English Literature Personal Statement for Cambridge and Oxford

Writing a personal statement for English literature can be one of the most challenging parts of the application process. Below we have given an example personal statement from a real candidate. They received an offer from Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge.

Oxbridge Example English personal statement

Literature is more than a form of escapism. I believe the written word is an insightful representation of the human condition; it is essentially empathy manifested, and subsequently presents the same fundamental ethical issues and questions that arise naturally from human understanding. My enjoyment of English is centred on this infallible ability to force observers to challenge themselves, and how this plays a crucial role in the formation of opinions and interpretation of ideas.

As my knowledge of literature has broadened, I have found myself increasingly fascinated by different portrayals of morality. Within my ‘A’ Level studies I have encountered the infamous and questionable protagonists of Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’, and was completely captivated by the concept of virtuous intention being opposed by immoral action. Written during the Enlightenment Era with a contradictory attitude towards the advancement of science, the perspective of both monster and creator cause the reader to question to what extent they condone the events, and critically decide who deserves the sympathy of the spectator. I have discovered this challenge of beliefs to be as present in reality as in fiction, and attended a lecture by Professor A.C. Grayling on The Ethics of War, where I first encountered the ‘just war theory’; I consequently applied this to my analysis of literature, in particular Nabokov’s Lolita. I found the novel challenged the inherently human notions of protection of the innocent, and upholding traditional values, but approached this in a manner that still enabled me to empathise with Humbert’s persona: to me this proved the power and potential of literature to persuade and manipulate the changeable emotions of the reader. Intrigued by his ability to influence his readers, and the juxtaposition between form and subject, I read Nabokov’s ‘Lectures on Literature’.

Another aspect of literature that I anticipate enjoying at degree level is its evolution over time. As I attended a Master Class Lecture on ‘The Essay as Literary Form’ I discovered an interest in the Practical Criticism of the structure and use of the written word, and was inspired to read ‘Essayists on the Essay’. This presented me with the previously unconsidered concept of the dichotomy between the didactic and expressive purposes of the essay. My enjoyment of this book was based on the variety of arguments presented for each case, and it caused me to consider the function of subsequent texts I encountered. I found this analytical approach useful when working collaboratively to present on Seamus Heaney’s ‘Sonnet 3’ during a University Experience Course, as a previous seminar on sonnet structure enabled me to attribute the nostalgic and reflective tone of the work to its format as a Petrarchan sonnet. I also thought that the difference in layout of individual lines and rhyme scheme could change the meaning and questions presented by a work of poetry, as the evolution of the sonnet is comparable to that of the essay in regard to its development of style to convey intention.

My further reading allowed me to comprehend the place of literature in communication and academia. In contrast to this; the work experience placement I completed at HarperCollins Publishers gave me an insight into the role of literature in the corporate world. As well as gaining an understanding of the process of bringing books into existence, I found it fascinating to observe how the role of a publisher involves a series of compromises between author and reader: the books must be tailored to the changeable interests of their audiences without this being detrimental to the integrity and authenticity of the author’s original intentions.

I am incredibly motivated to challenge myself further in the criticism of literature, and broaden my knowledge of texts, as well as gaining innovative research skills to allow me to develop my ability to manipulate the English language.

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