Beyond the Bookshelf: How English Literature Opens Doors to Awesome Careers!
Ever heard someone say an English Literature degree is "just for teaching" or "only for reading old books"? Well, get ready to have your mind blown! While those are certainly options, studying English Lit is far from a narrow path. It's actually a secret weapon for a huge variety of exciting careers in today's world.
**More Than Just Reading**
Think of English Literature not just as studying old texts, but as an incredible journey into how humans express themselves, how cultures are built, and how stories shape our understanding of everything. You'll dive into novels, poetry, plays, essays, and critical ideas, gaining a deep appreciation for different cultures, historical influences, and the power of words.
But it's not just about what you read; it's about the skills you gain. An English Lit degree helps you sharpen your mind, boost your creativity, and master the art of communication. You learn to think critically, adapt quickly, imagine new solutions, and express yourself clearly and persuasively – skills that are gold in *any* job.
**Surprising Career Paths You Can Explore:**
1. **Education:** Beyond being a teacher (which is a fantastic and impactful role!), you could help design school curriculums, create language programs, or even influence education policy.
2. **Publishing:** Love words and details? You could be editing books, proofreading, developing content, or evaluating manuscripts for publishing houses, academic presses, or online platforms. You literally help shape what people read!
3. **Media & Journalism:** The world needs great storytellers. English Lit grads shine as reporters, columnists, editors, or content strategists for news outlets, TV channels, and online media. Your ability to research, think analytically, and write compellingly makes you invaluable.
4. **Creative Writing:** Got a story burning inside you? This degree is your launchpad to becoming an author, screenwriter for movies and TV shows (think Netflix!), playwright, or even a lyricist. The entertainment industry constantly seeks talented wordsmiths.
5. **Digital Marketing:** Surprising, right? But digital marketing is all about *stories* and connecting with people. English Lit grads make excellent content creators, SEO specialists, copywriters for ads, and social media strategists, helping brands tell their story online.
6. **Language & Global Roles:** In our increasingly connected world, language experts are in high demand. If you're good with languages, you could work as a translator, interpreter, or localization specialist for embassies, multinational companies, or government organizations, bridging communication gaps across cultures.
**Your Future, Unwritten**
At its heart, English Literature teaches you about life through language. It refines your intellect, broadens your perspective, and ignites your creativity. In an age where clear communication, cultural awareness, and creative thinking are key to professional success, this discipline offers an invaluable toolkit. So, if you're passionate about stories, ideas, and making an impact, an English Literature degree might just be your ticket to a truly fulfilling and diverse career.
Baa, baa, black sheep,
Have you any wool?
Yes, sir, yes, sir,
Three bags full;
One for the master,
One for the dame,
And one for the little girl and boy
Who lives down the lane.
Baa, baa, black sheep,
Have you any wool?
Yes, sir, yes, sir,
Three bags full.
1.
hearken
/ˈhɑːk(ə)n/
verb
past tense: hearkened; past participle: hearkened
ARCHAIC
listen.
"he refused to hearken to Tom's words of wisdom"
---
2.
coda
/ˈkəʊdə/
noun MUSIC
noun: coda; plural noun: codas
the concluding passage of a piece or movement, typically forming an addition to the basic structure.
"the first movement ends with a fortissimo coda"
# the concluding section of a dance, especially of a pas de deux or the finale of a ballet in which the dancers parade before the audience.
# a concluding event, remark, or section.
"his new novel is a kind of coda to his previous books"
Origin
mid 18th century: Italian, from Latin cauda ‘tail’.
---
3.
expediency
/ɪkˈspiːdɪənsi,ɛkˈspiːdɪənsi/
noun
noun: expediency; plural noun: expediencies
the quality of being convenient and practical despite possibly being improper or immoral; convenience.
"an act of political expediency"
Similar:
convenience
advantage
advantageousness
usefulness
utility
---
4.
troupe
/truːp/
noun
noun: troupe; plural noun: troupes
a group of dancers, actors, or other entertainers who tour to different venues.
"a dance troupe"
h
Similar:
group
company
band
ensemble
set
cast
Origin
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5.
primordial
/prʌɪˈmɔːdɪəl/
adjective
adjective: primordial
existing at or from the beginning of time; primeval.
"the primordial oceans"
Similar:
ancient
earliest
first
prehistoric
antediluvian
antique
primeval
primitive
primal
autochthonous
autochthonic
primigenial
Opposite:
modern
(especially of a feeling or state) basic and fundamental.
"the primordial needs of the masses"
h
Similar:
instinctive
primitive
basic
primal
primeval
intuitive
intuitional
involuntary
inborn
innate
inherent
inbred
natural
congenital
hereditary
inherited
in the blood
ingrained
Biology
(of a cell, part, or tissue) in the earliest stage of development.
"primordial germ cells"
Origin
late Middle English: from late Latin primordialis ‘first of all’, from primordius ‘original’ (see primordium).
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6.
stave
/steɪv/
See definitions in:
all
building
carpentry
weapons
music
prosody
noun
noun: stave; plural noun: staves; noun: staff; plural noun: staffs
1.
a vertical wooden post or plank in a building or other structure.
any of the lengths of wood fixed side by side to make a barrel, bucket, or other container.
a strong wooden stick or iron pole used as a weapon.
2.
British•Music
a set of five parallel lines on any one or between any adjacent two of which a note is written to indicate its pitch.
3.
a verse or stanza of a poem.
Phrases
stave in
break something by forcing it inwards or piercing it roughly. "the door was staved in"
stave off
avert or delay something bad or dangerous. "a reassuring presence can stave off a panic attack"
Origin
Middle English: back-formation from staves, archaic plural of staff1. Current senses of the verb date from the early 17th century.
stave in
phrasal verb of stave
verb: stave
break something by forcing it inwards or piercing it roughly.
"the door was staved in"
Similar:
break in
smash in
put a hole in
push in
kick in
cave in
splinter
shiver
fracture
stave off
phrasal verb of stave
verb: stave
avert or delay something bad or dangerous.
"a reassuring presence can stave off a panic attack"
Similar:
avert
prevent
avoid
preclude
rule out
counter
forestall
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7.
beaver 1
/ˈbiːvə/
See definitions in:
all
mammal
clothing
textiles
scouting
military history
noun
plural noun: beavers; plural noun: Beavers
1.
a large semiaquatic broad-tailed rodent native to North America and northern Eurasia. It is noted for its habit of gnawing through trees to fell them in order to make dams.
the soft light brown fur of the beaver.
"long coats trimmed with light beaver"
historical
a hat made of felted beaver fur.
noun: beaver hat; plural noun: beaver hats
a heavy woollen cloth resembling felted beaver fur.
noun: beaver cloth; plural noun: beaver cloths
a very hard-working person.
"Hopkins was a regular beaver where gardening was concerned"
2.
a boy aged about 6 or 7 who is an affiliated member of the Scout Association.
verbinformal
3rd person present: beavers
work hard.
"Bridget beavered away to keep things running smoothly"
Origin
Old English beofor, befor, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch bever and German Biber, from an Indo-European root meaning ‘brown’.
...
beaver 2
/ˈbiːvə/
noun
plural noun: beavers
the lower part of the face guard of a helmet in a suit of armour. The term is also used to refer to the upper part or visor, or to a single movable guard.
Origin
late 15th century: from Old French baviere ‘bib’, from baver ‘slaver’.
...
beaver 3
/ˈbiːvə/
noun
plural noun: beavers
1.
vulgar slang•North American
a woman's genitals or pubic area.
2.
dated•informal
a bearded man.
Origin
early 20th century: of unknown origin.
---
8.
prosaic
/prə(ʊ)ˈzeɪɪk/
adjective
adjective: prosaic
having or using the style or diction of prose as opposed to poetry; lacking imaginativeness or originality.
"prosaic language can't convey the experience"
Similar:
unimaginative
uninspired
matter-of-fact
dull
dry
humdrum
mundane
pedestrian
heavy
plodding
lifeless
dead
spiritless
lacklustre
undistinguished
stale
jejune
bland
insipid
vapid
vacuous
banal
hackneyed
trite
literal
factual
unpoetic
unemotional
unsentimental
clear
plain
unadorned
unembellished
unvarnished
monotonous
deadpan
flat
Opposite:
imaginative
inspired
commonplace; unromantic.
"the masses were too preoccupied by prosaic day-to-day concerns"
h
Similar:
ordinary
everyday
usual
common
conventional
straightforward
routine
humdrum
commonplace
run-of-the-mill
workaday
businesslike
pedestrian
tame
mundane
dull
dreary
tedious
boring
ho-hum
uninspiring
monotonous
h
Opposite:
interesting
Origin
late 16th century (as a noun denoting a prose writer): from late Latin prosaicus, from Latin prosa ‘straightforward (discourse)’ (see prose). Current senses of the adjective date from the mid 18th century.
---
9.
licentious
/lʌɪˈsɛnʃəs/
adjective
adjective: licentious
1.
promiscuous and unprincipled in sexual matters.
"the ruler's tyrannical and licentious behaviour"
Similar:
dissolute
dissipated
debauched
degenerate
salacious
immoral
wanton
decadent
depraved
profligate
impure
sinful
wicked
corrupt
indecent
libertine
lustful
lecherous
lascivious
libidinous
prurient
lubricious
lewd
promiscuous
unchaste
carnal
fleshly
intemperate
abandoned
ribald
risqué
smutty
dirty
filthy
coarse
perverted
horny
raunchy
naughty
pervy
randy
concupiscent
lickerish
Opposite:
moral
virtuous
2.
archaic
disregarding accepted conventions, especially in grammar or literary style.
Origin
late Middle English: from Latin licentiosus, from licentia ‘freedom’.
---
10.
begrudge
/bɪˈɡrʌdʒ/
verb
gerund or present participle: begrudging
1.
envy (someone) the possession or enjoyment of (something).
"she begrudged Martin his affluence"
Similar:
envy
grudge
resent
be jealous of
be envious of
be resentful of
2.
give reluctantly or resentfully.
"nobody begrudges a single penny spent on health"
Similar:
resent
feel aggrieved about
feel bitter about
be annoyed about
be angry about
be displeased about
be resentful of
grudge
mind
object to
take exception to
regret
give unwillingly
give reluctantly
give resentfully
give stintingly
be dissatisfied with
Translate begrudging to
---
11.
vexed
/ˈvɛkst/
adjective
adjective: vexed
1.
(of a problem or issue) difficult and much debated; problematic.
"the vexed question of how much money the government is going to spend"
Similar:
disputed
in dispute
contested
in contention
contentious
debated
debatable
open to debate
open to question
questionable
at issue
open to doubt
controversial
moot
unresolved
unsettled
up in the air
undecided
yet to be decided
undetermined
unconcluded
ongoing
problematic
problematical
taxing
knotty
thorny
ticklish
delicate
sticky
dicey
hairy
iffy
dodgy
Opposite:
undisputed
resolved
2.
annoyed, frustrated, or worried.
"I'm very vexed with you!"
Similar:
annoyed
irritated
angry
irate
furious
incensed
inflamed
enraged
infuriated
maddened
fuming
wrathful
choleric
exasperated
piqued
irked
nettled
ill-humoured
hot-tempered
testy
cross
in a bad mood
in a temper
in high dudgeon
huffy
in a huff
put out
fed up
disgruntled
displeased
dissatisfied
frustrated
resentful
upset
perturbed
fretted
bothered
troubled
worried
agitated
harassed
harried
flustered
distressed
aggravated
peeved
miffed
miffy
mad
riled
hacked off
peed off
hot under the collar
foaming at the mouth
browned off
cheesed off
brassed off
not best pleased
narked
eggy
teed off
ticked off
sore
steamed
vex
ireful
snuffy
wrath
vulgar slang
pissed off
pissed
Opposite:
calm
content
---
12.
vex
/vɛks/
verb
past tense: vexed; past participle: vexed
make (someone) feel annoyed, frustrated, or worried, especially with trivial matters.
"the memory of the conversation still vexed him"
Similar:
annoy
irritate
infuriate
anger
incense
inflame
enrage
irk
chagrin
exasperate
madden
pique
provoke
nettle
disturb
upset
perturb
discompose
put out
try
try someone's patience
get on someone's nerves
bother
trouble
worry
agitate
harass
harry
fuss
fluster
ruffle
hound
rankle with
nag
torment
pain
distress
tease
frustrate
chafe
grate
fret
gall
outrage
displease
offend
disgust
dissatisfy
disquiet
rub up the wrong way
mither
peeve
aggravate
miff
bug
bite
eat
hassle
rile
get to
hack off
make someone's blood boil
make someone see red
get someone's goat
get someone's hackles up
make someone's hackles rise
get someone's back up
get someone's dander up
drive up the wall
drive bananas
needle
be a pain in the neck
ruffle someone's feathers
get in someone's hair
get under someone's skin
give someone a hard time
nark
get on someone's wick
give someone the hump
wind up
get across
get up someone's nose
tick off
ride
rankle
gravel
bum out
vulgar slang
piss off
get on someone's tits
Opposite:
mollify
appease
West Indian
be annoyed, irritated, or unhappy.
"I wouldn't vex; it will be just great if whoever borrow the pump, just bring it back"
archaic
cause distress to.
"thou shalt not vex a stranger"
Origin
late Middle English: from Old French vexer, from Latin vexare ‘shake, disturb’.
There is a story for children, There’s No Such Thing as a Dragon, by Jack Kent, that I really like. It’s a very simple tale, at least on the surface. I once read its few pages to a group of retired University of Toronto alumni, and explained its symbolic meaning. fn2 It’s about a small boy, Billy Bixbee, who spies a dragon sitting on his bed one morning. It’s about the size of a house cat, and friendly. He tells his mother about it, but she tells him that there’s no such thing as a dragon. So, it starts to grow. It eats all of Billy’s pancakes.
Soon it fills the whole house. Mom tries to vacuum, but she has to go in and out of the house through the windows because of the dragon everywhere. It takes her forever. Then, the dragon runs off with the house. Billy’s dad comes home—and there’s just an empty space, where he used to live. The mailman tells him where the house went. He chases after it, climbs up the dragon’s head and neck (now sprawling out into the street) and rejoins his wife and son. Mom still insists that the dragon does not exist, but Billy, who’s pretty much had it by now, insists, “There is a dragon, Mom.”
Instantly, it starts to shrink. Soon, it’s cat-sized again. Everyone agrees that dragons of that size (1) exist and (2) are much preferable to their gigantic counterparts. Mom, eyes reluctantly opened by this point, asks somewhat plaintively why it had to get so big. Billy quietly suggests: “maybe it wanted to be noticed.”
Maybe! That’s the moral of many, many stories. Chaos emerges in a household, bit by bit. Mutual unhappiness and resentment pile up. Everything untidy is swept under the rug, where the dragon feasts on the crumbs. But no one says anything, as the shared society and negotiated order of the household reveals itself as inadequate, or disintegrates, in the face of the unexpected and threatening. Everybody whistles in the dark, instead.
Communication would require admission of terrible emotions: resentment, terror, loneliness, despair, jealousy, frustration, hatred, boredom. Moment by moment, it’s easier to keep the peace. But in the background, in Billy Bixbee’s house, and in all that are like it, the dragon grows. One day it bursts forth, in a form that no one can ignore. It lifts the very household from its foundations. Then it’s an affair, or a decades-long custody dispute of ruinous economic and psychological proportions. Then it’s the concentrated version of the acrimony that could have been spread out, tolerably, issue by issue, over the years of the pseudo-paradise of the marriage. Every one of the three hundred thousand unrevealed issues, which have been lied about, avoided, rationalized away, hidden like an army of skeletons in some great horrific closet, bursts forth like Noah’s flood, drowning everything. There’s no ark, because no one built one, even though everyone felt the storm gathering.
Don’t ever underestimate the destructive power of sins of omission.
