british literature (mid-term)

Satire

The use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices.

• Example: Chaucer's portrayal of the Pardoner in The Canterbury Tales.

Frame Narrative

A story within a story; an outer narrative that introduces inner stories.

• Example: The Canterbury Tales begins with pilgrims telling stories during their journey.

Epic Hero

A larger-than-life figure who embodies the values of a particular society.

• Example: Beowulf, who demonstrates Anglo-Saxon values of bravery and loyalty.

Gothic Literature

Genre characterized by mystery, horror, and the supernatural; explores dark themes.

• Example: Frankenstein with its isolated settings and monstrous creation.

Apartheid

System of institutionalized racial segregation in South Africa (1948-1994).

• Example: The society Trevor Noah describes in Born a Crime.

Anglo-Saxon Period

1. Time: 5^{th}-11^{th} centuries
2. Characteristics: Warrior culture, oral poetry, blend of Christian and pagan beliefs
3. Key text: Beowulf

Middle Ages (Medieval Period)

1. Time: 14^{th} century when Chaucer wrote
2. Characteristics: Feudal system, religious influence, social hierarchy
3. Key text: The Canterbury Tales

Romantic Era

1. Time: Late 18^{th}-early 19^{th} century
2. Characteristics: Emphasis on emotion, nature, and individualism; reaction against industrialization
3. Key text: Frankenstein (1818)

Apartheid Era

1. Time: 1948-1994 in South Africa
2. Characteristics: Racial classification, segregation laws, institutionalized racism
3. Key text: Born a Crime

Grendel

From Beowulf and Grendel. He is the monster who attacks Heorot; in Gardner's novel, we see the story from his philosophical perspective.

Victor Frankenstein

The protagonist of Frankenstein; an ambitious scientist who creates the Creature in an attempt to conquer death.

The Creature/Monster

Victor's creation in Frankenstein. He is intelligent and initially kind but becomes violent after being rejected by society.

Geoffrey Chaucer

The author and narrator of The Canterbury Tales; he uses the pilgrims to critique and satirize medieval society.

Trevor Noah

The author and protagonist of Born a Crime; he explores his experiences growing up as a mixed-race child under South African apartheid.

Beowulf's Hero's Journey

1. Call to Adventure: Hears about Grendel's attacks
2. Trials: Battles with Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the dragon
3. Return: Returns home with treasure and becomes king

Trevor Noah's Hero's Journey

1. Unusual Beginning: Born to a Black mother and white father (illegal under apartheid)
2. Challenges: Navigating racial categories, poverty, and family struggles
3. Transformation: Becoming a comedian and storyteller who bridges divides

Victor Frankenstein's Failed Journey

1. Call: Desire to conquer death through science
2. Trials: Creating the Creature and dealing with the subsequent fallout
3. Return/No Return: Destroyed by his own creation; he achieves no successful return

Grendel as Monster

• Traditional view: Evil creature descended from Cain
• Grendel novel view: Philosophical being excluded from society
• Key question: Is he monstrous by nature or made monstrous by rejection?

Frankenstein's Creature as Monster

Created, not born; initially kind but becomes violent due to rejection. It prompt the question: Who is the real monster—the creator or the creation?

Societal Monsters

• Born a Crime: The apartheid system as an institutional monster
• Canterbury Tales: Corruption and hypocrisy as social monstrosity
• Theme: Systems and societies can create "monsters" through exclusion

Isolation & Alienation

Major theme across texts:

• The Creature in Frankenstein
• Grendel's exclusion
• Trevor Noah feeling "in between" racial groups

Nature vs. Nurture

The debate over whether we are shaped by biology or environment.

• Examples: The Creature's development and Grendel's perspective

Responsibility

• Victor's responsibility for his creation
• Societal responsibility regarding the laws in Born a Crime

Identity

• Trevor Noah's mixed-race identity under apartheid
• The Creature's struggle to find an identity and place in the world