Unit 6 Literature Summaries
Unit 6 Literature Summaries
Principles of Political Economy and Taxation by Ricardo (1817)
This is a classical economic text that argued that the “law of supply and demand” applied to rent on land as the population grows and to labor in the “iron law of wages.
Principles of Population by Malthus (1798)
This is a classical economics text that argued that the “law of supply and demand” applied to food and population. Malthus feared that the earth could not feed the growing population and that “starvation was inevitable.”
Sanitary Conditions of the Laboring Population of Britain by Chadwick
This engineering text designed the modern water and sanitation system of pipes delivering clean water and separate pipes carrying away waste.
Wealth of Nations by Smith (1776)
The most influential economics text ever written, Smith argued in favor of free trade and economic capitalism. He was an influential physiocrat and opponent of mercantilism. He believed there are natural laws in economics, such as “supply and demand.”
Reflections on the Revolution in France by Burke (1790)
This British work is the foundation of conservatism. He argued that the Revolution was too extreme and that no single generation had the right to destroy the work done by all previous generations.
Book of Household Management by Mrs. Beeton (1861)
This is a bestseller that offered advice to Victorian era women on how to run a proper home. The book contains recipes, advice on raising children and supervising servants.
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens (1837)
Dickens wrote many stories about the suffering of the poor, especially children. Oliver Twist is the story of an orphan boy, raised in a workshop, forced into a life of crime.
On Liberty by John Stuart Mill (1859)
This political work is the basis of the philosophy of liberalism. It argues for maximum personal freedom and a minimum of government. It is famous for the line, “The government that governs least, governs best.”
On the Subjugation of Women by Mill (1869)
Mill supported equal rights for ALL people, including women. He argued that society could not be truly free if half the population was denied the same rights, including the right to vote.
Ode on a Grecian Urn by Keats (1819)
An outstanding example of Romantic poetry, Keats was inspired by the images painted on an ancient Greek vase. There are 50 lines of poetry that end with, “Beauty is truth, truth beauty; that is all ye know on earth and all ye need to know.”
Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge (1798)
This is a collection of Romantic poems by two of the greatest British poets. The poems celebrate the beauty of nature.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (1818)
This Romantic horror story about a man trying to play God by creating life is a warning to the excesses of the Scientific Revolution and its worship of reason.
Unit 6 Literature Summaries
Principles of Political Economy and Taxation by Ricardo (1817)
This is a classical economic text that argued that the “law of supply and demand” applied to rent on land as the population grows and to labor in the “iron law of wages.
Principles of Population by Malthus (1798)
This is a classical economics text that argued that the “law of supply and demand” applied to food and population. Malthus feared that the earth could not feed the growing population and that “starvation was inevitable.”
Sanitary Conditions of the Laboring Population of Britain by Chadwick
This engineering text designed the modern water and sanitation system of pipes delivering clean water and separate pipes carrying away waste.
Wealth of Nations by Smith (1776)
The most influential economics text ever written, Smith argued in favor of free trade and economic capitalism. He was an influential physiocrat and opponent of mercantilism. He believed there are natural laws in economics, such as “supply and demand.”
Reflections on the Revolution in France by Burke (1790)
This British work is the foundation of conservatism. He argued that the Revolution was too extreme and that no single generation had the right to destroy the work done by all previous generations.
Book of Household Management by Mrs. Beeton (1861)
This is a bestseller that offered advice to Victorian era women on how to run a proper home. The book contains recipes, advice on raising children and supervising servants.
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens (1837)
Dickens wrote many stories about the suffering of the poor, especially children. Oliver Twist is the story of an orphan boy, raised in a workshop, forced into a life of crime.
On Liberty by John Stuart Mill (1859)
This political work is the basis of the philosophy of liberalism. It argues for maximum personal freedom and a minimum of government. It is famous for the line, “The government that governs least, governs best.”
On the Subjugation of Women by Mill (1869)
Mill supported equal rights for ALL people, including women. He argued that society could not be truly free if half the population was denied the same rights, including the right to vote.
Ode on a Grecian Urn by Keats (1819)
An outstanding example of Romantic poetry, Keats was inspired by the images painted on an ancient Greek vase. There are 50 lines of poetry that end with, “Beauty is truth, truth beauty; that is all ye know on earth and all ye need to know.”
Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge (1798)
This is a collection of Romantic poems by two of the greatest British poets. The poems celebrate the beauty of nature.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (1818)
This Romantic horror story about a man trying to play God by creating life is a warning to the excesses of the Scientific Revolution and its worship of reason.
