British Literature Lecture-11 Notes PDF

BRITISH LITERATURE LECTURE-11 Presentation by Priya Ma”am  Victorian Age Time Period: The Victorian Age in English literature spanned from 1837 to 1901, corresponding with the reign of Queen Victoria. Social and Economic Changes: Rapid industrialization and urbaniza...

BRITISH LITERATURE LECTURE-11 Presentation by Priya Ma”am  Victorian Age Time Period: The Victorian Age in English literature spanned from 1837 to 1901, corresponding with the reign of Queen Victoria. Social and Economic Changes: Rapid industrialization and urbanization characterized the era, leading to significant social and economic transformations. Novels, in particular, explored themes of morality, virtue, and the consequences of societal norms. Gender Roles and Women's Issues: The Victorian Age saw debates on gender roles and women's rights. Literature reflected the evolving roles of women in society and their struggles for autonomy. Gothic and Supernatural Elements: Gothic literature experienced a revival during the Victorian era, with authors like the Brontë sisters incorporating supernatural and mysterious elements into their works. Realism and Social Critique: Realism emerged as a dominant literary movement, aiming to depict life as it truly was. Authors like Charles Dickens portrayed the harsh realities of Victorian society.  Expansion of the Novel: The novel gained prominence as the dominant literary form. Authors such as Charles Dickens, Charlotte Brontë, and George Eliot produced notable works exploring diverse aspects of Victorian life. Poets Alfred Lord Tennyson (1809-1892) was a prominent Victorian poet, "The Charge of the Light Brigade" (1854): A poem commemorating the bravery of British soldiers in the Crimean War.  "In Memoriam" (1850): A long elegy mourning the death of Tennyson's close friend Arthur Henry Hallam. It explores themes of grief, doubt, and faith. "Idylls of the King" (1859-1885): A series of narrative poems retelling the Arthurian legends.." "Ulysses" (1842): A dramatic monologue where Tennyson presents the mythic Greek hero Ulysses reflecting on his life and adventures.  "The Lady of Shalott" (1832): A narrative poem "Tears, Idle Tears" (1847): A reflective poem "The Brook" (1855): A nature poem The Lotos-Eaters" is a poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson, published in 1832. Tennyson served as the Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom from 1850 until his death.  Robert Browning Major Victorian poet known for dramatic monologue and psychological insight. Married Elizabeth Barrett Browning in 1846; their relationship influenced his poetry. Early Career: First Published Work: Pauline: A Fragment of a Confession (1833) - Initial dramatic monologue. Paracelsus (1835) Sordello (1840) Series Bells and Pomegranates (1841-46), featuring: Pippa Passes (1841) Men and Women (1855) - A collection of 51 dramatic monologues. Dramatis Personae (1864) - A collection featuring notable monologues like"Rabbi Ben Ezra." The Ring and the Book (1868-69) - His magnum opus, a verse novel. Asolando (1889) - Published posthumously. Famous Quotes: "Grow old along with me!" (Rabbi Ben Ezra) "God's in His heaven—All's right with the world!" (Pippa Passes)  Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806–1861) Sonnets from the Portuguese (1850) - A collection of 44 love sonnets detailing their courtship. Notable for the line “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.” Aurora Leigh (1857) - A blank-verse novel in nine books, exploring themes of gender and social responsibility. Despite its popularity, it faced critical challenges.  Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828–1882) was a prominent English poet, painter, and founding member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. His notable works include: Poetry: "The Blessed Damozel" (1850): A poem depicting a vision of heaven. "The House of Life" (1870): A sequence of sonnets reflecting on love, life, and art.  Christina Rossetti - Poet & Sister of D.G Rossetti Goblin Market" (1862): A narrative poem exploring themes of temptation and salvation. Gerard Manley Hopkins was a 19th-century English poet known for his innovative use of language and rhythm. Some of his notable works include: The Wreck of the Deutschland (1876): A long poem reflecting on a shipwreck and exploring themes of divine providence. Pied Beauty (1877): A sonnet celebrating the beauty of God's creation, embracing imperfections and diversity. The Windhover (1877): A poem describing the beauty and grace of a kestrel in flight, expressing admiration for the divine presence in nature.  Matthew Arnold (1822–1888) was a prominent Victorian poet, critic, and cultural commentator. Here's an overview of his major works and details: "Poems" (1853): A collection consolidating his earlier works, showcasing his evolving style and themes. "Essays in Criticism" (1865): A collection of Arnold's critical essays, outlining his views on literature and culture. "Culture and Anarchy" (1869): One of his most influential works, discussing the importance of culture and its role in society. "Literature and Dogma" (1873): A theological work examining the tensions between religion and modernity.  Dover Beach" (1867): A renowned poem where Arnold explores the theme of faith and the erosion of traditional beliefs in the face of a changing world. The imagery of the sea serves as a metaphor for the uncertainty of life. The Scholar Gipsy" (1853): A narrative poem inspired by the legend of a scholar who forsakes conventional life for a free-spirited existence. "Thyrsis" (1866): A pastoral elegy dedicated to his friend Arthur Hugh Clough.  Novelists Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was a renowned English novelist and social critic. His works are celebrated for their vivid characters, intricate plots, and profound exploration of social issues. The Pickwick Papers (1837): Dickens' debut novel, showcasing his early comedic style. Oliver Twist (1837-1839): A classic tale of an orphan's struggles in Victorian London,highlighting social injustices. Nicholas Nickleby (1838-1839): Explores the hardships faced by a young man as he navigates society.  The Old Curiosity Shop (1840-1841): Follows the story of Little Nell and her grandfather amid financial troubles. A Christmas Carol (1843): A timeless novella embodying the spirit of Christmas and redemption. Dombey and Son (1846-1848): Examines the consequences of pride and materialism. David Copperfield (1849-1850): Semi- autobiographical novel tracing the life of its protagonist.  Bleak House (1852-1853): Critique of the legal system intertwined with complex narratives. Hard Times (1854): Explores the impact of industrialization on society and individuals. Little Dorrit (1855-1857): Investigates the effects of wealth and imprisonment. A Tale of Two Cities (1859): Set during the French Revolution, contrasting London and Paris. George Eliot was the pen name of Mary Ann Evans, a prominent Victorian novelist. Adam Bede (1859): Eliot's debut novel explores themes of love and betrayal in a rural setting. The Mill on the Floss (1860): This novel delves into the complex relationship between siblings Tom and Maggie Tulliver and the societal constraints they face. Silas Marner (1861) Romola (1863): Historical novel revolves around the life of the title character, Romola. Middlemarch (1871-1872): Often considered her masterpiece, Middlemarch is a multifaceted portrayal of provincial life, politics, and marriage.  The Brontë sisters, Charlotte, Emily, and Anne, were 19th- century English novelists known for their significant contributions to literature. Charlotte Brontë (1816-1855): Jane Eyre (1847): Charlotte's most famous work, a Gothic novel exploring themes of morality, social class, and love. Emily Brontë (1818-1848): Wuthering Heights (1847): Emily's only novel, a dark and passionate tale of love and revenge set in the Yorkshire moors, considered a classic of English literature. Anne Brontë (1820-1849): Agnes Grey (1847): Anne's first novel, a semi- autobiographical work portraying the life of a governess. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (1848): A novel addressing the issues of alcoholism and the constraints on women in the 19th century. All three sisters wrote under male pseudonyms—Charlotte as Currer Bell, Emily as Ellis Bell, and Anne as Acton Bell—due to the societal norms of their time.  Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) was an English novelist and poet known for his novels set in the rural Wessex region of England. Some of his notable works include: Under the Greenwood Tree" (1872): A lighter novel compared to some of Hardy's later works, it focuses on the lives and romances of the inhabitants of the fictional village of Mellstock. The narrative is infused with pastoral charm and rustic humor. Far From the Madding Crowd (1874): A novel exploring themes of love and choices, centered around the independent Bathsheba Everdene and her three suitors. The Return of the Native (1878): A tragic novel set in Egdon Heath, examining the destructive effects of passion and unfulfilled desires.  The Mayor of Casterbridge (1886): The story of Michael Henchard, a man who sells his wife and daughter while drunk, and the consequences of his impulsive actions. Tess of the d'Urbervilles (1891): A tragic tale of Tess Durbeyfield, a young woman who experiences hardship and tragedy due to her social status. Jude the Obscure (1895): A novel exploring the challenges faced by the protagonist, Jude Fawley, as he pursues his dream of becoming a scholar against societal constraints. Wessex Poems (1898): Hardy's collection of poems capturing the beauty and harshness of rural life in Wessex.  Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) was a Scottish novelist, poet, and essayist known for his adventurous and imaginative writing. Some of his notable works include: Treasure Island (1883): A classic adventure novel that tells the story of young Jim Hawkins and his journey to find buried treasure with the help of a pirate map. Kidnapped (1886): Another adventure novel, this time set in Scotland, follows the protagonist David Balfour as he survives shipwrecks, encounters betrayal, and faces various challenges.  Lewis Carroll, born Charles Lutwidge Dodgson on January 27, 1832, was an English writer, mathematician, and photographer. He is best known for his literary works under the pseudonym Lewis Carroll. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1865) Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There (1871): The sequel to "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," this book follows Alice's journey through a mirror into another surreal world.  Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) was a Scottish writer best known for his detective fiction featuring the famous character Sherlock Holmes. * Sherlock Holmes Series