1. The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner
Alan Sillitoe
The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner

2. Alan sillitoe (1928-2010) Born in Nottingham to working class parents
His success as a writer provided an escape from that background
Left school at the age of 14, worked at a factory and read extensively
Joined the Royal Air Force and worked as a wireless operator
Got tuberculosis, lived in France and Spain for 7 years in an attempt to recover
Nottingham: grey, boring, provides an evocative backdrop for a number of his writings

3. Nottingham

4. Nottingham

5. The Angry Young Men Post-war Britain, the 1950s
The term was originally applied to John Osborne floolwing the stage release of Look Back in Anger
It is used to characterize novelists of a particular time and mood
Opinionated, socially ambitious main characters
Working class background
Disillusionment, lack of opportunities for the working class
John Osborne, Look Back in Anger (1956)
John Braine, Room at the Top (1957)
Alan Sillitoe, The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner (1959); film version: 1962

6. Borstal Youth detention centre
Borstals were originally for offenders under 21, but in the 1930s the age was increased to under 23. In 1982 the borstal system was abolished in the UK and youth custody centres were introduced instead.
Borstal schools still exist in India

7. Lowdham Grange, North Sea Camp and Rochester Borstals for boys in 1937

10. Group work
Interpret the trope of loneliness! Who are the „enemies” of the main character, Colin Smith?
What motivates the main character? What does he mean by honesty?
What do we know about the background of the main character? Does it help us understand his behaviour?
Describe the language and the narrative style of the novella!
What is the significance of sport (running) in the novella?