In recent years writing from former British colonies
and dominions has been recognised as making an important contribution to
English literature (or rather, literature in English). This slim volume (68
pages) contains seven short stories from New Zealand, Australia, India, South
Africa, Nigeria, the Caribbean and Canada. It was expressly devised for use at
school. The declared aim of the editor is to help students “... read, imagine
and think about what the widely different [...] English-speaking countries are
saying in their own way through their literary writers”. (Introduction).
The following stories have been included in Introducing New English Literatures
(texts I would particularly recommend are marked *): Apirana Taylor: ‘Pou’,
Katherine S. Prichard: ‘Flight’, R.K. Narayan: ‘A Horse and Two Goats’*,
Christopher Hope: ‘Learning to Fly’*, Chinua Achebe: ‘The Madman’, Velma Pollard:
‘My Mother’, Leslie Lum: ‘Old Age Gold’.
My own favourite story would probably be ‘Learning to
Fly’ by Christopher Hope. Not only is it an exemplary short story from the
structural point of view (no introduction, surprising ending) part of its attraction
lies in the slightly cynical undertone. Be that as it may, all the texts
selected are of a very high quality. Furthermore, they lend themselves to
introducing the countries presented and/or the topics raised (for instance the
conflicts between indigenous peoples and whites or the situation of
immigrants). In this regard the accompanying teacher’s book is a great help. It
provides background information, notes on the text and, in some instances,
suggestions for classroom activities. Difficult or unusual vocabulary is
explained in the main book at the bottom of each page.
Non-native literatures have long been neglected in
favour of (presumably) more easily accessible British or American authors. Introducing New English Literature and
the teacher’s book make an important contribution towards remedying this
situation. Through his judicious selection of texts the editor succeeds well in
his endeavour of taking learners on a “world tour” (as he calls it in the
introduction) and in awakening their interest in the cultures presented.
There are various reasons for teaching New English
Literatures at school. Firstly, they reflect one use of English as an
international and intranational language - and after all the global use of
English is a strong argument in favour of learning the language. Secondly, and
equally important, non native literatures have considerable educational value.
The texts presented in Introducing New
English Literatures promote tolerance and genuine interest in foreign
cultures instead of perpetuating stereotypes. Thirdly, a discussion of
non-native literatures could lead on to a fruitful investigation of other
aspects of the global spread of English.
For more information on these matters readers are
referred to my article ‘Appropriating English: a global, a European and an
Austrian Perspective’ in ELT News
Number 43, February 2001.
Published in ELT News 44 (June 2001) 110.