Country Matters: writing and the English countryside
Perhaps more so than any other nation, British culture has been captivated by ideas of the countryside – as a pastoral idyll, an arena of social conflict, a threatened Eden. This course will look at a range of books from the 19th and 20th centuries which tell more than everyday stories of country folk. Authors include Thomas Hardy and Bruce Chatwin.
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The countryside, and country life, has always exerted a powerful hold on the English literary imagination, from Chaucer to Shakespeare, Wordsworth and Thomas Hardy. In many ways we still think of Britain as a largely rural nation, such is the affection in which we hold the valleys and fields and woods of our native land. Much of that affection has come from the ways in which English writers have portrayed rural landscapes and rural life.
What will we cover?
In this in-person course we’ll be reading four books which explore the joys and struggles of English rural life.
In The Woodlanders, Thomas Hardy explores the tensions between the rural working class and the educated middle class in an isolated woodland village called Little Hintock. On the Black Hill by Bruce Chatwin tells the story of twin brothers on a remote Herefordshire farm: no idyll this, as sexual and social repression run like a dark thread through the narrative. Mary Webb's Precious Bane, published in 1924 and set in Shropshire, is the story of a country girl thought of as a witch and accused of murder; the book has since become recognised as a classic novel.
We will end the course by looking at how the changing face of rural England has been portrayed over centuries of English poetry. Texts will be provided.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Have a grasp of some trends and issues in 19th and 20th century English literature
Read books you might not have considered before
Focus on key points when discussing a literary work
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
In each session there will be a brief introduction by the tutor followed by an informal but focused discussion of the novel. Background reading will be provided. Where appropriate there will be videos and other illustrations.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Students should buy or borrow the following editions of the texts:
The Woodlanders by Thomas Hardy (Penguin Classics)
On the Black Hill by Bruce Chatwin (Vintage Classics)
Precious Bane by Mary Webb (Virago Modern Classics)
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Please look for other Fiction courses in the Literature programme under Culture, History and Humanities at www.citylit.ac.uk.
Julian Birkett is a teacher and writer specialising in modern literature. He previously worked in the Arts department at the BBC as a producer of series such as The Late Show, Modern Poets in their Own Words, The Victorians and The Culture Show. He has taught in London and at the University of Mumbai.He aims to create a friendly but thoughtful atmosphere in his City Lit classes and to provide a stimulating variety of activities from tutor input to discussion to group work and video clips.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/country-matters-writing-and-the-english-countryside2744894Country Matters: writing and the English countrysidehttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/fiction-1024.jpg219219GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Fiction22851177118711881228511771187<p>Perhaps more so than any other nation, British culture has been captivated by ideas of the countryside – as a pastoral idyll, an arena of social conflict, a threatened Eden. This course will look at a range of books from the 19th and 20th centuries which tell more than everyday stories of country folk. Authors include Thomas Hardy and Bruce Chatwin. </p>002744798Country Matters: writing and the English countryside219219https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/fiction-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeTueKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-05-05T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allMay 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHLT292219219Country Matters: writing and the English countryside175142219Julian Birkettcountry-matters-writing-and-the-english-countryside/hlt292-2526<p>Perhaps more so than any other nation, British culture has been captivated by ideas of the countryside – as a pastoral idyll, an arena of social conflict, a threatened Eden. This course will look at a range of books from the 19th and 20th centuries which tell more than everyday stories of country folk. Authors include Thomas Hardy and Bruce Chatwin. </p>0000-Available|2026-05-05 00:00:00<p>The countryside, and country life, has always exerted a powerful hold on the English literary imagination, from Chaucer to Shakespeare, Wordsworth and Thomas Hardy. In many ways we still think of Britain as a largely rural nation, such is the affection in which we hold the valleys and fields and woods of our native land. Much of that affection has come from the ways in which English writers have portrayed rural landscapes and rural life. </p><p>Perhaps more so than any other nation, British culture has been captivated by ideas of the countryside – as a pastoral idyll, an arena of social conflict, a threatened Eden. This course will look at a range of books from the 19th and 20th centuries which tell more than everyday stories of country folk. Authors include Thomas Hardy and Bruce Chatwin. </p><p>In this in-person course we’ll be reading four books which explore the joys and struggles of English rural life. </p><p>In <em>The Woodlanders</em>, Thomas Hardy explores the tensions between the rural working class and the educated middle class in an isolated woodland village called Little Hintock. <em>On the Black Hill</em> by Bruce Chatwin tells the story of twin brothers on a remote Herefordshire farm: no idyll this, as sexual and social repression run like a dark thread through the narrative. Mary Webb's <em>Precious Bane, </em>published in 1924 and set in Shropshire, is the story of a country girl thought of as a witch and accused of murder; the book has since become recognised as a classic novel.</p><p>We will end the course by looking at how the changing face of rural England has been portrayed over centuries of English poetry. Texts will be provided.</p><p>Have a grasp of some trends and issues in 19th and 20th century English literature </p><p>Read books you might not have considered before</p><p>Focus on key points when discussing a literary work<br/> </p><p>In each session there will be a brief introduction by the tutor followed by an informal but focused discussion of the novel. Background reading will be provided. Where appropriate there will be videos and other illustrations.</p><p>Students should buy or borrow the following editions of the texts: </p><p><em>The Woodlanders</em> by Thomas Hardy (Penguin Classics)</p><p><em>On the Black Hill</em> by Bruce Chatwin (Vintage Classics)</p><p><em>Precious Bane</em> by Mary Webb (Virago Modern Classics)</p><p>Please look for other Fiction courses in the Literature programme under Culture, History and Humanities at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>LiteratureFictionvirtual175219142HLT292NONETue05/05/26 - 30/06/2610:30 - 12:3010:3012:308 sessions (over 9 weeks)85-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetJulian BirkettBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-05-05T00:00:00+00:00May 2026Culture, history & humanities219219Country Matters: writing and the English countrysidecountry-matters-writing-and-the-english-countryside/hlt292-2526<p>Perhaps more so than any other nation, British culture has been captivated by ideas of the countryside – as a pastoral idyll, an arena of social conflict, a threatened Eden. This course will look at a range of books from the 19th and 20th centuries which tell more than everyday stories of country folk. Authors include Thomas Hardy and Bruce Chatwin. </p>0000-Available|2026-05-05 00:00:00<p>The countryside, and country life, has always exerted a powerful hold on the English literary imagination, from Chaucer to Shakespeare, Wordsworth and Thomas Hardy. In many ways we still think of Britain as a largely rural nation, such is the affection in which we hold the valleys and fields and woods of our native land. Much of that affection has come from the ways in which English writers have portrayed rural landscapes and rural life. </p><p>Perhaps more so than any other nation, British culture has been captivated by ideas of the countryside – as a pastoral idyll, an arena of social conflict, a threatened Eden. This course will look at a range of books from the 19th and 20th centuries which tell more than everyday stories of country folk. Authors include Thomas Hardy and Bruce Chatwin. </p><p>In this in-person course we’ll be reading four books which explore the joys and struggles of English rural life. </p><p>In <em>The Woodlanders</em>, Thomas Hardy explores the tensions between the rural working class and the educated middle class in an isolated woodland village called Little Hintock. <em>On the Black Hill</em> by Bruce Chatwin tells the story of twin brothers on a remote Herefordshire farm: no idyll this, as sexual and social repression run like a dark thread through the narrative. Mary Webb's <em>Precious Bane, </em>published in 1924 and set in Shropshire, is the story of a country girl thought of as a witch and accused of murder; the book has since become recognised as a classic novel.</p><p>We will end the course by looking at how the changing face of rural England has been portrayed over centuries of English poetry. Texts will be provided.</p><p>Have a grasp of some trends and issues in 19th and 20th century English literature </p><p>Read books you might not have considered before</p><p>Focus on key points when discussing a literary work<br/> </p><p>In each session there will be a brief introduction by the tutor followed by an informal but focused discussion of the novel. Background reading will be provided. Where appropriate there will be videos and other illustrations.</p><p>Students should buy or borrow the following editions of the texts: </p><p><em>The Woodlanders</em> by Thomas Hardy (Penguin Classics)</p><p><em>On the Black Hill</em> by Bruce Chatwin (Vintage Classics)</p><p><em>Precious Bane</em> by Mary Webb (Virago Modern Classics)</p><p>Please look for other Fiction courses in the Literature programme under Culture, History and Humanities at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>LiteratureFictionconfigurable
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