...The Decline and Fall of Literature November 4, 1999 ANDREW DELBANCO E-mail Print [pic]Share [pic] [pic]In Plato’s Cave[pic] by Alvin Kernan A couple of years ago, in an article explaining how funds for faculty positions are allocated in American universities, the provost of the University of California at Berkeley offered some frank advice to department chairs, whose job partly consists of lobbying for a share of the budget. “On every campus,” she wrote, “there is one department whose name need only be mentioned to make people laugh; you don’t want that department to be yours.”1 The provost, Carol Christ (who retains her faculty position as a literature professor), does not name the offender—but everyone knows that if you want to locate the laughingstock on your local campus these days, your best bet is to stop by the English department. The laughter, moreover, is not confined to campuses. It has become a holiday ritual for The New York Times to run a derisory article in deadpan Times style about the annual convention of the Modern Language Association, where thousands of English professors assemble just before the new year. Lately it has become impossible to say with confidence whether such topics as “Eat Me; Captain Cook and the Ingestion of the Other” or “The Semiotics of Sinatra” are parodies of what goes on there or serious presentations by credentialed scholars.2 At one recent English lecture, the speaker discussed a pornographic “performance artist”...
Words: 9854 - Pages: 40
...Mia Tarantola Mrs. Kasarda English 9 Period 6 26 April 2016 Would the world be a better place if people stopped judging others based on the quality of their clothing? The Elizabethan Era, which lasted from the late 16th century to the early 17th century, took place during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. This time period was overwhelmed by a strict social hierarchy that controlled how citizens dressed. There were two main classes, the upper and lower. If a citizen was in the upper class he would have different rights than those in the lower class when it came to clothing styles. In the Elizabethan Era, the way people dressed was solely based off their social status. Females of the lower class wore clothes that were more affordable and comfortable...
Words: 1721 - Pages: 7
...History of English Literature Overview Anglo-Saxon Literature (500-1100) The Angles and Saxon conquered what is now called England in the 5th and 6th centuries. Christian missionaries taught the English to write. Northumbria soon produced Caedmon and Bede. Heroic poetry of a Christian kind is the chief legacy of Old English literature, notably Beowulf and the Elegies. A considerable prose literature grew up after King Alfred. Middle English Literature (1100-1500) Literature in England in this period was not just in English and Latin but in French as well and developed in directions set largely in France. Epic and Elegy gave way to romance and Lyric. English writing revived fully in English after 1360 and flowered in the reign of Richard II (1372-99). It gained a literary standard in London English after 1425 and developed modern forms of verse, prose and of Drama. The conquest of England in 1066 by William of Normandy displaced English as medium of literature. The language of new rulers was French. Saxons dealing with the King had to learn French and French was the language of court and the law for three centuries. Four genres of Middle English are: i. 1. Fabliau 2. Lyric 3. Dream Allegory 4. Ballad Geoffrey Chaucer Chaucer is the best story teller and the narrative poet. Chaucer tells his stories in a most effective way. He has the knack of transforming an old tale into a new one in such a manner that its appeal increases manifold and its human...
Words: 2856 - Pages: 12
...The Elizabethan Era is often referred to as the golden age, but was it really that golden? Everything during this time period was simple and relied on your social status. The clothing and fashion played an important role among the rich and the poor during the Elizabethan Era. It is the same scenario with food and architecture. Life during the Elizabethan Era was simple. The clothing was based of social status. Even though the outfits they wore had more accessories everything was similar. Everyone was dressed for their social status. If you were of a higher social status the more exquisite you dressed. The nicer your clothing will be. If you were of a lower social status you dressed plainly. What you ate also reflected your social...
Words: 284 - Pages: 2
...Thomas Kyd’s The Spanish Tragedy received great popularity and stamped as a form to be imitated not only because it has revenge as a tragic motive but also because it is a imitation from medieval tragedy. This masterpiece was presented as blood - revenge where the sacred duty of the father to avenge the murder of his son - and from that sensational theme (which was also popular in classic tragic dramas) derived its polarity and uniqueness. Revenge tragedy in its general sense defines the real dramatic motivation behind which blood and violence lies. Kyd, as an Elizabethan dramatist wanted to show his uniqueness with academic tradition and for this he owns a great deal to Lucius Annaceus Seneca who was a successful dramatist of Roman tyrants. In Senecan tragedies blood-revenge for murder, supernatural elements and delay are presented in realistic perspective. This style is followed by Kyd in his The Spanish Tragedy. As a revenge tragedy, The Spanish Tragedy starts with supernatural effect or the ghost of Andrea in Act I. Just like medieval or Senecan dramas Kyd introduced the drama with a ghost who has connections between the plays main protagonist character and future development of the plot. As Don Andrea was killed in a fair battle an Elizabethan audience would have little sympathy for him so Kyd also introduced the partial hero Horatio who is good in every sense and perspective so that audience have sympathy for his death and also feels sympathetic for his father...
Words: 1350 - Pages: 6
...The women writers from Norton Anthology remind me of a great deal about the women in today’s society. Women today and from the past had to face the same hardships. They had to rise up from their invisible constraints just to gain their equality. Women always had to fight to gain their gender liberation. I would like to compare my mom to Queen Elizabeth. My mom always reminded me of a military mom. She was very strict in her ways, even when it came to the dinner table. I remember she told me I could not have juice until I finished eating all my food. Even to this day I eat mostly all of my food, before I drink any kind of liquids. I tell people do not blame me, blame my mom. She made sure that she would not baby me in any way. My mom made sure to raise a man. When she saw me being picked on one day she made sure I would fight them no matter how big they are. She always told me life was hard. There will always be challenges in your life, but you do not run away from them. I guess she was talking from personal experience about when she found out she was pregnant. She did not run or hide from the fact she was having a child. She embraced it and acknowledged the fact that she was basically going to be a single mother. My father was always in and out of jail, so she knew she could not depend on him. In the same way I am like my mom. We are both realists. I hate when someone say they are going to do something, and they do not do it. My mom told me that...
Words: 640 - Pages: 3
...Hamlet Aristotle once wrote, “You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honour”. William Shakespeare wrote the play, Hamlet, as a revenge tragedy to entertain the Elizabethan audience. In act IV scene IV, Hamlet questions his courage and lack of ability to make a decision to avenge his father’s death. Hamlet compares himself to a military leader who demonstrates great bravery while questioning what defines honour. Shakespeare strategically utilizes his characters flaw to create deception, greed and ultimate revenge within the play. Therefore, Hamlet’s final soliloquy causes the Elizabethan audience to connect to the emotions the play evokes while simultaneously engaging them. To begin with, Hamlet’s final soliloquy allows the audience to elicit feelings of empathy over the personal conflict and struggle Hamlet is facing over avenging his father’s death. Firstly, Hamlet is overcome with grief and sadness at the loss of his father and recent marriage of his mother, which causes him to question his inability to act out his revenge. Hamlet states, “How stand I then, that have a father killed, a mother stained, excitements of my reason and my blood, and let all sleep” (IV.IV.55-59). This conflict of conscience would cause the audience to sympathize with Hamlet as he mourns the unimaginable loss of his precious family and the realization that the world he knows will never be the same again. Additionally...
Words: 929 - Pages: 4
...Resulta sa Paghahanap term paper definition | English dictionary for learners | Reverso Collins dictionary.reverso.net/english... - Estados Unidos - Isalin ang pahinang ito term paper meaning, definition, English dictionary, synonym, see also 'paper',paper over',on paper',paper boy', Collins Reverso dictionary, English simple ... Langston Hughes English Term Paper - Essays - Kingjames2323 www.oppapers.com/...English-Term-Paper/73... - Isalin ang pahinang ito 12 Jul 2011 – Langston Hughes English Term Paper. English Term Paper Langston Hughes is a famous African-American poet whose work is known for ... English Term Papers / Custom English Term Paper ... - Midterm US www.midterm.us/english-term-papers.html - Isalin ang pahinang ito Order a custom high-quality term paper in English. All our custom English term papers are prepared by professional writers from scratch. Plagiarism-Free ... The Paper Experts : Order Custom Term Papers Format : Best ... www.thepaperexperts.com/ - Isalin ang pahinang ito Welcome to The Paper Experts, where we supply solutions for Order Custom Term Papers Format, Best Written Papers, Example of Dissertation Topics, Buy a ... English Papers :: Cheap Custom English Paper Writing - $8.95/page www.affordablepapers.com/english-papers.html - Isalin ang pahinang ito We will help you without taking into consideration the type of your English paper, should it be an English essay, English term paper, English research paper, ... The term paper is disappearing...
Words: 463 - Pages: 2
...Hamlet Essay A great amount of events occurred in Act IV of Shakespeare’s famous play Hamlet, which helped to further the plot of the story and enhance the theme of revenge and justice. Some events that took place are; the Queen betrayed her son and told Claudius of the murder of Polonius, Ophelia became insane and eventually drowned herself in the river, and King Claudius plotted to ship Hamlet off to England to be killed. Shakespeare wrote his plays during the Elizabethan era, and life was much different for people of that era, then it is for people of present day. How words and dialogue were written in the play, is hard for us to understand with are modern day language and slang; the same can be said for the ideas and influences certain parts of the play have on us. Someone who was alive during the Elizabethan era and attended one of Shakespeare’s plays would view the live production very differently than a modern day audience would. There are a few points that come to mind when comparing the differences between the Elizabethan era and modern day; such as the great chain of being, extreme importance on religion, and the pride in defending your honor. These examples of the differences between the two eras are very noticeable in Act IV Scene IV lines 53-66, when Hamlet exclaims: Rightly to be great Is not to stir without great argument But greatly to find quarrel in a straw When honor’s at the stake. How stand I then, That have a father killed, a mother stained, ...
Words: 1612 - Pages: 7
...The Elizabethan Age (1558 - 1603) refers to the period of Elizabeth 1's reign and is characterized by vigorous intellectual thinking, an age of adventure and discovery, a time in which new ideas and new experiences were sought after. The period revolutionized many aspects of English life, most significantly literature. The Elizabethan Age is considered the Golden Age of English literature. English writers were intrigued and heavily influenced by Italian Renaissance writing and readily adopted this model. This period also saw the introduction of a new genre in English theatre, the tragicomedy, which became very popular. The era is also considered the era of sonnets. The works of writers such as Shakespeare, Wyatt and Thomas Campion became very popular as printed literature and was widely distributed in households. Drama, under Elizabeth's reign, became a unifying influence, drawing people of different social classes together, since watching a play became a common experience and was not exclusively restricted to the gentry or upper class. Commoners and royalty could enjoy the same performance in each other's company, albeit in separate seating arrangements. Elizabethan Literature has so deeply stamped its authority on all future literate endeavors and developments, that we, almost half a millennium later, still study it and admire its exceptional beauty and greatness. Women's Rights were nonexistent Women were meant to be seen and not heard They were baby makers and...
Words: 1257 - Pages: 6
...Machiavellianism? It is a type of character who has an evil and deceitful character. This character is ready to do anything possible moral or immoral in order to get to power, or to fulfill his wishes. Who is using clever ways of scheming to deceive and manipulate others around him. Of course this process is without the realization of those who have been manipulated. Therefore, Machiavellianism is considered to be an amoral principle which is why "The end justifies the means." According to Machiavellianism it is alright to take advantage of the others in order to get what you want. Machiavellianism is one of the important themes in tragedy plays as major themes. Therefore, "The Spanish Tragedy" which is the first revenge tragedy in English literature, written by Thomas Kyd during the Elizabethan age. In this play a Machiavellian villain plays an important role in making troubles and taking advantage of the others throughout the drama. Lorenzo is the Cyprian Duke's son and the nephew of King of Spain. Lorenzo is a fine image of a Machiavellian reprobate and manipulative person. He uses his language cunningly. Simply, Lorenzo makes the use of his verbal slyness to lead the individuals around him to disgrace, because of their weak points and absence of knowledge. Therefore, he is an inhumane, eager, and misleading man; who tries to advance a marriage between his sister Bellimperia and the Portuguese ruler Balthazar. Spain and Portugal were at war which the Spaniards won it. Then...
Words: 694 - Pages: 3
...Many people have wondered what it was like to live in Elizabethan times; to deal with the everyday normal life and to contribute to their society. During this Era, people were still charged with crimes and did receive punishments for their actions like today; yet The Elizabethan Era remained a significant part of our history due to the amount of injustice and cruelty. During this Era a crime committed and the punishment given was based on a person’s placement in society. For a class of Nobility crimes were more unusual or did not happen as often as a crime from a commoner. “The most common crimes of the Nobility included: high treason, blasphemy, sedition, spying, rebellion, witchcraft, murder, and alchemy.” (Alchin). The upper class was wealthy, educated, and involved with the clergymen. They did not feel the need to steal money, but when jealousy was aroused, murder could become a technique to eliminate the enemy. This led to the effect of their crime; the punishment. If the defendant was a part of the highest class in society, then they were already free from a torturous sentence. Punishments given to people of a higher class were: The Rock, Scavengers Daughter, Iron Maiden, Branding Irons, and more. “One Historian describes the rock: [It] was a horizontal frame within which the prisoner was placed, with ropes attached to his wrists and ankles. The ropes were wound around cylindrical rollers at each end of the frame. When the rollers were turned, the prisoner might...
Words: 1046 - Pages: 5
...BA English Literature and Community Engagement About your application For entry in October 2013, there will be two deadlines for applications. The initial deadline will be Monday 26 November 2012. Interviews for those who apply by this date will be held in December 2012. Assuming there are still places available after this date, we expect to have a second deadline for applications of Monday 1 July 2013, with interviews to be held later that month. These dates are designed to acknowledge that some applicants are also pursuing other options for further study, and may need to make decisions early in the academic cycle, while other mature students may prefer to complete a prior course of study in 2012/13, such as the English Department’s Reading English Literature course, before applying to the degree. You are advised to read the information in this pack carefully before completing your application. Please address any questions about the application process or the degree to Gareth Griffith on gareth.griffith@bristol.ac.uk Aims of the course: The undergraduate degree in English Literature and Community Engagement is offered part-time over six years and is taught one evening per week plus occasional Saturdays. It aims to develop a student’s interest in, and knowledge and understanding of, a full range of literature in English. The programme reflects the English Department’s wider commitment to maintaining a balance between established traditions of literary study and...
Words: 9024 - Pages: 37
...INTEGRATED OUTLINE TOPIC: The importance of learning English Literature for students. MAIN IDEA: The continuation of the subject English Literature is a must especially in Asia. THESIS STATEMENT: Students who learn English Literature have greater chance to be successful in their studies and careers despite the limitation faced by the countries whose English is second language. INTRODUCTION Topic sentence: Learning English Literature is proven to be the closest subject to human nature aside from biology as it provides human with huge array of emotions and actions. The initial reason of the introduction of learning literature was to inject the culture of Englishness from the colonizer to the colonized. Supporting details | Sources | 1) Closer to human nature 2) The initial reason was to promote Englishness to the people | Kendrick, R. (n.d.). Why Our Students Study Literature. Retrieved March 3, 2016, from https://gustavus.edu/english/whystudyliterature.php Tennenhouse, L. (2007). Importance of Feeling English: American Literature and the British Diaspora, 1750-1850. Princeton University Press. | FIRST MAIN POINT Topic Sentence: There are many advantages of learning English Literature that could be benefited by the students. Supporting details | Sources | 1) Teaches the student on the earlier forms of language and how the language developed. 2) Familiarize the students with aesthetic purposes. 3) Develop planning and research skills as well as gain...
Words: 674 - Pages: 3
...B.A. (HONOURS) ENGLISH (Three Year Full Time Programme) COURSE CONTENTS (Effective from the Academic Year 2011-2012 onwards) DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH UNIVERSITY OF DELHI DELHI - 110007 0 Course: B.A. (Hons.) English Semester I Paper 1: English Literature 4(i) Paper 2: Twentieth Century Indian Writing(i) Paper 3: Concurrent – Qualifying Language Paper 4: English Literature 4(ii) Semester II Paper 5: Twentieth Century Indian Writing(ii) Paper 6: English Literature 1(i) Paper 7: Concurrent – Credit Language Paper 8: English Literature 1(ii) Semester III Paper 9: English Literature 2(i) Paper 10: Option A: Nineteenth Century European Realism(i) Option B: Classical Literature (i) Option C: Forms of Popular Fiction (i) Paper 11: Concurrent – Interdisciplinary Semester IV Semester V Paper 12: English Literature 2(ii) Paper 13: English Literature 3(i) Paper 14: Option A: Nineteenth Century European Realism(ii) Option B: Classical Literature (ii) Option C: Forms of Popular Fiction (ii) Paper 15: Concurrent – Discipline Centered I Paper 16: English Literature 3(ii) Paper 17: English Literature 5(i) Paper 18: Contemporary Literature(i) Paper 19: Option A: Anglo-American Writing from 1930(i) Option B: Literary Theory (i) Option C: Women’s Writing of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries (i) Option D: Modern European Drama (i) Paper 20: English Literature 5(ii) Semester VI Paper 21: Contemporary Literature(ii) Paper 22: Option A: Anglo-American Writing from 1930(ii) Option B:...
Words: 4049 - Pages: 17
