English Literature
English Literature Overview
Definition of Literature
Literature refers to written works that are valued as art, particularly including genres like novels, plays, and poems. According to Oxford, literature comprises pieces of writing appreciated for their artistic expression. Hancock elaborates this concept, describing literature as a body of written works that encapsulates the cultural, linguistic, and historical essence of a people or period of time.
Timeline of Literary Movements
Neoclassicism (1660 to 1798): A movement emphasizing classical ideals, order, and skepticism. Notable authors: Alexander Pope and Jonathan Swift.
Romanticism (1798 to 1832): Centered around emotion and imagination, the Romantic period saw the rise of the novel as a prominent literary form. Key figures include William Wordsworth and Jane Austen.
Victorian Era (1832 to 1901): This period featured early, middle, and late Victorian literature, with notable authors like Charles Dickens and Alfred Lord Tennyson exploring social issues.
Modernism (1901 to 1960): Marked by experimentation and diversity in styles, this era includes influential writers like James Joyce and T.S. Eliot.
Postmodernism (1965 to Present): This contemporary movement is characterized by its departure from traditional narratives and embracing various forms and themes in literature.
Key Periods of British Literature
Old English (600-1200): Example: Beowulf
Middle English (1200-1500): Geoffrey Chaucer emerged during this time.
Renaissance (1500-1660):
Tudor Period: Thomas More, John Skelton
Elizabethan Period: Edmund Spenser, William Shakespeare
Jacobean Period: John Donne and others
18th Century (1700-1800): Seen as the Enlightenment and Neoclassical period with significant authors like Alexander Pope.
19th Century (1785-1901): Romanticism with prominent figures such as William Wordsworth and the Brontë sisters.
20th Century to Present (1901-Present): A diverse exploration of genres from Modern to Postmodern literature.
Genres of Literature
Fictional Literature
Definition: Composed works based on imagination, aimed at informing, educating, or entertaining readers.
Subcategories:
Realistic Fiction: Characters and settings could be real.
Historical Fiction: Events are set in the past, can vary in truth.
Mystery: Detective narratives focusing on solving crimes.
Science Fiction: Imaginative tales about technology and the future.
Fairy Tales: Involving magical creatures and events.
Non-Fictional Literature
Definition: Factual writings rooted in reality, covering true events, characters, and settings.
Examples: Biographies, essays, and autobiographies.
Elements of Fiction
Plot: Sequence of events.
Setting: Time and location of the story.
Characterization: Descriptions of characters (protagonist vs. antagonist).
Conflict: The struggle occurring within or between characters.
Theme: Central message or idea communicated.
Point of View: Perspective from which the story is told.
Elements of Drama
Setting and Staging: Physical location and presentation of the play.
Characters and Actors: Roles portrayed by performers.
Plot and Structure: Narrative arc of the play.
Tone, Language, and Symbol: Emotional and literary devices used in the script.
Theme: Central message conveyed through the play.
Key Literary Devices
Metaphor: Direct comparison between two unlike things.
Simile: A comparison using "like" or "as".
Onomatopoeia: Words that represent sounds.
Personification: Attributing human qualities to inanimate objects.
Imagery: Use of descriptive language to create mental images.
Irony: A situation where the outcome is contrary to what is expected; includes verbal, dramatic, and situational irony.
Types of Sonnets
Italian (Petrarchan) Sonnet: Consists of an octave followed by a sestet with an ABBAABBA rhyme scheme.
English (Shakespearean) Sonnet: Made up of three quatrains and a couplet (ABABCDCDEFEFGG).
Spenserian Sonnet: Features three quatrains and a couplet, following the ABABBCBCCDCDEE rhyme scheme.
Conclusion
Understanding English literature requires familiarity with its historical evolution, genres, and various literary devices that contribute to the richness of written art. From classical to contemporary, these movements and works reflect the complexities of human thought, emotion, and culture.
English Literature
English Literature Overview
Definition of Literature
Literature refers to written works that are valued as art, particularly including genres like novels, plays, and poems. According to Oxford, literature comprises pieces of writing appreciated for their artistic expression. Hancock elaborates this concept, describing literature as a body of written works that encapsulates the cultural, linguistic, and historical essence of a people or period of time.
Timeline of Literary Movements
Neoclassicism (1660 to 1798): A movement emphasizing classical ideals, order, and skepticism. Notable authors: Alexander Pope and Jonathan Swift.
Romanticism (1798 to 1832): Centered around emotion and imagination, the Romantic period saw the rise of the novel as a prominent literary form. Key figures include William Wordsworth and Jane Austen.
Victorian Era (1832 to 1901): This period featured early, middle, and late Victorian literature, with notable authors like Charles Dickens and Alfred Lord Tennyson exploring social issues.
Modernism (1901 to 1960): Marked by experimentation and diversity in styles, this era includes influential writers like James Joyce and T.S. Eliot.
Postmodernism (1965 to Present): This contemporary movement is characterized by its departure from traditional narratives and embracing various forms and themes in literature.
Key Periods of British Literature
Old English (600-1200): Example: Beowulf
Middle English (1200-1500): Geoffrey Chaucer emerged during this time.
Renaissance (1500-1660):
Tudor Period: Thomas More, John Skelton
Elizabethan Period: Edmund Spenser, William Shakespeare
Jacobean Period: John Donne and others
18th Century (1700-1800): Seen as the Enlightenment and Neoclassical period with significant authors like Alexander Pope.
19th Century (1785-1901): Romanticism with prominent figures such as William Wordsworth and the Brontë sisters.
20th Century to Present (1901-Present): A diverse exploration of genres from Modern to Postmodern literature.
Genres of Literature
Fictional Literature
Definition: Composed works based on imagination, aimed at informing, educating, or entertaining readers.
Subcategories:
Realistic Fiction: Characters and settings could be real.
Historical Fiction: Events are set in the past, can vary in truth.
Mystery: Detective narratives focusing on solving crimes.
Science Fiction: Imaginative tales about technology and the future.
Fairy Tales: Involving magical creatures and events.
Non-Fictional Literature
Definition: Factual writings rooted in reality, covering true events, characters, and settings.
Examples: Biographies, essays, and autobiographies.
Elements of Fiction
Plot: Sequence of events.
Setting: Time and location of the story.
Characterization: Descriptions of characters (protagonist vs. antagonist).
Conflict: The struggle occurring within or between characters.
Theme: Central message or idea communicated.
Point of View: Perspective from which the story is told.
Elements of Drama
Setting and Staging: Physical location and presentation of the play.
Characters and Actors: Roles portrayed by performers.
Plot and Structure: Narrative arc of the play.
Tone, Language, and Symbol: Emotional and literary devices used in the script.
Theme: Central message conveyed through the play.
Key Literary Devices
Metaphor: Direct comparison between two unlike things.
Simile: A comparison using "like" or "as".
Onomatopoeia: Words that represent sounds.
Personification: Attributing human qualities to inanimate objects.
Imagery: Use of descriptive language to create mental images.
Irony: A situation where the outcome is contrary to what is expected; includes verbal, dramatic, and situational irony.
Types of Sonnets
Italian (Petrarchan) Sonnet: Consists of an octave followed by a sestet with an ABBAABBA rhyme scheme.
English (Shakespearean) Sonnet: Made up of three quatrains and a couplet (ABABCDCDEFEFGG).
Spenserian Sonnet: Features three quatrains and a couplet, following the ABABBCBCCDCDEE rhyme scheme.
Conclusion
Understanding English literature requires familiarity with its historical evolution, genres, and various literary devices that contribute to the richness of written art. From classical to contemporary, these movements and works reflect the complexities of human thought, emotion, and culture.
