English-American Literary Periods Overview
48 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Who is recognized as the author of the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God, which is considered a late product of the Harlem Renaissance?

Zora Neale Hurston

What significant event in the late 1920s brought the period of thriving Harlem culture to an end?

The Great Depression

Identify two prominent American writers of the 1920s who are often considered part of "The Lost Generation" and who explored the disillusionment of the post-World War I era in their works.

F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway

What was the primary reason for many American writers, considered part of "The Lost Generation", to leave the United States and become expatriates in the 1920s?

<p>Seeking a richer literary and artistic environment and a freer way of life</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name one novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald that reflects the disenchanted mood of "The Lost Generation" and the disillusionment with American values.

<p>This Side of Paradise</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the phrase coined by Gertrude Stein to characterize the group of writers disillusioned by post-World War I experiences?

<p>&quot;The Lost Generation&quot;</p> Signup and view all the answers

What two major cities became popular destinations for American writers seeking a more stimulating literary and artistic environment in the 1920s?

<p>London and Paris</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which novel by Ernest Hemingway, published in 1926, features the phrase "You are all a lost generation" as its epigraph and serves as a significant representation of the "Lost Generation"'s disillusionment?

<p>The Sun Also Rises</p> Signup and view all the answers

During the Enlightenment/Revolutionary period, what major shift occurred in the focus of US literature compared to the Puritan era?

<p>The focus shifted from religious themes to political writings.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What were some of the key genres that emerged during this period?

<p>The key genres were political documents, speeches, and letters.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the writings of the period reflect the influence of the Enlightenment?

<p>The writings emphasized common sense, logic, and science.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name three key authors of the Enlightenment/Revolutionary period.

<p>Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Thomas Paine.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the enduring themes explored in the writings of the Early National Period?

<p>Liberty, freedom, independence, and rights.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a prominent tendency among literary historians regarding the division of American literary history?

<p>A prominent tendency is to recognize the importance of major wars in marking significant changes in literature.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the more widely used terms to distinguish periods and sub-periods of American literature, according to the provided text?

<p>Terms such as those signifying a span of time, a type of political organization, a prominent intellectual or imaginative mode, or a predominant literary form are used.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is Royall Tyler's The Contrast considered significant in American literary history?

<p>It was the first American stage comedy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of The Power of Sympathy by William Hill Brown?

<p>It is considered the earliest American novel.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of most Native American myths?

<p>They examine the creation, the nature of gods, and the natural world.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of the non-mythological writings of Native Americans?

<p>They often examine the relationship between Native American society and early European settlers and the effect of US political policies on Native American culture.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the impact of the establishment of The North American Review in 1815?

<p>It was the first enduring American magazine.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some common subjects explored in Puritan literature?

<p>Subjects include daily life, settlement, moral attitudes, and the authority of the Bible and the Church.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are three examples of literary forms commonly found in Puritan literature?

<p>Histories, journals, personal poems, sermons, and diaries are common forms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common thread that runs through the literary periods discussed in the excerpt?

<p>The influence of historical events, particularly wars, on literary themes and trends.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the excerpt suggest that the study of American literature is complex and dynamic?

<p>The lack of consensus among literary scholars regarding the division into periods and the influence of historical events on literary trends demonstrate the complexity and dynamism of American literature.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the king who united the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms against Viking invaders?

<p>Alfred the Great</p> Signup and view all the answers

What event marked the end of the Anglo-Saxon period in England?

<p>The Norman Conquest of 1066</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the Germanic epic poem that is considered the greatest in the language?

<p>Beowulf</p> Signup and view all the answers

What were the names of the three early Old English poems mentioned in the text?

<p>Beowulf, The Wanderer, and The Seafarer</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the literary and cultural movement that occurred in Europe from 800 to 850 CE?

<p>The Carolingian Renaissance</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the term "The Jazz Age" and how did it relate to the 1920s?

<p>The term &quot;The Jazz Age&quot; refers to the flamboyant and pleasure-seeking atmosphere of the 1920s, popularized by F. Scott Fitzgerald's <em>Tales of the Jazz Age</em>. This decade witnessed a surge in cultural expressions like music, literature, and dance, often reflecting a sense of freedom and indulgence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What were the primary reasons for the mass migrations of African Americans to the urban North in the early 20th century?

<p>African Americans migrated to the urban North to escape the legal segregation and racial discrimination prevalent in the American South. They were also drawn by the economic opportunities that opened up during World War I, with jobs becoming available for Black Americans.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why did the Anglo-Saxons begin to develop a written literature in the 7th century?

<p>They had converted to Christianity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What types of texts were produced during the Carolingian Renaissance?

<p>Early medieval grammars, encyclopedias, and religious commentaries.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the Harlem Renaissance contribute to the advancement of African American culture?

<p>The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural explosion in literature, music, dance, painting, and sculpture by African Americans. This period witnessed a surge in creative output, showcasing African American talent and fostering a sense of pride and identity within the Black community.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the notable literary innovations that emerged during the early 20th century?

<p>The early 20th century saw the emergence of diverse literary innovations, including the Imagist movement with its focus on precise imagery, the free-verse poems of William Carlos Williams, the formal and typographic experiments of e.e. cummings, and the use of French symbolism and metaphysical poetry by T.S. Eliot and Ezra Pound.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What impact did the Norman conquest have on the English language and literature?

<p>It led to the emergence of Middle English and the popularity of French literary traditions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name some of the prominent prose fiction writers of the early 20th century.

<p>Prominent prose fiction writers of the early 20th century include Edith Wharton, Sinclair Lewis, Ellen Glasgow, Willa Cather, Gertrude Stein, Sherwood Anderson, John Dos Passos, F. Scott Fitzgerald, William Faulkner, Ernest Hemingway, Thomas Wolfe, and John Steinbeck.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is considered to be America's first great dramatist, and when did they emerge?

<p>Eugene O'Neill is regarded as America's first great dramatist, emerging in the early 20th century.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Identify some of the prominent literary critics who made significant contributions during the early 20th century.

<p>Prominent literary critics of the early 20th century included Van Wyck Brooks, Malcolm Cowley, T.S. Eliot, Edmund Wilson, and H.L. Mencken.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" considered a foundational work of Modernism?

<p>&quot;The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock&quot;, published in 1915, is considered a foundational work of Modernism for its innovative use of free verse, stream of consciousness, and exploration of themes like alienation, urban life, and the anxieties of modern existence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the period known as the 'Golden Age of Greece' and why is it considered the 'Golden Age'?

<p>The 5th century BCE (499-400 BCE) is considered the Golden Age of Greece due to the significant cultural and intellectual achievements of the time. Athens experienced a flourishing of art, poetry, drama, architecture, and philosophy during this time, producing some of the world's most renowned works.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which influential Roman writers are known for their contributions to poetry, philosophy, and rhetoric?

<p>Some prominent Roman writers include Ovid (poetry), Horace (poetry), Virgil (poetry), Marcus Aurelius (philosophy), Lucretius (philosophy), Cicero (rhetoric), and Quintilian (rhetoric).</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who are some of the key figures from the Classical Greek Period and what are their notable contributions?

<p>Key figures from the Classical Greek Period include Gorgias, Aesop, Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, Euripides, and Sophocles. They are known for their contributions to rhetoric, philosophy, and drama.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the major event that marks the end of the Roman Republic and the beginning of the Roman Empire.

<p>The Roman Republic transitioned to an empire under Caesar Augustus in 27 CE. This marked the end of the Republic, with Caesar Augustus becoming the first Roman emperor.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the defining characteristics of the Homeric or Heroic Period?

<p>The Homeric or Heroic period between 1200 BCE and 800 BCE is characterized by oral storytelling, warrior-princes, wandering sea-traders, and fierce pirates. This period witnessed the emergence of legendary tales such as Homer's The Iliad and The Odyssey.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the significance of the Patristic Period in relation to the development of Christianity and the transition of the Roman Empire.

<p>The Patristic Period (ca. 70 CE-455 CE) is significant for the emergence of early Christian writings and the spread of Christianity across Europe. This coincides with the decline and eventual fall of the Roman Empire, marking a pivotal point in Western history.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What crucial event in the history of the Roman Empire takes place in 410 CE and what is its lasting impact?

<p>In 410 CE, barbarians led by Alaric I sacked Rome, marking a turning point in the empire's decline and symbolizing the barbarian invasions that would ultimately lead to its collapse.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the impact of the barbarian migrations on the Roman Empire and the subsequent period known as the 'Dark Ages.'

<p>The barbarian migrations, beginning around 428 CE, led to the fall of the Western Roman Empire and ushered in a period of instability and decline known as the 'Dark Ages.' Barbarian tribes moved into Europe, causing upheaval and influencing the political and social landscape of the time.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

English-American Literary Periods

  • Classical Period (1200 BCE – 455 CE)

    • Homeric/Heroic Period (1200 BCE-800 BCE): Greek legends passed down orally, including The Iliad and The Odyssey. Chaotic period of warriors, traders and pirates.
    • Classical Greek Period (800 BCE-200 BCE): Greek writers, playwrights, and philosophers like Gorgias, Aesop, Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, Euripides, and Sophocles. Known for The Golden Age of Greece in the 5th century (499-400 BCE). Focus on the polis, early democracy, art, poetry, and philosophy.
    • Classical Roman Period (200 BCE-455 CE): Roman power rises after conquering Greece in 146 CE, leading to the formation of a Republic (founded 509 BCE). Key writers include Plautus, Terence, Ovid, Horace, Virgil. Philosophers like Marcus Aurelius and Lucretius. Rhetoricians like Cicero and Quintilian. Period ends with the fall of Rome in 455 CE.

  • Patristic Period (ca. 70 CE-455 CE): Early Christian writings appear from writers such as Augustine, Tertullian, Cyprian, Ambrose and Jerome, including Jerome's compilation of the Bible. End of the Roman Empire and the rise of Barbarian attacks.

  • Old English (Anglo-Saxon) Period (428-1066): Barbarian tribes settle in Europe (Angles, Saxons, Jutes). Rise of the Carolingian Renaissance (800-850 CE). Important works include Beowulf, The Wanderer, The Seafarer. Time period ends with the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.

  • Medieval Period (455 CE-1485 CE): Important cultural and historical period where the Anglo-Saxons were converted to Christianity, oral traditions developed into written forms of literature. Beowulf (8th century), "The Wanderer," "The Seafarer," are examples of oral Anglo-Saxon poetry, and were significant works. The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 influenced the transition from Anglo-Saxon to Middle English.

  • Middle English Period (1066-1450):

    • Anglo-Norman Period (1100-1350): French dialect spoken by invaders. Literature in Anglo-Norman. Key works Lais. Roman de la Rose, and Erec et Enide. Middle English development occurred.
    • Late/High Medieval Period (1200-1485): Significant Middle English writings like Geoffrey Chaucer's works, The Pearl Poet, The Wakefield Master, and William Langland's Piers Plowman. Includes works for the general public, unlike earlier, more elite written works.

  • Renaissance and Reformation (c. 1485-1660 CE):

    • Early Tudor Period (1485-1558): Henry Tudor (Henry VII) claims the throne, ending the War of the Roses. Protestantism emerges, leading to Henry VIII's Anglican schism, and the Plantation of Ireland.
    • Elizabethan Period (1558-1603): Reign of Elizabeth I. A significant age of English literature, marked by great playwrights like William Shakespeare. Prose writers such as Edmund Spenser and Christopher Marlowe. Period of rapid development in English commerce, maritime power, and nationalist feeling. Defeat of the Spanish Armada (1588).
    • Jacobean Period (1603-1625): Reign of James I. Key figures including John Donne's sermons, and Robert Burton's Anatomy of Melancholy, along with the development of English prose.
    • Caroline Age (1625-1649): Reign of King Charles I. Characterised by Civil War. Cavalier poets, including the works of poets like, John Suckling, and Thomas Carew.

  • Commonwealth Period/Puritan Interregnum (1649-1660): Execution of Charles I and the rule of Oliver Cromwell. Emphasis on English prose and religious writing. Key figures: Milton. The period ends with the restoration of the Stuart monarchy under Charles II in 1660.

  • Colonial Period (1607-1775): Early settlements, religious themes in writing, practical and historical writings. Key figures in 17th century writing: William Bradford and John Winthrop. 18th-century writing: Jonathan Edwards, Ben Franklin.

  • Early National Period (1775-1865): Period marked by the Revolutionary War, the rise of a national imaginative literature, early American novel, The Power of Sympathy (1789) and the magazine The North American Review (1815),

  • Romantic Period (1828-1865): Known as the American Renaissance. Key figures: Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Edgar Allan Poe, Herman Melville, and Nathaniel Hawthorne. Marked by Transcendentalism, a philosophical and literary movement. Importance of feminist authors and writings.

  • Realism (1865-1914): Key figures: Mark Twain, William Dean Howells, and Henry James. Importance of American authors focused on realistic portrayal of American life, such as the Civil War and Reconstruction, or American social and economic issues.

  • Modernism (1914-1939): Focus on trauma in world conflicts, such as World War 1, and writers often felt disillusioned with American culture and ideals. Key figures: T. S. Eliot, Ezra Pound, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway

  • Harlem Renaissance (1917-1920s): Important figures in literature, music, dance, painting and sculpture. Influenced by the mass migration of African-Americans from the South to the urban North in order to escape legal segregation of the American South. African-American writers like Langston Hughes.

  • The Lost Generation (1920s): A group of writers disillusioned regarding American culture and values, after World War 1: Key figures F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and others.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

Related Documents

The English-American Literary Periods PDF

Description

Explore the rich history of English-American literary periods ranging from the Classical Period to the Patristic Period. Discover key figures, significant works, and the cultural contexts that shaped these eras. This quiz will enhance your understanding of literature's evolution through time.

More Like This

Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Open
Browser
Browser