The Role of Literary Adaptation in Teaching English Literature: A Pedagogical Approach

Abstract

Literary adaptation has become an essential pedagogical tool in English literature classrooms, offering dynamic ways to engage students with classic and contemporary texts. This paper explores the role of adaptation in teaching literature, examining how films, graphic novels, digital media, and theatrical renditions enhance student comprehension, critical thinking, and interpretative skills. By transforming texts into different mediums, adaptations provide alternative perspectives that help students grasp complex themes, cultural contexts, and linguistic nuances. This study investigates various pedagogical strategies that integrate adaptations into literature instruction, emphasizing their effectiveness in catering to diverse learning styles.

         It further explores how adaptation theory can be applied to literature teaching to foster deeper textual analysis and intertextual understanding. Through case studies of Shakespearean plays, Victorian novels, and modern literary works, the paper highlights the benefits and challenges of using adaptations in the classroom. Findings suggest that while adaptations make literature more accessible and engaging, they also require careful curation to maintain textual integrity and encourage critical discourse. This study concludes that literary adaptation serves as a bridge between traditional and contemporary learning environments, promoting student engagement, interpretative autonomy, and an appreciation for literature in evolving cultural and technological contexts.

Keywords: Literary Adaptation, Pedagogy, English Literature, Teaching Strategies, Adaptation Theory, Multimedia Learning, Student Engagement, Intertextuality, Film Adaptations, Digital Humanities.