Lecture 1: Introduction to the History of English Language and Literature

Course Overview

• Duration: 12 weeks
• Teaching Hours: 30 hours
• Objectives:
  • Introduce the foundations of English language and literature
  • Identify key moments in England's intellectual history
  • Critically evaluate texts within social, historical, and political contexts
  • Understand the relevance of different literary periods

Key Concepts

• Foundations: Emergence and evolution of English language and literature
• Intellectual History: Key moments and events
• Context: Social, historical, political
• Relevance: Importance of each period/era

Texts and Sources

• Primary Texts:
  • Outline History of English Literature by William Henry Hudson
  • Illustrated History of English Literature by Pat Rogers
  • English Social History by G.M. Trevelyan
• Course Focus:
  • Literature in English of the British people
  • Excludes literature from outside England (e.g., American, African, Indian)

Course Content

• Period Covered: From Beowulf to Virginia Woolf
• Importance of Literary History:
  • Product of intellectual curiosity
  • Organic and interconnected relationship between literature and history
  • Chronological account of books/authors
  • Transformation of literature over time
• Intellectual Ancestry:
  • Sequential understanding of movements and ideas
  • Interaction between different literary cultures
• Connection with Nation-State:
  • Literary history intertwined with the nation’s history

Literary History Characteristics

• Continuity and Discontinuity
  • Highlight connections between different literary periods
  • Modern literary history includes critical explanations
• Author Positioning:
  • Personal details (birth, family, associations)
  • Cultural formations, politics, society
• Textual Aspects:
  • Genre, publication details, characterization, narration
• Reception and Influence:
  • Best-known works, recognition, censorship, penalties
• Modes of Production:
  • Authorship details, literary/non-literary motives, publication history

Periodization of Literary History

• Arbitrary but Convenient:
  • Discussion based on broadly accepted periods
  • Examples: Elizabethan Age, Age of Shakespeare
• Periods Covered:
  • Old English
  • Middle English
  • Renaissance
  • Neoclassical
  • Romantic
  • Victorian
  • Modern and Postmodern
• Non-linear Understanding:
  • Includes traditions, genres, political opinions, print culture, etc.

Conclusion

• Clear understanding of literary history and course framework
• Focus on the evolution of language and literature with socio-political influences
• Next session preview: Detailed analysis of origins and transitions of literary periods

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