AD's English Literature

Literature as a Mirror of Society Introduction: "Literature is news that STAYS news." Ezra Pound (1885 - 1972) U.S. poet, translator, and critic. ABC of Reading It is a simple yet philosophical concept. Literature serves as a form of news, encompassing all that has occurred in the past, conveyed through written records or oral tradition. These accounts hold significant value as they provide essential insights that inform our actions. They continue to be regarded as news because they largely reflect the truth, with minimal variations in the details. The literature carries the recorded knowledge that remains ingrained in the minds of those who encounter it. It is all about experiences. Thus,   literature has long been regarded as a powerful medium that reflects the essence of the human experience. Through the written word, authors have the ability to capture the intricacies of society, plunging into the complexities of human nature, and shedding light on the issues that shape...

"It is no secret that...there are many to whom Mr. Darwin's death is a wholly irreparable loss. And this not merely because of his wonderfully genial, simple, and generous nature; his cheerful and animated conversation, and the infinite variety and accuracy of his information; but because the more one knew of him, the more he seemed the incorporated ideal of a man of science." T. H. Huxley (1825 - 1895) British biologist. Referring to Charles Darwin. Nature Darwin's Literary Legacy: Revolutionizing Science and English Literature Darwin's Literary Legacy: Revolutionizing Science and English Literature Charles Darwin, an English naturalist and biologist, revolutionized the field of science with his theory of evolution through natural selection. His seminal work, "On the Origin of Species," published in 1859, presented a comprehensive account of his revolutionary ideas. Darwin's writings not only presented scientific arguments but also demonstrated a pr...

In today's digital age , it's easy to assume that taking class notes is no longer necessary. After all, we have access to all kinds of information at our fingertips, right? Well, not exactly. Taking class notes is still an essential part of the learning process. It helps us retain information better, improves our ability to focus, and allows us to refer back to important concepts later on. Plus, taking notes by hand has been shown to be more effective than typing them out. So, even though it might be tempting to rely solely on digital resources , make sure you're still taking notes during class. Why Class notes are an essential tool? They help you to remember important information and clarify the concepts discussed in class. Taking notes allows you to actively engage in the class and retain information more effectively. When you take notes, you are processing information, analyzing it, and then writing it down in your own words. This helps you to remember the information b...

"Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen." Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955) German-born U.S. physicist. Throughout history, readers have grappled with the complexities and limitations of understanding the meaning of written words. From Thucydides to Enlightenment and Romantic scholars such as Edward Gibbon and Leopold von Ranke, there has been a fundamental distinction between objective knowledge and poetic reinvention , between actual meaning and meaningful actuality . And yet, despite this, there remains a conundrum: prejudice. Prejudice is a natural tendency that affects our perceptions, thoughts, and judgments. It's challenging to separate ourselves from our biases, which can significantly influence how we interpret and evaluate a text. However, it's essential to be aware of our prejudices and strive to overcome them to make a fair evaluation of a text. As a reader, we have faced this conundrum countless times. Despite our best efforts,...

"Shakespeare's works are one great bubbling fair, and he owes the richness of his wares to his native land...His Romans are Englishmen through and through." Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832) German poet, playwright, and scientist. "Shakespeare: a Tribute" 1. Introduction  Ah, Shakespeare . The man, the myth, the legend. He's been dead for centuries, yet his works still resonate with us today. But what will Shakespeare's legacy look like in 2050? Will his plays still be relevant, or will they be as outdated as VHS tapes and floppy disks? To answer this question, we need to take a closer look at what makes  Shakespeare  so special. Is it his mastery of language? His ability to capture the essence of human emotion? Or is it simply the fact that he's been around for so long that we can't imagine a world without him?  Shakespeare  has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide for centuries. However, as society evolves and advances, the questio...

"Time would pass, old empires would fall and new ones take their place…before I discovered that it is not quality of goods and utility which matter, but movement; not where you are or what you have, but where you have come from, where you are going and the rate at which you are getting there." C. L. R. James (1901 - 1989) Trinidadian writer, political theorist, and educator. Beyond a Boundary The passage of Time Time theme has been a perennial theme with the poets of all ages. Time is the thief of life and time makes us conscious of our changes in age and decay. Shakespeare, through the mouth of Jaques says that it was nine one ‘hour before and it will be eleven one hour after. So we ripe every hour and thus rot, and like ripe fruits we fall. Rosalind expresses our acute sense of time when she says to Orlando how time ambles to some, how time trots to some, how time gallops to some. Shakespeare on another occasion has said that time must have a stop. In He...

Stated simply, tragicomedy is a blend of the elements of tragedy and comedy. To quote the seventeenth century playwright john Fletcher from the preface to his play The Faithful Shepherdess ; Read More Criticism a tragicomedy is not so called in respect of mirth and killing, but in respect it wants deaths, which is enough to make it no tragedy, yet brings some near it, which is enough to make it no comedy. In the 18 th century Dr. Samuel Johnson defined tragicomedy as “drama compounded of merry and serious events”. Read More Criticism Contrary to classical injunction against mixing the tragic and the comic in one composition as is insisted by Socrates at the end of Plato’s symposium; Dr. Johnson praises Shakespeare’s mixture of the two, when he says, “Shakespeare has united the powered of exciting laughter and sorrow not only in one mind, but in one composition.” 

Exploring the Evolution and Influences of English Literature in the 20th Century: A Concise Overview  The Dynamic Evolution of English Literature in the 20th Century: A Confluence of Influences and Ideologies L iterature as a whole grows and changes from generation to generation. It is not static, but dynamic because each age has its own particular point of interest and its own way of feeling and thinking about things. It is the comprehensive essence of the intellectual life of nation. We  may distinguish one age or the other by pointing out certain trends and movements that shape the one age or the other. Read More History of English Literature ( Essay) But what happens when we set to analyses the 20 th century?  We are lost into the vagueness of variety and quality of literary works that have been product in this age. The reason for this variety and complexity of English literature is the impact of various foreign influences and  ideologies on it. No other life ...