Why are Other Related Texts important to your own enjoyment?
I’ve long been an advocate for the idea that even if you don’t like the prescribed texts you are given, you are able to choose Other Related Texts that you enjoy. Similarly, if you enjoy your prescribed texts, you don’t want to taint your positive attitude towards the subject with an Other Related Text that you wish you never touched. It’s so important to know that you don’t have to stick with the same Other Related Text that you picked at the beginning of the course. In fact, I picked up a brand new Other Related Text after the trials and before the HSC exams. Risky business.
This is a list of the Other Related Texts that I studied during my HSC year.
I was constantly changing my mind as my ideas evolved until I finally settled on the thesis I wanted to use in my final essay. The texts I studied were heavily concentrated on America during the Cold War. This was for no other reason than that my Extension 2 major work was focused in America in the 1950s, so I was trying to be strategic by using Other Related Texts that also doubled as research for my major work.
You can also use these for inspiration for your creative work!
I’ve fleshed out the ways of thinking in each text and I’ve briefly discussed the plot line or most important features so that you can decide which texts you want to look into. A creative writing piece for Extension One English must incorporate the ways of thinking of the era, if you are studying After the Bomb. Use these as inspiration!
Milk (film)
Milk is the film that describes the narrative of Harvey Milk, the first gay politician to be voted in California. The film deals with various ways of thinking in sectors of diversity, business, and most notably, homosexuality. The film has prominent actors such as Sean Penn and James Franco and won several awards. The film incorporates footage from the period in the 70s as well as modern film.
The 1959 newlyweds that spent their honeymoon in a fallout shelter – featured in LIFE magazine.
You have to Google this – the story is probably the epitome of nuclear fear. The couple entered a contest on the radio so that they could be the faces of the new trend: honeymoons in fall out shelters. Seriously, it’s nuclear romance at its best. This is my personal favourite out of all the Other Related Texts, it’s super kitsch.
The Wall: Growing up Behind the Iron Curtain. Book by Peter Sis.
This picture book/graphic text is a visual depiction of the autobiography of the author. The ways of thinking in the story incorporate politics, individualism, communism, democracy, creativity and music from the era. If you’re looking for creative writing ideas, this story presents a great narrative.
Mona Lisa’s Smile (film)
To me, this is such a feel good text. Gendered ways of thinking are explored here very well. In the context of a College, the text follows a path of individual growth and change of perception and even ways of thinking. Also, Julie Roberts is a lovely actor and it is truly lovely to watch her.
Revolutionary Road: film or book.
The film features Leonardo di Caprio and Kate Winslet, and the book is written by Richard Yates. The ways of thinking in the texts range from mental illness, home life, relationships, the family nuclear unit and also women’s rights and responsibilities. Warning: Revolutionary Road will leave you very changed after reading/watching, if you’ve never looked into the domestic life of a couple in the ATB era who are simply existing, no more than existing.
The Kitchen Debate (1959 – between Khruschev and Nixon)
I promise you that this is one of the most bizarre snapshots of the era. This is locatable in fragments on YouTube, but the transcript is your best bet to capturing the essence of it. The whole thing is basically a show case of an American kitchen in the Soviet Union. Nixon tries to sell the kitchen as being avant-garde and Khruschev was having none of that. The debate is quite civil considering the context. The ways of thinking in here incorporate communism and democracy, role of women, capitalism and diplomacy. I used this Related Text in my final essay, which you can read here!
Duck and Cover (Propaganda film)
The most identifiable way of thinking here is the bomb culture. The nuclear threat was looming over America and this text is both chilling and hilarious to a modern audience. Duck and Cover makes for a great ORT, but also gives a factual recount of what was taught in schools regarding the nuclear threat.
When the Wind Blows – Raymond Briggs
Professor Barry Spurr has claimed this is a “powerful anti-nuclear fable.” The most prevalent way of thinking here is “Bombshelteritis.” Obedience to the government and naivety of citizens definitely features here as well. An elderly couple are following the instructions of the government officials to save themselves from a bomb. The bomb terminates the life of the two citizens, despite their best efforts to prevent the fallout from affecting them.
Dr Strangelove or: How I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb
The text is black comedy, and totally satirical. If this seems like what you love, then this sounds like it will work very well for you! Political obedience and notions of truth are explored in depth through satire throughout the text. If you’re looking for an example of how to incorporate this as an RT, you can see how I did it by downloading my Extension 1 English essay here.
Have you constructed your own Extension One English Essay yet?
If you have and you’d like feedback, you can have a look at our free essay marking forum here!
Are you actually looking to start writing an essay, or are looking for a new structure, and don’t know where to start?
Have a look at our guide on writing a Ways of Thinking essay here!
Just got some questions that you’d like to ask?
We are happy to answer questions that you have, to the best of our ability, everyday! It’s free online tutoring! Ask away over here.
