Class

April Youth After School Online: Graphic Novel Classics–1984

These Loft Young Writers' After School Online program connects young writers and readers across the U.S. and beyond. They offer a supportive community focused on book discussions, building community, and thinking deeply.

Let's face it: The classics of fiction can be a bust. They can feel irrelevant, inaccessible, and yes, at times insulting.

So why are they so important? Because books don't only tell a story. Each story shows us a certain place, time, and perspective on the human experience. As readers, we then bring our own modern perspective into the story.

A challenge of classics is that they're tough to get into. So, why not update them? We update our textbooks and our science as we learn new practices and facts. Why not our creative works as well?

At this point in time, one of our most relevant classics is 1984, written by George Orwell. As with so many books, when readers visualize the story, it comes to life. And over four weeks, we'll let America’s most famous Big Brother warning do just that. We’ll read and discuss the story and explore how it connects to issues in the world today. By the end of the course, you’ll have a deeper understanding of the novel’s themes and an introduction to literary criticism.

Instructions for Accessing This Online Class

In order to access live class meetings, you must have the Zoom application downloaded to your computer. You will also need a WiFi/Internet connection throughout the duration of your scheduled meeting and a computer with audio and video capability. The information to join your Zoom classroom will be provided in your confirmation email upon registration. Please check spam folders if you do not see this email upon registration. For more information on how to use Zoom, please see our training manual here.