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Introduction and history of english literature
- 2. Introduction to English Literature Literature is the reflection of life. It mirrors the society in which it is generated. The word literature comes from the Latin word litaritura meaning writing organized with letters. We classify literature according to language, origin, historical period, genre, and subject matter. English literature, however, emerged with the beginning of the history of English people. It refers to all the literary works (novels, short stories, poems, fiction, nonfiction, and plays) composed in English. The earliest works of English literature mirror the life lived by the people of that region at that specific period.
- 3. A Brief History of English Literature The introduction and history of English literature go side by side. You cant get the complete introduction of English literature without going deep down in its history. The history of English literature initiated with the history of the English race and kept on developing with the social development of the nation. When we analyze the history of English literature, we discover that it consists of eight (8) major periods and several ages. Each period or age of English literature is named after the central literary figure, or the important rulers of England, or certain literary movements. Moreover each period or phase of English literature has its distinct characteristics.
- 4. What are the Eight (8) Major Periods in the history of English Literature? The major eight (8) periods in the history of English literature are: The Anglo-Saxon or Old English Period (4501066) The Anglo-Norman or Middle English period (10661500) The Renaissance Period (15001660) The Neoclassical Period (16601798) The Romantic Period (17981837) The Victorian Period (18371901) The Modern Period (1901-1945) The Contemporary Period (1945Today)
- 5. Literary Periods Major literary Trends, Movements and Highlights Anglo-Saxon or Old English Period (4501066) Heroic Tradition: poetry focused on heros bravery Elegiac Tradition: writers mourned the passing of earlier, better times. Anglo-Norman or Middle English Period (10661500) Popular forms of Writing: Chronicles, Poetry, Drama, Religious and Didactic writing. Renaissance Period or Age of Shakespeare (15001660) Trends: Revival of learning, Rediscovery of classical philosophy, literature and art, focus on Humanism and Puritanism. Major Forms of literature: poetry and drama. A Brief Overview & Timeline of British Literary Periods
- 6. Neoclassical Period or the Enlightenment Age (16601798) Trends: Revival of classical art and culture of ancient Greece and Rome, focus on order, accuracy, and structure. Poetic Trends: Use of allusions, heroic couplet and strict meter and rhyme. Chief Contribution: The Modern Novel. Romantic Period (17981837) Trends: The Romantic Movement in Poetry, Gothicism in literature. Chief Contribution: Romantic Poetry and The Gothic Novel. Victorian Period (18371901) Literary Trends & Movements: Symbolism, Utilitarianism, Oxford Movement, Romantic Protestantism. Age of Prose & Novel. Main Focus: individually, morality note, conflict between religion and science, human beings than nature. Contemporary Period (1945-Today) Literary Trends: structuralism, deconstruction, poststructuralism, postmodernism, postcolonialism, and magic realism. Main Focus: horrors of war, genocide, life experiences, real-life themes, alienation, transformation, consumption & relativity of truth.