English Literature 2004年校级精品课程“英国文学”成果材料之一:英国文学主讲教案 主持人:蔡玉辉 ENGLISHLITERATURE SURVEYAND SELECTED READINGS (2nd dRAFt, FOR JUNIORS The objectives of the course: 1. To help learners build up literary critical abilities by way of reading and appreciating the representative works in English literature; 2. To help learners enhance cultural cognitive abil ities by way of introducing the background of literature, particularly the relationship between the literary creation and the social movements; 3. To help learners improve language abilities in the aspect of literary criticism and research Introductio Major points The general background in politics, culture and religion The general colors of English literature 1. The background in politics, culture and religion The origins of English literature a. The Celts or Kelts who remained the earliest inhabitants in the island and were driven away from the central parts to the remote places such as the heights of Scotland and Wales. They became increasingly marginalized in the long time of the medieval age but made themselves felt in the making of the nation because of their optimistic manners towards life and specialty in life patterns such as customs and language color B. Anglo-Saxons and Jutes invaded England from the north of Europe, to be more exact from the Scandinavia peninsula such as modern Norway, Sweden and so on after the withdrawal of Romans from the island. They drove the Celts away the central and orthern part and became the dominant tribes of the island and brought along their hard working or diligence together with pessimistic or melancholy manners and attitude towards nature and the life S, led by William the duke, came to and conquer England in 1066 after defeating Anglo-Saxons. The Normans not only became the ruling class but also brought along their language French, their constitutional concepts and a lot of civilized standards conventions and governmental strategies and ways, which spread over most part of
English Literature －1－ 2004 年校级精品课程“英国文学”成果材料之一：英国文学主讲教案 主持人：蔡玉辉 ENGLISH LITERATURE : SURVEY AND SELECTED READINGS (2 nd DRAFT, FOR JUNIORS ) The objectives of the course: 1. To help learners build up literary critical abilities by way of reading and appreciating the representative works in English literature; 2. To help learners enhance cultural cognitive abilities by way of introducing the background of literature, particularly the relationship between the literary creation and the social movements; 3. To help learners improve language abilities in the aspect of literary criticism and research writing. Introduction Major points: The general background in politics, culture and religion The general colors of English literature 1. The background in politics, culture and religion The origins of English literature: A. The Celts or Kelts who remained the earliest inhabitants in the island and were driven away from the central parts to the remote places such as the heights of Scotland and Wales. They became increasingly marginalized in the long time of the medieval age but made themselves felt in the making of the nation because of their optimistic manners towards life and specialty in life patterns such as customs and language colors. B. Anglo—Saxons and Jutes invaded England from the north of Europe, to be more exact from the Scandinavia peninsula such as modern Norway, Sweden and so on after the withdrawal of Romans from the island. They drove the Celts away the central and northern part and became the dominant tribes of the island and brought along their hard working or diligence together with pessimistic or melancholy manners and attitude towards nature and the life. C. Normans, led by William the duke, came to and conquer England in 1066 after defeating Anglo-Saxons. The Normans not only became the ruling class but also brought along their language French, their constitutional concepts and a lot of civilized standards, conventions and governmental strategies and ways, which spread over most part of
English Literature England promoted and assisted with their powers, while their romantic attitude and manners became then the fashion for the noble and the royal Factors concerned with cultural background The way of life of Celts, Anglo-Saxons and Normans; The blend of different cultures of the tribes and nations such as Celts, Danes Anglo-Saxons. Normans and so Factors related to religious background: the spread and establishment of Christianity 2. General colors of English Literature Factors affecting the colors of English literature A. Its environment. Concerning its environment, the following factors are often taken into deration:(1)Its special location. As we know, the island of Great Britain is separated from the main continent of Europe. Such a particular location has its advantages and disadvantages. As for the advantages, it can be reserved to itself without direct influence or impact from the continent, very good example can be selected freely from history and from present times, for instance, when almost the whole Europe were suffering from the relentless tramples of Hitler during World War Il, Britain could keep it from being invaded mainly owing to its separation in geography, and moreover, now when the main body of Europe, including Germany, France, Netherland, Belgium and so on,are quickening their steps towards a united monetary system next year, England is plays a role as a safeguard to prevent it from being contagious or infected from any disease from the continent and drawn into any war. This is maybe a very important factor that there has never been any war happening in the island for several hundreds of years. Simultaneously, however, the Channel becomes an obstacle to refuse the new ideas and movements from Europe. Some one said that at Dover there stands a ks harmful or not agreeable from enter and drives them back to the continent. As a result, in comparison with the continent, Britain is often one or two generations lagging behind in politics and ideology (2)Its special weather. Mainly defined to its special location, Britain has a unique weather, too. Because it locates in an island with low latitude or near to the north it enjoys a very mild weather, not too warm in summer nor too cool in winter. Uniquely, it has much fog and humidity Such a mild weather dingly, usually cre ( 3)Its colorful landforms. In geography, Britain has a colorful landforms. Usually the island is divided into three parts geographically and politically, that is, England, Scotland and Wales. Each has its own characteristic landforms. mountains and highlands in Scotland, mountains and plateau in Wales, and plateau, lowland, moorlands and plai in England, which make up the colorful landforms for the island and supply the comprehensive conditions for its formation and development both in its culture and B Its blend of races as we discussed in the former part which no doubt plays an important art in forming the colors of English literature
English Literature －2－ England promoted and assisted with their powers, while their romantic attitude and manners became then the fashion for the noble and the royal. Factors concerned with cultural background: The way of life of Celts, Anglo-Saxons and Normans; The blend of different cultures of the tribes and nations such as Celts, Danes, Anglo-Saxons, Normans and so on. Factors related to religious background: the spread and establishment of Christianity 2. General colors of English Literature Factors affecting the colors of English literature: A. Its environment. Concerning its environment, the following factors are often taken into consideration: (1) Its special location. As we know, the island of Great Britain is separated from the main continent of Europe. Such a particular location has its advantages and disadvantages. As for the advantages, it can be reserved to itself without direct influence or impact from the continent, very good example can be selected freely from history and from present times, for instance, when almost the whole Europe were suffering from the relentless tramples of Hitler during World War II, Britain could keep it from being invaded mainly owing to its separation in geography, and moreover, now when the main body of Europe, including Germany, France, Netherland, Belgium and so on, are quickening their steps towards a united monetary system next year, England is still idly wandering outside. English Channel, which separates Britain from the continent, plays a role as a safeguard to prevent it from being contagious or infected from any disease from the continent and drawn into any war. This is maybe a very important factor that there has never been any war happening in the island for several hundreds of years. Simultaneously, however, the Channel becomes an obstacle to refuse the new ideas and movements from Europe. Some one said that at Dover there stands a conservative giant who stops anything he thinks harmful or not agreeable from entering and drives them back to the continent. As a result, in comparison with the continent, Britain is often one or two generations lagging behind in politics and ideology. ( 2 ) Its special weather. Mainly defined to its special location, Britain has a unique weather, too. Because it locates in an island, with low latitude or near to the north, it enjoys a very mild weather, not too warm in summer nor too cool in winter. Uniquely, it has much fog and humidity. Such a mild weather, accordingly, usually create a moderate people. ( 3 ) Its colorful landforms. In geography, Britain has a colorful landforms. Usually the island is divided into three parts geographically and politically, that is, England, Scotland and Wales. Each has its own characteristic landforms, mountains and highlands in Scotland, mountains and plateau in Wales, and plateau, lowland, moorlands and plains in England, which make up the colorful landforms for the island and supply the comprehensive conditions for its formation and development both in its culture and nationality. B. Its blend of races as we discussed in the former part which no doubt plays an important part in forming the colors of English literature
English literature General colors: Elegant and standard in language Melancholy and ironical in style or in tone Conventional and conservative in thematic concern and in literary thoughts CHAPTER ONE. THE PRECLASSIC PERIOD( The early of the th century ---1485 Major points: Major achievements Major figures in this period Part L. Main Achievements in This Period 1. Beowulf---The first English national e Beowulf tells a story about a national hero bravely fighting against a monster for the sake of the people. Beowulf, on hearing the news that a terrible monster grendel harms the people, sails for Denmark with 14 companions to fight the monster. After arrival, Beowulf and his companions lie down in the hall which Grendel comes to seize the warriors. During the fight single-handedly gainst Grendel, beowulf wounds it mortally. Then Beowulf again defeats grendels mother who comes to revenge for her son and runs after her to the depth of a lake and kills her. After that he becomes the king of his people. But when he is old, he bids farewell to his family to fight a fire dragon which brings harm to the people. Again he defeats the fire dragon, but is mortally wounded Beowulf is a folk legend brought to England by Anglo-Saxons from the north of Europe and was orally spread over for centuries, combining both their struggle against natural disasters in the home and in the new environment in the island, and revealing a primitive state of them with brave but superstitious mind and a persevering spirit Beowulf is a long poem of over 3000 lines. Artistically speaking, it well reveals the features of Anglo-Saxon English such as (1)wide use of alliteration, (2) metaphors and (3) understatements 2. English ballad English ballads are also called popular ballads. It is one kind of oral literature because most of the ballads were spread orally for a long time in the form of folk songs or ballads and then were recorded in written form. A lot of ballads existed long before the norman Conquest but most of
English Literature －3－ General colors: Elegant and standard in language. Melancholy and ironical in style or in tone. Conventional and conservative in thematic concern and in literary thoughts. CHAPTER ONE . THE PRECLASSIC PERIOD( The early of the 7th century --- 1485 ) Major points: Major achievements Major figures in this period Part I. Main Achievements in This Period 1. Beowulf---The first English national epic Beowulf tells a story about a national hero bravely fighting against a monster for the sake of the people. Beowulf, on hearing the news that a terrible monster Grendel harms the people, sails for Denmark with 14 companions to fight the monster. After arrival, Beowulf and his companions lie down in the hall which Grendel comes to seize the warriors. During the fight single-handedly against Grendel, Beowulf wounds it mortally. Then Beowulf again defeats Grendel’s mother who comes to revenge for her son and runs after her to the depth of a lake and kills her. After that he becomes the king of his people. But when he is old, he bids farewell to his family to fight a fire dragon which brings harm to the people. Again he defeats the fire dragon, but is mortally wounded. Beowulf is a folk legend brought to England by Anglo-Saxons from the north of Europe and was orally spread over for centuries, combining both their struggle against natural disasters in the home and in the new environment in the island, and revealing a primitive state of them with brave but superstitious mind and a persevering spirit. Beowulf is a long poem of over 3000 lines. Artistically speaking, it well reveals the features of Anglo—Saxon English such as (1) wide use of alliteration,(2) metaphors and (3) understatements. 2. English Ballads English ballads are also called popular ballads. It is one kind of oral literature because most of the ballads were spread orally for a long time in the form of folk songs or ballads and then were recorded in written form. A lot of ballads existed long before the Norman Conquest but most of
English Literature them were composed probably after the 14th century, particularly in the 15th century, but they were not collected nor published till much later. The best known of the earliest publications of these ballads was that by Bishop Thomas Percy in the late of the 18h. There are various kinds of ballads events. The Robin Hood Ballads remains the most popular historical, legendary, fantastical, lyrical and humorous. Many of them were devoted to historical Robin Hood Ballads have various kinds of types and stories, but in general these ballads deal with Robin Hood and his men in their struggle against the oppressors of one kind or another, for example, bishops, barons and so on. In terms of LIU Bingshan, "The character of Robin Hood is any-sided. Strong brave and clever, he is at the same time tender-hearted and affectionate. He is a man with a twinkle in his eye, a man fond of a very joke and a hearty laugh. But the dominant key in his character is his hatred for he cruel oppressors and his love for the poor and downtrodden.” Part ll: Geoffrey Chaucer and The Canterbury Tales 1. Chaucer's main contributions to english literature 1)His first and foremost contribution can be found from language aspect. It is Chaucer who formally finished the blend of three languages, Anglo-Saxon English, Normans French and Latin to shape the early form of modern English. Of course, this process of blend lasted more than three hundred years, that is, from William Conquest to Chaucer's time but it is he who first used london dialect English in formal writing, and it is due to his writing that modern English became the only national language accepted all English people. So it cant be overstated to stress Chaucers function in giving birth to the early shape of modern English In terms of one research, in one thousand words that recur most frequently in our speaking and writing, 61.7 percent come from ancient English, that is, Anglo-Saxon English, 30.9 per cent from French, 2.9 per cent from Latin. This statistics can clear illustrate Chaucer 's contribution to modern english because it was still an adventurous action to use London dialect, or Anglo-Saxon English to write a long poem as The Canterbury Tales at that time 2) Based on his application of London Dialect English in his writings, English became a bridge between Literature and the great public, or the mass in MAO Tsedong's words which made it possible for a rapid development taking a beneficial condition from th majority of the people. It probably remains unclear whether English could met its prosperity in the Renaissance if without Chaucers use of London Dialect then a lively language 3)Chaucer pioneered in using the couplet first in his writing, in concrete, 4 accents couplet in his early writing and 5 accents couplet in the famous Canterbury Tales which later was widely used by a lot of writers and was perfected during the time of Enlightenment 4)He devoted a masterpiece The Canterbury Tales to English Literature, which remains a classic with sufficient heritage in both language and artistic achievements. Historically, The Canterbury Tales provides a panorama of the society in his time, that is, the late of the Anglo-Saxon Norman Period and the early of the Renaissance. Artistically, it creates a series of live characters of many ranks from the knights, worriers, landlords or squire in English, monk, clergymen, Oxford scholar, lawyer, doctor, nun, as well as some ordinary people such as the wife of Bath, inns keeper, carpenter, so on and so forth
English Literature －4－ them were composed probably after the 14th century, particularly in the 15th century, but they were not collected nor published till much later. The best known of the earliest publications of these ballads was that by Bishop Thomas Percy in the late of the 18th . There are various kinds of ballads: historical, legendary, fantastical, lyrical and humorous. Many of them were devoted to historical events. The Robin Hood Ballads remains the most popular. Robin Hood Ballads have various kinds of types and stories, but in general these ballads deal with Robin Hood and his men in their struggle against the oppressors of one kind or another, for example, bishops, barons and so on. In terms of LIU Bingshan, “The character of Robin Hood is many—sided. Strong, brave and clever, he is at the same time tender-hearted and affectionate. He is a man with a twinkle in his eye, a man fond of a very joke and a hearty laugh. But the dominant key in his character is his hatred for he cruel oppressors and his love for the poor and downtrodden.” Part II : Geoffrey Chaucer and The Canterbury Tales 1. Chaucer’s main contributions to English Literature 1) His first and foremost contribution can be found from language aspect. It is Chaucer who formally finished the blend of three languages, Anglo-Saxon English, Normans French and Latin to shape the early form of modern English. Of course, this process of blend lasted more than three hundred years, that is , from William Conquest to Chaucer’s time, but it is he who first used London dialect English in formal writing, and it is due to his writing that modern English became the only national language accepted by all English people. So it can’t be overstated to stress Chaucer’s function in giving birth to the early shape of modern English. In terms of one research, in one thousand words that recur most frequently in our speaking and writing, 61.7 percent come from ancient English, that is, Anglo-Saxon English, 30.9 per cent from French, 2.9 per cent from Latin. This statistics can clear illustrate Chaucer’s contribution to modern English because it was still an adventurous action to use London Dialect, or Anglo—Saxon English to write a long poem as The Canterbury Tales at that time. 2) Based on his application of London Dialect English in his writings, English became a bridge between Literature and the great public, or the mass in MAO Tsedong’s words, which made it possible for a rapid development taking a beneficial condition from the majority of the people. It probably remains unclear whether English could met its prosperity in the Renaissance if without Chaucer’s use of London Dialect then a lively language. 3) Chaucer pioneered in using the couplet first in his writing, in concrete, 4 accents couplet in his early writing and 5 accents couplet in the famous Canterbury Tales which later was widely used by a lot of writers and was perfected during the time of Enlightenment. 4) He devoted a masterpiece The Canterbury Tales to English Literature, which remains a classic with sufficient heritage in both language and artistic achievements. Historically, The Canterbury Tales provides a panorama of the society in his time, that is, the late of the Anglo-Saxon Norman Period and the early of the Renaissance. Artistically, it creates a series of live characters of many ranks from the knights, worriers, landlords or squire in English, monk, clergymen, Oxford scholar, lawyer, doctor, nun, as well as some ordinary people such as the wife of Bath, inn’s keeper, carpenter, so on and so forth
English literature which have a high merit in displaying different characteristics 2. The Canterbury Tales( A Case Study from language to images, to numbers or rhythms and to general tone in the passage A. From the three groups of words, in terms of their meanings and significations, what do you think are the features of them in semantic aspects and in rhetorical B. What do C. Can you summarize the general tone in this part with the help of the analysis of the diction? And can you predict the general tone of the tales that follow? 2). Study on image 3) Study on numbers 4) Study on the coherence between the language, setting, tone and Chaucers general colors In writing A. How is the setting of the story described? What is the general color of the asked to draw a picture of the B. What is the general turn or tendency of the language? C. What is the relevance between the language and the setting? D. What is the relevance between the language setting and tone? Then a very brief summary of the features of Chaucers writing, taking the discussed lines as 1)Simple and expressive language 2)Optimistic tone; 3)Thematic concern---the rising and advancing society CHAPTER TWO: THE CLASSIC PERIOD(1485-1660) Maior points Background information Major achievements of the time Reading and analysis of some masterpieces Part 1: Background Information Historical events affecting the making of English literature of the time
English Literature －5－ which have a high merit in displaying different characteristics. 2. The Canterbury Tales ( A Case Study : from language to images, to numbers or rhythms and to general tone in the passage ) 1) Study on diction Questions: A. From the three groups of words, in terms of their meanings and significations, what do you think are the features of them in semantic aspects and in rhetorical aspects ? B. What do they suggest in meaning or in signification? C. Can you summarize the general tone in this part with the help of the analysis of the diction? And can you predict the general tone of the tales that follow? 2). Study on images: 3) Study on numbers 4) Study on the coherence between the language, setting, tone and Chaucer’s general colors in writing. Questions: A. How is the setting of the story described? What is the general color of the setting if you are asked to draw a picture of the setting? B. What is the general turn or tendency of the language? C. What is the relevance between the language and the setting? D. What is the relevance between the language, setting and tone? Then a very brief summary of the features of Chaucer’s writing, taking the discussed lines as example: 1) Simple and expressive language; 2) Optimistic tone; 3) Thematic concern---the rising and advancing society. CHAPTER TWO : THE CLASSIC PERIOD (1485—1660) Major Points: Background information Major achievements of the time Reading and analysis of some masterpieces Part I : Background Information Historical events affecting the making of English literature of the time: