Comprehensive Study Guide for British Literature and Pride and Prejudice
Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift
Plot Overview
The protagonist, Gulliver, is shipwrecked and washes ashore in the land of Lilliput.
The inhabitants of Lilliput are extremely small, measuring only about tall.
Gulliver observes the intricate details of their politics and their various wars.
A central observation is that their arguments and conflicts appear ridiculous to Gulliver because of the tiny physical scale of the people involved.
Authorial Intent
Jonathan Swift wrote the novel to satirize and make fun of:
Politics and political systems.
Human pride and ego.
Pointless, unnecessary conflicts.
Main Theme
Perspective Changes Everything: The story illustrates that issues humans perceive as massive or monumental can appear silly or trivial when viewed from a different perspective or point of view.
Literary Devices
Satire: The use of humor, wit, or ridicule to criticize society or human vices.
Irony: A state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects.
Exaggeration: Making things appear significantly larger or smaller than they truly are to highlight specific traits.
Essential Vocabulary
Prodigious: Very large, impressive, or extraordinary.
Diminutive: Extremely or unusually small.
Inhabitants: The people or creatures that live in a particular place.
Strife: Intense conflict, bitter disagreement, or struggle.
Vehement: Showing very strong, intense, or passionate feeling.
Dexterity: Skill in performing tasks, especially with the hands.
Commodious: Roomy and spacious.
Liberty: The state of being free; freedom.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Plot Overview
Victor Frankenstein, a scientist, becomes dangerously obsessed with his scientific pursuits.
He successfully creates a living creature from inanimate matter.
Upon the creature coming to life, Victor is struck with horror.
Victor chooses to abandon his creation rather than taking any responsibility for its existence or well-being.
Major Themes
The Danger of Ambition: Pursuit of knowledge or power without restraint can lead to ruin.
Consequences of "Playing God": Attempting to control life and death has disastrous outcomes.
The Impact of Isolation: Being alone or alienated from society causes profound harm to individuals.
The Necessity of Responsibility: The creator has a moral obligation toward the created.
Symbols
The Creature: Represents the manifestation of ambition when it is allowed to go too far.
Light and Fire: Symbolize the concepts of knowledge, discovery, and enlightenment.
Nature: Represents peace, physical/mental healing, and a space for reflection.
Literary Elements
Gothic: Characterized by dark, mysterious, and often macabre settings and themes.
Romantic: Focused on intense emotion, the beauty of nature, and the importance of individual experience.
Frame Narrative: A structural technique where a story is told within another story.
Essential Vocabulary
Ardour: Great enthusiasm or passion.
Unhallowed: Not sacred; unholy; wicked.
Corporeal: Relating to a person's body, especially as opposed to their spirit; physical.
Wretched: In a very unhappy or unfortunate state; miserable.
Melancholy: A feeling of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause.
Impulse: A sudden strong and unreflective urge or desire to act.
Benevolence: The quality of being well-meaning; kindness.
Sublime: Of such excellence, grandeur, or beauty as to inspire great admiration and awe.
The Grasmere Journals by Dorothy Wordsworth
Overview
This is a personal journal documenting the life of Dorothy Wordsworth.
Primary focuses include nature, daily activities, long walks, weather patterns, and time spent with her family.
Major Themes
The inherent beauty of the natural world.
The process of self-discovery.
Finding value and appreciation in ordinary, everyday moments.
Literary Techniques
Sensory Imagery: Detailed descriptions that appeal to the five senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste).
Detailed Observation: A focus on the minute details of the environment and surroundings.
Essential Vocabulary
Solitary: Done or existing alone.
Contemplation: The action of looking thoughtfully at something for a long time; deep thought.
Verdant: Green with grass or other rich vegetation.
Luminous: Full of or shedding light; bright or shining.
Domestic: Relating to the running of a home or to family relations.
Daffodils: Yellow flowers that bloom in the spring.
Benevolence: Kindness and well-meaning.
Sublime: Beautiful and inspiring.
Figures of Speech and Literary Devices
Simile: A comparison of two different things using the words "like" or "as."
Example: "Brave as a lion."
Metaphor: A direct comparison between two unrelated things without using "like" or "as."
Example: "Time is a thief."
Personification: Assigning human qualities, emotions, or actions to non-human objects or ideas.
Example: "The wind whispered."
Imagery: Vivid, descriptive language that allows the reader to mentally picture a scene.
Symbolism: Using a physical object to represent a larger, more abstract idea.
Alliteration: The repetition of the same beginning consonant sounds in a sequence of words.
Example: "Peter Piper picked."
Foreshadowing: The use of hints or clues to suggest events that will occur later in the plot.
Allusion: A brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or idea of historical, cultural, literary, or political significance.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (Chapters 1–23)
Main Character Profiles
Elizabeth Bennet: Intelligent, witty, and independent; she has a tendency to form quick, judgmental opinions of others.
Jane Bennet: Kind-hearted, gentle, and consistently looks for the best in everyone she meets.
Mr. Darcy: Extremely wealthy and intelligent, but initially appears arrogant, proud, and rude.
Mr. Bingley: Friendly and wealthy; he develops a quick romantic interest in Jane Bennet.
Mr. Collins: An awkward and foolish clergyman who is the legal heir to the Bennet family estate.
Charlotte Lucas: Elizabeth's close friend; she is highly practical and chooses to marry Mr. Collins for financial and social security.
Mr. Wickham: A charming military officer who tells Elizabeth negative stories to damage Mr. Darcy’s reputation.
Plot Developments (Chapters 1–23)
The Beginning: Mr. Bingley moves to the Netherfield estate. He and Jane Bennet are immediately attracted to one another. At a local ball, Mr. Darcy insults Elizabeth by describing her as merely "tolerable" and not handsome enough to tempt him.
The Middle: Jane becomes ill while visiting Netherfield and must stay there; Elizabeth goes to care for her. Mr. Collins arrives and proposes marriage to Elizabeth, but she firmly rejects his offer.
Later Events: Following Elizabeth's rejection, Charlotte Lucas accepts a marriage proposal from Mr. Collins. Wickham shares negative tales about Darcy with Elizabeth, further biasing her. A ball is held at Netherfield, after which Bingley unexpectedly leaves for London.
Major Themes
1. First Impressions Can Be Wrong: Elizabeth's negative view of Darcy and Darcy's initial dismissal of Elizabeth prove to be based on incomplete information.
2. Marriage and Its Motivations: Characters pursue marriage for various reasons, including money, social security, and status. Elizabeth stands apart by seeking a marriage based on love and mutual respect.
3. Social Class: The narrative explores how individuals from different wealth brackets are treated and perceived in society.
4. Family Influence: The behavior and decisions of parents (like Mr. and Mrs. Bennet) significantly impact the future prospects of their children.
Questions and Discussion
Why does Elizabeth dislike Darcy?
Her dislike stems from his initial insult at the first ball where he called her "tolerable" and his generally proud, haughty demeanor.
Why does Charlotte marry Mr. Collins?
She marries him strictly for financial security, social stability, and to ensure her future.
Why is Wickham important?
He is a crucial plot driver because his lies about Darcy significantly influence Elizabeth’s negative prejudices.
What does Bingley's departure show?
It demonstrates how easily individuals can be swayed by the influence of their friends and social pressure.
Is Mr. Bennet a good father?
The answer is mixed: While he is intelligent and humorous, he is also depicted as being often uninvolved, irresponsible, and detached from family crises.
Summary Vocabulary for Memorization
Gulliver's Travels:
Liberty: Freedom.
Strife: Conflict.
Diminutive: Tiny.
Frankenstein:
Ambition: A strong desire for success or achievement.
Isolation: The state of being alone or separated.
Benevolence: Kindness.
Melancholy: Sadness.
Sublime: Beautiful and awe-inspiring.
Pride and Prejudice:
Supercilious: Arrogant and behaving as if superior to others.
Affability: A quality of being friendly and easy to talk to.
Taciturn: Reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying little.
Conjecture: An opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information; a guess.
Veracity: Conformity to facts; truthfulness.
Insolent: Showing a rude and arrogant lack of respect.
Quick Review Cheat Sheet
Gulliver's Travels: Tiny people (Lilliputians) make human political struggles look ridiculous. Theme: The relativity of perspective.
Frankenstein: Victor Frankenstein creates life, is horrified by it, and then abandons it. Themes: Ambition, moral responsibility, and the pain of isolation.
Grasmere Journals: Appreciation of the natural world helps individuals discover themselves and appreciate daily life.
Pride and Prejudice: Elizabeth Bennet misjudges Mr. Darcy based on a poor first impression. Themes: Marriage, social class, and the complications of family dynamics.