Literature: British Women’s Short Stories 1980 to the Present

Women’s voices came increasingly to the fore in the twentieth century and we will discover something of their urgency in our chosen texts, which will introduce us to the position of women in society and how such women have sought to explore and define the issues of women’s identity, in what often remained a patriarchal society. This is not to say the stories are issue driven, they are each engaging narratives, which react with contemporary literary movements and social and political situations.

Each text will be placed in the context of the author’s life and her experience of society, and we will read for symbolism and the manner in which each story conforms or deviates from traditional narrative modes.

There will be ample opportunity to discuss each text with your peers and advance your thoughts. The tutor will provide guidance to further reading, designed to enrich your understanding of the authors and the period.

We will seek to establish that the women writer’s experience of and negotiation with twentieth century is vital to the fullest appreciation of literature in the twentieth century.

Come along and explore this fascinating period in which women’s fiction began to break out from what had been a male dominated literary canon.