The English Extension Lunchtime Club is now in full swing for the Autumn Term, and the past two weeks have seen two more engaging and insightful talks delivered by HBS students.

First up were Ojasvi, Verushka and Yashasvini in Year 11, who gave a fascinating presentation on South Asian representation in literature, tracing its development from the Victorian period through to the present day. Their talk explored a wide range of texts—from The Jungle Book to Harry Potter—and offered thoughtful commentary on how South Asian characters and cultures have been portrayed over time. The subject matter was maturely handled and sparked valuable discussion among attendees.

The following week, Sofia and Mahnoor in Year 12 presented a powerful talk on the relationship between literature and national identity. Focusing on Pakistan and Greece, they examined how writers such as Ashfaq Ahmed and Dionysios Solomos have helped shape and reflect their nations’ cultural identities. For many students, these were unfamiliar writers, and the talk inspired further interest in exploring their work.

Both talks drew enthusiastic audiences and continued to demonstrate the high standard of research and presentation that characterises this year’s programme. With many more talks to come, English Extension promises another term of enriching literary discussion. All students are warmly encouraged to attend.

Mr Graff