Geoffrey Chaucer, an English poet, civil servant, and writer, is still regarded as the father of English Literature. His significant works, The Book of the Duchess (c. 1368), The House of Fame (c. 1379), Troilus and Criseyde (c. 1380s), and The Canterbury Tales (c. 1387–1400), reflect the complexities of his era through recurring themes. These …
Category archives: Literature
Impacts of the Historical Period during the Age of Chaucer
Chaucer’s Lifespan (c. 1343–1400) Geoffrey Chaucer was born around 1343 in London, likely in the bustling commercial area near the Thames where his father, John Chaucer, worked as a prosperous vintner. The exact date of his birth is uncertain, as medieval records rarely noted such details for non-nobles. Still, evidence from court documents, such as …
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Keeping Stories Alive: The Enduring Power of Characters and Literary Works
The statement “The stories and characters of literary works are alive as long as the works exist” captures a profound truth about the enduring nature of literature, art, and storytelling. Still, it also invites nuance upon closer examination. The statement can be explored to such an extent as to whether it’s true or limited, considering …
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Understanding Wolfgang Iser’s Phenomenological Approach to Reading
Wolfgang Iser’s The Reading Process: A Phenomenological Approach Iser’s essay explores how reading a book or story involves more than just passively taking in words. It is an active, creative process where the reader plays a massive role in making the story come to life. The book provides a framework—like a half-finished painting—and the reader …
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A Short History of English Literature
English literature, with its rich tapestry of narratives, has evolved through centuries, reflecting the socio-political changes, cultural shifts, and intellectual movements that have shaped the English-speaking world. This journey can be traced through several distinct periods, each contributing unique voices and genres to the literary canon. 1. The Old English Period (450-1066): The roots of …
A Few Notable Sources on Literary Theories
Abrams, M.H., and Geoffrey Galt Harpham. A Handbook of Literary Terms. Agarwal, B R., M P Sinha. Most Trends in the Post-Independence Indian English Fiction. New Delhi: Atlantic Publishers and Distributors, 2003. Print Alam, Fakrul. “Amitav Ghosh (1956- )”. Writers of the Indian Diaspora: A Bio-Bibliographical Critical Source. Ed. Emmanuel S. Nelson. Connecticut: Greenwood Press, …
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Greek and Roman Gods and Goddesses
There are many theories and reasons behind the birth of civilisations. Mythology plays a vital role in making that civilisation concrete. It contains many legends, tales, folklore, heroes, and more. Any civilisation originated long ago with the ancient people trying to bring humanity to the next level. The word civilisation comes from the Latin “civitas” …
The Religion of England
All the people of England were the members of the Christian church in one way or another. Pope in Rome was regarded as the head of the church. Later, during the reformation, people were divided and there evolved two groups, namely, the Catholics and the Protestants. When the Catholics were loyal to the Pope, the …
The Old and the New Diaspora
An ‘ideal’ type of ‗Diaspora‘ refers to the exile of the Jews. The African experience of ‘slavery’ under the colonial rule had also created equally tormenting circumstances to those ‘slaves’. Soon after the abolition of slavery, a new system emerged that created a large amount of migrants to most of the British colonies. Ashcroft, Griffiths …
Susan Sontag’s Essay “Against Interpretation”
Susan Sontag is an avante-guarde writer (who discards conventions) who belongs to the American school of criticism. She has written novels like The Benefactor (1964) and Death Kit (1968) . “Notes on Camp”, an essay was first published in 1964, and was republished in 1966 in her collection of essays, Against Interpretation. Susan Sontag in …
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