Sunday 26th October 2025
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What literary character is your college?

Hannah Becker
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What literary character is your college?

Oxford’s colleges are all infamous for different reasons, and come with their own unique reputations and stereotypes – grand or scrappy, aloof or chaotic, satirised or beloved, glamorous or quietly dependable. What if, instead of being identified by their quads and cloisters, they were cast as famous literary characters? Christ Church College’s boastful architecture smacks of Gatsby; Keble College seems to brood like Frankenstein’s creature; and Exeter College reminds one of rebels like Jo March. 

Below, I’ve matched Oxford’s colleges with a figure from ‘the canon’ in an attempt to capture, to the best of my ability, their distinctive characters, pairing architecture with archetype, and reputation with narrative behaviour.

Balliol College is Hamlet from Hamlet

Political, intellectual, and emotionally tortured. Balliol’s reputation for philosophers and prime ministers mirrors the political upheaval afflicting Shakespeare’s brooding prince.

Blackfriars is Father Brown from The Father Brown Stories

Witty, wise, and compassionate – this beloved Catholic priest is the perfect embodiment of the college steeped in theology and philosophy.

Brasenose College is Sancho Panza from Don Quixote

Earthy, humorous, and loyal to a fault. Brasenose is a hearty and sociable college, beloved by most, with a refreshing down-to-earth vibe.

Campion Hall is Father Gabriel from The Mission

Quietly powerful and deeply intellectual, this college carries centuries of history and is perfectly represented by the compassionate Jesuit missionary.

Christ Church College is Jay Gatsby from The Great Gatsby

Boasting with wealth, grandeur, and pomp. This college is Jay Gatsby personified, with its beautiful dining hall, high society, and students who cannot help but throw themselves into the spotlight.

Corpus Christi College is Mole from The Wind in the Willows

Small, understated, and quietly charming. The Corpus Pelican, a golden pelican sundial in the middle of the college’s quad, is just as whimsical as Mole’s homey energy.

Exeter College is Jo March from Little Women

Creative, ambitious, and literary, Exeter might not be the flashiest of colleges, but is surely full of heart.

Green Templeton College is Dr John Watson from The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

This practical, observant, and quietly heroic figure captures the progressive nature of the college, as well as its focus on medicine, business, and social sciences.

Harris Manchester College is Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings

Having famously warm vibes, an eclectic student body, and a touch of quiet wisdom, Harris Manchester stands out among the other undergrad-heavy colleges, and is just like the elder statesman of the Fellowship.

Hertford College is Emma from Emma

Witty, independent, and charming, just like the beloved heroine of this Austen classic, Hertford’s architecture is just as playful as Emma’s matchmaking.

Jesus College is Howl from Howl’s Moving Castle

A flamboyant, slightly chaotic Welsh wizard who is both brilliant and a tad eccentric. Plus, he has a wandering castle – what better metaphor for this tucked away college?

Keble College is Frankenstein’s monster from Frankenstein

The dramatic, gothic, red-brick college unites all that is paradoxical, and seems to generate a multitude of opinions. Some think it monstrous, others marvellous.

Kellogg College is Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games

Young, modern, adaptable, resilient. Kellogg can often be an underdog compared to the grandeur of some other colleges, but its modernity is also its strength.

Lady Margaret Hall is Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables

LMH is – just like the bold Anne – a pioneering outsider full of earnest energy. The first women’s college, it has always strived for change and progress.

Linacre College is Mary Poppins from Mary Poppins

Pragmatic and progressive, Linacre seems to take responsibility seriously, but always has a twinkle in its eye.

Lincoln College is Bilbo Baggins from The Hobbit

Compact, warm-hearted, and quietly adventurous. Tucked away on Turl Street, this college feels exactly like a well-loved hobbit-hole, with a hidden world behind its door.

Magdalen College is Mr Darcy from Pride and Prejudice

Immaculate, beautiful, and aristocratic, Magdalen can feel imposing to outsiders. However, once known, it becomes steadfast and magnetic.

Mansfield College is Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird

Mansfield is socially conscious, progressive, and justice-minded, whilst wearing its radical heart right on its sleeve.

Merton College is Prospero from The Tempest

Merton is home to one of Europe’s oldest libraries, giving it its ancient, powerful, bookish flair. Known as the most academic Oxford college, it certainly resembles this wizard-like Shakespeare figure.

New College is Dorian Gray from The Picture of Dorian Gray

New embodies everything that Wilde’s protagonist stands for: eternal youth, timelessness, and beauty. It looks almost untouched by time, but has centuries of history under its belt.

Nuffield College is Piggy from Lord of the Flies

Just like the little data-driven thinker trying to hold civilisation together, this small and graduate-only college is analytical and influential, with its focus on politics and economics.

Oriel College is Sherlock Holmes from The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

Traditionalist, precise, and rather conservative, Oriel has a mixed reputation resembling the division in popular opinion about the great detective.

Pembroke College is Oliver Twist from Oliver Twist

A little plucky, small, and often overshadowed by its flashier neighbours, Pembroke is full of charm and scrappiness.

Queen’s College is Lady Macbeth from Macbeth

Regal and imposing, with dramatic architecture. The college commands the stage from its place towering over the High Street, yet entering it can prove quite the challenge.

Regent’s Park is Jean Valjean from Les Misérables

Just like the redeemed and compassionate Jean, Regent’s Park is dedicated to goodness and its Baptist principles.

Reuben College is Matilda Wormwood from Matilda

As the youngest member of the Oxford family (founded only in 2019), this college has a decisively modern ethos and is just as clever and energetic as Matilda herself. 

Somerville College is Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter series

A brilliant, pioneering college with feminist roots, and therefore the ultimate symbol of brains, independence, and the Granger spirit.

St Anne’s College is Scout Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird

St Anne’s is modern, no-nonsense, and progressive, yet remains full of a curiosity and spirit that make it quite charming.

St Anthony’s College is Odysseus from The Odyssey

International and worldly. This college seems to always be travelling and telling stories. Removed from the central hub of colleges, it remains something of a mysterious outsider.

St Catherine’s College is Holden Caulfield from The Catcher in the Rye

This college is a modernist outsider. It is plain, concrete, often misunderstood or made fun of, but radically proud of its difference.

St Cross College is Phileas Fogg from Around the World in 80 Days

With its wonderfully cosmopolitan and understated character, St Cross is known for being open, collegial, and international.

St Edmund Hall (Teddy Hall) is Pip from Great Expectations

Old, a bit scrappy, and full of ambition, St Edmund Hall is always reaching upwards, yet stays cheerful and approachable.

St Hilda’s College is Jane Eyre from Jane Eyre

Principled and intelligent, St Hilda’s is a college that triumphs with its quiet strength and integrity – much like the beloved heroine of Charlotte Brontë’s famous novel.

St Hugh’s College is Dorothea Brooke from Middlemarch

Serious-minded, idealistic, and underrated. Just like this layered character, St Hugh’s character is difficult to discern – but maybe that’s just because it lies quite far off.

St John’s College is Ebenezer Scrooge from A Christmas Carol

Staggeringly rich and sometimes resented. St John’s is undoubtedly one of the wealthiest colleges in Oxford, but its funding for scholarships and outreach work gives it a philanthropic heart.

St Peter’s College is Willy Wonka from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Quirky, colourful, and on the smaller side, this college lies hidden away behind a wall and is therefore full of surprises.

Trinity College is Tom Sawyer from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Incredibly adventurous and playful, this beloved college always seems to be at the centre of fun and mischief.

University College (Univ) is George Knightley from Emma

Steadfast, dependable, friendly, and wise, but less showy than some other colleges, Univ is a High Street presence all are glad to see.

Wadham College is Orlando from Orlando

Orlando – with their gender-fluid, timeless, and artistic character – is a near-perfect symbol for Wadham’s radical and progressive tradition, and famously strong LGBTQ+ identity.

Wolfson College is Tony Stark from the Marvel comics

Famously progressive, interdisciplinary, and informal (having no high table or gowns), this college pushes boundaries and breaks conventions just like the beloved superhero.

Worcester College is Mary Lennox from The Secret Garden

Worcester’s lush and dreamy gardens feel precisely like Mary’s discovered paradise, and are just as charming as the curious protagonist herself.

Wycliffe Hall is Aslan from The Chronicles of Narnia

Wycliffe is one of Oxford’s Permanent Private Halls, known for being evangelical, deeply theological, and community-oriented, whilst prioritising debates and social activism.

Underrated FC 25 Formations That Actually Win Games

External Contributor
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Underrated FC 25 Formations That Actually Win Games

If you’re a student gamer, stuck in Division Rivals or barely scraping wins in Weekend League, it might not be your players—it could be your formation. Everyone’s running the classic 4-2-3-1 or the sweaty 5-1-2-2, but FC 25 has quietly shaken up the meta in a way that rewards creativity and tactical diversity. In other words: the underdogs are making a comeback.

It’s time to stop copying cookie-cutter tactics and start thinking like a football tactician. Let’s dive into the underrated FC 25 formations that are secretly overpowered—and might just help you break your losing streak.

4-3-2-1: The Narrow Pressure Cooker

You don’t see this one in every lineup, but when used right, the 4-3-2-1 is a total nightmare for your opponent’s backline. With three central mids and two narrow center-forwards, this setup applies relentless central pressure and forces quick decision-making.

The beauty? It feels like you’re playing five attackers, but you’re still compact defensively. The left and right forwards act like strikers in disguise—perfect for through balls, one-twos, and pressing on lost possession.

Want to unlock premium player cards to really maximize this shape? A little boost from cheap FC points can give you access to the midfielders and hybrid forwards that make this narrow formation shine.

3-4-2-1: The Comeback King

Yes, it’s a back three—and yes, it’s viable now.

The 3-4-2-1 is built for high-risk, high-reward play, especially if you love flooding the midfield and suffocating opponents. The width from your wingbacks means you’re rarely caught short on the flanks, while the two CAMs behind the striker offer constant support and unpredictability in attack.

It works wonders when you’re behind and need to flip the momentum quickly. Just make sure your center-backs are mobile, and your wide mids have stamina for days.

4-1-4-1: The Midfield Trap

This one doesn’t look aggressive—but that’s the whole point. The 4-1-4-1 is ideal for players who prefer to control games from midfield and punish mistakes with clinical precision.

With five midfielders stretched across the pitch, you’ll frustrate your opponent’s passing lanes and win the ball in dangerous areas. Drop a shadow chemistry style on your CDM, and you’ve got a mobile brick wall sitting in front of your defense.

It’s not flashy, but it’s tactical brilliance for players who think two steps ahead.

4-4-2 (Second Variation): The Balanced Bruiser

Old-school? Maybe. Overpowered in FC 25? Absolutely.

This version of the 4-4-2 features two CDMs instead of CMs, making it sturdier than its traditional counterpart. You’ve got the width to stretch play, the midfield stability to win second balls, and two strikers to bully defenses.

It shines in tight games where spacing, stamina, and second-half substitutions make all the difference. Think of it as the jack-of-all-trades formation that never gets enough credit.

Don’t Follow the Meta—Crack It

Formations are the skeleton of your squad. And in FC 25, where minor tactical tweaks can shift entire match outcomes, going off-meta isn’t risky—it’s smart. Sure, it helps to have top-tier players, but the right setup can make even an average squad feel elite.

If you’re ready to test these dark-horse tactics, consider picking up cheap FC points to experiment with new players, chemistry styles, or consumables. Building smarter doesn’t have to break the bank.

The ‘S’ in ‘STEM’ stands for superiority complex

Poppy Littler-Jennings
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The ‘S’ in ‘STEM’ stands for superiority complex

Having been on the receiving end of a lot of self-proclaimed STEM superiority over the past two years at Oxford, I must admit it gets pretty tiresome. As a French student, you learn to expect a certain amount of “mickey mouse” allegations and light-hearted mockery about spending an eternity on LinkedIn post-graduation. But some students take this hierarchy of disciplines past the point of mere irony – “You know medics learn more words per week than language students” was an oft-quoted adage during my first year.

Much like how Oxford students supposedly all believe their college is the best, we’re all inclined to think that our degree is harder than other people would assume. Nonetheless, some STEM students fail to recognise that humanities degrees resemble a Sisyphean task at times: the endless reading lists, the naïve pursuit of fresh analysis (which invariably results in the disappointing revelation that someone has already come up with your “original” interpretation), the solo tutes that leave you neck deep in imposter syndrome. Do I need to go on? And all for a bachelor’s that begs to be coupled with a law conversion if you have any hope of employment. 

Make no mistake, humanities students can be entirely insufferable too. Whether it’s spending hours poring over literature, drawing parallels from Plato’s cave to Marguerite Duras’ Hiroshima Mon Amour, or agonising over the precise connotations of a singular word to be used in a translation, at the end of the day it’s all what we chose to study and what we are passionate about. But it’s still patronising to hear that our essays are ‘light work’, when the reality can feel just the opposite. 

As for the value of our respective subjects, students of STEM disciplines might have the likes of Dorothy Hodgkin and Stephen Hawking amongst their ranks, but the humanities realm is equally populated by incredible figures (to name a few, Oscar Wilde, Wendy Cope, Edward Burne-Jones). Countless minds like these have shaped the way we view the world and constructed a mosaic of global culture that everyone, irrespective of their academic inclinations, enjoys. The word “humanities” itself – from the Renaissance Latin “studia humanitatis” – says it all: humanity is at the heart of our studies; we examine the inner workings of the mind in an effort to navigate a nonsensical existence. 

The widely held view that the sciences and humanities are diametrically opposed to each other is narrow-minded and neglects to address the crossover between these academic arenas. Historically, great philosophers from Pythagoras to Descartes were equally as concerned with science and mathematics as they were with profound existential questions, even using the former to answer the latter. And yet, today, we seem to have imposed stringent separations between such subject areas. The divide between the sciences and humanities was deplored by British novelist and scientist Charles Percy Snow in the 1950s, who termed the concept of the “two cultures”, a phenomenon that he understood to pose a real threat to society. At many universities across the world (notably Harvard University), such boundaries barely exist at the beginning of undergraduate studies, with students able to pick and choose modules from different disciplines. If, elsewhere, areas of study are intertwined and studied in tandem, why do we bother wasting our time arguing over this false dichotomy? 

I would also like to question whether the sciences would retain their gilded status if they too were studied predominantly by women. Oxford’s 2025 Admissions Report showed that 74% of English Language and Literature students were women, compared to just 19.8% of Maths and Computer Science students. After all, the now-revered genre of the novel was once looked upon with disdain – when, not so coincidentally, it was primarily the domain of female writers. Obviously, not everyone who pokes fun at humanities degrees is a flagrant misogynist, but it definitely feels more than coincidental. Years of history being rewritten to extol patriarchs has certainly left an impression on the way we value various aspects of culture. 

All of this is to say, it’s high time we stopped arguing which is more important or more difficult, and instead started asking what STEM and the humanities can learn from each other. And please, next time you find yourself on the cusp of ridiculing your “PHLEGM” friends, maybe reconsider. We’ve got the job market to deal with – we don’t need to battle you as well.

Cherwell Mini Cryptic #4 – Brotherly Love

Zoë McGuire
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Created by Zoë McGuire using PuzzleMe"s online crossword maker

Wanting to follow the thread further? Last week’s mini cryptic has you covered.

Do you prefer your sister? Why not try this week’s mini crossword.

Follow the Cherwell Instagram for updates on our online puzzles.

For even more crosswords and other puzzles, pick up a Cherwell print issue from your JCR or porters’ lodge!

Cherwell Mini #21 – The Full Brontë

Zoë McGuire
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Created by Alessandra Edwards & Nat Elder using the online crossword puzzle creator from Amuse Labs

This week’s mini is by Alessandra Edwards & Nat Elder.

Still thirsty for puzzles? Why not try the last mini:

Follow the Cherwell Instagram for updates on our online puzzles.

For even more crosswords and other puzzles, pick up a Cherwell print issue from your JCR or porters’ lodge!

Escaping the Oxford Blues: 6 Greek Islands That Students Actually Visit

External Contributor
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Escaping the Oxford Blues: 6 Greek Islands That Students Actually Visit

Planning to take a break from your studies and make the most of the limited holiday time at hand? The Greek Islands are a dream playground for students chasing sunshine, culture, and a break from Oxford’s grey skies. With golden beaches, turquoise waters, and lively villages, each island feels like a fresh adventure waiting to unfold. 

To make it better, you can add in the warm Mediterranean weather, affordable tavernas, local wines, and street food that turns every meal into a mini-feast, and you’ve got the perfect student escape. Additionally, you get budget ferry rides and beach parties to hidden coves and cliffside hikes, the islands mix fun, culture, and discovery, giving students stories they’ll trade long after the holiday ends.

With Ionian & Aegean Island Holidays, you can make the most of your villa holidays in Greece, ensuring that you spend quality time here and also learn more about the history, culture and geography of these islands. 

Crete

Being the largest Greek island, Crete is a great option for students looking for variety and adventure. It’s the kind of place where you can mix beach days, history lessons that don’t feel like lectures, and nights that go on until sunrise. With its rich culture and buzzing local life, Crete gives students both exploration and chill time in one trip.

Students wanting to make the most of their Greece trip can enjoy the turquoise waters and Instagram-worthy views at Elafonissi, Balos, and Falassarna beaches. These beaches are perfect for lazy afternoons with friends and help you create unforgettable memories. 

Away from the coast, students can also explore the Venetian old towns of Chania and Rethymno, snack on souvlaki in narrow alleys, or just wander until they find their new favourite taverna. If you’re up for more active days, try hiking the Samaria Gorge or renting bikes to pedal past endless olive groves.

Ios

If you are looking for lesser-known Greek islands that can provide you with amazing outdoor holiday adventures, Ios is a great choice. This island is the ultimate student island, small, lively, and famous for its party vibe. This is ideal for those students who want a break from urban chaos and want to soak in the natural beauty and calmness of the island.

By day, it’s all about sunbathing on golden beaches like Mylopotas, and by night, it transforms into one of Greece’s wildest nightlife spots. For students, it’s that sweet spot where you can balance lazy afternoons with all-night dancing.

The island isn’t only about clubs, though. If you want downtime, wander through the whitewashed lanes of Chora, grab gyros on the go, or hike up to Odysseus Elytis Theatre for sweeping sunset views. With multiple budget-friendly eateries, endless bars, and a young international crowd, Ios is a student favourite.

Rhodes

If you’re the kind of student who wants a bit of everything, beaches, history, nightlife, and cheap gyros on repeat, Rhodes should be on your list. It’s one of Greece’s biggest islands, so you won’t get bored anytime soon.

There are plenty of must-see attractions in Rhodes Old Town, a UNESCO site that offers a great experience. Here you can visit the Palace of the Grand Master and the cobblestone lanes, which are perfect for wandering. When you’re done exploring history, you may head to Faliraki or Lindos for beach days that turn into nights out.

If you are feeling adventurous, you can rent a scooter (budget-friendly with friends) and find quieter bays or even hike around the island’s hills. The balance of culture and student-friendly fun makes Rhodes an island where you can study in the morning and party till sunrise.

Corfu

Located in the Ionian Sea, Corfu is basically the all-rounder of the Greek islands. The island seamlessly blends Venetian charm, turquoise beaches, and a nightlife scene that’s earned legendary student status. If you want an island where you can chill in the day and go wild at night, this is it.

If you are a student of arts and architecture, you can start your trip with an exploration of Corfu’s Old Town. This is where you can find pastel-colored buildings and narrow lanes that give major study-abroad-in-Europe energy. The Old Fortress is worth a climb for the views, and you should add that to your itinerary. 

Corfu also has excellent beaches, and therefore, you can head out to Paleokastritsa or Glyfada beaches, where the water is so clear it almost feels fake. During the night hours, Corfu transforms into a lovely party island where you can hang out at various clubs, bars and enjoy cheap cocktails and try delicious Greek cuisine.

Hydra

If you are keen on more outdoor adventures on foot, Hydra is where you should go. With no cars, Hydra is ideal for those looking for an escape from the modern world and who want more activities like walking and biking. While it might sound ancient, the main town is ridiculously photogenic, with stone mansions, waterfront cafés, and narrow lanes that feel frozen in time. 

Students of art, literature and poetry can make the most of their holidays here as they can find plenty of quiet time. It’s the kind of place where you can actually slow down, sketch in a notebook, or just sit with friends over iced coffee for hours. While the beaches in Hydra are rocky, they are still quite beautiful. You can spend your time at Kaminia and Vlychos, which are easy to reach on foot or by water taxi.

Hydra’s more about creative energy than clubbing. It’s been a hangout for artists and writers for decades, so if you’re the kind of student who’d rather debate philosophy at sunset than dance till dawn, this island has your name on it.

Lefkada

If you’re chasing postcard beaches without blowing a fortune, Lefkada is a solid pick. Thanks to a bridge connecting it to the mainland, you don’t even need a pricey ferry ticket. This makes this island perfect for students on a tight budget. With the right guide to Lefkada, you can plan your trip just the way you prefer and with convenience. 

This island is all about outdoor adventure. If you are looking for beaches with dramatic cliffs and turquoise waters, you can head to Porto Katsiki and Egremni beaches. If you’re into adrenaline, Lefkada is famous for windsurfing, kitesurfing, and even paragliding over Kathisma Beach.

Evenings are more laid-back, with tavernas serving fresh seafood and cheap wine. The main town has a few lively bars, but the vibe is more about chilling with friends than full-on raving. Lefkada is for students who want a mix of stunning landscapes, budget-friendliness, and just enough nightlife to keep things interesting.

Hoa hoa hoa season: An analysis of the small town aesthetic

Eve Richardson
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Hoa hoa hoa season: An analysis of the small town aesthetic

“In the state of Washington, under a near constant cover of cloud and rain, there is a small town named Forks. Population: 3,120 people. This is where I’m moving.” (Twilight, 2008)

Twilight’s Forks may be responsible for the current online popularity of the small town aesthetic, but our predilection for these television towns is recurrent throughout modern classics of narrative media. From supernatural small towns like Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s Sunnydale and the eponymous Twin Peaks, to the more pastoral Stars Hollow of Gilmore Girls: the reboots of the latter two shows, some decades on, is testament to the perennial nature of our small-town-fever. As is the emergence of more recent favourites like Ginny and Georgia’s Wellsbury, Wednesday’s Jericho, and Stranger Things’ Hawkins.

I find myself associating these kinds of shows with the colder months, whether by the creators’ design or my own interpretation, and I believe this is linked to my annually recurrent desire to abscond to a cosy, American, stuck-in-the-90s small town, in the manner of Bella Swan. Judging by the abundant online discussion about the best autumn TV shows, and the annual revival of the Twilight and Gilmore Girls fandoms, this seasonal postcode envy is far from a unique phenomenon. Something about the turn in the weather has us all craving the cosy atmosphere offered by small towns in visual media. But what exactly drives this cyclical change in media consumption?

Our autumn-induced appetite for scary stories, at least, is far from a mystery — the horror genre transforms the miserable weather into an exquisite literary device, and lends some catharsis to our excitement for Halloween. Incidentally, the American small town offers the ideal conditions for such stories, with its deceptively quiet backdrop presenting a false image of serenity to conceal the inevitable secrets and shadows within. Flawlessly balancing deceptive tranquillity and a foreboding atmosphere, the rural small town’s prominence in the horror genre is well deserved and raises few questions.

“Stars Hollow does not have a ‘seedy underbelly’. We don’t even have a meter maid.” (Gilmore Girls, 2.12)

However, this functional explanation can’t be the only reason we’re drawn to small town settings. Whilst our autumn favourites of the romance genre feature traditional gothic villains like vampires and werewolves, these spooky-turned-sexy male leads are hardly supposed to inspire fear. Forks (Twilight) and Mystic Falls (The Vampire Diaries) have their own aesthetic appeal. And wholesome dramedies like Gilmore Girls have no intention to frighten, but are nonetheless beloved as quintessential sweater weather classics. Why else, then, do we crave our seasonal small town fix?

I think that this phenomenon can be partly attributed to a collective sense of nostalgia. Beyond the fact that many of these films and series were produced some decades ago, the American small town aesthetic itself evokes the quaint simplicity of the late 20th century (or our romanticised ideal of it, at least). 

In a world where an endless stream of global news and mind-numbing content is forever at our fingertips, there is some pacifying appeal to a more detached, introspective way of living. The close-knit communities and archaic traditions portrayed in small town media seem to represent a hope that the innocence of pre-internet life is still possible. If narrative media exists to offer escapism, small town settings enable escape into a particularly idyllic snapshot of the past.

“Life has a meaning here — every life. That’s a way of living I thought had vanished from the earth, but it hasn’t, Albert; it’s right here in Twin Peaks.” (Twin Peaks, 1.03)

Community is particularly central to this vision: implicit in the idealisation of this endangered way of life is a sense of connectedness. On the one hand, technology has given us the ability to communicate instantaneously and farther than ever before; on the other, this has diminished our interaction with people on a more intimate level. Where residential community once built strong, meaningful relationships on a small local scale, the anonymity and insularity of online life has resulted in a widely yet shallowly connected society. The small town aesthetic offers us respite from this comparatively lonely modern way of living, with its small casts of characters, closely intertwined, imitating our ideal of the community we feel we have lost.

In many ways, life at Oxford seems to appeal to those same sensibilities which fuel our craving for small town charm. The college environment manufactures a kind of small town set-up, wherein gossip is epidemic and “everyone knows everyone”. For all its consequent drama, intra-college community is endearingly convivial and is, without rival, the thing I miss most about Oxford when I’m away. 

The university also has that same timeless quality we seek in small town media — the product of its historic architecture, antiquated traditions, and periodic immortalisation in art and literature. Having spent every autumn of my adolescent years searching for this precise and ineffable feeling in works of fiction — the only place I believed it to be absolutely alive — it is with pleasant surprise that on reflection, I have found it to be tangible and immortal here, in Oxford.

Fashion around Oxford: India Matthews

Antonia Rogers
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Fashion around Oxford: India Matthews

India Matthews, president of the Oxford Fashion Society, shares her style secrets and where she’s shopping right now.

Cherwell’s style inspiration of the week is India Matthews, a third-year English Literature and Language student at St Hugh’s College. You might know her as the president of the Oxford Fashion Society. Or you may have seen her out and about (especially in the English Faculty Library) wearing one of her signature jackets paired with her impressive hand-drawn nail designs. I caught up with her on the phone in late August to hear all about her own style and fashion tips.

Cherwell: What are you wearing right now?

India: I’m literally in my pyjamas. I think it’s important to have low-effort days, so when I do dress up, it actually feels fun. Fashion is all about balance – I can’t be all decked out head to toe 24/7 because then it would stop being special.

Cherwell: When did you first become interested in fashion?

India: I’ve always been interested in fashion, but my taste definitely used to be very questionable. I’ve been buying second-hand clothes and going to local charity shops ever since year six. By 16, I’d started reselling stuff on Depop – I was literally one of those hated Depop girlies! I feel like each year I’ve gotten more into it, especially with TikTok and Instagram making me curious about new styles and what people from different places are wearing. Now I always look at the latest runway looks and past archival pieces for inspiration – I’ve got more into the history of fashion as time has gone on.

Cherwell: How would you describe your personal style?

India: Honestly, I never know how to describe my personal style because it’s always changing. I like to be diverse – I never want to rule anything out, and I’m not afraid to do different things. I think putting a strict label on people’s style can be unproductive, because you start limiting yourself to those categories. If I had to pin it down, I would say 90s and 2000s street style, but I like to play around rather than sticking to those as a strict formula.

Cherwell: Tell me about your nails!

India: If I don’t have my nails done, then the outfit isn’t good. I design them on my iPad and then get them done at Amy’s Nails in Oxford Golden Cross Market. Everyone better not be booking appointments now!

Image Credit: India Matthews for Cherwell

Cherwell: How does being in Oxford affect your personal style?

India: I was quite apprehensive before I arrived, as I couldn’t imagine there being a fashion scene in Oxford, but when I’m out and about, I definitely spot cute outfits and try to find similar things on Vinted later. Whenever I walk down the street, the first thing I’ll take in about someone is what they’re wearing. Sometimes I feel bad because I’ll be looking someone up and down, and it probably looks like I’m being really judgmental, but I’m just taking in their outfit! Oxford is definitely a trendier scene than at home (Swansea), where I sometimes feel judged walking around in something that’s a bit more out there. In Oxford, I’m not afraid to play with it a bit more because everyone is trying different things.

Cherwell: What’s your go-to Oxford everyday library outfit?

India: If it’s an all-nighter in my college library, then definitely pyjamas! Usually, if I’m going to the Radcam or just out and about, I like to put in a bit of effort. I love dressing up for lectures! The EFL is a fashion hotspot; everyone is so well dressed, it’s insane. I feel like it’s the Hannah Montana effect, where you feel more productive when you’re more put together. I will definitely go for style over comfort. My go-to outfit is probably tailored trousers, boots, any top, and a funky jacket, but I do like to wear something different every day.

Cherwell: What’s your favourite item in your wardrobe?

India: That’s like asking me to pick my favourite child! Definitely my jackets – they’re all vintage. The top three would be the Avirex faux leather I wear pretty much every day, a faux pony hair jacket from Vinted, and the Mugler skeleton jacket from Depop. They’ve got very different vibes, and each of them can change the mood of my outfit.

Image Credit: India Matthews for Cherwell

Cherwell: What are the clothing items you think everyone should have in their wardrobe?

India: I’m really into statement belts – belts with big buckles or the utility style with big pockets. Belts are a fun way to make a simple outfit feel more interesting without putting in any effort. I have this fake deer hair one from a small brand called Parallel X Studio – I feel like that’s my staple right now to elevate an outfit.

Cherwell: What is one item of clothing you would never wear and why?

India: It’s not really an item of clothing, but anything from a fast fashion brand. The quality is poor, it doesn’t last, and you can tell immediately when something is from Shein. Beyond that, the ethical side puts me off – how badly workers are treated, the environmental impact, and the encouragement of overconsumption.

Cherwell: What’s your biggest fashion faux pas?

India: This one moment literally keeps me awake at night. It was the trend in year 8 to wear chains on your trousers, so for a non-uniform day I went to my local pet shop and bought two literal dog chains and pinned them to my trousers. At the time, I thought I was the height of fashion, but looking back, it was not the vibe at all!

Cherwell: Where are you shopping right now?

India: Vinted (it’s Indiamatthews, if you’re interested) and Depop, but I’m quite into my small brands at the minute. Places like Akino London, Parallel X Studio, Gina Corrieri, and Paloma Wool (even though they are a bit pricey – so I’ll tend to get them second hand). I love independent websites that curate vintage pieces, such as Vival Studios. They use an app called Tilt, where sellers go on live streams to show the items, and you bid on them in real time.

Cherwell: What is your favourite place to shop in Oxford?

India: I’m more of an online shopper, but I do like Gloucester Green Market for the vibe and variety of sellers. They always have a great selection of rings.

Cherwell: What is your role in Oxford Fashion Society?

India: I’ve been president of the society since Hilary Term 2025; it’s a year-long position, so I’m in the position until the end of Michaelmas Term this year. We revamped the society when I took over, from the trendy visuals on Instagram to partnering with the Advertising Society to bring speakers in and promote events.

We want to look holistically at the creative industry and keep our finger on the pulse of the fashion scene here. We’ve done arts and crafts, nightlife events in collaboration with Industry Magazine, and last term, we even had a talk from the CMO of Burberry. Fashion is a hard industry to get into, but being a part of the Fashion Society has brought me so many opportunities. This summer, I’ve got an internship at Burberry in London to help with their fashion week preparations – so I would definitely encourage people to get involved in the Fashion Society! Committee applications are opening in Michaelmas.

Cherwell: Do you have a fashion icon or designer that inspires you?

India: My favourite fashion designer is Vivienne Westwood – there’s something about the orb as a symbol that I just love, as well as the messages behind her looks. I’m honestly a sucker for my favourite Instagram influencer girlies, such as Susie Lola (@susiegarvie), Rivers Walters (@riverswalterss), and Sadie Ludlam (@sadieludlam).

Cherwell: Finally, who in Oxford is your fashion icon?

India: Everyone from the EFL – there is this one girl who is always pulling looks. I also really love the timeless style of Alice Robey-Cave, who used to be EIC of The Isis. 

Where Oxford University Drama Society can take you

Charlie Bailey
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Where Oxford University Drama Society can take you

I loved theatre at school, and, aged 14, told my parents they had to let me go to drama school. In reply, they suggested I train as a barrister, on the basis that I could still speak in front of people for a decently larger salary. Accepting my place at Oxford therefore made a lot of sense. Multiple people told me that many famous acting faces started their careers in the city of dreaming spires. During my time here, I’ve repeatedly noticed how Oxford students manage to achieve creative excellence alongside intense study – writing, directing, and acting at a near-professional level.

To explain why so many star-studded names began their careers here, one looks to the Oxford University Drama Society (OUDS). It’s the go-to for anyone interested in developing their writing, directing, producing or acting skills, and has an extensive list of student actors going on to make a living in the drama world, largely those who studied English Literature degrees.

One particularly remarkable story is the student film Privilege, starring Hugh Grant, which led to him being contacted by an agent and his first major acting opportunity. His OUDS accolades included Fabian in Twelfth Night and the titular role in a production of Hamlet which dressed its cast in Star Trek outfits. His approach to the complex characters he later took on seems to hark back to his English Literature BA at New College, as The Independent reported in 2016 that “he makes an almost academic study” of the characters he plays. Grant has suggested that he stumbled upon his acting career, but one assumes that the seeds of his life-long commitment were sown during his time with OUDS. 

Exeter College alumna Imogen Stubbs also acted alongside Grant in Privilege, and shone as Irina in Chekhov’s the Three Sisters, performed at the Playhouse. In a 2010 interview with The Guardian, Stubbs called this play “the first time I got swept up in the dream of what acting can really be”. That character-defining performance seems to have inspired her time at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and prolific stage career.

Rosamund Pike’s life cycled back to her Oxford days when she played Elspeth Catton in Emerald Fennel’s Saltburn. Like the others, she developed her craft via OUDS, for example by directing Simon Chesterman’s original play, Everything Before the But is a Lie, performed at the Burton Taylor in 2000. The website “Daily Info, Oxford” reviewed Pike’s efforts with the statement “Roz Pike has directed it well”. This seems fair, given that Pike has now won an Emmy and a Golden Globe.

Respondents to a survey on the OUDS Facebook portal – used mostly to advertise audition opportunities – told Cherwell that a key reason for OUDS’ reputation as a good starting point towards breaking into the acting industry comes from its access to funding. This allows Oxford to continue connecting actors with agents, such as United and Insight Management, via the London showcase, and take shows to the Edinburgh Fringe, at a time when “going to the Fringe is now almost impossible”. 

As an outsider, it seems to me that OUDS has an admirably businesslike structure: pairs of directors and producers must create a joint bank account and sign a contract to access OUDS funding. The venue the duo choose tends to reflect the ambition behind the play: those with more advanced technical and space requirements like last year’s acclaimed Dangerous Liaisons and Into the Woods tend to bid for the Playhouse, while those intending for a more intimate “fringe-style” performance favour the Pilch. This creates a healthily competitive environment.

OUDS’ entirely volunteer-run organisation stands out in comparison to other university drama societies. Cambridge’s, for example, is overseen by a body of professionals. For one survey respondent, the fact that production companies have to find a venue, raise the funding, and market the show with negligible university help means “‘it’s harder to get things on, but it mirrors the reality of the industry at an early stage”. 

A second theme of the survey respondents was the prestige Oxford carries for casting directors. One former OUDS president told Cherwell: “very few universities prepare you for the Film and TV industry with such a strong network.” They stressed that breaking into the acting world is still exceptionally hard, and that OUDS producing “even one or two successful actors is significantly against the odds compared to the rest of the UK”. Of course, industry contacts are even more accessible when taking the drama school route, as one respondent pointed out.

Finally, OUDS productions thrive because of how willing the student body is to turn up to watch. The college system means everyone knows someone involved in OUDS, and the buzz around big-budget efforts like Into the Woods is noticeable. Productions that deviate from the norm, like The Goat, also achieve high ticket sales once word gets round. Having spent days debating whether the onstage dead goat was real or just a rumour, it was impossible not to book a ticket.

Incoming freshers who have ambitions for a career in the acting world, or who are interested in acting as part of a friendly, talented community, should take this piece as their sign to join the Facebook portal, and get involved in OUDS. 

A guide to contemporary China, through cinema

Zac Yang
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A guide to contemporary China, through cinema

“An artwork whose medium is history”, is how sinologist Haun Saussy defines China.

As passionately debated as it is little understood, China today remains a mystery, the elephant in the world room. Its life and history remain contained in its great walls. Cinema occasionally provides us glimpses into this country, however ephemeral.

As for ‘contemporary China’, I am excluding from this list any film made in Hong Kong or Taiwan, or the mainland prior to 1979. Expect no Wong Kar-wai or Ang Lee. This is the real People’s Republic.

The Blue Kite (1992)

This one is my mother’s favourite.

China, since the revolution, has been a country ruled by campaigns. Campaigns to purge 5% of the population. Campaigns to exterminate sparrows. Campaigns to limit the birthrate to one child per family. Unlike policies, campaigns would mobilise the entire population to enact on vague commands issued from above. What they translate to on a human level is a million different stories. The Blue Kite tells one of them: the life of a young boy whose mother married three times.

For making this elegy, Tian Zhuangzhuang – the director – faced the most harsh punishment imposed by the state on any filmmaker, a near decade long exile from the film industry.

Farewell My Concubine (1993)

Widely considered the best Chinese film ever made, the winner of the Palme d’Or at the 46th Cannes Film Festival retells China’s modern history through the twists and turns of Peking Opera.

Starting in the aftermath of the revolution which overthrew the 4000-year-old monarchy, through the Warlord Era, the Japanese invasion, the Civil War, and the Communist Revolution, ending in the Cultural Revolution, the film is the retrospective of a legendary opera singer. It is celebrated, not only for its captivating representation of the craft, but also for its pioneering exploration of gender, due to the practice of cross-casting in Chinese opera.

Devils on the Doorstep (2000)

If you turn on the TV in China today, 90% of the shows will be set in the 1930s, during the War of Resistance against Japanese aggression. This history makes up the core of China’s patriotic education, yet it has always been taught in one way: Communist guerrillas aided by the heroic peasantry successfully defeating the invading imperialists.

The reality, however, was more nuanced. The film was first banned by state administration for allegedly portraying the peasants as indifferent and servile. It was the winner of the Grand Prix at the 53rd Cannes Film Festival. The director Jiang Wen has produced some of the best comedies in the People’s Republic, with a lingering sense of the tragic. Devils on the Doorstep is a whimsical deconstruction of the myth of war, and it ain’t afraid of getting bloody.

Imagine if Inglorious Basterds was anti-war.

Tie Xi Qu: West of the Tracks (2002)

In a 2012 poll by the British Film Institute, eight critics named it one of the ten greatest films ever made.

Wang Bing’s West of the Tracks is a nine-hour-long immersion into the north-east’s decaying industrial world. After marketisation, the industrial north-east, the ‘eldest son of the Republic’, was abandoned as the centre of economy moved to the mercantile south. Filmed between 1999 and 2001, the film captures the largest population movement since Mao’s exile of educated youths to the countryside. It details the lives of the 40 million quietly laid off, living in the last days of the Socialist dream.

The Epic of the Central Plains (2006)

This two-hour-long documentary remembers Gao Yaojie, a retired doctor who led a one woman battle against the government cover-up of the AIDS crisis in rural China. Starting in 1991, the newly liberalised market economy and a government campaign drove millions of impoverished peasants to sell blood for money, creating what was then called the ‘blood economy’. As low health and safety standards resulted in large-scale contamination of the blood which would later circulate, a quiet Chernobyl began taking place in central China, affecting the lives of millions of men, women, and children. An unknown number would die.

As the credits roll, you realise many of the faces you have come to know and love perished during the post-production of the film. Dr Gao passed away in 2023 at age 96 in exile.

The Chinese Mayor (2015)

What is it like to be a politician in China?

The Chinese bureaucracy is made up of some 40 million people. This documentary by Zhou Hao, first aired on BBC 4, attempts to demystify the inner workings of the world’s second largest economy.

Geng Yanbo, then mayor of Datong, is somewhat of a legendary figure in recent years. His plan to transform Datong from the most polluted coal capital of China to a thriving tourist destination t has resulted in the displacement of half a million residents.

Despite this, Geng is venerated as a hero. Unlike most bureaucrats, he had a dream. What remains of his project today lives on today in Datong, and this 86 minute glimpse into the Chinese system.

Of course, all of these are pieces of an incomplete puzzle. Whatever shape of China one might conjure during the viewing of these films would likely have dissolved in the years since their release. What remains unchanged perhaps are the changes, lost in memory and regained on screen.

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