European Literature Overview PDF

EUROPEAN LITERATURE  European Literature refers to the literature in many languages; among the most important of the modern written works are those of the following: English, Spanish, French, Dutch, Polish, Irish, German, Italian, Modern Greek, Czech, Russian, Bosnian and Scandinavian...

EUROPEAN LITERATURE  European Literature refers to the literature in many languages; among the most important of the modern written works are those of the following: English, Spanish, French, Dutch, Polish, Irish, German, Italian, Modern Greek, Czech, Russian, Bosnian and Scandinavian  It has 24 official languages: Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Irish, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish and Swedish Medieval Period (500-1500) Masterful works like Beowulf, The Song of Roland, The Nibelungenlid and the seminal work of Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales William Shakespeare (Romeo and Juliet) took the level of its literary standard into a whole new high (Renaissance Period) Age of Enlightenment (1700-1800) Focus on celebration of ideas- ideas about what the human mind was capable and could be achieved through scientific methodology Enlightened ideas were political in Nature Rousseau-He advocates social reform of all kinds (Émile/On Education) Voltaire- He employed dry wit and sarcasm to entertain his readers while making convincing arguments of reform Age of Enlightenment (1700-1800) Torchbearersof Enlightenment literature and philosophy are Voltaire and Jean- Jacques Rousseau Romantic Movement (1798-1870) Displays variety in style, theme, and content Romanticismis concerned with the masses not with the middle class IndividualConsciousness and imagination are especially fascinating Romantic Movement (1798-1870) Mary Shelley’s masterpiece is Frankenstein. Lord Byron- Don Juan The focus of literature shifted from scientific to mysterious  Victorian Period (1873-1901) The name borrowed from the royal of England, Queen Victoria Victorian writers exhibited some well- established habits from previous eras at the same time pushing arts and letters in new and interesting directions Writers wrote with simplicity, truth and tempered emotion  Well-known writers Charlotte and Emily Bronte Lord Tennyson Robert Browning Gustave Flaubert George Eliot Fyodor Dostoyevsky Thomas Hardy Realism (1820-1920) It is attention to detail and replicates the true nature of reality Novel’s function is simply to report what happens without comment or judgment Realism (1820-1920) Famous writers during this period : Franz Kafka William Butler Yeats T.S Eliot Vicente Biasco Ibane  Naturalism (1870-1920) Soughtto go further and be more explanatory than realism by identifying the underlying causes for a a person’s actions or beliefs Environment plays a large part in narrative structure Locale shapes the personalities of the characters without them even realizing it  Naturalism (1870-1920) EmilyZola – one of the most influential writers in this period , provided inspiration and model in writing  Existentialism (1850-Today) Emphasizes individual existence, freedom and choice. Humans define their own meaning in life, and try to make rational decisions despite existing in an irrational universe.Crime and Punishment – profound example of existentialist Existentialism (1850-Today) Albert Camus – the name most related to existentialist literature. - - The characters in his work are caught in situations that are way out of their control and getting out of the situation.  Modernist Period (1910-1965) Presented a new way of living and seeing the world Writersare free to try new concepts in writing like the use of the unreliable narrator  About Harry Potter HarryPotter is a series of seven fantasy novels written by British author J. K. Rowling. The novels chronicle the lives of a young wizard, Harry Potter, and his friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The main story arc concerns Harry's struggle against Lord Voldemort, a dark wizard who intends to become immortal, overthrow the wizard governing body known as the Ministry of Magic.  The Author JoanneRowling born 31 July 1965, also known by her pen name J. K. Rowling, is a British author and philanthropist. She wrote Harry Potter, a seven-volume children's fantasy series published from 1997 to 2007. The series has sold over 500 million copies, been translated into at least 70 languages, and spawned a global media franchise including films and video game  Main Characters Harry Potter- The protagonist of the story, who is gradually transformed from timid weakling to powerful hero by the end. Hermione Granger- She comes from a purely Muggle family, and her character illustrates the social-adjustment problems often faced by new students at Hogwarts. Ron Weasley- A shy, modest boy who comes from an impoverished wizard family. Ron is Harry’s first friend at Hogwarts, and they become close. Voldemort- A great wizard gone bad. When he killed Harry’s parents, Voldemort gave Harry a lightning-shaped scar. Voldemort has thus shaped Harry’s life so that Harry’s ultimate destruction of him appears as a kind of vengeance. Short Introduction Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (released in the United States, India and the Philippines as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone) is a 2001 fantasy film directed by Chris Columbus and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, based on J. K. Rowling's 1997 novel of the same name. Produced by David Heyman and written by Steve Kloves, it is the first instalment of the Harry Potter film series. Setting England 1990’s Processing Questions What is the major conflict of the story? Processing Questions What is the resolution of the story? Moral Lesson Love conquers hate The most significant of Harry’s advantages was love. Harry survived Voldemort’s curse because of his mother’s instinct to protect him. Love literally saved Harry’s life, and its power remained as the magic associated with his mother’s sacrifice took root in the home of his only surviving relative.