Course Introduction All Edexcel GCSE English Literature students must study a Shakespeare play, a post-1914 British play or novel,  a 19th-century novel and a poetry collection from the Pearson Poetry Anthology. Animal Farm by George Orwell is included on the list of post-1914 British play or novel. It will be examined on Paper 1, along with the Shakespeare play. Students will be required to write one essay question on their chosen post-1914 British play or novel.