To be or Not to be done with English?

As Year 12s complete Paper 1 and Paper 2, I have heard an overwhelming number of students say an iteration of "finally, I never have to look at English again!" While this may be as a result of the coalescing stress and pressure brought about by HSC English, it brings forth a far more interesting argument surrounding both the prevailing distance of the literary world and the current HSC syllabus.

To begin with, there is a prevailing lack of lust for literature; this assertion captures a profound systematic shift, whereby the world is not becoming illiterate, but rather "post-literate". While people consume thousands of words daily through texts, emails and social media, the intense passion, the genuine lust, for deep, sustained engagement with complex literary fiction is undergoing a massive cultural decline.

Yet whilst this is true, as outlined by a recent The Atlantic article titled "The End of Reading Is Here", coupled with Alix Earle's assertion "I don't read", it can also be argued that the HSC syllabus doesn't exactly incentivise continuous engagement in literature. The rigid boundaries of NESA text lists leave minimal room for organic exploration; only in E1 and E2 did I find this joy.

However, the joy I found isn't something all students find. When literature is presented as a mandatory checklist of strictly vetted contemporary pieces, students view the texts as objects of labour rather than avenues of exploration or leisure. The extrinsic motivation of a final exam score completely eclipses the intrinsic reward of reading and engaging with literature itself.

I've continued my love for literature and English in university, yet through tutoring I have rendered this to be a privilege founded on my high school's English department and my childhood, wherein my mum encouraged me to read continuously.

Whilst most students find gratitude in never looking ad English again, I sometimes wish I could relive my high school English classes. That is something I wish every student could feel.