Historia Literatury Anglojęzycznej - 2nd Year 1st Term PDF

HISTORIA LITERATURY ANGLOJĘZYCZNEJ KONSULTACJE: 9:30-10:15 WTOREK 15:15 - 16:45 PIĄTEK POKÓJ: ZB-4.08/4.09 The Imaginary Landscapes of Revolution in William Blake’s selected works. Songs of Innocence and of Experience Shewing the Two Contrary States of the Human Soul Songs of Innocence (1789) and So...

HISTORIA LITERATURY ANGLOJĘZYCZNEJ KONSULTACJE: 9:30-10:15 WTOREK 15:15 - 16:45 PIĄTEK POKÓJ: ZB-4.08/4.09 The Imaginary Landscapes of Revolution in William Blake’s selected works. Songs of Innocence and of Experience Shewing the Two Contrary States of the Human Soul Songs of Innocence (1789) and Songs of Experience (1794), written and illustrated by William Blake William Blake’s works: - The Marriage of Heaven and Hell (ca 1790) Urizen Los Test: Identyfikacja tekstu i autora Additional task will result in higher grade By comparing Blake’s two ‘Chimney Sweeper’ poems, we can get some sense of his feelings about innocence and experience as ‘contrary states’. The sweep in Innocence doesn’t understand the life in which he finds himself. He is sold ‘while yet [his] tongue, / Could scarcely cry weep weep, weep weep’. ‘Weep’ sounds very like ‘sweep’. This is a poetic strategy with which Blake suggests that as there is little difference in the way the words sound to our ears, so there is little difference in what the words mean to the child. But the child’s language is not adequate to make sense of his sorrow. He does not know that he has been taught a false language, which makes him believe that sadness must be a fact of everyday life. The little child who narrates the Song from Innocence is, therefore, unable to comprehend the world in which he finds himself. This makes innocence a much more frightening state than experience. The chimney sweeper of Experience knows his position is one of ‘misery’ and angrily berates society for it. Like the child of Innocence he cries ‘weep weep’ and Blake again puns on the similarity of sound between ‘weep’ and ‘sweep’. The difference is that the child of experience knows this life has been forced upon him and he realises that he has been ‘taught’ the language of the sweep’s sorrowful life. Unlike innocence, Blake suggests that experience is a state of knowledge and control. Selected. Interpretative Keys to Blake’s Poems and Prophecies - Urizen vs Los - Political, Social, and Poetic Revolution - Faith vs Organised Religion - Nature vs Progress - Overman (forming human being into something greater) - Fiery Thinking (Myślenie płomieniste - Tadeusz Sławek) How can we divide a poetic idiom? Critic of a natural world that exploits one another. Proverbs of Hell (a selection) - Drive your cart and your plough over the bones of the dead - The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom - He who desires, but acts not, breeds pesilence - A fool sees not the same tree that a wise man sees - The hours of folly are measured by the clock, but of wisdom no clock can measure - No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings - The roaring of of lions, the howling of wolves, the raging of the stormy seas - Wordsworth & Coleridge: Lyrical Ballads collection of poems: A) 1798 - first edition B) 1800 - second edition Tintern Abbey Poetry and the idea of turning to Nature; Wordsworth’s programme poem „ Lines ? a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey, on Revisiting tge Banks of the Wye during a Tour, July 13 1798”. Johnathan Bate - reintroduced Romantics as the poets of nature. Samuel Taylor Coleridge - „The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud Romanticism - Timespan: 1790-1830 Slogans of Romanticism - Author - creator - Human & Nature - Liberation of passions - Political radiacalism Conceptions of poetry: - The pastoral conception - The prophetic conception The plot is extremely simple, depicting 1st Generation: William Blake (1757-1827) William Wordsworth (1770-1850) Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1722-1834) Emphasize the importnce of preventing memories. William Wordsworth & Samuel Taylor Coleridge - „Lake Poets”; Wordsworth Coleridge - Robert Southey Reason vs Passion The poet is passionate and reminiscences about the world The Albators symbolizes the grace of God albatros also represents the help of a guide through difficult times. Nature: As he wanders through the sky he admires the outstanding beauty of the world. Youth/Old age Inward eye The Eolim Hap Kubla Khan Manfred - The Giaour - The bird symbolizes an awareness Ode on a Grecian Urn: The speaker is fascinated by the images he sees on the urn, as they capture life but frozen. The Carswin Don Juan John Keats: - No upper class background - Trained to be an apothecary - Tuberculosis - „family disease” - Famous works: „The Eve of St. Agnes”, „La Belle Dame sans Merci”, „Ode to a Nightingale” - Highly inspired by John Milton Percy Bysshe Shelley - Prometheus Unbound - a lyrical drama - Prometheus Bound by Aeschylus - John Milton’s Satan in Paradise Lost Adona’s closet drama Ode to a Nightingale: The poem focuses on a speaker standing in a dark forest listening to the beguiling and beautiful song of the nightingale. This provokes a deep and meandering meditation by speaker - Nothing can last; loss is inevitable - The speaker perceives the bird as immortality - The speaker is conflicted whether anything was real Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice: 1. Bennets are poor, Bingley is richer and Darcy is the richest, Wickham is broke 2. Because Darcy is more clever and more rich 3. Elizabeth makes assumptions about mr Darcy based upon their first meeting, she is prejudiced against him until the end of the book 4. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth is prejudiced against mr. Darcy and mr. Darcy’s excessive pride prohibits him from expressing his feelings towards Elizabeth 5. Elizabeth in a mocking tone 6. It happens when Elizabeth’s thoughts are presented without signifying that „she thought of” something. 7. Elizabeth is attracted to Wickham’s happy readiness of conversation - a readiness at the same time perfectly correct and unassuming. He pushes her away from Mr. Darcy as he spreads lies about him 8. Mr Bennet is the family patriarch, he is fond of his eldest daughters while he does not pay that much attention to the younger ones 9. The visit reveals the truth about mr. Darcy which proves Elizabeth’s assumptions were wrong and that Wickham lied. 10. After reading the letter 11. It might be because Mr. Darcy is wealthier than Elizabeth, so it represents their different financial statuses 12. It does end with a fairy-tale ending 13. The novel voices criticism the idea of traditional marriage where importance is placed on aspects such as possessions, connections and class Against the convention: Gothic fiction, Laurence Sterne, Mary Shelley Towards gothic fiction: Early English novel: didactic, rational, realistic, middle-class The feeling of exhaustion Fielding, Richardson - authors belonging to the older generation The new thrill was needed: Horace Walpole, The Castle of Otranto Horace Walpole, The Castle of Otranto First edition: 1764 Combining medieval romance and contemporary romance 1750 - Samuel Johnson in The Rambler expresses his concern with fiction relying mainly on imagination The Castle of Otranto as the first gothic novel The Castle of Otranto - editions First edition - Published anonymously - Presented as an Italian novel Next editions: - Walpole reveals his autorship Gothic as a literary mode: - Terror - obscured, indirect, playing on the reader’s superstition, evocative - Ann Radcliffe, The Mysteries of Udolpho, „explained supernatural” - ghosts never show up - Horror - straightforward, obscene, materialised threat - Matthew Gregory Lewis, The Monk; demonic and spectral presence, vivid sexual imagery Laurence Sterne, Tristram Shandy: - 1759-1767 - Sentimental novel - The life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman - 9 volumes, digressive - Topic: writing an autobiography - Humorous, ironic - Influence: Miguel de Cervantes, Don Quixote - Experimental language and typography - No progression of the plot Metafiction Frankenstein - Mary Shelley Mary Shelley - born to a family of a radical William Godwin John Polidori ‚MAZEPPA’ Villa Diodati Plasticator Pyrophoros 1816 - meeting in Villa Diodati in Switzerland Frankenstein Appearance: - grotesque - tall - yellow skin - black hair - his appearance evokes fear - his body is stitched from various body parts - black lips - white teeth Feeling Frankenstein: - He felt miserable - Mix of anger - Sense of guilt - Suffering because monster killed his relatives Monster: - Wanted to hurt Victor and their relatives - Not fitting in society - His creator doesn’t accept him Qualities of monstrosity: - appearance of monster - violent behavior - lack of acceptance Creature in pop culture vs creature in novel Difference: - Color of skin (blue vs yellow, green) - Bolts in his neck Similarity: - Stitches on body Look for peace in life and people John Milton, “Paradise Lost”: - to motto odnosi się do utraty niewinności, konsekwencji grzechu - upadek moralny Victora, podobny do upadku Adama i Ewy, ponieważ Victor tworząc potwora jest odpowiedzialny za jegi czyny Modern Prometeus - Creature brings sth to the society Sources: Jeffrey Jerome Cohen, “Monster Culture (Seven Theses)” Seven Theses: Thesis 1 - The Monster’s Body is a Cultural Body Thesis 2 - The Monster Always Escapes Thesis 3 - The Monster is the Harbinger of Category Crisis Thesis 4 - The Monster Dwells at the Gates of Difference Thesis 5 - The Monster Polices the Borders of the Possible Thesis 6 - Fear of the Monster is Really a Kind of Desire Thesis 7 - Monster Stands at the Threshold of Becoming Dynamics of revenge Two sides emotional and plot about revenge In "Wuthering Heights," revenge is a central theme, driving characters like Heathcliff to seek vengeance for perceived wrongs. Heathcliff's desire for revenge against those who mistreated him reflects the destructive nature of unresolved resentment, contributing to the novel's dark and intense atmosphere. The cyclical nature of revenge is evident as characters pass on their animosity to the next generation, perpetuating a cycle of vengeance and suffering. Factors of love that persists within, love as reasonable choices Love in "Wuthering Heights" is complex and often intertwined with darker emotions. Cathy and Heathcliff share a passionate and intense love, but it is also destructive. Their love is affected by societal expectations, class differences, and Heathcliff's desire for revenge. The novel explores the idea that love can be both transcendent and damaging, blurring the lines between love and obsession. Additionally, the theme of eternal love and the supernatural elements in the story contribute to the intricate portrayal of love in "Wuthering Heights." Wuthering Heights' comparison with Gothic tradition, supernatural, what lies beyound the spectre, atmosphere "Wuthering Heights" aligns with the Gothic tradition through its eerie atmosphere, supernatural elements, and the mysterious setting of the Wuthering Heights estate. The gloomy and isolated moors contribute to the novel's Gothic ambiance, enhancing the sense of foreboding and mystery. The supernatural aspects in the story, such as Cathy's ghost haunting Wuthering Heights, add a layer of complexity. The novel blurs the lines between the natural and the supernatural, heightening the emotional intensity and creating an otherworldly dimension. The spectral presence of Cathy's ghost symbolizes unresolved passions and the haunting effects of love and revenge. The atmospheric elements play a crucial role, with the moors and the imposing structure of Wuthering Heights itself becoming almost characters in their own right. The weather and landscape mirror the characters' emotions, contributing to the overall Gothic tone. The setting becomes a reflection of the tumultuous inner lives of the characters. In essence, "Wuthering Heights" draws on Gothic traditions by creating a haunting, atmospheric setting, incorporating supernatural elements, and exploring what lies beyond the specter of the everyday, delving into the darker aspects of human nature and emotions. The Victorian Era Queen Victoria’s reign (1837-1901) 1840 - married Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha Was the last British monarch of the House of Hanoveg was succeeded by her son, Edward VII of the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha Changes in legislation- - Reform Acts in 1832, 1867, 1884 - extended franchise Factory laws Marriage laws and women’s property right members of the Pre-Rephaelite Brotherhood - Industry and technology: - the industrial revolution Railway era Factories Strengthening of working class Birth of communism - Having Genuine ideas to express Studying nature attentively, to know how to express them Sympathizing with what is direct and serious and heartfelt in art, excluding what js conventional and self-parading and learned by rote Producing thoroughly good pictures and statues Philosophy and science Dante Gabriel Rosetti (1828-1882) - Utilitarianism Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) Charles Darwin and naturalism Major fields of scientific interest physical science psychology, medical science, social sciences Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861) - sonnets from the Portuguese Aurora Leigh „The Cry of the Children” - „The Blessed Damozel” The House of Life Christina Rossetti (1830-1894) - Goblin Market and Other Poems Algernon Charles Swinburne (1837-1909) - Atlanta in Claydon Poems and Ballads Charles Dickens (1812-1870) Robert Browning (1812-1889) - „My Last Duchess” Men and Women Alfred, Lord Temyson (1809-1892) Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood William Michl Rossetti believed there had been four dogmas shared by the - Pickwick Papers David Copperfield Bleak House A Tale Of Two Cities A Christmas Carol Hard Times Oliver Twist The Brontës Anne Brontë - The Tennant of Wildfell Hall Emily Brontë (1818–1848) - Wuthering Heights British authors indebtedness to the French decadenxe, symbolism, and naturalisation Fin de siecle as a challenge to Victorian ideas Charlotte Brontë (1816-1855) - Jane Eyre George Eliot (Marian Evans) (1819-1880) - Adam Bede Middlemarch Mill on the Floss Daniel Deronda George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) - Mrs Warren’s Profession Caesar and Cleopatra Pygmalion Man and Superman Victorian morality - recognised as morality of restraint Fin se siecle literature as a portrayal of emerging attitudes to sexuality, social issues, and scientific rrpgress Fin de siecle authors lack of faith in rationalismm or positivism Fin de siecle authors interest in subjectivism, vitalism, aesthicism, pessimism Recurrent themes: degeneration, change, corruption of body and mind, egoism Rudyard Kipling, “White Man’s Burden” 1876 1851 3 open questions discuss an author work Walter Pater Up to 3 points per task 1901 Reflect on literary significance (we dont have to remember the dates but know the epoque and what it brought to the epoque) Fin de siecle Fin de siecle - the end of a century the end of the 19th century in Britain Not merely about the date but rather about the period specific artistic, social and moral questions Connect the name to a trend/work/fact (no useless knowledge for instance someone died in XYZ) True and false - there will be traps! Connect the title to the author REVISION FOR THE TEST Byronic hero Byronic hero is a protagonist who wishes to do good, though he may feel conflicted in how to accomplish this goal. He may not want to undertake the quest that he has been given. The Byronic hero derives its name from Lord Byron, a Romantic poet who used such characters in his work. Lord Byron himself was something of a Byronic hero and matched many of the traits of his characters. As a Romantic, he focused on emotion and its consequences, making his characters complex. In comparison to traditional literary heroes who possess great bravery, inherent goodness, honesty, selflessness, etc., Byronic heroes have deep-rooted psychological issues that make them less ‘heroic’. They are presented as outcasts from society. Even though Byronic heroes don’t fit the qualities of a traditional hero, they are seen performing heroic acts, all the while being plagued by emotional obstacles such as self-doubt, violence and impulsive behaviour. Despite their innate heroic abilities, Byronic heroes are oftentimes destroyed by their flaws. Examples of Byronic heroes in literature: Mr. Darcy (Pride and Prejudice) - can be one of the best examples of Byronic hero as he posses most of the characteristics of Byronic hero such as he is always isolated from other, he is emotionally disturbed due to his hidden secrets inside him, he would have reason for his evil deeds, and who can correct his own mistake by realizing it Heathcliff (Wuthering Heights) Through the course of the book, it becomes evident that Heathcliff is a classic Byronic Hero. At first glance, he is a prideful man who brings misfortune to those around him. Heathcliff’s wife Isabella wonders if he is human at all. The man is a prisoner of the past. He holds grudges and is driven by vengeance. Heathcliff’s past remains a mystery to the reader.Until the end of the novel, the persona of Heathcliff is somewhat mysterious. He is an outcast, withdrawn from reality and fixed on himself. He dwells on the past and his tragic love. His love for Catherine is obsessive. Heathcliff is a Byronic Hero whose life is ruled by emotions. His passionate nature attracts the reader, but at the same time, destroys his own life. Victor Frankenstein (Frankenstein) Mary Shelley does market Victor Frankenstein as a Byronic hero. What separates him from the ideal hero is how unusual his actions and qualities make him. He is a man with a scarred past and this continues to haunt him until his eventual death in the arms of Walton. Anxiety of authorship Anxiety of authorship is a feminist theory developed by Gilbert and Gubar that can be read as a revision of Harold Bloom’s theory of ‘anxiety of influence’. They define it as a radical fear undergone by female writers that they cannot create. They can not be precursors and that the act of writing inevitably isolates her from male forefathers and destroys her. This anxiety is further followed by other anxieties that the literary forefathers will subdue her voice and identity as a writer, escape the dilemma she faces in defining her subjectivity and potentials.Bloom claims that a young poet suffers from the anxiety of belatedness, thereby being unable to successfully rival his literary fathers. But Gilbert and Gubar revised Bloom’s male centered model to make into account the experience of literary daughters. They argue that women writers like Jane Austin, Emile Dickinson do not fit into Bloom’s theory, as there are no material precursors under the male literary tradition. So the literary daughters have the anxiety of authorship imposed by the pervasive view of writings as only male activity- the pen as a metaphorical phallus. Social Darwinism Social Darwinists believe in “survival of the fittest”—the idea that certain people become powerful in society because they are innately better. Social Darwinism has been used to justify imperialism, racism, eugenics and social inequality at various times over the past century and a half. Queen Victoria’s coronation - 28 June 1838 - an important date, marking the beginning of the Victorian era (although the era technically started in 1837 this event is most relevant) It was in the Victorian era that the novel became the leading literary genre in English. English writing from this era reflects the major transformations in most aspects of English life, from scientific, economic, and technological advances to changes in class structures and the role of religion in society. Victorian-era literature was characterized by depictions of everyday people, hard lives, and moral lessons. They were meant for more than just entertainment. Victorians were interested in the hero as well as folk art. Victorian novels often focused on these themes. Romantic era vs Victorian era Romanticism started in the 18th century and finished at the beginning of the 19th century. It was an emotional, aesthetic, and intellectual movement in Britain and Europe. And it was a reaction against Neoclassicism, or we can say it appeared against the 'reason.' The thought of individualism and freedom was part of it. There was a motto that every people are essential in Romanticism. And there was always a connection with history in this period. Its' target was industrial developments and urbanization. And also, Secularization and Spontaneity were not overlooked in these times. Nature was a symbol of Romanticism. And it can be said that nature was a summary of Romanticism. Because today if you look at or read a masterpiece of these times, you will see a part of nature in it. The second topic is the Victorian Age; Victorian Age started in 1837 and finished in 1901 in Britain. Before talking about the characteristics of literature in these times, we should look at the most significant events that happened to understand easily because the events were unique and guided culture, technology, and art in the Victorian Age. Firstly, the Industrial Revolution reached its most vital position in England. Secondly, England became the world's imperial power and took control of Canada, Australia, India, and Africa. Thirdly, the first public railway was established. And lastly, The Reform Bill and The Second Reform Bill were accepted. With the help of all events, novels, poetry, and drama gained a new dimension. The novel was the most dominant form in the Victorian age, and the Victorian Novel's primary theme was Realism; with Realism, authors reflected the problems in the world. The Victorian novel used journalistic techniques to make the novel closer to real-life facts. The novels were about the common person, which also happened to be the struggles of the lower class. And Novels were written with simple language and characterization. The most famous Victorian authors; are Charlotte Bronte, Charles Dickens, George Elliot, Thomas Hardy, and Emily Bronte. Victorian Poetry had some influence on Romantics. Poets weren't so confident about the imagination, and the public role was private and poetic self. And Victorian Drama was influenced by other genres and gave us Oscar Wilde. Other elements about this period, science and faith, started an endless war; this war was such a great war that the other name of this era was the Age of Doubt. Utilitarianism was part of this era, and utilitarians thought of the greatest happiness for the most significant number of people. And women were the topic of discussion, and they were an angel in the house in this era. Also, People had anxiety; they felt displaced by technological developments. As it was mentioned above, nature is a summary of Romanticism. By contrast, Victorian authors depict the world as dark and complex. For example, you can see nature in Frankenstein, but you see the complex and dark city in A Christmas Carol. While the Romanticism period is the era of Idealism, the Victorian period is the era of Realism. You cannot see beautiful ideas in the Victorian period; you just see the wrong side of the real world. And another difference is emotion. Emotion draws the most extensive line between these two periods. In Romanticism works, authors speak with their feelings, such as "oh, no, it is impossible!" on the other hand, Victorian authors do not express their feeling. They just write and pass. Because of the emotional difference, their language is also different. While reading a work written in the Victorian age, I feel like reading a document, but pieces of the Romanticism era make me feel more vivid. And we should not forget that in the Victorian Era, there were issues such as the struggle between science and religion, which also made a wall between the periods. And finally, I want to say that the Victorian Age is more unique than Romanticism because it has a queen name. These are the most notable differences between them. Now let's look at the similarities between them. These two significant era's wars and enemies are the same. Both of them fight against things that harm humanity, such as alarming technological developments, not being free, poor living conditions, terrible work conditions, and bad parts of urbanization. We can say that their targets are the same; they just think of human life. And also, the poetry of these two periods shows similarities with each other, we see imagination theme in the periods, but imagination in the Victorian Era is a little bit different. And in both Victorian and Romantic poetry, there is care about the issue of Isolation. These are the most striking similarities for me. THE READING LIST 1. William Blake’s works: "The Tyger”, "London”, "The Chimney Sweeper” Epoque: Romanticism a) The Tyger (1794) - In "The Tyger", there is a duality between beauty and ferocity, with Blake suggesting that understanding one requires an understanding of the other. "The Tyger" by William Blake is a poem that explores the nature of good and evil, creation and destruction. The poem raises questions about the origin of the tiger and its creator, while also contemplating the duality of existence. b) London (1794) - The gist of the poem is that London is unambiguously and indubitably corrupt. Blake explores the theme of ​authoritarian abuses of power​in his poem which is set in the capital of (arguably) the most important country in the world at the time: London. c) The Chimney Sweeper (1794) - highlight the dangers of an innocent, naive view, demonstrating how this allows the societal abuse of child labor. In Experience, 'The Chimney Sweeper' further explores this flawed perception of child labor in a corrupt society. The poem may be understood on two different levels: as a criticism of child labor but also as symbolism that hardship leads to live in heaven. Whereas the chimney sweep in Songs of Innocence is abused but does not see it (or want to see it) , the chimney sweep in Experience not only sees it but also sees the hypocrisy of a world that treats him so, whilst praising “God and his Priest and King”. This is what Innocence and Experience seem to mean to Blake. Context: Blake’s visions compare to no other poets being that he has come from a lower-class family, his personal spiritual beliefs and his interest for visual arts. Keep in mind that an Industrial Revolution was going on during his days, which heavily impacted his works. He was not content with the changes. 2. William Wordsworth’s works: "I Wandered Lonely As a Cloud…”, "Expostulation and Reply," "The Tables Turned," "Tintern Abbey” (fragments), "We Are Seven” Epoque: Romanticism a) I Wandered Lonely As a Cloud…(1804) - The plot is extremely simple, depicting the poet's wandering and his discovery of a field of daffodils by a lake, the memory of which pleases him and comforts him when he is lonely, bored, or restless. “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” argues for a strong connection between experience, imagination, and language. The poem itself is a memory, focused on bringing the speaker's experience of seeing daffodils back to life on the page through the concentrated power of the imagination. b) Expostulation and Reply (1798) - “Expostulation and Reply” frames a debate between Matthew, who argues that people should spend their time actively learning from books, and William, who replies that people can learn plenty just from sitting quietly outside. c) The Tables Turned (1798) - The Tables Turned contrasts the “dull” realm of human knowledge with the joyful wisdom of nature—a world of sunshine and birdsong that illuminates truth in a way no book ever could. A person can study all they want, the speaker argues, but nature is a better teacher than all the "sages." d) Tintern Abbey (1798) “Tintern Abbey” is a complex meditation on the value of nature as a source of healing and philosophical wisdom, yet Wordsworth repeatedly questions the veracity and durability of this belief. e) We Are Seven (1798) The poem tells the story of a man talking to a young girl about her family. Though two of her siblings are dead, and only four are alive, she insists (over the protests of the man) that she and her brothers and sisters "are seven" in total. The man, however, thinks that they are only five. 3. Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s works: "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner," "The Eolian Harp" Epoque: Romanticism a) The Rime of the Ancient Mariner (1798) - The narrative poem describes the ancient mariner's experience aboard a ship after he kills an albatross. The bird has brought joy and good fortune, and once the man thoughtlessly kills the albatross, all aboard are made to suffer. The other sailors hang the albatross on the mariner's neck as punishment. 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner"' warns readers of the dangers of acting without regard for the consequences. The mariner shot the albatross because he believed that it was an ill omen. The wind had begun to die, and he and his crew blamed the bird. b) The Eolian Harp (1795) The poem makes the anticipation of Coleridge's marriage to Sara Fricker. In this poem, the poet discusses his engagement and his future marriage. However, the central theme of the poem is not love. The poem focuses on the image of the “Eolian Harp”, and how it represents both the order and the wildness found in nature. However, The Eolian Harp is not a love poem and instead focuses on man's relationship with nature. The central images of the poem is an Aeolian harp, an item that represents both order and wildness in nature. Along with the harp is a series of oppositional ideas that are reconciled with each other. 4. George Gordon Lord. Byron, selected fragments; John Keats, "Ode to a Nightingale”, "Ode on a Grecian Urn” Epoque: Romanticism a) Ode to a Nightingale (1819) - This poem is a meditation on grief and mortality; it is also a celebration of life and the human spirit. The speaker's experience of the nightingale's song fills him with a sense of joy and wonder, and he is able to momentarily transcend his earthly troubles. The superficial scope of the poem is the nightingale, which represents both nature and de lo ath. This bird flies around, and lands in a tree, forever singing its sad song, and connecting the reader as well as Keats to the ideas of immortality. b) Ode on a Grecian Urn (1819) - “Ode on a Grecian Urn” examines the close relationship between art, beauty, and truth. For the speaker, it is through beauty that humankind comes closest to truth—and through art that human beings can attain this beauty (though it remains a bittersweet achievement). Keats' 'Ode on a Grecian Urn' taps on the themes of the immortality of art, beauty, and romanticism. The main theme of this poem is the immortality of art. To depict this theme, Keats uses a Grecian urn and the emotive paintings on this piece. Each painting incites complex emotions in the speaker's mind. 5. Percy Bysshe Shelley, "Ode to the West Wind,” "Ozymandias" Epoque: Romanticism a) Ode to the West Wind (1819) - Throughout “Ode to the West Wind,” the speaker describes the West Wind as a powerful and destructive force: it drives away the summer and brings instead winter storms, chaos, and even death. Yet the speaker celebrates the West Wind and welcomes the destruction that it causes because it leads to renewal and rebirth. b) Ozymandias (1818) The poem concerns the discovery of a semi-destroyed and decaying statue of Ramesses II, also known as Ozymandias, and shows how power deteriorates and will not last forever. 6. Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice Epoque: set during the Georgian period in Britain and was published right as the Regency Era Written: 29th January 1813 Summary: Pride and Prejudice follows the turbulent relationship between Elizabeth Bennet, the daughter of a country gentleman, and Fitzwilliam Darcy, a rich aristocratic landowner. They must overcome the titular sins of pride and prejudice in order to fall in love and marry. The moral lesson of “Pride and Prejudice” is that pride can lead to blindness, and it is important to look beyond appearances. Elizabeth Bennet can see beyond Mr. Darcy's pride, and in the end, he falls in love with her because she has seen the good in him that he could not see in himself. 7. Mary Shelley, Frankenstein Epoque: Romanticism Written: 1 January 1818 Summary: "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley is a classic gothic novel that explores the dangers of ambition and the consequences of playing god. It tells the story of a young scientist who creates a monster that ultimately destroys his life and the lives of those around him. On this reading, Frankenstein is essentially a warning against messing with the natural order. Frankenstein brings disaster to himself and his loved ones; so too might we. Ambition and hubris breed monsters. 8. Alfred Lord Tennyson, The Lady of Shalott Epoque: Romantic Era Written: 1832 Tennyson's famous "The Lady of Shalott" (1842) is a haunting tale of magic and art. In this poem, a mysterious woman lives alone on the island of Shalott. Just down the river from her is King Arthur's court at Camelot, but the Lady of Shalott is not allowed even to look in that direction, much less travel there: a mysterious curse forbids it. Instead of actually seeing the world, then, she looks into a magic mirror that shows her images of the world and then weaves exquisite tapestries representing what she sees. As in all fairy tales, however, the rules exist only to be broken; the poem tells the story of why the Lady finally looks out her window, and explores the fatal consequences of this spell-breaking. The poem is often interpreted as a metaphor for the solitary nature of the artist's creative life, suggesting that the artist must be distanced, and inevitably isolated, from the surrounding world. Grange, the family home of Cathy's husband. 11. Dante Gabriel Rosetti, “The Blessed Damozel” Epoque: Victorian Era Written: 1850 9. Robert Browning, My Last Duchess Epoque: Victorian Era Written: 1842 It expresses tyranny, vanity and self-conceit, the hard-heartedness and the dictatorial attitude of the Duke in sharp contrast to the genial and cheerful good nature of the Duchess. She was an epitome of innocence and beauty, yet she was tortured by her husband and at last murdered in cold-blood by her tyrant husband. 10. Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights Epoque: Victorian Era Written: Written between 1845 and 1846 and finally published in 1847 Summary: Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë is a gothic novel that follows the antihero, Heathcliff, as he gets revenge on the people who kept him away from his love, Cathy Earnshaw. After over a decade, he finally succeeds in his revenge and gains: Thrushcross “The Blessed Damozel” by Dante Gabriel Rossetti is a ballad that is dedicated to the love between a woman trapped in heaven and a man stuck on Earth. 12. Charles Dickens, "Hard Times" Epoque: Victorian Era Written: 1854 Summary: Hard Times, by Charles Dickens, is the tale of a group of people who lived in an industrial town named Coketown during the mid-19th century. Throughout the story, the characters' different choices impacted what happened to them; those who did bad deeds died, while those who did good deeds lived fairly peacefully. 13. Elizabeth Barret Browning, Aurora Leigh (Book 5) Epoque: Victorian Era Written: 1856 In Book 5, Aurora continues to be creatively frustrated and longs to find genuine inspiration and love. It has been almost two years since she saw Romney, but she hears news of him at a party and learns that Romney has transformed Leigh Hall into a house for people in need in the community. 14. Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland Epoque: Middle of Victorian Era Written: 1865 15. Christina Rossetti, "Goblin Market” Epoque: Victorian Era Written: 1863 Summary: ''Goblin Market" is a symbolic poem that connects men's and women's sensational temptations. The goblins represent the evil sight of a man who tempts women towards him and ruins them at the end. In this poem, Laura and Lizzie are two sisters with two different perspectives. 16. Robert Louis Stevenson, Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Epoque: Victorian Era Year: 1886 Summary: The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (1886) is about personality and transformation. Dr Jekyll discovers a way to split his own personality between good and evil. However, his alter ego, Hyde, begins to take over Jekyll's persona and finally, unable to find the antidote, Jekyll ends his life in despair. 17. Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray Epoque: Victorian Era Written: 1891 Summary: The story follows the life of a young man named Dorian Gray, who has his portrait painted by a talented artist named Basil Hallward. Dorian becomes enamoured with his beauty and wishes to remain young and handsome forever, while his portrait would age in his place.