British Literature (1700-1832)

To a Louse

Burns mocks a well-dressed woman at church who doesn’t realize a louse is crawling on her, highlighting the gap between self-image and reality.

To a Mouse

After disturbing a mouse’s nest, Burns reflects on how plans often go wrong for both animals and humans.

Holy Willie’s Prayer

A satirical monologue exposing the hypocrisy of a self-righteous, judgmental man who pretends to be pious while condemning others. (Burns)

Robinson Crusoe

An adventurous Englishman who gets shipwrecked and survives on a deserted island for 28 years. (Defoe)

Friday

A native man Crusoe rescues from cannibals; becomes his loyal companion. (Defoe)

Portuguese Captain

Rescues Crusoe from slavery and helps him reach Brazil. (Defoe)

Xury

A young servant who escapes slavery with Crusoe but is later sold. (Defoe)

The Spaniards

Other Europeans Crusoe meets on the island who help him plan and rebuild society. (Defoe)

Tam o’ Shanter

A humorous, spooky tale about a drunken farmer who sees witches and demons dancing in a haunted church on his ride home. a mock heroic poem (Burns)

Richard Price

supported the French Revolution, seeing it as a positive step toward liberty, democracy, and the rights of man.

Edmund Burke

opposed the French Revolution, viewing it as a dangerous and violent rejection of tradition, order, and stable government.

Mary Wollstonecraft

supported the French Revolution, seeing it as an opportunity to promote equality, particularly women's rights, and to challenge oppressive social structures.

Thomas Paine

strongly supported the French Revolution, advocating for liberty, democracy, and the rights of the people to overthrow tyrannical rule.

difference between the French and American Revolution

The American Revolution sought independence from Britain, while the French Revolution aimed to overthrow the monarchy and transform society.

A Vindication of the Rights of Woman

Mary Wollstonecraft argues for gender equality, advocating for women's education and the recognition of their rationality, while challenging the traditional roles and limitations imposed on women by society.

The Rape of the Lock

by Alexander Pope is a mock-epic poem that humorously exaggerates the trivial conflict between two aristocratic families, sparked by the theft of a young woman's lock of hair, exploring themes of vanity, social status, and the superficiality of high society.

A mock-epic

a humorous or satirical poem that imitates the style and conventions of a serious epic, often treating trivial or absurd subjects with grand, elevated language and structure.

heroic couplet

a pair of rhyming lines in iambic pentameter, often used in epic and narrative poetry to convey a sense of formality and structure.

Summary of Rasselas

follows a prince’s search for happiness, exploring different philosophies but ultimately concluding that true contentment is difficult to attain.(Samuel Johnson)

Rasselas

The young prince and protagonist, searching for happiness and meaning in life. (Johnson)

Imlac

A wise philosopher and Rasselas's guide, who shares his knowledge and experiences. (Johnson)

Pekuh

A princess and Rasselas's love interest, who is also on a journey of self-discovery. (Johnson)

The Doctor

A learned man who offers his views on happiness, though his solutions are often unsatisfying. (Johnson)

Nekayah

Rasselas's sister, who seeks happiness through contemplation and philosophical reflection. (Johnson)