english literature major

english literature major

Exploring the Evolution of English Literature: A Comprehensive Analysis

1. Introduction to English Literature

The term “literature” signifies the act of writing, but this also applies to oral traditions, of course. To reiterate, literature is the expression of life conveyed through fiction, verse, or other forms. When examining the entire history of literary terms, the term “literature” is derived from both Latin and “litterature.” From this perspective, it can be determined that the term “literature” was used in Latin with a similar meaning as the term “belles letters,” which also signifies the same thing, more or less, during the 16th and 17th centuries. However, in the 18th century, new perspectives began to emerge in the fields of psychology and aesthetics, revolving around the concept of “belles-lettres” alone. Yet, after the 19th century, the term “literature” returned to common usage, causing “belles-lettres” to diminish.

The origin of English literature is an extremely interesting and complex subject. Literature has traveled a long path, from the need to express thoughts and feelings to depicting wildlife, love, horror, and death, as well as the realization of beliefs. All of these, particularly in the early stages of civilization, were reflected through oral tradition. Oral narratives made it possible for the context of poems, saga novels, and epics. After a while, humans discovered that they could use symbols for the same purpose. Taking it a step further, they began to carve these symbols into stones or write them on clay to ensure their longevity and better understanding for future generations.

2. Key Periods and Movements in English Literature

a) Old English Literature: The Anglo-Saxons were the next settlers in England after the Romans. With them, they brought their language and many poems of great heroic narrative and alliterative poetry. It is believed that the Anglo-Saxons secretly recited the poems orally until they were written in countless monasteries. And so the surviving poetry is only a reflection of the original verses. The Old English’s pagan culture and the Christian mission to England had influenced the literature. The Old English poetry was composed with only one subject, and that is the hero who survives his death. The themes of Christianity and paganism are well elaborated in this literature. Undoubtedly, it was expressed a way of relief, love, and philosophical verses. Their best-known poem is Beowulf. But there were also many other great difficult works of art. Only four poems are preserved, which come from the ancient English written. The most important of them are a verse about Caedmon and the Exodus. In the latter Middle Ages, several scribes of the new documents rewrote the poems in their original form. Among the toughest works of the Old English Literature are Widsith, the battle of Maldon, the Wanderer, and the visit to the survivor.

English literature has a great tradition. This tradition has been passed on in many forms and in many periods and languages. By studying English literature, we study our own culture. Only by learning about oneself can we hope to become literate and civilized people. English literature, like all literature, has three functions: to teach, to entertain, and as a mirror of our own time. Writers seem to bring out in their heroes an expression of what our outlook is to be when we are free. The author tries to make the language act like trance words that cannot endure whatever conditions prevail today will be of no value within two or three generations. The history of English literature has to do with following generations to the first masterpieces of literature in the English language.

3. Notable Authors and Works

Edmund Spencer was an influential Italian American poet remembered for his metrical invention. His biggest work, Faerie Queene, was celebrated as one of the longest poems in English literature. Sir Philip Sidney found fame as a classic sonnet, and he came up with one of the earliest sonnet sequences in England. His Apology for Poetry was among the preferred responses with moral poets. Not forgetting London’s fiery Sir Walter Raleigh, who gained his respect through his prose adaptation. At his highest point was Marlowe, known as a playwright and the preferred author to be lost before the age of thirty. For his part in the closure of the age, the leading author-writer William Shakespeare has the most acknowledgment for his work on English literature. Up to date, some of the best classical drama dialogues and plays in Othello, Macbeth, King Lear, and Julius Caesar developed from William Shakespeare and kept England at a premier position in the classical section. Shakespeare’s work was popular in the across of literature actors and still holds some literary performances to date.

Notable authors and works: The origin of the English literary world recognizes the impact and contribution by influential writers to date. Some of the early authors whose work up to today are celebrated are Geoffrey Chaucer, who is remembered for not only one of his best works, The Canterbury Tales, published around 1387, but also for his invention of the rhyme royal verse. Sir Thomas More was remembered for his impact on English history around the 16th century through his act of refusing the marriage of Henry VIII and the establishment of the Church of England. Besides his involvement in history, More was among the early authors to feature humanism in his written texts. Sir Thomas Wyatt was acknowledged for his introduction of the sonnet metrical form influenced by Petrarch in England.

4. Themes and Symbolism in English Literature

Through “The New Biography,” Virginia Woolf further enhances her ideology. In “Mr. Bennett and Mrs. Brown,” one of her most compelling pieces, Woolf decries the Edwardian Biological Novel, a literary look at Edwardian writers. Woolf criticizes the way time is treated in a traditional group of novels, where the story is broken up into two, four, sometimes eight spots, as famous or important events happen. Woolf says this is a vice. Why the biography medium? Woolf says biographies convey life incredibly well because they give access to never-ending detail. Woolf supports the idea of violating time. Woolf insists that the real world, in an Edwardian novel, is a very rigid place. Woolf wants to explore herself—inside of herself—as deeply as she could possibly expose, which is her unique difference. Does Woolf want Todillard to turn into a novel, due to her thoughts of James Joyce’s Ulysses, or does she want Todillard to be a novel?

Virginia Woolf is renowned for her remarkable English literature pieces. Many critics and readers consider her a fine innovator, while others wonder about her style. To many, her style sometimes seems wayward and mannered, while to others, Woolf excels in her masterful handling of her chosen style. To understand why Woolf chose to create the style she did, it is important to analyze her essay, “The New Biography.” This essay provides readers with an idea of Virginia Woolf’s theories concerning writing novels and other literary pieces. Virginia Woolf likens writing to a man’s perception of a woman; Woolf also reveals her ladylike ways through other essays. Some say that these essays, in addition to Woolf’s personality, appear to be superior to her fiction. Although literature gurus would vehemently disagree, who can directly contradict the fundamental laws of nature? Woolf’s argument does confound one.

5. Impact and Relevance of English Literature Today

At the beginning of the new millennium, literature is – despite the democratization of popular culture in the past century – still relevant as a powerful tool of individual spiritual and intellectual growth. Not via religion, not necessarily through philosophy or science, but through imaginative perception and understanding of situations and individuals with completely different cultural and life experience of ourselves, the universal through the particular, English literature helps clarify and delineate our view of the good and worth in the universe. The comforting rhythm of the unfurls the healing solace that words contain, calling forth epic emotions and preparing the recipient for an encouraged life of reflective peace.

In this 21st century, we are witnessing unprecedented intellectual, aesthetic, cultural, and professional growth and expansion. Currently, the unrelenting significance of knowledge and information in the global economy is altering our traditional notions of education. Even as fresh models for pedagogical delivery that combine modern technology with conveniently segmented time for the practical training of professional capabilities and sensibilities, the time-honored blueprints, those of liberal arts and general education, continue to offer an eclectic set of goals, incorporating training in emotional and social intelligence, adaptability, creativity, and ethical understanding. Through critical understanding and nuanced appreciation of great civilizations, broad principles of knowledge and working methods, interdisciplinary insights, and close study and hands-on appreciation of great literature, the works, students will gain knowledge of themselves.