Overview of English Literature

Definition: Body of written works produced in the English language, encompassing a wide range of genres, themes, and periods.

Old English (450-1150)
- Notable Works: "Beowulf"
- Characteristics: Use of Anglo-Saxon, epic poetry, and heroic tales.
Middle English (1150-1500)
- Notable Works: "The Canterbury Tales" by Geoffrey Chaucer
- Characteristics: Use of a variety of dialects; themes of chivalry, religion, and social critique.
Renaissance (1500-1660)
- Notable Figures: William Shakespeare, John Milton
- Characteristics: Humanism, exploration of the human condition, rich use of imagery and metaphor.
Restoration and 18th Century (1660-1798)
- Notable Works: "Gulliver's Travels" by Jonathan Swift, poetry of Alexander Pope
- Characteristics: Satire, emphasis on reason, and societal norms.
Romantic Period (1798-1837)
- Notable Figures: William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Lord Byron
- Characteristics: Focus on emotion, nature, individualism, and the sublime.
Victorian Era (1837-1901)
- Notable Figures: Charles Dickens, George Eliot, Thomas Hardy
- Characteristics: Industrialization themes, social reform, moral seriousness.
Modernism (1910-1945)
- Notable Figures: Virginia Woolf, James Joyce, T.S. Eliot
- Characteristics: Stream of consciousness, fragmentation, questioning of traditional narratives.
Postmodernism (1945-Present)
- Notable Figures: Thomas Pynchon, Don DeLillo, Salman Rushdie
- Characteristics: Pastiche, intertextuality, skepticism towards grand narratives.

Poetry: Ranges from sonnets and ballads to free verse; explores emotions and ideas.
Drama: Includes tragedies and comedies; notable playwrights include Shakespeare and Harold Pinter.
Novels: A dominant form since the 18th century; explores character development, social issues, and complex narratives.
Short Stories: Focus on brevity and impact; notable authors include Edgar Allan Poe and Katherine Mansfield.

Identity and Self: Exploration of personal and societal identity.
Nature: Often depicted as a reflection of human emotions and experiences.
Social Critique: Examination of societal norms, class struggle, and moral issues.
Love and Relationships: Various representations ranging from romantic to familial.

Transcendentalism: Emphasizes intuition and the inherent goodness of people.
Realism: Focuses on representing everyday life and society without idealization.
Surrealism: Explores the unconscious mind through bizarre imagery and themes.

These notes provide a structured overview of English literature, highlighting its key periods, genres, themes, and notable figures.

Body of written works in English, includes a diverse range of genres and themes across multiple historical periods.

Old English (450-1150):
- Notable for works like "Beowulf," characterized by Anglo-Saxon language and heroic epic poetry.
Middle English (1150-1500):
- Famous for "The Canterbury Tales" by Geoffrey Chaucer, featuring various dialects and themes of chivalry, religion, and social critique.
Renaissance (1500-1660):
- Key figures include William Shakespeare and John Milton, focusing on humanism and profound imagery to explore the human condition.
Restoration and 18th Century (1660-1798):
- Notable works include Jonathan Swift's "Gulliver's Travels," characterized by satire and a focus on reason and societal norms.
Romantic Period (1798-1837):
- Prominent figures like William Wordsworth and Lord Byron, emphasizing emotion, nature, and individualism.
Victorian Era (1837-1901):
- Key figures such as Charles Dickens and George Eliot, addressing themes of industrialization, social reform, and moral seriousness.
Modernism (1910-1945):
- Writers like Virginia Woolf and T.S. Eliot led a movement marked by stream-of-consciousness writing and fragmented narratives that questioned traditional storytelling.
Postmodernism (1945-Present):
- Notable authors include Thomas Pynchon and Salman Rushdie, characterized by pastiche, intertextuality, and skepticism of overarching narratives.

Poetry: Encompasses various forms such as sonnets, ballads, and free verse, expressing deep emotions and ideas.
Drama: Comprises tragedies and comedies, with significant contributions from playwrights including Shakespeare and Harold Pinter.
Novels: Became dominant in the 18th century, exploring characters and social issues with intricate narratives.
Short Stories: Emphasize brevity and powerful storytelling, notable authors include Edgar Allan Poe and Katherine Mansfield.

Identity and Self: Addresses personal identity and societal perceptions of self.
Nature: Often symbolizes human emotions and experiences, reflecting a connection to the natural world.
Social Critique: Involves analysis of societal norms, class struggles, and moral dilemmas.
Love and Relationships: Explores a range of relationships, highlighting both romantic and familial connections.

Imagery: Utilizes descriptive language appealing to the senses for vivid storytelling.
Symbolism: Employs symbols to convey deeper meanings and concepts.
Irony: Establishes contrasts between expectation and reality, frequently utilized in satirical contexts.
Metaphor and Simile: Figures of speech that create comparisons to enhance understanding and imagery.

Transcendentalism: Advocates for intuition and the inherent goodness in humanity.
Realism: Focuses on depicting everyday life and society without romanticized embellishments.
Surrealism: Investigates the unconscious mind through unconventional imagery and themes.

William Shakespeare: Renowned for "Hamlet," "Macbeth," and "Romeo and Juliet."
Jane Austen: Celebrated for "Pride and Prejudice" and "Emma," which explore themes of marriage and morality.
Charles Dickens: Known for "A Tale of Two Cities" and "Great Expectations," highlighting social issues and human struggles.
George Orwell: Famous for "1984" and "Animal Farm," critiquing totalitarianism and societal structures.