《英國文學(xué)簡史》完整版筆記

1、Chapter 4 English Literature of the 17th Century I.A Historical BackgroundII. The Overview of the Literature （1640-1688）1. The revolution period1） The metaphysical poets;2） The Cavalier poets.3） Milton: the literary and philosophical heritage of the Renaissance merged with Protestant political and m

2、oral conviction2. The restoration period.1） The restoration of Charles II ushered in a literature characterized by reason, moderation, good taste, deft management, and simplicity. （school of Ben Jonson）3） The great philosophical and political treatises of the time emphasize rationalism.4） The restor

3、ation drama.5） The Age of Dryden.III. John Milton1. Life: educated at visiting the continent involved into the revolution persecutedwriting epics.2. Literary career.1） The 1st period was up to 1641, during which time he is to be seen chieflyas a son of the humanists and Elizabethans, although his Pu

4、ritanism is not absent. LAllegre and IL Pens eroso（1632） are his early masterpieces, in which we find Milton a true offspring of the Renaissance, a scholar of exquisite taste and rare1/31culture. Next came Comus, a masque. The greatest of early creations was Lycidas, a pastoral elegy on the death of

5、 a college mate, Edward King.3. Major Works1） Paradise Losta. the plot.characters.theme: justify the ways of God to man.2） Paradise Regained.3） Samson Agonistes.4. Features of s works.1） Milton is one of the very few truly great English writers who is also aprominent figure in politics, and who is b

6、oth a great poet and an important prose writer. The two most essential things to be remembered about him are his Puritanism and his republicanism.2） Milton wrote many different types of poetry. He is especially a greatmaster of blank verse. He learned much from Shakespeare and first used blank verse

7、 in non-dramatic works.3） Milton is a great stylist. He is famous for his grand style noted for its dignity and polish, which is the result of his life-long classical and biblical study.4） Milton has always been admired for his sublimity of thought and majesty of expression.IV.John Bunyan1. Life:（ 1

8、） puritan age;2/312） poor family;3） parliamentary army;4） Baptist society, preacher;5） prison, writing the book.2. The Pilgrim Progress1） The allegory in dream form.2） the plot.3） the theme.V. Metaphysical Poets and Cavalier Poets.Metaphysical PoetsCavalier PoetsThe other group prevailing in this pe

9、riod was that of Cavalier poets. They were often courtiers who stood on the side of the king, and called themselvesBen Jonson. The Cavalier poets wrote light poetry, polished and elegant, amorous and gay, but often superficial. Most of their verses were short songs, pretty madrigals, love fancies ch

10、aracterized by lightness of heart and of morals. Cavalier poems have the limpidity of the Elizabethan lyric without its imaginative flights. They are lighter and neater but less fresh than the Elizabethans.VI. John Dryden.1. Life:1） the representative of classicism in the Restoration.2） poet, dramat

11、ist, critic, prose writer, satirist.3） changeable in attitude.3/314） Literary careerfour decades.5） Poet Laureate2. His influences.1） He established the heroic couplet as the fashion for satiric, didactic, and descriptive poetry.2） He developed a direct and concise prose style.3） He developed the ar

12、t of literary criticism in his essays and in the numerous prefaces to his poems.Chapter 5 English Literature of the 18th CenturyI. IntroductionThe Historical Background.The literary overview.1） The Enlightenment.2） The rise of English novels.When the literary historian seeks to assign to each age it

13、s favourite form of literature, he finds no difficulty in dealing with our own time. As the Middle Ages delighted in long romantic narrative poems, the Elizabethans in drama, the Englishman of the reigns of Anne and the early Georges in didactic and satirical verse, so the public of our day is enamo

14、red of the novel. Almost all types of literary production continue to appear, but whether we judge from the lists of publishers,the statistics of public libraries, or general conversation, we find abundant evidence of the enormous preponderance of this kind of literary entertainment in popular favor

15、.3） Neo-classicism: a revival in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries of classical standards of order, balance, and harmony in literature. John Dryden and Alexander Pope were major exponents of the neo-classical school.4/314） Satiric literature.5） SentimentalismII. Neo-classicism. （a general des

16、cription）1. Alexander Pope1）Life:a. Catholic family;b. ill health;c. taught himself by reading and translating; d. friend of Addison, Steele and Swift.2）three groups of poems:An Essay on Criticism（manifesto of neo-classicism）;The Rape of Lock;Translation of two epics.3）His contribution:the heroic co

17、upletfinish, elegance, wit, pointedness;satire.4） weakness: lack of imagination.2. Addison and Steele1） Richard Steele: poet, playwright, essayist, publisher of newspaper.2） Joseph Addison: studies at Oxford, secretary of state, created a literaryperiodical“ Spectator（with”Steele, 1711）5/313） Specta

18、tor Club.4） The significance of their essays.a. Their writings in“ The Tatler” , and“ The Spectator” provide a nesocial morality for the rising bourgeoisie.b. They give a true picture of the social life ofin the 18th century.3. Samuel Johnsonpoet, critic, essayist, lexicographer, editor.1）Life:a. st

19、udies at ;b. made a living by writing and translating;c. the great cham of literature.2） works: poem （The Vanity of Human Wishes, London）; criticismThe Lives of great Poets）; preface.3） The champion of neoclassical ideas.Literature of Satire: Jonathan Swift.1. Life:1）born in Ireland;2）studies at Tri

20、nity College;3）worked as a secretary;4）the chief editor of The Examiner;5）the Dean of St. Patricks in .2.Works: The of Books, A Tale of a Tub, A Modest Proposal, Gullivers Travels.3.Gullivers Travels.6/31Satirethe Whig and the Tories, Anglican Church and Catholic Church.Part II. Satirethe legal syst

21、em; condemnation of war.Part III. Satireridiculous scientific experiment.Part IV. Satiremankind.IV. English Novels of Realistic tradition.1. The Rise of novels.1）Early forms: folk tale fables myths epic poetry romances fabliaux novella - imaginative nature of their material. （imaginative narrative）2

22、）The rise of the novela. picaresque novel in Spain and England（16th century）: Of or relating to a genre of prose fiction that originated in Spain and depicts in realistic detail the adventures of a roguish hero, often with satiric or humorous effects.b. : .c. Addison and Steele: The Spectator.plot a

23、nd characterization and realism）3） novel and drama （17the century）Daniel Defoenovelist, poet, pamphleteer, publisher, merchant, journalist. ）（ 1）Life:a. business career;b. writing career;c. interested in politics.（ 2） Robinson Crusoe.7/31a. the story.b. the significance of the character.c. the featu

24、res of his novels.d. the style of language.3. Henry Fieldingnovelist.1）Life:a. unsuccessful dramatic career;b. legal career; writing career.2） works.3） Tom Jones.a. the plot;b. characters: Tom, Blifil, Sophia;c. significance.4） the theory of realism.5） the style of language.V. Writers of Sentimental

25、ism.IntroductionSamuel Richardsonnovelist, moralist （One who is unduly concerned with the morals of others.）1）Life:a. printer book seller;8/31b. letter writer.2） Pamela, Virtue Rewarded.a. the storyb. the significancePamela was a new thing in these ways:b） Its intension was to afford not merely ente

26、rtainment but also moral instruction.c） It described not only the sayings and doings of characters but their also their secret thoughts and feelings. It was, in fact, the first English psycho-analytical novel.Oliver Goldsmithpoet and novelist. A. Life:a. born in ;b. a singer and tale-teller, a life

27、of vagabondage;bookseller;the Literary Club;a miserable life;the most lovable character in English literature.B. The Vicar of .story;the signicance.VI. English Drama of the 18th century9/31The decline of the dramaRichard Brinsley Sheriden A. life.B. works: Rivals, The School for Scandals.C. signific

28、ance of his plays.b. In his plays, morality is the constant theme. He is much concerned with the current moral issues and lashes harshly at the social vices of the day.c. s greatness also lies in his theatrical art. He seems to have inherited from his parents a natural ability and inborn knowledge a

29、bout the theatre. His plays are the product of a dramatic genius as well as of a well-versed theatrical man.d. His plots are well-organized, his characters, either major or minor, are all sharply drawn, and his manipulation of such devices as disguise, mistaken identity and dramatic irony is masterl

30、y. Witty dialogues and neat and decent language also make a characteristic of his plays.Chapter 6 English Literature of the Romantic AgeI. IntroductionHistorical BackgroundLiterary Overview: Romanticism Characteristics of Romanticism:1） The spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings2） The creation of

31、 a world of imagination3） The return to nature for material5） Emphasis upon the expression of individual genius10/316） The return to Milton and the Elizabethans for literary models7） The interest in old stories and medieval romances8） A sense of melancholy and loneliness9） The rebellious spiritII. P

32、re-Romantics1. Robert Burns1） Life: French Revolution2） Features of poetrya. Burns is chiefly remembered for his songs written in the Scottish dialect.b. His poems are usually devoid of artificial ornament and have a great charm of simplicity.c. His poems are especially appreciated for their musical

33、 effect.d. His political and satirical poems are noted for his passionate love for freedom and fiery sentiments of hatred against tyranny.3） Significance of his poetryHis poetry marks an epoch in the history of English literature. They suggested that the spirit of the Romantic revival was embodied i

34、n this obscure ploughman. Love, humor, pathos, the response to natureall the poetic qualities that touch the human heart are in his poems, which marked the sunrise of another daythe day of Romanticism.2. William Blake1） life: French Revolution2） works.11/31l Songs of Innocencel Songs of Experience3）

35、 featuresa. sympathy with the French Revolutionb. hatred for 18th century conformity and social institutionc. attitude of revolt against authorityd. strong protest against restrictive codes4） his influenceBlake is often regarded as a symbolist and mystic, and he has exerted a great influence on twen

36、tieth century writers. His peculiarities of thought and imaginative vision have in many ways proved far more congenial to the 20th century than they were to the 19th.Romantic Poets of the first generation 1. IntroductionWilliam Wordsworth: representative poet, chief spokesman of Romanticpoetry1） Lif

37、e:a. love nature;tour to ;French revolution;Dorathy;The ;12/31g. friend of Coleridge;h. conservative after revolution.2） works:the Lyrical Ballads （preface）: significanceThe Prelude: a biographical poem.the other poems3） Features of his poems.a. ThemeA constant theme of his poetry was the growth of

38、the human spirit through the natural description with expressions of inward states of mind.b. characteristics of style.His poems are characterized by a sympathy with the poor, simple peasants, and a passionate love of nature.3. Samuel Taylor Coleridge: poet and critic1） Life:;friend with Southey and

39、 Wordsworth;taking opium.2） works.l The fall of Robespierrel The Rime of the Ancient Marinerl Kubla Khan13/31l Biographia Literaria3） Biographia Literaria.4） His criticismHe was one of the first critics to give close critical attention to language. In both poetry and criticism, his work is outstandi

40、ng, but it is typical of him that his critical work is very scattered and disorganized.IV. Romantic Poets of the Second Generation.IntroductionGeorge Gordon Byron1） Life:a. , published poems and reviews;b. a tour ofand the East;c. left ;d. friend with Shelley;e. worked in : national hero;f. radical

41、and sympathetic with French Revolution.2） Works.l Don Juanl When We Two Partedl She Walks in Beauty（ 3） Byronic Hero.14/31Byron introduced into English poetry a new style of character, which as oftenbeen referred to as “ Byronic Hero ” of “ satanic spirit ” . People imagined something of Byron himse

42、lf in these strange figures of rebels, pirates, and desperate adventurers.4） Poetic style: loose, fluent and vivid3. Percy Bysshe Shelley: poet and critic1） Life:a. aristocratic family;b. rebellious heart;Irish national liberation Movement;disciple of William Godwin;marriage with Harriet, and Marry;

43、g. leftand wandered in EUrope, died in ;h. radical and sympathetic with the French revolution;i. Friend with Byron2） works: two types violent reformer and wanderer3） Characteristics of poems.a. pursuit of a better society;b. radian beauty;c. superb artistry: imagination.（ 4） Defense of Poetry.15/314

44、. John Keats.1） Life:a. from a poor family;friend with Byron and Shelley;attacked by the conservatives and died in .2） works.3） Characteristics of poems a. loved beauty;b. seeking refuge in an idealistic world of illusions and dreams.V. Novelists of the Romantic Age. 1. Water Scott. Novelist and poe

45、t1） Life:;poem to novel;unsuccessful publishing firm;great contribution: historical novel.2） three groups of novels3） Features of his novels.4） his influence.16/312. Jane Austen1） Life:a. country clergyman;b. uneventful life, domestic duties;2） works.3） features of her writings.4） rationalism, neocl

46、assicism, romanticism and realism.VI. Familiar Essays.IntroductionCharles Lamb: essayist and critic1） life:a. poor family;b. friend of Coleridge;c. sister Mary;d. worked in the East India House;e.a miserable life;a man of mild character.a Romanticist of the city.2） works: Essays of Elia. Three group

47、s.3） Features.a. The most striking feature of his essays is his hum our.17/31b. Lamb was especially fond of old writers.c. His essays are intensely personal.d. He was a romanticistChapter 7 English Literature of the Victorian AgeI. Introduction1. Historical Background1） An age of expansion2） The con

48、ditions of the workers and the chartist movement3） Reforms4） Darwins theory of evolution and its influence5） The women question2. Literary Overview: critical realism.In Victorian period appeared a new literary trend called critical realism. English critical realism of the 19th century flourished in

49、the 40s and in the early 50s. It found its expression in the form of novel. The critical realists, most of whom were novelists, described with much vividness and artistic skill the chief traits of the English society and criticized the capitalist system from a democratic viewpoint.II. Novels of Crit

50、ical Realists.1. Charles Dickens.1） Life:a. clerk family;b. a miserable childhood;c. a clerk, a reporter, a writer;18/31d. a man of hard work.2） works of three periods.optimizefrustrationpessimism3） Features of his works.a. character sketches and exaggerationb. broad humor and penetrating satired. t

51、he power of exposure2. William Makepeace Thackeray1） Life:a. born in ;b. studied in ;c. worked as artist and illustrator and writer.2） work: The Vanity Fair3） Thackeray and Dickensfeaturesa. Just like Dickens, Thackeray is one of the greatest critical realists of the 19th century . He paints life as

52、 he has seen it. With his precise and thorough observation, rich knowledge of social life and of the human heart, the pictures in his novels are accurate and true to life.b. Thackeray is a satirist. His satire is caustic and his humour subtle.c. Besides being a realist and satirist, Thackeray is a m

53、oralist. His aim is to produce a moral impression in all his novels.19/313. The Bronte Sisters1） Charlotte Bronte and Jane Eyre2） Emily Bronte and The Wuthering Heights.4. George Eliot.1） Life:a. Mary Ann Evans;b. the rural midland;c. abandoned religion;d. interested in social philosophical problems

54、;e. editor of the Westminster Review;f. George Henry Lewis.2） worksl Adam Bedel Silas Marnerl Middlemarch3） Features of works.As a moralist, she shows in each of her characters the action and reaction of universal forces and believes that every evil act must bring inevitable punishment to the man wh

55、o does it. Moral law was to her as inevitable and automatic as gravitation.5. Thomas Hardy: novelist and poet（ 1） Life:20/31a. “ Wexssex;b. close to peasantry;c. belief in evolution.2） Works:a. Romances and fantasiesb. novels of ingenuityc. novels of characters and environment3） Ideas of Fate.Unlike

56、 Dickens, most of Hardys novels are tragic. The cause of tragedy is mans own behaviour or his own fault but the supernatural forces that rule his fate. According to Hardy, man is not the master of his destiny; he is at the mercy of indifferent forces which manipulate his behaviour and his relations

57、with others.English Poets of the Age 1. Alfred Tennyson1） life:;friend with Hallem;poet laureate.2） Works: In Memoriam; Idylls of the King.2. Robert Browning.1） Life: married Elizabeth Barret, a poetess.2） Works21/313） the Dramatic MonologueThe dramatic monologue is a soliloquy in drama in which the

58、 voice speaking is not the poet himself, but a character invented by the poet, so that it reflects life objectively. It was imitated by many poets after Browning and brought to its most sophisticated form by T. S. Eliot in his The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock（1915）IV. English Prose of the age1. T

59、homas Carlyle1） life2） works2. John Ruskin1） life2） works3） social and aesthetic ideasAestheticism1. AestheticismThe basic theory of the aesthetic “ art for arts sakewas set” forth by aFrench poet, Theophile Gautier. The first Englishman who wrote about the theory of aestheticism was Walter Peter, t

60、he most important critical writer of the late Victorian period, whose most important works were studies in the History of Renaissance and Appreciations. The chief representative of the movement in was Oscar Wilde, with his The Picture of Dorian Gray. Aestheticism places art above life, and holds tha