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What is English Literature, Origin, Definition, History, Periods, and Authors

Definition Of English Literature

English literature is the study and analysis of written works produced in the English language. It encompasses a wide range of texts, including poetry, novels, plays, and non-fiction, spanning from the Anglo-Saxon period to the present day.

Literature simply refers to any piece of writing that is valued as a work of art. In a general sense, it is the expression of human thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Literature can display both good and bad aspects of society. Hence, literature can be regarded as a mirror of society whatever changes the society undergoes they will be reflected in contemporary literature in one way or the other. Literature then is a successful medium to express human emotions: sadness, happiness, pleasure, pain, love, hate, fear, disgust, and anger such human emotions in literature are expressed artistically through language. It means literature needs to be beautiful and trustworthy.

Origin Of Literature

The word “literature” originated from the Latin word “literatura” which means “learning, writing, grammar.” This word was formed from “litera” which means “letter” or “character.” It was used in the context of education and learning, specifically the study of written texts. In the Middle Ages, the term “literature” was used to refer to the works of scholars and poets, and it was not until the 18th century that the term began to be used more broadly to refer to all written works.

Authors

One of the most iconic works of English literature is William Shakespeare’s plays. His plays are still performed and studied all over the world. Other notable works include the epic poem Beowulf, the novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, and the novel Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. Geoffrey Chaucer (1340s – 1400) has been called the “father of English literature“, or, alternatively, the “father of English poetry“.

Study Of English Literature

The study of English literature can encompass many different elements, including literary history, literary theory, literary criticism, and literary analysis. It can also encompass the study of literary movements and genres, such as the Romantic period, the Gothic novel, and the sonnet.

In addition to studying the literary texts themselves, the study of English literature also often involves the examination of the historical, cultural, and social contexts in which the texts were produced. This can include studying the life and times of the author, as well as the cultural and political climate of the period in which the text was written.

The study of English literature can also encompass the analysis of literary form and technique, such as the use of symbolism, imagery, and metaphor. It can also encompass the study of literary genres, such as novels, poetry, and drama.

Overall, the study of English literature is a diverse and multifaceted field that offers a wide range of opportunities for exploration and analysis. Whether you are interested in the literary texts themselves, the historical and cultural contexts in which they were produced, or the technical elements of literary form and technique, there is something for everyone in the field of English literature.

History Of English Literature

English literature and history are closely intertwined, as the literature of a particular time period is often a reflection of the historical and cultural context in which it was produced.

Old English Period (Anglo-Saxon Period) 449 to 1066

The history of English literature dates back to the Anglo-Saxon period, which lasted from the 5th to the 11th century. During this time, literature was primarily oral and was passed down from generation to generation through storytelling and song. Some of the most notable works from this period include the epic poem Beowulf, which tells the story of a heroic warrior and his battles with monsters, and the poem The Seafarer, which reflects on the themes of exile and the sea.

Middle English Period (1066-1500)

The Middle Ages, which lasted from the 12th to the 15th century, saw the emergence of written literature in the form of Chaucerian poetry, as well as the emergence of the first plays and dramas. Some of the most notable works from this period include The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer and the plays of William Shakespeare.

Renaissance Period (1500-1600)

The Renaissance Period, which lasted from the 16th to the 17th century, saw a renewed interest in the classical literature of ancient Greece and Rome, as well as the emergence of the novel as a literary genre. Some of the most notable works from this period include the plays of Shakespeare, the poetry of John Milton, and the novels of Daniel Defoe.

Neoclassical Period (1600-1785)

The 18th century, also known as the Age of Enlightenment, saw the emergence of the novel as a dominant literary form and the rise of the novel of sensibility, which focused on the emotional experiences of characters. Some of the most notable works from this period include the novels of Jane Austen, the poetry of William Wordsworth, and the plays of Oliver Goldsmith.

Romantic Period (1785-1832)

The 19th century, also known as the Romantic period, saw a renewed interest in nature and emotion, as well as the emergence of the Gothic novel. Some of the most notable works from this period include the novels of Jane Austen, the poetry of Lord Byron, and the plays of Oscar Wilde.

Modern History Period

The 20th century saw a continuation of the trends established in the 19th century, with the emergence of the modernist movement and the rise of the novel as a dominant literary form. Some of the most notable works from this period include the novels of James Joyce, the poetry of T.S. Eliot, and the plays of Samuel Beckett.

The history of English literature is also closely tied to the history of England. Many of the literary works from different time periods reflect the political and social changes that were taking place in the country at the time. For example, the literature of the 18th century reflects the rise of the middle class and the emergence of new economic and political systems, while the literature of the 19th century reflects the industrial revolution and the rise of the working class.

It’s important to note that English literature and history are not limited to England alone, it also encompasses the literature and history of the British Isles and its colonies. This includes literary works produced in Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, as well as literature produced by writers of the British Empire, such as Rudyard Kipling, Chinua Achebe, and Joseph Conrad.

English Literature As A Subject

English literature refers to written works produced in the English language. It encompasses a wide range of texts, including poetry, novels, plays, and non-fiction, from the Anglo-Saxon period to the present day. The study of English literature includes literary history, literary theory, literary criticism, and literary analysis of the texts themselves, as well as the examination of the historical, cultural, and social contexts in which the texts were produced.

Literature also encompasses the analysis of literary form and technique, such as the use of symbolism, imagery, and metaphor, as well as the study of literary genres, such as the novel, poetry, and drama. Additionally, the study of English literature also encompasses the analysis of contemporary literature and popular culture, including the study of film, television, and digital media.

Conclusion

Thus, literature is a vital record of what men have seen in life, what they experienced of it, and what they have thought and felt about those aspects of it
that have the most immediate and enduring interest for all of us. It was thus fundamentally an expression of life through the medium of language. Literature could be said to be a sort of disciplined technique for arousing certain emotions.

It begins with the creative possibilities of human language and the desire of human beings to use their language creatively. Literature enriches our lives because it increases our capacities for understanding and communication. It helps us to find meaning in our world to express it and share it with others. And this is the most humane activity of our existence.

Overall, the study of English literature and history offers a rich and diverse field of exploration, providing insight into the cultural, political, and social contexts of different time periods and the literary works that were produced during those times. Whether you are interested in the literature itself or the historical and cultural contexts in which it was produced, there is something for everyone in the field of English literature and history.

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An Introduction By Kamala Das | An Introduction By Kamala Das Critical Analysis

Indian Literature, Literature

Introduction

The poem “An Introduction” is written by the most outstanding Indian English poetess named “Kamla Das”. This poem first appeared in her first volume of poems entitled “Summer in Calcutta” in 1965. In this poem, she throws light on the life of a woman in the Patriarchal Society. It is wholly autobiographical and also be labeled as a confessional poem. In this poem, the poetess reveals her political knowledge, her linguistic acquirements, the sad experience of her marriage, and her quest for fulfilling love.

Structure Of The Poem

It is a sixty-line poem that is contained within a single stanza. The Poem does not follow any specific rhyme scheme and meter.

About Kamla Das (1934-2009)

Kamala Das, Malayalam pen name Madhavikutty, Muslim name Kamala Surayya is a very popular Indo-Anglian poet and short story writer. She earned a respectable place in Malayalam and English both literature. She was also shortlisted for the Nobel Prize for her works. Among her world-famous poems included – The Sunshine Cat, The Invitation, and The Looking Glass. She wrote poetry on women’s issues, child care, and politics.

The Theme of The Poem

Feminism, freedom, and marriage are the key themes of this poem.

Analysis Of An Introduction Poem

Kamala Das begins this poem by telling us that although she does not know much about politics, she is well aware of the politicians of her country from Nehru to one of her own times. She says the politics of India has always remained in the hands of males. She has memorized the names of all the politicians like the days of the week or the name of the month.

The lines depict how the males have been ruling the country without giving this right to the women. Moreover, the rulers are fewer in number because democracy exists only in words. In reality, the rule of the country remains in the hands of some people.

Now the poetess comes towards her own life experience. She says that she is Indian and brown in colour. She was born in Malabar. She can speak three languages. Like most of the citizens of India. She is also capable of speaking three languages and writing in two probably English and her native language. She probably compares herself to the man of the world trying to show that she is no lesser than him.

Being well familiar with English she uses this language in her writing. However, this habit of hers is not liked by her friends, relatives, and critics. They all condemn her for writing in English as according to them. English is the language of colonists. She asks them why they criticize her, and why she is not given the liberty to write in whatever language she desires.

In these lines, she exposes the jealous nature of her nears and dears who can not endure her skills. This makes them criticize her. Having no logical reason to put restrictions on her writing in English, they try to tell her that the language she writes in, is the language of colonists and thus she should avoid using it. She wonders why the blunders of men and questions the mistakes of women although the fact is that every person in the world is imperfect.

She moves towards her married life. She was a child although she entered the stage of puberty yet her soul was immature. As she was still a child after marriage, She asked for love. However, her husband quenched his own lust for the poetess. The poetess here not only describes her married life but tries to narrate the story of every woman in her country.

The girl after being married desires her husband to show compassion and love her. But instead, she is drawn to the bed which she is not willing to do. She says that she was not beaten by him yet her womanly body felt to be beaten. She started hating her female body which we can understand in the following line:

“Dress in Sarees, Be girl, Be wife, they said.
Be embroiderer, Be cook, Be a quarreller with servants.”

She meets a man. According to her, the man is the everyman who desires a woman to quench his lust as a woman desires love from a man. When she asks him about his identity, his answer is I. This ‘I’ is the ‘Male Ego’ that gives him the liberty to do whatever he likes. The poetess further says that like a man she is also a sinner and saint, beloved and betrayed. That’s why she considers herself equal to men.

Conclusion

Thus, we can say in this poem Kamala Das describes the poet’s own mental and emotional state. She throws light on the life of a woman in a “Patriarchal Society”.

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– Varsha Singh

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Obituary By AK Ramanujan | Obituary Poem Analysis

Literature, English Literature, Indian Literature, Poem Analysis

Introduction

The poem “Obituary” is written by A. K. Ramanujan, full name Attipate Krishnaswami Ramanujan who was an Indian English Literature. The poem was published in 1971. In the present poem “Obituary” means a notice of death in a newspaper including a brief biography. The poem is written about the death of his father. The poet explains how his death has affected his family and what his father has achieved in his life.

About A. K. Ramanujan

A.K. Ramanujan was a great Indian Poet, translator, and scholar of Indian Literature and linguistics. He was born in Mysore, Karnataka, to a Brahmin family that loved and encouraged learning. He was fluent in many languages including English, Kannada, and Tamil. Ramanujan was also awarded “Sahitya Akademi Award” posthumously in 1999 for “The Collected Poems”. His notable works include The Stories, Second Sight, A River, and Relations.

Structure of The Poem

It is an eight Stanza poem and each stanza contains seven lines. These lines do not follow a specific rhyme scheme and meter.

Theme Of Obituary

Death of the father, the consequences the son and his family faces the death of his father, and the ridicule of rituals is the main theme of the Poem.

Analysis Of Obituary Poem

The poet started this poem by saying when his father died he left nothing for the family but problems like dust on a table of paper debts, unmarried daughters, and bedwetting a grandson whose name is after him because of “Toss of a Coin”. The lines show the poet’s dissatisfaction with his father. He does not seem to be sorrowful because of death. The poet is more concerned about the duties of his family which he has performed. He has to pay the debts of his father, he has to marry off his sister and also has to take care of a young child who urinates in bed.

In the olden days, daughters were considered a burden because the girl’s family had to not only take responsibility for all the marriage expenses but also give a huge dowry to the boy’s family. This indicates that the father has left his family with nothing but liabilities to be paid off.

These lines also show the culture of a typical Indian family which is patriarchal in nature. Neither the mother of the poet nor his sister is earning. As the poet is now the eldest male in the family all the duties are bestowed on him. The poet continues that his father has left a house that leaned slowly through our growing years on a bent coconut tree in the yard.

The lines mean that they have inherited a house from his father who is leaning on a coconut tree and thus in bad condition. The poet calls his father the burning type, indicating that he was a bad-tempered man and would never behave properly with him or the other family members. Being not tempered he burned properly at the cremation.

The lines continue from the previous one. He is burnt very easily from both sides, except his coins here coins mean – the anger of his greed for money which didn’t look one bit different even after burning, and also several spinal diseases though some of them burnt to coal.

This stanza continues from the previous one. According to the poet, the remains of his father’s pyre are left for sons to pick as the priest said, facing east where their rivers met near the railway station. The lines show that the priest forces the son to perform Hindu rituals. The poet is in no way ready to do it. His father has no grave as his ashes and remains are thrown in the river with his full name.

In the fifth stanza, the poet says that his father was born into the Brahman, family. In Hinduism, the Brahmans are worshipped as “Avtaras Of Gods”. However, the poet shows that his father took birth as Brahman got his birth was Surgical and even his death could not be controlled. His father died in the market of heart failure and he could not save himself.

These lines in other sense mark that he has achieved nothing in this world. His birth was surgical and what he did in his life showed his incapability.

In the sixth stanza, the poem sees that two lines were written for his father inside the column of a Madras newspaper which is sold by the kilo after four weeks after his death to street hawkers. These street hawkers sell it in turn to the small groceries. From these groceries, the poet buys salt, coriander, and jaggery in newspaper cones which he reads for fun.

In the last stanza, the poet says that he began to buy more of these things in the hope of finding these Obituary Lines which were written for his father. His father left for him a changed mother and more than an annual ritual. The poet is showing his dislike for the ritual which is celebrated in memory of his father for his peace.

Conclusion

Thus, the poet A. K. Ramanujan says that his father achieved nothing in this world except those two lines of the Obituary which were written in the newspaper he could never find out. The poem “Obituary” is hence a Critique of the poet’s father and his incapabilities.

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A River By A. K. Ramanujan Summary

Indian aesthetics, English Literature, Indian Literature, Literature, Poem Analysis, Poetry

Introduction

The poem “A River” is written by ‘A. K. Ramanujan’ is a great Indian English poet, professor, translator, playwright, and scholar. He wrote in both English and Kannada. He was awarded “Padma Shri” in 1976 and the “Sahitya Akademi” Award posthumously in 1999 for his literary works. Ramanujan published two volumes of Poems ‘The Striders’ and ‘The Relation’. The Poem “A River” appeared in ‘The Striders’ in 1966.

About A. K. Ramanujan

A River Poem Summary

“A River” poem is about a riven “Vaikai” which flows through the city of Madurai, which is situated in Tamil Nadu. It is a holy city, full of temples and poets. The poets of ancient times, as well as modern times, have written poems on this city and its temples. They have also written about the river and floods. ‘Ramanujan’ first talks about the beauty of the river and then tell how it killed people. The poem is divided into four stanzas and each stanza has a different line length.

In the first stanza poet says Madurai is the city of temples and many poets write about the beauty of the city, its temples, and its river which dries up making the sand visible. In the summer the water flows in small streams. As the water flows in small streams, the sand looks like the ‘ribs of humans’. In addition to the sand, there are straws and woman’s hair under the bridges – having rusting bars which obstruct the free flow of water. There are also wet stones which are shining and look like sleeping crocodiles and those which are dry seem to be like water buffaloes without hair relaxing in the sun.

However other poets have written only about two seasons that is summer and raining for describing their beauty. They have not brought to their verses what loss has been inflicted on the people because of the rainy seasons.

In the second stanza, the poet says that he has seen that incident when there was a flood. It also carried off three village houses, a pregnant woman, and a couple of cows which were named Gopi and Brinda. Poet further says, in the new poet and the old poets, no one ever talked about the pregnant woman.

The poet imagines that the twins were kicking at the while to escape but couldn’t and were ultimately drowned to death with their mother. The other poets never brought this tragic incident into their poems.

In the last stanza, according to the poet, the river is poetic and can be romanticized only once in a year, and then in just half an hour, it takes away 3 houses, a couple of cows, and a pregnant woman who was expecting twins having fair bodies and also was thinking of having diapers of different colours. So as to distinguish between them.

The last stanza thus compares the contrasts of the writing of the poet himself and another poet of his age. All the other poets try to praise the beauty of the river and on the other hand, the poet himself makes a balance between the beauty and the losses inflicted on the people by it.

Conclusion

Thus, the poem “A River” shows the insensitive attitude and the complete unconcern of the city poets, both the old and new, towards the tragic situation of human suffering and fatality.

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– Varsha Singh

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Renaissance Period In English Literature 1500 to 1660

Literature, English Literature, Essay, Indian Literature

Introduction

Renaissance Period is one of the most important periods in English literature. So far as the ‘Renaissance Period’ is concerned it began in 1453, but its effect on English life and literature was felt after 1500. For this reason, it is generally accepted that the renaissance period was at the beginning of the 16^th century and continued till the Restoration period. It is a clear line between the middle and the modern English literature period.

The word Renaissance is derived from the Italian ‘Renescetia’ means rebirth. The French historian “Jules Michelet” used Renaissance for the first time. Italy was the cradle of the Renaissance. It began in Italy in the 14th Century and ended in the mid-seventeenth century. This period of 160 years is subdivided into two ages according to the ages:-

Elizabethan Age (1500 to 1620)
The Puritan Age (1620 to 1660)

The Elizabethan Age (1558-1603)

This age is named after Queen ‘Elizabeth I’ who reigned over England from 1558 to 1603. This is the most glorious age of English literature. With the accession of Queen Elizabeth I, dynastic problems, and political chaos come to an end. Geographical and astronomical discoveries brought unlimited fortune during this period. Renaissance that had started earlier was now very strongly felt in England.

Major writers and Their Major works

Thomas More – His famous works are ‘Utopia’ and it was originally written in Latin.

Edmund Spenser – He is called the poet of the poet because after his death many later English poets followed his art of Poetry. His famous work is the Faerie Queen’s and ‘The Shepherd’s Calendar’.

Thomas Kyd – He is one of the poets in the ‘group of University Wits’. His famous work is ‘The Spanish Tragedy’.

Sir Philip Sidney – He penned several major works including ‘Astrophel and Stella’, ‘Arcadia’ and ‘The Defense of Poesy’. ‘Advancement of Learning’.

University Wits: – It is the group of a dramatist who wrote and performed in London towards the end of the 16^th century. They are called university wits because they were the witty students of ‘Cambridge or Oxford’. Christopher Marlowe, Robert Greene, Thomas Nashe, Thomas Lodge, George Peele, and Thomas Kyd.

Christopher Marlowe – ‘Tamburlaine the Great’, ‘Dr. Faustus, ‘The Jew of Malta’ and ‘Edward II’ are his famous work.

William Shakespeare – Shakespeare was known as ‘England’s National Poet’ and ‘Bard of Avon’. He wrote 37 plays and 154 sonnets. His famous works are – Henry VI (Part 1, 2, 3), Richard III, Love’s Labour’s Last, Romeo and Julies, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Richard II, Henry IV (Part 1, 2), Henry V, The Merchant of Venice, Much Ado about Nothing, Julius Caesar, As you like it, Hamlet Twelfth Night, Othello Hamlet, Macbeth, King Lear.

Ben Johnson – He wrote in a time when romanticism was the main mode of expression. He is called a neo-classical ruler of drame. ‘Every Man in his Humour’, ‘Volpone’, ‘The Silent Women’, and ‘The Alchemist’ is his famous work.

John Webster – John Webster wrote ‘The White Devil’ and ‘The Duchess Of Malfi’.

Literary Features of the period

The Elizabethan Age is regarded as the Golden Age in the history of English Literature. The Renaissance brought Ancient Greek and Roman wisdom to England. The social life of England was marked by a strong national spirit, Humanism, religious broadmindedness, scientific progress, social content, and intellectual progress. All these aspects of social life are reflected in the writing of this period.

Puritan Age

The Puritan age was named after the Puritan Movement in England in the 17^th century. Puritans were a group of English-speaking Protestants who were dissatisfied with the religious reformation movement carried out during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. This age is also known as the ‘Age of Milton’, because the greatest literary figure ‘John Milton’ was a Puritan. This period is remarkable for the decay of drama and the closing of the theatres in 1642 gave a jolt to the development of drama.

Puritan Poetry also called Jacobean and Caroline poetry during the reigns of James. I and Charles I respectively can be divided into three Pars –

Poetry of School of Spencer
Poetry of Metaphysical School
Poetry of the Cavalier poet

Poetry of School of Spencer

The Spenserians were followers of Spencer. They considered Spencer as their master. ‘Phineas Fletcher’, ‘Giles Fletcher’, ‘William Browne’, and ‘Drummond’ are the poet of this age.

Poetry of Metaphysical School

The term metaphysical may be applied to any poetry, that deals with spiritual or philosophical matters. Among these poets “John Donne” is the most notable. Other Metaphysical poets were – ‘George Hertbert’, Richard Crawshaw’, Henry Vaughan’, Thomas Carew’, ‘Abraham Cowley’, and ‘Andrew Marvell’. The term “Metaphysical Poets” was first used by Samuel Johnson.

Poetry Of The Cavalier Poet

The Cavalier Poets wrote in the 17^th century and supported king Charles I. These poets opposed Metaphysical Poetry. The best known of Cavalier poets are – ‘Robert Herrick’, ‘Richard Lovelace’, ‘Thomas Carew’ and ‘Sir John Suckling’.

Conclusion

Thus, Renaissance Period ended with the beginning of the Restoration period. It has had a great effect on the development of English Literature. It was an important movement that illuminated the whole of English literature. ‘Paradise Lost’ is the last great triumph of the Renaissance.

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– Varsha Singh

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