Skip to main content

What is called an Anthology? "The Modern Age" in the History of English Literature: How can it be Anthologied?

"A well chosen anthology is a complete dispensary of medicine for the more common mental disorders, and may be used as much for prevention as cure."
Robert Graves (1895 - 1985)
British poet and novelist
On English Poetry

An anthology, derived from the Greek word meaning "flower gathering," is essentially a collection of literary works, usually from various authors, chosen for their cultural, artistic, or historical value. These curated collections date back centuries, with notable examples like Meleager of Gadara’s anthology in 90 BC, which compiled poems from various Greek poets, and Tottel’s Miscellany (1557), featuring works by Nicholas Grimald, Thomas Wyatt, and Henry Howard, showcasing the early development of English poetry. Anthologies such as The Golden Treasury of English Songs and Lyrics by Francis Turner Palgrave and The Oxford Book of English Verse compiled by multiple editors reflect the tastes, sensibilities, and cultural aesthetics of their time.

Anthologizing the Modern Age of English Literature

To anthologize the Modern Age in English literature would indeed be a captivating endeavor. This period, spanning roughly from the late 19th century through the 20th century, is marked by significant artistic, intellectual, and social shifts, often characterized by experimentation and a response to rapid changes in society, technology, and thought.

A well-curated anthology on the Modern Age would have to emphasize diversity in voices and forms, carefully presenting key works that embody the period’s defining traits. This selection could reflect the era’s literary breadth, ranging from modernist experiments to post-colonial critiques and existentialist themes. Here are some essential considerations and a possible structure for such an anthology:

  1. Scope and Purpose: The anthology should offer readers not only a sampling of literary pieces but an understanding of how the works reflect the vast landscape of the modern period’s cultural and societal concerns. It should aim for accessibility while maintaining academic rigor, blending works of critical interest with an approach that is more appreciative than overly critical.

  2. Selection of Works: Representative works could include:

    • Drama: Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest for its satirical critique of Victorian society.
    • Modernist Fiction: Virginia Woolf’s To the Lighthouse and E.M. Forster’s A Passage to India, which embody modernist narrative techniques and themes of identity, empire, and individual experience.
    • Psychological Exploration: D.H. Lawrence’s Sons and Lovers, for its exploration of psychological and familial complexities.
    • Biography and Critique: Lytton Strachey’s Queen Victoria, a candid, psychological biography.
    • Social and Political Critique: George Bernard Shaw’s Man and Superman, which explores philosophical themes and critiques society.
    • Poetry: W.B. Yeats’s selected poetry and T.S. Eliot’s Murder in the Cathedral, both offering insight into the spiritual and existential quandaries of the age.

  3. Reader-Centric Design: Recognizing the anthology's readers is essential for success. Many anthologies are built around the needs of both casual readers and students. This selection would ideally maintain a straightforward structure with critical, but clear, insights on each work’s significance in the broader context of Modern English literature. Profuse illustrations or explanatory footnotes could enrich the reader's experience without overwhelming them with jargon.

  4. Editorial Approach: Anthologizing the Modern Age requires a methodical arrangement. Works could be organized chronologically or thematically, showing the progression of literary movements or shared themes like alienation, the search for identity, the questioning of traditional values, and the exploration of consciousness.

  5. Illustrative Support: Modern literature often reflects complex psychological and societal themes, so using accessible language and visual aids (perhaps illustrations or brief historical contexts) would help readers navigate challenging ideas. These aids would serve as "medicinal" elements, as Robert Graves suggested, easing the reading process and fostering deeper engagement with the material.

In crafting an anthology on the Modern Age, the editor's ultimate goal would be to produce a collection that not only serves as an academic resource but also a "dispensary" of literary works that speaks to common human experiences. In doing so, the anthology could meet the fundamental purpose of such a collection—offering readers a profound and lasting connection to the enduring themes of the Modern Age.

 Ardhendu De    

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Drop any query, suggestion or comment here.

Other Fat Writing

Popular posts from this blog

Dr. Samuel Johnson's "Preface to Shakespeare": Points to Remember

E ighteenth-century writer Samuel Johnson ((1709-1784) is one of the most significant figures in English literature. His fame is due in part to a widely read biography of him, written by his friend James Boswell and published in 1791. Although probably best known for compiling his celebrated dictionary, Johnson was an extremely prolific writer who worked in a variety of fields and forms. Chief Critical Approaches of Dr. Johnson are: Johnson tried teaching and later organized a school in Lichfield. His educational ventures were not successful, however, although one of his students, David Garrick, later famous as an actor, became a lifelong friend.
40 comments
Read more

Kinds of Poetry: Narrative, Lyric, and Dramatic

Introduction: Poetry is a form of literary expression that has captivated readers and listeners for centuries. It allows poets to convey their thoughts, emotions, and experiences in a condensed and artistic manner. While there are countless poetic forms and styles, poetry can be broadly categorized into three main kinds: Narrative, Lyric, and Dramatic. Each of these kinds has distinct characteristics, purposes, and examples that showcase the rich diversity within the world of poetry. Kinds of poetry :  There are three great kinds of poetic writing: Narrative, Lyric, and Dramatic. Narrative poetry: Narrative poetry tells a story with a plot, characters, and a setting. It  is one of the oldest and most straightforward forms of poetry. It tells a story, often in a chronological sequence, using poetic devices to create a vivid and engaging narrative. Some key points about narrative poetry include: Storytelling: Narrative poetry focuses on storytelling, using poetic language to c...
1 comment
Read more

Analysis of "Progress" by St. John Ervine as One Act Play

"Peace hath her victories No less renowned than war."- John Milton  (1608 - 1674)   Letters of State...Together with Several of his Poems ,  "To Oliver Cromwell" “Progress” by St. John Greer Ervine is a successful specimen of a one act play . It has not only a unity of theme (the abolition of war) the unities of time; place and action are also meticulously maintained. Thematically, “Progress”     is written against the background of the First World War in which thousands were butchered and many more became disabled for life. It left many mothers    childless and incredible number of widows and orphans. This insensible devastation has created diverse reactions in social thinking, and “Progress” by the Irish playwright St. John Greer Ervine is just the product of one of the strongest of these sentiments, namely the anti-war feeling of the post war modern age .  Through the basic conflict between two ideas- the point of view of ...
10 comments
Read more