The Old English Period (c. 500-1066)

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following novels is recognized as the first novel for children?

  • Wuthering Heights
  • Jane Eyre
  • Alice in Wonderland
  • The Water-Babies (correct)

Lewis Carroll is known for writing Wuthering Heights.

False (B)

Who are the Brontë sisters known for their contributions to Victorian literature?

Charlotte and Emily Brontë

The character Heathcliff is from the novel _____ by Emily Brontë.

<p>Wuthering Heights</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the author with their famous work:

<p>Charles Kingsley = The Water-Babies Lewis Carroll = Alice in Wonderland Charlotte Brontë = Jane Eyre Emily Brontë = Wuthering Heights</p> Signup and view all the answers

What genre primarily characterized the Victorian literary age?

<p>Novels (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What task was Oliver required to begin the next morning?

<p>Picking oakum (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Victorian novel gained popularity due to the increase in literacy and affordable publishing.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant issue did Jane Austen often explore in her novels?

<p>Marriage and social class</p> Signup and view all the answers

The board believed that poor people enjoyed living in the workhouse.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one food item the poor people received twice a week?

<p>an onion</p> Signup and view all the answers

The board issued three meals of thin gruel a day, with an _______ twice a week.

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

Match the following elements to their descriptions:

<p>Picking oakum = A task assigned to Oliver Thin gruel = Main food served to the poor Water-works = Provided an unlimited supply of water Divorce = A decision made to reduce expenses for the board</p> Signup and view all the answers

What alternative did the board offer poor people in the workhouse?

<p>Starvation by a gradual or quick process (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The board took measures to ensure all poor married couples could stay together.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did the board decide was necessary regarding the workhouse?

<p>To stop it as a place of public entertainment for the poor.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What poetic form does Spenser use in his work?

<p>Spenserian sonnet (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Spenser's comparisons in the poem focus solely on physical beauty.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used for a turn in the argument, idea, or mood in poetry?

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

Spenser's lines follow an ________ which consists of 10 syllables, with every second syllable stressed.

<p>iambic pentameter</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following descriptions with their corresponding terms:

<p>Rubies = Comparison for lips Sapphires = Comparison for eyes Beautiful inside = Inner beauty Iambic pentameter = Structure of the lines</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the rhyme scheme used in Spenser's sonnets?

<p>abab-bcbc-cdcd-ee (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Theatre gained popularity during the Middle Ages.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What quality is highlighted alongside physical beauty in the poem?

<p>inner beauty</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which literary form focuses on idealizing nature and rural life?

<p>Pastoral (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A soliloquy is a speech delivered by a character when they are not alone on stage.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main theme of the stories about King Arthur and his knights?

<p>Noble causes such as a Christian ideal or a virtuous lady (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a sonnet?

<p>A lyric poem consisting of 14 lines with a strict rhyme scheme and rhythm.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Morality plays often feature saints or Biblical characters.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The __________ of the argument in a sonnet signifies a shift in mood or perspective.

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

Which of the following is a characteristic of the Theatre of the Absurd?

<p>Depiction of life as irrational and meaningless (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is considered the most famous poet from the period discussed?

<p>Geoffrey Chaucer</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Pope banned drama from churches in the year _____.

<p>1210</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their definitions:

<p>Mystery Play = Medieval drama based on biblical events Satire = Literature that ridicules a subject Stream Of Consciousness = Random presentation of a character's thoughts Secular Drama = Worldly and non-religious drama</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their definitions:

<p>Mystery Plays = Plays depicting Biblical stories performed during Christian holidays Morality Plays = Allegorical plays that teach moral lessons Everyman = An example of a morality play The Canterbury Tales = A collection of stories framed by a pilgrimage</p> Signup and view all the answers

A romance typically involves themes of adventure, knights, and secret love.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of storytelling technique is used in 'The Canterbury Tales'?

<p>Frame story (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of satire in literature?

<p>To expose and criticize what the writer perceives as wrong.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The guilds were responsible for the organization of mysteries after drama was banned from churches.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the story-telling contest in 'The Canterbury Tales'?

<p>To kill time during the pilgrimage to Canterbury</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which event marked the beginning of the Victorian Age?

<p>The coronation of Queen Victoria (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Victorian Age was characterized by the decline of the aristocracy's power.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant publication by Darwin during the Victorian Age challenged traditional views of creation?

<p>Origin of Species</p> Signup and view all the answers

The rise of factories during the Victorian Age led to the growth of the __________ class.

<p>upper middle</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the major consequences of the overcrowded cities during the Victorian Age?

<p>Increase in demand for social reforms (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following developments with their impacts:

<p>Growth of middle class = Political power shifts Railway system = Cheap transportation Social reforms = Improved labor conditions Literacy rates = Rising audience for novels</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Romantic poet's influence continued strongly without any changes during the Victorian Age.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What system allowed readers to buy novels in installments during the Victorian Age?

<p>instalment system</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Simile

A literary device that compares two things using 'like' or 'as'.

Metaphor

A literary device that compares two things directly, without using 'like' or 'as'.

Volta

A shift or turn in the argument, idea, or mood of a poem, often found in the last two lines of a sonnet.

Iambic pentameter

A rhythmic pattern in poetry where every second syllable is stressed.

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Sonnet

A poem with 14 lines written in iambic pentameter, with specific rhyme schemes.

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Rhyme scheme

A set of rhyming words in a poem, following a specific pattern.

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Renaissance

A literary movement that emphasized reason, human potential, and classicism.

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Theatre

A form of dramatic performance that involves actors, a stage, costumes, and a script.

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Romance

A type of medieval literature that tells stories about brave knights, often featuring Christian ideals or heroic deeds.

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Frame Story

A story that provides the framework for other stories within it. Think of it as a container for multiple tales.

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Mystery Plays

Plays that focused on religious themes, often depicting stories from the Bible or the lives of saints, performed on wagons that moved around town.

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The Victorian Era

A historical period in England from 1837 to 1901 marked by Queen Victoria's reign, rapid industrialization, and the rise of the middle class.

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Morality Plays

Plays that used allegorical characters to teach moral lessons about good versus evil. These characters represent abstract qualities like 'Death,' 'Beauty,' and 'Pride.'

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The Canterbury Tales

The most famous work of Geoffrey Chaucer, a collection of stories told by a group of pilgrims on their journey to Canterbury.

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Industrialization

The increasing use of machines and factories for mass production, which led to a significant shift in society.

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Geoffrey Chaucer

The great English poet of the Middle Ages, famous for The Canterbury Tales.

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Middle Class

The social class between the aristocracy and the working class, gaining power during the Victorian era.

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Proletariat

The lower class, often working in factories under harsh conditions with long hours.

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Medieval Drama

A type of medieval drama that emerged after its banishment from churches in the 13th century. It originated from short dramatizations of religious texts and evolved into elaborate performances on wagons.

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Reform Bills

A series of laws passed during the Victorian era to improve working conditions, child labor, education, and voting rights.

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The Middle Ages

A period in European history that followed the fall of the Roman Empire and marked the rise of Christianity and feudalism, lasting roughly from the 5th to the 15th centuries.

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Darwin's Theory of Evolution

Charles Darwin's groundbreaking theory, challenging the traditional view of the world's creation.

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Victorian Novel

A literary genre popular in the Victorian era, characterized by vivid characters, intricate plots, and social commentary.

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Victorian Romantic Poetry

A style of poetry that emphasizes a sense of longing, regret, and romantic escapism.

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Picking Oakum

A type of work that involves separating fibers from a rope or similar material. It was considered a menial task in Oliver Twist's time.

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Workhouse

A place where the poor and destitute were sent to live, often with harsh conditions. Oliver Twist was sent to a workhouse.

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The Board

The governing body or committee of a workhouse responsible for its management and policies.

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Tender Laws of England

A system of laws that were designed to help the poor, but often resulted in hardship for those who depended on them.

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Gradual Process of Starving

The process of gradually starving someone to death.

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Thin Gruel

A simple, watery porridge, often served as a meal in workhouses.

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Half a Roll on Sundays

A type of bread that was a standard food in the workhouse.

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Doctors' Commons

The official court for handling divorce cases in England.

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Victorian Crisis

The Victorian era was a time of great change and upheaval, marked by a struggle between faith and doubt, hope and disillusionment. This conflict is reflected in the works of many Victorian writers, who often explored these themes in their novels.

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Victorian Novel's Popularity

The Victorian novel was incredibly popular because more and more people learned to read and because novels were sold in cheap installments, making them accessible to a wider audience.

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Victorian Novel Themes - Gentry and Marriage

The Victorian novel often explored the lives and problems of the landed gentry and upper middle class in rural England, often focusing on the importance of making a suitable marriage within one's social class.

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Jane Austen's Contribution

Jane Austen was a key pioneer of the Victorian novel, her works like 'Pride and Prejudice' and 'Emma' examined the social norms and complexities of the upper classes, using wit and irony to expose their follies.

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Charlotte Brontë's 'Jane Eyre'

Charlotte Brontë, known for her novel 'Jane Eyre', was a prominent Victorian writer. Her works often explored themes of love, loss, and social injustice, drawing on her own experiences as a governess and reflecting the Victorian social landscape.

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Emily Brontë's 'Wuthering Heights'

Emily Brontë's only novel, 'Wuthering Heights', is considered a literary masterpiece. Despite its controversial characters and themes, it gained immense popularity after her death. The book's intense depiction of passion, revenge, and social inequality challenged the Victorian norms.

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Rise of Children's Novels

The Victorian Period saw the emergence of novels specifically written for children, marking a change from the earlier didactic and often cruel children's stories. This shift reflected a changing attitude towards children's literature.

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Novel’s Decline in Popularity

At the end of the Victorian era, the novel started losing its dominance, with theatre regaining popularity. However, the Victorian novel left a lasting impact on literature and continues to be studied and enjoyed today.

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Pastoral

A poem or play that celebrates and idealizes nature and rural life, often expressing a longing for it.

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Secular Drama

A dramatic performance that is not based on religious themes, but deals with worldly events and human experiences.

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Soliloquy

A speech delivered by a character alone on stage, revealing their thoughts and feelings to the audience.

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Stream Of Consciousness

A literary technique where a character's thoughts and feelings are presented in a stream of consciousness, without logical order or structure.

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Study Notes

Contents

  • The Old English (Anglo-Saxon) Period: c. 500-1066 (page 2)
  • The Middle English Period: 1066-1500 (page 2)
  • The Renaissance: 1500-1660 (page 2)
  • The Age of Reason: 1660-1800 (page 11)
  • The Romantic Period: 1800-1837 (page 11)
  • The Victorian Age: 1837-1901 (page 11)
  • Glossary of important literary terms: (page 33)

Topic: The Old English (Anglo-Saxon) Period (c. 500-1066)

  • The Angles, Saxons, and Jutes migrated to Britain in the 5th century AD.
  • Britain had been a province of the Roman Empire until 410 AD.
  • The Celts were already inhabiting the land, and were later pushed to the corners of the country by the Germanic immigrants.
  • The Germanic tribes established kingdoms and lived peacefully for centuries before Vikings arrived
  • The Celts converted the new settlers to Christianity.
  • Invasions in the 8th and 9th centuries by Scandinavian pirates, or Vikings
  • Vikings settled in some areas.
  • Anglo-Saxons and Vikings eventually assimilated and converted to Christianity.

Topic: Poetry

  • Old English poems were mainly anonymous and not written down.
  • Poems are in alliterative verse with a regular rhythm.
  • The most famous poem is Beowulf (c. 700), 3182 lines of alliterative verse.
  • Beowulf tells the story of a young Swedish warrior who comes to King Hrothgar's court.
  • The poem has two main parts: Grendel's attack and the dragon's attack.
  • The story is Scandinavian and is not specifically set in England or Denmark.

Topic: The Middle English Period (1066-1500)

  • William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, invaded England in 1066.
  • The feudal system was a hierarchical system based on the ownership of land.
  • The Doomsday Book (1086) was an important historical record documenting the land ownership and everything everyone owned in England
  • French gradually became the common language of the ruling class.
  • English, however, remained the common language of the common people.

Topic: The Renaissance (1500-1660)

  • Henry VIII broke with the Roman Catholic Church in 1533.
  • Henry VIII made himself Supreme Head of the Church of England.
  • Queen Elizabeth I, his daughter, became queen in 1558.
  • Religious quarrels continued.
  • The Treasury was nearly empty and the country in a bad state at the time.
  • The rise of the novel is linked to the middle class's growth.

Topic: The Age of Reason (1660-1800)

  • Charles I was succeeded by his son Charles II.
  • Religious quarrels continued during this time.
  • In 1793 Britain declared war with France and war continued until 1805.
  • In 1714, Anne, his sister, died and his distant German cousin, George of Hanover, became king, and that's why English government power shifted into the hands of powerful ministers.
  • The wealthy upper-middle class gained power and politically dominated England
  • Science made significant advancements, leading to optimism and confidence in reason.
  • Emphasis on rationality and logic (rather than emotion).

Topic: The Romantic Period (1800-1837)

  • The Romantic period began with the publication of Lyrical Ballads in 1798, by Wordsworth and Coleridge.
  • Romantic poets emphasized emotion, imagination, and non-rational forces.
  • They idealize the past, simple people close to nature, and exotic cultures.

Topic: The Victorian Age (1837-1901)

  • Great Britain was a powerful and industrial nation during Victoria's reign.
  • The railway system expanded, factories emerged, and the wealthy upper middle class dominated the country.
  • The industrialization caused great poverty in many people and led to social reforms.
  • The novels were popular because the reading public expanded, and weekly instalments of novels enabled mass consumption.

Literary Terms

  • Allegory: A story representing abstract ideas.
  • Alliteration: Words starting with the same letter in the same line.
  • Ballad: Short, simple narrative, originally meant to be sung.
  • Comedy of Manners: Satire, typically of upper-class society.
  • Courtly Love: Idealized, often unattainable love.
  • Dystopian Novel: Imaginary place or condition where everything is bad.
  • Elegy: Poem expressing grief or sorrow.
  • Epic: Long narrative poem of heroic achievements.
  • Gothic Novel: Genre of horror and mystery.
  • Lambic Pentameter: Poetry line with ten syllables.
  • Link-in-frame Story: Series of stories within a larger story.
  • Morality Play: Allegory teaching moral lessons.
  • Mystery Play: Based on events from the Bible.
  • Pastoral: Poem idealizing rural life.
  • Romance: Story of adventurous deeds and loves.
  • Satire: Use of humour to criticize.
  • Secular Drama: Secular form of drama.
  • Soliloquy: Character's speech to the audience, alone on stage.
  • Sonnet: Poem with 14 lines and a specific rhyme scheme and rhythm.
  • Stream of Consciousness: Representing a character's thoughts without logical order.
  • Theatre of the Absurd: Drama ignoring normal conventions.
  • Volta: A turn in a sonnet's argument, thought, or mood.

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