The document explores the evolution of English literature, emphasizing the rise of the English novel in the eighteenth century as a new literary genre that reflected changing cultural values and a growing literary middle class. It discusses the significance of individual experiences and originality in literature, moving away from medieval traditions and showcasing a variety of mentalities through different historical periods. The text also touches on the impact of historical events, such as warfare and colonialism, on 20th-century literature, as well as the current perception and relevance of English majors in academia and beyond.

1. Rise of the English Novel
The Rise of the English Novel English literature has a long and colorful history. From the
masterfully written old English tales of Chaucer to the countless Shakespearian dramas to the poetic
verses of Tennyson, England has produced some of the richest treasures of the literary world. Not
until the eighteenth century, however, did a type of literature develop that completely broke the
traditions of the past and opened the door to a whole new generation of writers. This new genre was
appropriately called the English novel, and it helped to change the literary landscape forever. The
English novel was not only a genre within itself, but it also formed several sub genres including
historical, gothic, sentimental, epistolary and...show more content...
The changing cultural values, the emergence of a large literary middle class, and the greater
availability of literature to the public allowed for the novel to become a popular vehicle for
literature. In the eighteenth century, British citizens began to question many cultural norms; several
revolutions were fought, philosophers questioned traditional beliefs, and science began to take a
new shape. While these major changes in society were occurring, the novel brought along a change
in literature. The unified society and worldview of the Middle Ages began to change during the
Renaissance and brought about a developing interest in "particular individuals having particular
experiences at particular times and at particular places (Watt 31)." The culture of the eighteenth
century placed an unprecedented value on originality. Philosophers like Hume began to reject
universal beliefs, and there began to be more emphasis on essentials in philosophy. This emphasis
on detail translated to the works of novelists. The novel represented individuality and placed fewer
demands on its audience in order to paint a picture of a realistic world. One of the main reasons for
the rise of the novel in the eighteenth century was the increasing size of the literary middle class; the
aristocracy and upper–class were no longer the only people who were able to read. The amount of
literate citizens increased significantly, Burke estimated it at 80,000 in the 1790's (36). This was
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2. Periods of English Literature
Question: Show how the voices of writers through many centuries of literature have depicted a
variety of mentalities and lifestyles. . Centuries could pass, and not many changes could be easily
perceived by the common man, as those changes came gradually. Yet those changes can be readily
discerned when looking at England as a whole, not looking at parts of history individually. The
alterations of life, when looked at from a certain literary viewpoint, can be explained when one looks
at the different periods in English literature, seeing the depictions of a certain era through writings
that unintentionally convey great varieties in the mentality and lifestyles of the people who lived
during that time. From war and violence to the...show more content...
The Renaissance period is host to immortalized words from many a great poet, such as
Shakespeare's "To be or not to be" sonnet, and many others. The men of the period wrote about their
lives in their poetry, with its many hues of passion, emotion, tragedy and triumph. The main
characteristic of the Renaissance period is the Renaissance humanism, a claim of the dignity of
man against hatred. Shakespeare had an image of man as he was before the Fall, and as he is still
capable of being. Shakespeare also placed man between the angels and the beasts in the chain of
Being that was an important concept in the Medieval mentality. Also important was society's
creation of the Renaissance man. The Renaissance man was refined, elegant, dressed splendidly,
danced well, wrote poetry, and was an ornament at court, to name but a few. This idea of the perfect
man contrasted greatly to the heroic ideal popular in the Anglo–Saxon period. Though the
Renaissance man still had to excel in all areas of human endeavour, even soldiering and
commandeering, importance was not placed as highly on these factors of the Renaissance man.
Examples of such a man can be found in Sir Philip Sidney, John Donne and Sir Walter Raleigh. A
few of the most celebrated writers of all times come from this period, such as Kit Marlowe and
William Shakespeare. The latter
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3. Essay on 20th Century English Literature
May 3, 2011
British Literature II Defining Literary Techniques of 20th Century English Literature During the
20th Century, much advancement and change occurred throughout English Literature. All of the
works we studied from this period were heavily influenced by current events in the world. The
writers all examined the world around them and tried to express it through their writings. The three
things that weave a common thread throughout all 20th Century English Literature are global
warfare, radical artistic experimentation, and the effects of colonial expansion. The first point of
global warfare is an easily identifiable and widespread one. All of the poetry we examined was
centered around warfare and the effects of it on...show more content...
It also uses magical realism as another form of artistic experimentation. In "The Moment Before
the Gun Went Off," the author Nadine Gordimer caught some flak for experimenting in her
literature by writing it about racism rather than focusing on the more feminist issues of the day,
as were the norm. She also wrote this story from several viewpoints, wanting to enable the reader
to understand the full scope of apartheid. One more literary experiment she incorporated was
foreshadowing the twist ending subtly throughout the entire story. Radical literary
experimentation was a big part of 20th Century English Literature. Lastly, the colonial expansion
theme is perhaps the easiest and broadest similarity to pick up on. Each story we studied is set in
and has the culture of a foreign land. Usually this land was one from England's massive colonial
empire, but not always. Take "The Day They Burned the Books" by Jean Rhys for example. This
story being set in the Caribbean clearly shows a foreign setting. They way the natives rebel in the
story also brings out the oppressive nature of colonialism and how they struggled against it. "Walker
Brother's Cowboy" by Alice Munro is set in depression era Canada and shows how the people
struggled with the effects of colonialism even during the Great Depression. The third defining feature
is possibly the greatest one of 20th Century English Literature. In conclusion, the
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4. English Major Essay
In recent years, the English major has faced an increasing amount of scrutiny. While the number of
English majors throughout the United States is rapidly declining, majors with roots in science,
technology, engineering, and math are praised as worthwhile and immediately beneficial. Beginning
shortly after the Great Recession of 2008–2009, humanities–based majors have been deemed
expendable and trivial. President Barack Obama's 2011 State of the Union Address only served to
propel this mindset as he "renewed his commitment for his 'Educate to Innovate' platform that
specifically targets [science, technology, engineering, and math degrees] as a means of helping to
rebuild America's economic edge" (Luangphinith 64). In effect, society now surmises English as
archaic and obsolete in the quick–paced world (65). Although the English major is plagued with a
plethora of...show more content...
Some assumed career paths include teaching or writing novels, but the English major's world is
much broader than just a few tired options. English majors can be found alongside science–based
majors, penning articles for scientific publications because "'many [scientists] never received the
education in the humanities... that would allow [them] to explain to nonscientists what [they] do
and why it is important'" (Jackson–Hayes). They are seen drafting contracts in support of the
Department of Defense or ensuring policy is followed in the spheres of information, communication,
industrial, and personnel security. They are chosen to head major companies due to their ability to
communicate with others. Some even find a niche in interacting with foreign customers because
they are already equipped with the sense of appreciation for different cultures and customs. English
majors are not simply restricted to a classroom. They, with a plethora of literature under their belts,
are taking on the world in an abundant range of
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5. Defining Literature Essay
The definition of literature has been discussed and argued over time and there is no precise
answer to be given. Any reader or author can define literature as whatever they wish it to be
defined as. This is more of an opinion of how one views certain pieces of work or writings and
whether or not they feel that is actually literature or not. Literature is any type of creative writing
such as fiction or poetry, for example. Literature is also any form of body of written works of
language, which could be from the English era or even as far back as the Shakespearean or
Elizabethan era. It is also work from a specific period or culture defining key elements or somehow
relating to and/or expressing how it is exactly from that time. The...show more content...
In her poem, "Dylan" in lines 4 and 5, she writes, "Her hair was a halo of warm light / and color
dripped off her tongue" (23). The reader can interpret just from those two lines the creativity and
imagination not only in that one poem, but also in all poetry. The description of hair being a halo
of warm light allows the reader to use his or her own imagination to perceive that image in
whichever way they would like. Creative writing can be determined by many other things not only
image or structure of how the poem is set into stanzas, but what is left up to the reader for
interpretation. Jewel writes in "Cautious" in lines 23–29, "an open vessel / whose function it was / to
be filled / until my consciousness / could return and / spit out / the bad seeds" (18). After reading
these lines the reader can be left with different feelings and emotions that vary from disgust or
simplicity. This is just another example of how poetry is creative writing. According to the
American Heritage Dictionary, literature is defined as being the body of written works of a
language, period, or culture. An author of any specific type of writing or works can include
certain details pertaining to language or other details, which allow the reader to develop a sensory
image of that specific period or culture. If the reader had no prior knowledge to the language,
period, or culture of the writing he or she would be reading, upon reading and analyzing
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6. What Is Literature Essay
Charmine J. Cramales
BS Math II
Lit 3 10:30 – 12:00
What is Literature?
Poems, novels, and stories; these are some of the things that first came to my mind upon pondering
on the question 'What is Literature?'. And just lately I have known that literature also includes
songs, speeches, plays, and many others in written and spoken forms. I have also known that things
that are produced out of creative imagination can be referred as literary works which are the ones
that comprise literature. Considering this description of what literature is, the coverage of literature
seems very puzzling. If literary works are those produced out of creative imagining, then it would
directly point to fictional works. But then, there are also...show more content...
Take for example the views of two individuals coming from different places on anovel based on the
culture of one. It would likely be the same if their culture and beliefs are quiet related but if not, then
they would surely have different understandings on certain parts of that novel. Hence, defining
literature as those considered by people as 'literature' is questionable.
Eagleton also associated literature as any kind of works which are valued highly by people. But
then again, since people may have different perceptions on things, one may value highly a certain
work while another person may consider it just as a plain writing. As stated by Ms. Pinzon, a
literature professor, a personal letter can be an example of this. The recipient of the letter can be
expected to really value the letter while her classmate may not. Hence, this can't define literature as a
whole.
Then, what really is literature? Many great critics have tried formulating a fixed definition of
literature but have failed to do so. In the rise of every possible definition of what literature is,
counter arguments also rise.
Literature, though it seems impossible to enumerate everything it covers, play an important role in
every individual's life. One can influence using literature or be influenced by it. Examples of these
are the novels made by our very own national hero, Jose Rizal – the Noli Me Tangeri and El
Filibusterismo. During his time, Rizal has
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