American Literature

1. “INTRODUCTION TO ENGLISH-AMERICAN LITERATURE”
ENGLISH AND AMERICAN LITERATURE GEOGRAPHY, HISTORY, LANGUAGE, SOCIETY AND
CULTURE
Literature
- This refers to the practice and profession of writing. It comes from human interest in telling a story, in
arranging words in artistic forms, in describing in words some aspects of human experiences. Literature
is important for it is the mirror of society. It has shaped civilization, changed political systems and exposed
injustice.
- Literature is any collection of written work, but it is also used more narrowly for writings specifically
considered to be an art form, especially prose fiction, drama, and poetry.
English Literature
- These are the collection of literary works written in Great Britain and British Colonies from 7th
century to
the present day.
American Literature
- These are literary works written and publish in America.
English & American Geography
 England territory consist mostly of a large rolling central lowland that transition into a wide flatter eastern
plain along the northern sea. England main ranges of mountains which are Cumbia and Pennines that
are located in far north. The British Isles is an archipelago consisting of two large islands of Great Britain
and Ireland. There are also three constituent countries of the United Kingdom which includes England,
Scotland and Wales.
 America was discovered in 1492 by the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus. After the discovery
foreigners started coming to America. In 1607 the first and permanent British Colony was established in
America.
 The United States of America is the world's third largest country in size, it is located in North America,
and the country is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean along
the northern border of Canada and the couther border of Mexico.
 America's official name is the United State of America and its capital is Washington D.C (D.C stands for
District of Colombia). The highest peak here is the Denali in Alaska while the lowest peak is the famous
Death Valley. America has 2 major mountains which are the rocky mountain and the Appalachian
Mountains as well it has major river also namely the Mississippi river, Missouri river, and the Colorado
River.
History of English Literature
 The Roman Period (55 BC)
- During this period Julius Caesar first landed in Britain and launch an expedition to Britain. The Roman
colony is also founded during this period.
 The Anglo-Saxon Period (450 – 1066)
- The Anglo-Saxon Period is also called the Old English Period. The original English were Angles, Saxons
and Jutes of northern Germany and the Baltic region who took over the Roman province of Britannia as
the Roman Empire collapsed. Old English was a mixture of Native Brithonic language and tribal Germanic
language.
- During this period, Christianity is introduced to England by St. Augustine.

2. - They also developed a flourishing and wealthy culture which attracted the unwelcome attention of the
'Viking (pirate) peoples of Scandinavia, who descended on 'Angle-land' (i.e. England) and for a time
conquered and ruled the northern part of it. The wars of resistance against the Vikings helped unite the
English kingdoms and eventually produced the first Saxon king of all England, Æthelstan.
 The Norman-French Period (1066 – 1340)
- The Norman-French Period started with the Norman Conquest in 1066 AD. The Normans from France
invaded England and introduced an early version of French. During this period, the upper class
started speaking French and the ordinary people spoke Old English. Oxford and Cambridge
University was established during this period.
 Age of Chaucer (1340 AD – 1400 AD)
- This is the opening moment of English Literature and the existence of the Father of English Literature,
Geoffrey Chaucer who lived under the rule of 3 kings: Edward III, Richard II, Henry IV.
 Age of Revival (1400 AD – 1558 AD)
- This is the arrival of the printing press. Reformation by martin Luther (Protestants) and the War of
Roses between the two English royalties the House of York and House of Lancaster and after the
War of Roses ended, Tudor Dynasty started. Henry 7 was the 1st
Tudor King. His successor was
Henry 8 who married 6 times for a son. His 1st
wife, Catherine of Aragon gave birth to a daughter
named Mary and his 2nd
wife, Anne Bolyn gave birth to Elizabeth.
 The Elizabethan Age (1458 – 1603)
- This period is also known as the Golden Age of England. It is the reign of Queen Elizabeth which is
from 1485-1603. Queen Elizabeth was a protestant. She came to a throne after the violent reign of
her half-sister queen Mary who was a Catholic. Queen Elizabeth restored peace and harmony in
England. Both Catholic and Protestants started living in peace.
 Jacobean Age (1603 – 1625)
- The reign of King James I. He is the king of Scotland. So he was the first Stuart King. The Tudor
dynasty comes to an end with the reign of Queen Elizabeth. The very important Gun Powder treason
by the small groups of Catholics to murder King James I and to restore Catholicism.
 Caroline Age (1625 – 1640)
- The son of King James I, Charles I became the next ruler. King Charles I took several wrong decisions
that made people throw him out of England and let do Civil War.
 Civil War & Common Wealth (1640 – 1660)
- The Civil War took place between King Charles I and Parliament of England. Oliver Cromwell a
puritan leaded the parliament. In 1649, Oliver Cromwell executed King Charles I and became the
Lord Protector of England. Theatres were banned during this period.
 Restoration Age (1660 – 1700)
- King Charles II the son of King Charles I was restored to the throne of England in 1660. The Theater
ban was lifted.
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 The Romantic Age (1798 – 1837)
- This period started with the Publication of Lyrical ballad and the Industrial revolution.

3.  The Victorian Age (1837 – 1901)
- This is the reign of Queen Victoria. It is called the next golden age of Britain after the Elizabethan
Age. As industrial revolution flourished, there was a deterioration in the working condition of poor
people. This is the reason in the Victorian Age there was a British working class Movement.
 Modern Period (1901 – 1945)
- Society became fragmented in the Modern Period. The World War I took place and the people saw
massive destruction in the 1st
world war and then there was a great depression when stock market
crashed and it affected the global economy.
 Postmodern Period (1945 – Present)
- The Postmodern Period started which started after the World War II in 1945. Britain lost its power and
the United States of America became a super power with great economy.
History of American Literature
 The Colonial and Early National Period (1600s – 1830)
- This time talks about the colonial situation and the situation after America got independence in 1776.
- Literature and art of this time was highly influence by the British culture and most of the American are
British settlers.
 Romantic Age (1830 – 1870)
- American Romanticism give values to individual thoughts, personal emotion and beauty of nature.
 Realism & Naturalism (1870 – 1910)
- Civil War happened during this time and there are a lot of people died. In this time, literature is
represented the word as it truly was.
 Modernist Period (1910 – 1945)
- Massive improvements were made in science and technology. The World War I happened during this
time and there’s a great depression that made a huge impact on American Literature.
 The Contemporary Period (1945)
- The literature of this time is complex and sparkle against injustice. After the World War II and Cold
War, America started dominating the world politics and economy.
Prepared by: Miel De Amor P. Acorda