This paper discusses the Romantic period of Britishliterature, from approximately 1785 until 1830, which was spurred in part by the French revolution and followed the Age of Enlightenment period of literature.
Abstract This paper explains that the Romantic period is about the ordinary and the outcast becoming glorified; romantic literature parallels romantic domestic life: Men spend their time talking of great ideals while women go unrecognized for meeting those same ideals as they get down and do the real work. The author points out that, after Wordsworth and Coleridge, Lord Byron is the next big name in the Romantic period of BritishLiterature. The paper relates that the women writer of the Romantic period, such as Mary Robinson, Mary Wollstonecraft and
Anna Leticia Barbauld, also were predominantly members of the aristocracy, but, by the virtue of being women of their era, they were more down-to-earth.
From the Paper "Wordsworth and Coleridge are essentially credited with starting the Romantic Era of British literature with the publication of the Lyrical Ballads. Wordsworth and Coleridge were heavily influenced by Milton and this shows the "Preface to Lyrical Ballads," in which Wordsworth defends his poetry, but not without making dozens of references to Milton throughout. The Lyrical Ballads themselves are very difficult reading, obviously intended for the elite. Then we have the "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" in which we have a tale set up much like the Odyssey in which the "Ancient Mariner" has an epic adventure in which he is taken to the South Pole by a storm an kills an albatross which causes bad luck and releases spirits, but fortunately for our narrator he is saved by the "grace of the Holy Mother" and is witness to such epic-style special effects as ghosts, miracles, and reincarnation. This certainly does not fall under the heading of "glorification of the ordinary." It is another epic."
Abstract The paper compares and contrasts British and American literature and contends that they are similar in their response to the French Revolution and the Industrial Revolution, but they diverge in their interpretation of romanticism. The paper relates that the short story and transcendental writing are also different between the two nations, as opposed to mysteries which are alike and equally popular in both.
From the Paper "Although America and Great Britain are separated by an ocean, they are connected at the pen so to speak. The similarities in their literature are more numerous than their differences. This is partly due to their common heritage, America having originally been a colony of England. Even beyond that, though, the literature of both countries was influenced by the same factors. One such factor was the Industrial Revolution. The influence of that revolution upon both countries was significant."
Tags:British, American, literature, romanticism, transcendental, short story, French Revolution, Industrial Revolution, compare, contrast, mystery
Abstract This paper presents an exploration of women's places through the writing of British fiction. Using three classic examples of women's fiction in Britishliterature, the writer examines the overt and underlying relationship women have in the world and with society throughout the evolvement of literature. The three pieces used are Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre"; Virginia Woolf's "A Room of One's Own"; and Helen Fielding's "Bridget Jones's Diary".
From the Paper "One of the things that the story of Jane Eyre is most noted for is the way it allows the reader to develop an understanding of societal opinions for that time. Jane Eyre is portrayed as every clich? known in history when it comes to the role of females in British society at that time. From the beginning of the book it is evidenced that the fact Eyre is not considered attractive by societal standards provides an opportunity and an acceptance of her less than stellar treatment. Beauty has always been a quest for those in the female gender but through the study of British literature."
Abstract This paper reviews and critiques the book "Comparative Literature: A Critical Introduction" by Susan Bassnett. The paper divides the book into two distinct, yet interrelated, parts: A general history of comparative literature and an examination of various topics in comparative literature. The paper parallels the book, recounting the historical roots of comparative literature in Europe (chapter 1) and outside of Europe (chapter 2). Then the paper turns to the special topics and details Bassnett's assertions in each. The paper covers the literature of the British Isles, post-modern literature, travel narratives and translations. The paper then critiques the book. While the author calls the book laudable provocative, she does point out some short-comings, namely poor copy editing and an inappropriate attention to writings in translation as a comparative study.
From the Paper "Comparative Literature: A Critical Introduction is a provocative book. There are certainly praiseworthy sections of it. The portrayal of the history of comparative literature as it developed in Europe and America is well-done and the differences between the two models are made very clear. Bassnett's depiction of the state of comparative literature in non-Western countries is important, for these countries are often overlooked, just as the various literatures of the British Isles are often overlooked and lumped together as "British." Bassnett is especially convincing when writing on travel narratives. Her discussion of how the non-Western world has been perceived and mythologized is insightful and it is important that she recognizes that exchange between the colonizer and the colonized takes place in both directions. Her analysis of the stereotypes attached to the north and the south is excellent, and her choice of Iceland as the subject for the lure of the north is a propitious one. Furthermore, the recognition of the sexualization of foreign lands is perceptive, and is a good example of how texts not traditionally thought of as worthy of literary study can indeed yield insights which pertain to more traditional literature, as well. The chapter on Guinevere provides a concise overview of a character as it develops in literature over the course of centuries and how the popularity of that character changes with the times. It is clear that Bassnett is passionate about translation studies, and she summarizes the field succinctly and understandably, which is of importance, since many readers will probably not be as familiar with translation studies as with, say, post-colonial literature. Stylistically, the book is constructed well. As I noted earlier, Comparative Literature begins with the history of the field and then proceeds into a series of case studies, one of which is translation. But by subsuming comparative literature under the rubric of translation studies, Bassnett makes translation studies part of the history, or, better, the future, of comparative literature. The final chapter is, then, a continuation of the history of comparative literature begun in the first two chapters."
Abstract The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss and analyze the topic of 20th century Britishliterature. Specifically it uses Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot", Graham Greene's "The Quiet American", and "Wide Sargasso Sea" by Jean Rhys to discusses how 20th century Britain produced an era of fragmentation and uncertainty. The paper looks at how each of these novels conveys the atmosphere of fragmentation and uncertainty in their own way and how each was written at a time when the entire world was uncertain and fragmented. It also discusses how each work represents different themes prevalent in 20th century Britishliterature, such as realism, feminism, and a cynicism toward the world around them.
From the Paper "Samuel Beckett wrote "Waiting for Godot" in the late 1940s and it was first published in 1952. The play, which is essentially about nothing, illustrates the world (and England) after the end of World War II. The country was rebuilding from the devastation of the war, but the Soviet Union was dominating Europe, and the Cold War had begun. Many people felt the world was in a type of limbo, just waiting for the U.S. or the Soviet Union to begin another world war for world domination. Europe was fragmented and uncertain, and so was England, so the play reflects that. In addition, the play represents the fragmentation of British society, with the two main characters represented the lower classes, and Pozzo the upper classes. There was still fragmentation in society even after the war, and it exists even today. "
Abstract This paper relates that the main ideas of romanticism were exalting the praises of the ordinary and speaking to the masses. However, some of the literature of this period demonstrates that various British romantic authors, most often men, still were rooted in the style of the classics of John Milton. The writings of William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Lord George Gordon Byron, Mary Robinson, Mary Wollstonecraft and Anna Leticia Barbauld are reviewed. The women authors of the romantic period, the author believes, were much more down to earth; thereby, by definition, these women can be more clearly classified as romantic writers than these men.
From the Paper "Anna Leticia Barbauld also wrote of women being strong and is perhaps the best example of a Romantic's Romantic. One of the best examples of her work is "Washing Day," a satirical "epic" poem about the washerwoman and her excessive burden of laundry day in the Romantic era. This is as authentic a piece of Romantic literature as one may find. It is not written for the privileged few, it is not hindered by overly aristocratic language or superfluous length, and it can be understood universally, as well as on many different levels."
Abstract This paper examines the characters of the Wife of Bath, from Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales", and Viola, from Shakespeare's "The Twelfth Night". These women are shown as independent characters that demonstrate how a woman can fight against the social convention of marriage, and instead use it as a way of gaining a measure of independence.
Abstract This paper discusses how one can see how Milton employs the Biblical teachings of free will, as offered by God, and the harsh penalties for going against his will. The paper further discusses how by analyzing the influence of religion through Paradise Lost, Milton offers a new and humanistic perspective on Christianity that made a tremendous impact on Britishliterature. According to the paper, it's through humanistic religious reforms within England at the time of publication, 'Paradise Lost' that offers a direct and greatly influential religious poem by John Milton.
From the Paper "This study will analyze the influence of Christianity through the British poetry of John Milton. By analyzing the humanistic elements of Milton's Paradise Lost, one can realize how religion plays a large part in how he views Biblical doctrine. In this manner, Satan and Eve can be prime examples of British literary characterization perceived in the humanistic perspective of Milton's Protestant faith. In essence, the transforming values of Christianity in the protestant age reflect how traditional Biblical views were changing within the scope of Milton's epic poetry. John Milton was perhaps the single most influential religious poet of the 17th century. His determination to reflect the more humanistic and rational perceptions of Biblical lore has made his writings unique within this time frame. "
Demonstrates the British concept of colonialism in literary works by Elizabeth Nunez, Khushwant Singh, William Shakespeare and especially E. M. Forster.
Abstract This paper presents illustrations of the British concept of colonialism from E. M. Forster's "A Passage to India", Elizabeth Nunez' "Prospero's Daughter", Khushwant Singh's "Train to Pakistan" and William Shakespeare's play "The Tempest". The paper focusses on E.M. Forster's work and points out how his novel shows that the colonial relationships are highly subjective and contextual and that the colonial power does not have real cultural access to the feelings and the meanings of the culture upon which it is impinging. The paper indicates that this same theme is repeated in the other examples.
From the Paper "The narrow view of Shakespeare's famous play of colonization is explicitly questioned in Elizabeth Nunez's novel "Prospero's Daughter". There, the mad scientist Dr. Gardner takes over the native orphan boy Carlos' land and falsely accuses him, as the boy comes of age and can lay claim to his property, of raping Gardner's daughter Virginia. Gardener uses this as justification for his taking possession of everything Carlos owns. He even uproots the life-giving native fruit trees crops because they take away from the beauty of his transplanted soil and grass."
Tags: romance, social transgression, stereotypes servants tolerance
An essay which shows that literature creates false expectations in society as expressed by the neo-classical works of "A Tale of a Tub", by Johnathan Swift, "Vanity of Human Wishes" by Samuel Johnson and "The English Malady" by George Cheyne.
Abstract The paper shows that by providing readers with a realm based solely on the imagination, authors are able to manipulate reality through literature, creating unattainable expectations in society. The paper examines three examples illustrating this in the Augustan Age: "A Tale of a Tub" by Jonathan Swift, "The Vanity of Human Wishes", by Samuel Johnson, and "The English Malady" by George Cheyne. The paper describes how each work uses a different mode to express and effectively critique the inflated significance placed on intellect and the written word that both caused and resulted from the print explosion of the neo-classical period. It shows how all three writers voice a realization that the materialistic Empire was falling into a downward spiral from the spiritual and moral decay initiated by the overindulgence in the luxuries of excess.
From the Paper "In section two of this work, Swift uses the metaphor of three brothers who abandon the principles of their father's will at the whim of current fashion to convey the movement of literature from its classical roots to the image based ?tailor deity.? As the brothers deface the coats, that were the only legacy left to them by their father, they are metaphorically distorting classical literature which was their predecessors sole method of preserving their wisdom for posterity. Therefore, any reader coming into the sphere of this type of influence would be accepting knowledge with no basis in the accepted archetype or tradition of human understanding."
Abstract The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss, and analyze the book "Australian Literature: An Anthology of Writing From the Land Down Under," by Phyllis Edelson. Specifically, it contains an analysis of "The Aboriginal Experience," how contemporary aboriginal writers perceive the nature of their experiences with white Australia.
From the Paper "Throughout the Aboriginal section, it is clear the whites do not understand the Aborigines, or how they live with the land. It is also clear they have no desire to understand. The Aborigines have begun to live with the white men, but they do not become "white." They still live their own lives, and try not to take on too many of the white man's ways, but it is not always easy."
Abstract The military history of British involvement in India began, fully, in 1857 when Indian forces staged a revolt against the British East India Company. The Indian army began as an indigenous force run by British officers. The British role in India, far surpassed the history of British Imperialism anywhere else in the world.
Abstract This paper explains that both excerpts from C.S. Giscombe's "Into and Out of Dislocation" and Peter Hudson's "Natural Histories of Southwestern British Columbia" discuss black history in British Columbia. The author points out that the two writers' styles are utterly different. The paper relates that Giscombe simultaneously relates the history of his travels in British Columbia and the history of John Robert Giscome, a man who was possibly one of Giscombe's ancestors.
From the Paper "On the face of it, the excerpts from C.S. Giscombe's Into and Out of Dislocation and Peter Hudson's Natural Histories of Southwestern British Columbia seem to have little in common. Certainly, the two authors' styles are utterly different. However, closer analysis reveals many similarities between the two excerpts. The first and most obvious similarity is that both men have as their subject matter history - specifically, black history in British Columbia. Giscombe simultaneously relates the history of his travels in British Columbia and the history of John Robert Giscome, a man who was possibly one of Giscombe's ancestors."
Abstract This essay focuses on British Soap Opera and its conventions. It gives a brief history of the soap opera genre and it origins. It gives examples of current and past british soap operas and their popularity and reasons for it. It also looks at theories of audience enjoyment and uses for such media.
From the Paper "The soap opera genre originates from the American radio serials of the 1930's so called because of their sponsorship by major soap powder companies. Due to its incredible success the genre grew and by the 1950's it had developed into television productions. The first soap to be televised in Britain was The Groves, which first aired in 1954 and lasted for three years. It was followed by what is now the longest running and most successful soap in Britain, Coronation Street. Rival terrestrial channels soon picked up on the success of Coronation Street (and the soap opera genre in general), this resulted in the arrival of Channel 4's Brookside in 1982, followed by the BBC's EastEnders in 1986."
Tags: conventions, eastenders, genre, soap, television, viewing, opera, British, BBC
Abstract This paper considers the globalization of and relationships within British Airways. It explores the international strategic challenges the company faces in the financial sector. The paper offers an overview of the airline industry of British Airway's position in the industry. The author also includes schematic representation.
From the Paper "The airline industry is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the world with some governments actively subsidizing their nation's air carriers and other government ..."
