setting in pre-colonial Nigeria and the way Achebe used the Igbo culture to tell a
powerful story about change, identity, and loss. I particularly admired the protagonist,
Okonkwo, who was complex and flawed, making the story feel more realistic and
emotionally engaging. On the other hand, I struggled with Great Expectations by
Charles Dickens. I found the language old-fashioned and the pacing quite slow, which
made it difficult for me to stay interested. The length and style were the main reasons I
couldn’t connect with it.
Studying Unit 4 helped deepen my understanding of how to approach and analyze
novels. I found the section explaining how to examine theme and characterisation
very useful. I learned how authors use literary devices to build characters and develop
complex themes like love, loss, and identity. For instance, the guidance on how to
identify a narrator’s perspective helped me better understand Small Things and its
emotional depth. However, I struggled a bit with understanding stream-of-
consciousness writing, which was new to me. It was challenging to differentiate
between the narrator’s memories, present thoughts, and philosophical reflections at
times.
My experience of reading Small Things was mixed but ultimately rewarding. At first, I
found the writing style a bit abstract and poetic, which made it difficult to follow.
However, as I continued reading, I became more comfortable with the narrator’s voice
and the emotional tone of the novel. I would say it was a moderately difficult read
because of the introspective style. I found the story thought-provoking and sad,
especially the way it deals with unfulfilled love and loneliness. My favourite character
was the narrator because of his honesty and vulnerability. He is deeply human, flawed,
and reflective. My least favourite character was Desiree, as she came across as
emotionally distant and insensitive, although I also understand we only see her through
the narrator’s perspective. The ending left me feeling pensive—it doesn’t resolve the
