History and History and Anthology of Anthology of

English LiteratureEnglish Literature

Mickey XuMickey Xu

The Romantic PeriodThe Romantic Period

Historical background: Historical background: Industrial Revolution & French Industrial Revolution & French RevolutionRevolution

Thomas Paine’s “The Right of Thomas Paine’s “The Right of Man” was banned Man” was banned andand he fled to he fled to France to escape the trail by the France to escape the trail by the British government.British government.

► RomanticismRomanticism It refers to a European It refers to a European intellectual and artistic movement of the late intellectual and artistic movement of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries that eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries that sought greater freedom of personal expression sought greater freedom of personal expression than that allowed by the strict rules of literary than that allowed by the strict rules of literary formform and logic of the eighteenth-century and logic of the eighteenth-century neoclassicists. The Romantics preferred neoclassicists. The Romantics preferred emotional and imaginative expression to emotional and imaginative expression to rational analysis. They considered the rational analysis. They considered the individual to be at the center of all experience individual to be at the center of all experience and so placed him or her at the center of their and so placed him or her at the center of their art. The Romantics believed that the creative art. The Romantics believed that the creative imagination reveals nobler truths — unique imagination reveals nobler truths — unique feelings and attitudes — than those that could feelings and attitudes — than those that could be discovered by logic or by scientific be discovered by logic or by scientific examination. Both the natural world and the examination. Both the natural world and the state of childhood were important sources for state of childhood were important sources for revelations of "eternal truths." revelations of "eternal truths."

► The First Generation of Romanticist The First Generation of Romanticist PoetsPoetsI. Lake Poets:I. Lake Poets: The first generation of The first generation of Romantics include Wordsworth, Coleridge Romantics include Wordsworth, Coleridge and Southey. They were also called “Lake and Southey. They were also called “Lake Poets” because they had lived for a time in Poets” because they had lived for a time in close association in the mountainous Lake close association in the mountainous Lake District in the northwest of England. They District in the northwest of England. They are regarded as one group also because of are regarded as one group also because of their community of literary and social their community of literary and social outlook. They traversed the same path in outlook. They traversed the same path in politics and in poetry, beginning as radicals politics and in poetry, beginning as radicals and closing as conservatives.and closing as conservatives.

► II. William WordsworthII. William Wordsworthlife:life:William Wordsworth was born April 7, 1770, in CockeWilliam Wordsworth was born April 7, 1770, in Cockermouth, Cumberland(a shire). The next year he met rmouth, Cumberland(a shire). The next year he met ColeridgeColeridge, and the three of them grew very close, the , and the three of them grew very close, the two men meeting daily in 1797-98 to talk about poettwo men meeting daily in 1797-98 to talk about poetry and to plan ry and to plan Lyrical BalladsLyrical Ballads, which came out in 17, which came out in 1798. The three friends travelled to Germany that fall, a 98. The three friends travelled to Germany that fall, a trip that produced intellectual stimulation for Coleritrip that produced intellectual stimulation for Coleridge and homesickness for Wordsworth. After their redge and homesickness for Wordsworth. After their return, William and turn, William and DorothyDorothy settled in his beloved Lak settled in his beloved Lake district, near Grasmere.e district, near Grasmere.Durham University granted him an honorary Doctor Durham University granted him an honorary Doctor of Civil Law degree in 1838, and Oxford conferred thof Civil Law degree in 1838, and Oxford conferred the same honor the next year. When Robert Southey die same honor the next year. When Robert Southey died in 1843, Wordsworth was named Poet Laureate. ed in 1843, Wordsworth was named Poet Laureate. He died in 1850, and his wife published the much-revHe died in 1850, and his wife published the much-revised ised PreludePrelude that summer. that summer.

► works:works: ﹡﹡Lyrical Ballads:Lyrical Ballads: In 1789In 1789, Wordsworth and , Wordsworth and Coleridge jointly published Coleridge jointly published the “Lyrical Ballads”.the “Lyrical Ballads”.

The Preface of the Lyrical The Preface of the Lyrical Ballads: The manifesto of Ballads: The manifesto of the English Romantic the English Romantic Movement in poetry.Movement in poetry.

““His short lyrics: “I Wandered Lonely as His short lyrics: “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud”a Cloud”“Intimations of Immortality”“Intimations of Immortality”“Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tin“Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey”tern Abbey”“The Solitary Reaper”“The Solitary Reaper”The Prelude: autobiographical, in 14 booThe Prelude: autobiographical, in 14 books, the spiritual record of the poet’s miks, the spiritual record of the poet’s mind.nd.

► Style: Style: Simplicity, vivid imagery, ﹡Simplicity, vivid imagery, ﹡

directness of language, and directness of language, and unadorned beauty.unadorned beauty.

Wonderful descriptions of nature, ﹡Wonderful descriptions of nature, ﹡“Nature Poet”.“Nature Poet”.

Byron(1788--1824)

Byron(1788--1824)Byron(1788--1824)► Life: Life: born on 22 January 1788 in London. born on 22 January 1788 in London.

At the age of 11 he inherited the title Lord Byron frAt the age of 11 he inherited the title Lord Byron from his uncle and he went back to England. He was om his uncle and he went back to England. He was handsome but born with a misformed foot, which handsome but born with a misformed foot, which probably affected his disposition.probably affected his disposition.He was compared to a roaring lion.He was compared to a roaring lion.In 1809, he started a tour around the Europe and thIn 1809, he started a tour around the Europe and the East. He went through Portugal, Spain, the Medite East. He went through Portugal, Spain, the Mediterranean, Turkey, Albania, Asia Minor. The result werranean, Turkey, Albania, Asia Minor. The result was his as his Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage, Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage, a great success.a great success.

IIn 1815, he got married. During his tour in Europe, n 1815, he got married. During his tour in Europe, he befriended Shelly who infulenced Byron’s latehe befriended Shelly who infulenced Byron’s later works.r works.After the death of Shelly, he went to Greece to help After the death of Shelly, he went to Greece to help the Greeks win their liberty.the Greeks win their liberty.

Works:Works:

Long narrative and dramatic poems: Long narrative and dramatic poems: Childe Harold’s PilgrimageChilde Harold’s Pilgrimage:: a long poem a long poem of four cantos, written in Spenserian stanza.of four cantos, written in Spenserian stanza. This poem tells of Childe’s travel in Europ This poem tells of Childe’s travel in Europe.e.Don Juan:Don Juan: It was written in Italy It was written in Italy LyricsLyrics: When We Two Parted: When We Two Parted She Walks in Beauty She Walks in Beauty

SummarySummary

► Byron wrote this poem the morning after Byron wrote this poem the morning after he had met his beautiful young cousin by he had met his beautiful young cousin by marriage, Mrs. Robert John Wilmot. marriage, Mrs. Robert John Wilmot.

► The poet admires the woman’s beauty. The poet admires the woman’s beauty.

Don JuanDon Juan: Byron’s masterpiece: Byron’s masterpiece► It was written in Italy during the years It was written in Italy during the years

1818---1823. It is 1818---1823. It is 16,000 lines long, in 16,000 lines long, in 16 cantos16 cantos, and was , and was in ottava rimain ottava rima, e, each stanza containing 8 iambic pentaach stanza containing 8 iambic pentameter lines rhymed meter lines rhymed abababcc.abababcc.

► The story takes place in the latter part The story takes place in the latter part of the 18th century. Don Juan, its hero,of the 18th century. Don Juan, its hero, is a Spanish youth of noble birth. The is a Spanish youth of noble birth. The poem tells about the vicissitudes of hipoem tells about the vicissitudes of his life and his adventures.s life and his adventures.

Percy Bysshe ShelleyPercy Bysshe Shelley

Percy Bysshe ShelleyPercy Bysshe Shelley► Life: Life: ► *He was born in 1792. His father was a cons*He was born in 1792. His father was a cons

ervative and narrow-minded country gentleervative and narrow-minded country gentleman. man.

► *Before he was 18, he had written two roma*Before he was 18, he had written two romances and published a collection of poemsnces and published a collection of poems 。。

► *At 19, he married with a 16 year-old girl. Th*At 19, he married with a 16 year-old girl. The marriage was hasty and unsuitable, becaue marriage was hasty and unsuitable, because she could not share his ideas. In 1814, thse she could not share his ideas. In 1814, they divorced.ey divorced.

► * He went to Ireland in 1812 and published i* He went to Ireland in 1812 and published in Dublin his “Address to the Irish People”.n Dublin his “Address to the Irish People”.

► *In 1816, Shelley *In 1816, Shelley married Mary Goldwimarried Mary Goldwin. n.

worksworks ► **Queen MabQueen Mab► **The Revolt of IslamThe Revolt of Islam: a long poem in 1818.: a long poem in 1818.► **Prometheus UnboundPrometheus Unbound: : his masterpiece, a lyhis masterpiece, a ly

rical drama in 4 acts.rical drama in 4 acts. **The Masque of AnarchyThe Masque of Anarchy: a political lyric.: a political lyric. **Lyrics on Nature and Love: Lyrics on Nature and Love: Ode to the West Wind.Ode to the West Wind. To a SkylarkTo a Skylark Love’s Philosophy.Love’s Philosophy. *A Defence of Poetry*A Defence of Poetry: : Poetry, so far from being Poetry, so far from being

deteriorated and made powerless by the advandeteriorated and made powerless by the advance of civilization, is actually the indispensable ace of civilization, is actually the indispensable agent of civilization.gent of civilization.

John KeatsJohn KeatsLife:Life:---He was born in 1795 in London. His father ---He was born in 1795 in London. His father was a stable keeper. was a stable keeper.

---Before he was 15, both of his parents died ---Before he was 15, both of his parents died and he started to be an apprentice to a and he started to be an apprentice to a surgeon.surgeon.------He made friends with Leigh Hunt, He made friends with Leigh Hunt, Hazlitt and Shelley in LondonHazlitt and Shelley in London and published and published some poems. His first collection of poems was some poems. His first collection of poems was published under the help of Shelley.published under the help of Shelley.---In 1818 he started on a walking tour through ---In 1818 he started on a walking tour through England and Scotland, during which he England and Scotland, during which he witnessed the poverty and privations of the witnessed the poverty and privations of the people. people. ---Keats also lived in poverty. When looking ---Keats also lived in poverty. When looking after his brother who was badly ill, Keats was after his brother who was badly ill, Keats was stricken with the same illness.stricken with the same illness.---Keats fell in love with a young lass Fanny ---Keats fell in love with a young lass Fanny Browne but could not marry her on account of Browne but could not marry her on account of his poverty and illness.his poverty and illness.---Shelley invited Keats to come to Italy for ---Shelley invited Keats to come to Italy for medical treatment. But shortly after his arrival medical treatment. But shortly after his arrival in Rome he died in 1821.in Rome he died in 1821.

►WorksWorks **long poemslong poems: :

EndymionIsabellaEndymionIsabellaThe Eve of St. AgnesThe Eve of St. AgnesLamiaLamiaHyperrionHyperrion: unfinished: unfinished**Short poemsShort poems

Ode to AutumnOde to AutumnOde on MelancholyOde on MelancholyOde in a Grecian UrnOde in a Grecian UrnOde to a Nightingale( the best)Ode to a Nightingale( the best)

His Principle: Beauty in truth, truth iHis Principle: Beauty in truth, truth in beautyn beauty

Some Women WritersSome Women Writers (Jane Austen, the (Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, Mrs. Gaskell and Gorge Eliot)Bronte sisters, Mrs. Gaskell and Gorge Eliot)

Among the distinguished English novelists Among the distinguished English novelists of the 19th century are several women. of the 19th century are several women. Women novelists Women novelists began to appearbegan to appear in in England England during the second half of the during the second half of the 18th century18th century. But some gifted women of . But some gifted women of the 19the 19thth century made such contributions to century made such contributions to the development of the English novel that the development of the English novel that they have justifiably won their places in the they have justifiably won their places in the front ranks of the brilliant realists headed by front ranks of the brilliant realists headed by Dickens and Thackeray. These remarkable Dickens and Thackeray. These remarkable women novelists are Jane Austen, the women novelists are Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, Mrs. Gaskell and Gorge Eliot. Bronte sisters, Mrs. Gaskell and Gorge Eliot.

►Jane Austen (1775--1817)Jane Austen (1775--1817) --lived and worked at the turn of the --lived and worked at the turn of the

century.century.

--daughter of a country clergyman, --daughter of a country clergyman, passed all her life in doing small domestic passed all her life in doing small domestic duties in the countryside.duties in the countryside.

--refused to acknowledge that she was --refused to acknowledge that she was the author of her novels, which were the author of her novels, which were published anonymously owing to the published anonymously owing to the prejudice prevailing at the time prejudice prevailing at the time concerning the writing of novels by a lady.concerning the writing of novels by a lady.

--living a quiet life in the countryside, she --living a quiet life in the countryside, she kept her eyes steadily upon the people kept her eyes steadily upon the people and incidents about her, and wrote about and incidents about her, and wrote about the small world she lived in. the small world she lived in.

Pride and PrejudicePride and Prejudice

►Work Work

--six novels:--six novels:

Northanger AbbeyNorthanger Abbey

Sense and SensibilitySense and Sensibility

Pride and Prejudice (the most Pride and Prejudice (the most widely read among them)widely read among them)

Mansfield ParkMansfield Park

EmmaEmma

PersuasionPersuasion

►ThemesThemesTheme is the fundamental and Theme is the fundamental and often universal idea explored often universal idea explored in a literary workin a literary work. . The term is The term is used interchangeably with used interchangeably with thesis. thesis.

►------LoveLove------ReputationReputation

Analysis of Major CharactersAnalysis of Major Characters Elizabeth BennetElizabeth Bennet she is she is lovely, clever. Nevertheless, her shlovely, clever. Nevertheless, her sh

arp tongue and tendency to make hasty jarp tongue and tendency to make hasty judgments often lead her astray.udgments often lead her astray.

Fitzwilliam DarcyFitzwilliam Darcy Intelligent and forthright, he too has a tenIntelligent and forthright, he too has a ten

dency to judge too hastily and harshly, adency to judge too hastily and harshly, and his high birth and wealth make him ovnd his high birth and wealth make him overly proud and overly conscious of his soerly proud and overly conscious of his social status.cial status.

►Charles Lamb(1775--1834)Charles Lamb(1775--1834) ► Life: a lifelong friend of Coleridge, and an ﹡Life: a lifelong friend of Coleridge, and an ﹡

admirer and defender of the poetic creed of admirer and defender of the poetic creed of Wordsworth.Wordsworth.

► ﹡ ﹡But while the romantic poets were But while the romantic poets were interested in nature and country life, interested in nature and country life, Charles Charles Lamb felt more at home in the city than Lamb felt more at home in the city than in the wild naturein the wild nature. He passed all his days in . He passed all his days in London.London.

► He showed usHe showed us a romantic imagination a romantic imagination which can find its stimulus not only in nature which can find its stimulus not only in nature and in country life but also in society and and in country life but also in society and people.people.

► ﹡ ﹡He is considered as the finest He is considered as the finest familiar essayist in England.familiar essayist in England. (The familiar (The familiar essay is characterized by its relaxed style, its essay is characterized by its relaxed style, its conventional tone, and its wide range of conventional tone, and its wide range of subject matter. ) subject matter. )

Works:Works: Tales from ShakespeareTales from Shakespeare (1818 (1818)) Specimens of English Dramatic Specimens of English Dramatic

Poets Contemporary with ShakPoets Contemporary with Shakespeareespeare(1808)(1808) Essays of EliaEssays of Elia (18 (1820) 20)

Last Essays of EliaLast Essays of Elia

►Features:Features: He is a He is a humoristhumorist and and a master of a master of

puns and jokespuns and jokes, which abounds in his , which abounds in his essays.essays.

He is fond of old writers. His writings He is fond of old writers. His writings are full of archaisms.are full of archaisms.

His essays are intensely His essays are intensely personalpersonal.. His romanticism is different from His romanticism is different from

Wordsworth’s. He was Wordsworth’s. He was a romanticist a romanticist of city,of city, and his imagination was and his imagination was inspired by the busy life of London.inspired by the busy life of London.

Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832)Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832), , Scottish writer and poet and one of Scottish writer and poet and one of the greatest historical novelists. the greatest historical novelists.

Works:Works:► He is regarded as the founder and great He is regarded as the founder and great

master of the historical novel.master of the historical novel. 1).the group of novels on the history of Sc1).the group of novels on the history of Sc

otlandotland: : Waverley Waverley (1814), (1814), Guy Mannering Guy Mannering (18(1815), 15), Old Morality Old Morality (1816), (1816), Rob RoyRob Roy (1817) (1817)

2). 2). The group of novels on English History:The group of novels on English History: IvanhoeIvanhoe (1819), famous for the realistic (1819), famous for the realistic description of the life of feudal England.description of the life of feudal England.

3). 3). The group of novels on the history of EThe group of novels on the history of European countries: uropean countries:

Quentin DurwardQuentin Durward (1823) (1823) St. Ronan’s Wells St. Ronan’s Wells (1823): the only novel of (1823): the only novel of

Scott’s which deals with his contemporary Scott’s which deals with his contemporary life.life.

► His influenceHis influence:: Scott’s historical novels combine a Scott’s historical novels combine a

romantic atmosphere with a realistiromantic atmosphere with a realistic description of historical backgrouc description of historical background,nd, thus paving the way for some of t thus paving the way for some of the best works of Dickens and Thackerhe best works of Dickens and Thackery. In fact, his literary career y. In fact, his literary career marks the marks the transition from romanticism to realitransition from romanticism to realismsm in English literature of the 19th ce in English literature of the 19th century. ntury.