University students in the United States study literature and textual analysis at far higher levels than you would have studied for your GCSEs. Reading requirements are pretty stiff too. High school lasts for 4 years, and at the beginning of those four years students are not at the same cognitive or learning level as young adults. We require university students to read serious literature they wouldn't have had time to read in high school, which is why most undergraduate programs in the United States last for 4 years instead of 3 years like in the UK. We want our students, even if they're studying mathematics or science or engineering, to have a certain grounding in the humanities — literature, philosophy, art, etc — because our university education system has evolved from a basis of valuing educating the whole person. That doesn't always work so well in practice, but it's the ideal, and I think it's a pretty good one.