YEAR 11 ADVANCED ENGLISH
Classic Novel Finds Itself in Court!
With the strike of a gavel, the Year 11 Advanced English classroom transformed into a fiery courtroom infused with anticipation. To celebrate Book Week, the class held a mock trial on the text we’ve been studying this term: the widely controversial ‘Heart of Darkness’ by Joseph Conrad, debating whether the novella holds literary value in modern society.
We were divided into groups of prosecution and defence, each ready to argue our cases with precision and passion. Witnesses stepped into the shoes of characters from the novella, the author himself, renowned critics, and even modern-day student perspectives, adding weight, viewpoints and authenticity to the proceedings. An impartial jury took detailed notes, scrutinising the courtroom with incisive questions and comments that kept both sides on their toes, before arriving at a measured verdict.
The Mock Trial was a deeply captivating activity that led the class to share insights and communicate our opinions and knowledge of the novella, working collaboratively to discuss and evaluate the text in terms of its stance in today’s society. It was a wonderful opportunity to put our critical thinking skills into action, and we are grateful to Mr Miszczyszyn and Ms Eljed for organising the activity and giving us an opportunity to engage with the novel in such a unique and memorable way. Ultimately, the trial stands as a reminder that the true power of literature lies not in unanimous agreement and validation, but in the conversations it sparks and the perspectives it challenges.
Iyrene Navin Marcel
Year 11 Advanced English Student
