Literary Movements
ENG 210 / ENG 215
CELINE CHALHOUB
Whether you call yourself a voracious reader or
not, literature has a significant influence on all
our lives. Today's artistic endeavours, including
films, television, YouTube, and even internet
celebrities, owe a great deal to literature. Of
course, trying to understand literature as a
whole is a Herculean task. But one way to get
an overview is to break it down into literary
movements (or epochs).
DEFINITION: WHAT
ARE 'LITERARY
MOVEMENTS'?
A literary movement or epoch is a body of
literary works (plays, novels, novellas, serialised
stories, poems) composed during a set time
period, or era. This body of literary works is
grouped together based on certain features,
such as a common perspective, philosophy or
ideology, aesthetic, school of thought, or its
social, political and cultural influences.
3
DEFINITION: WHAT
ARE 'LITERARY
MOVEMENTS'?
Just as you have more than one opinion or
philosophy or idea about the things that go on
around you, so do literary texts and the authors
or poets who compose them. This means there
is often a considerable overlap between literary
movements, whereby two different or even
contradictory literary groups or philosophies
coexist in the same period of time. When
learning about literary movements and the
literary canon, it is helpful to examine the
circumstances that created a need for a certain
idea, philosophy or perspective to be born and
thrive.
4
WHY ARE LITERARY
MOVEMENTS
IMPORTANT?
While you could definitely read a literary text without knowing
which literary movement it belongs to, knowing about the literary
movement and time period it belongs to will certainly enhance your
understanding and perhaps even your enjoyment of it. History and
literature go hand in hand. Learning about the context of a work of
literature and the literary movement it belong to, will result in a
better appreciation of it and an enhanced ability to analyse it. You
will not only have opinions but informed opinions on what you
analyse.
5
CHRONOLOGICAL
DEVELOPMENT OF
LITERARY MOVEMENTS
• Old English 450-1066
• Middle English 1066-1500
• The Renaissance 1500-1660
• The Elizabethan Age 1558-1603
• The Jacobean Age 1603-1625
• The Restoration Period 1660-1700
• The Romantic Period 1785-1832
• The Victorian Period 1832-1901
• Modernism 1914-1945
• Postmodernism 1945 - present
6
OLD ENGLISH (4501066)
CLASSICAL LITERATURE
The Old English period lasted from 450 CE till the
Norman conquest in 1066 CE. Old English is the
earliest form of written English, and was
influenced by the languages of the Anglo-Saxons,
as well as Latin. At the time, there was linguistic
exchange among the countries of Western Europe,
particularly Germany, Italy and France. This is why
we can find traces of German, Latin and French in
Old English (and also in modern day English). The
Anglos, Saxons and Jutes took up residence in
Britain, bringing their language and culture with
them.
7
OLD ENGLISH (4501066)
CLASSICAL LITERATURE
In this period, Latin was the language of scholars (and
education), so it had a wide range of vocabulary,
including words for flora and fauna, elements and
metals, domestic objects and all kinds of medical, social,
political and military concepts. The Vikings had already
established their presence in Britain by this time and
further influenced popular speech. Old Norse is said to
have introduced third person plural pronouns to English.
King Alfred (c. 849-899) is credited with encouraging the
spread of education in Britain. Old English began to lose
its inflectional endings along with other linguistic
changes, which brought about a transition from Old
English to what became Middle English.
8
OLD ENGLISH (4501066) – KEY WORKS
CLASSICAL LITERATURE
Beowulf (c. 700-1000 CE): Beowulf , the author of which
is unknown, is one of the most translated works in Old
English. It is an 'epic poem' written in the Germanic
Heroic tradition and consists of approximately 3180
lines. At first, the work contained mainly pagan
elements, to which Christian elements were later added.
The work features the hero Beowulf, who defeats a
number of monsters and enemies to eventually reign as
King of the Geats. Modern translations of the Beowulf
are by Seamus Heaney and JRR Tolkien. As professor in
the Medieval faculty at Oxford, Tolkien was an expert in
Old and Middle English, and you can see the influence of
Beowulf in the Lord of the Rings trilogy
9
MIDDLE ENGLISH
(1066-1500)
The Middle English period lasted for approximately 300 years. The
Norman conquest of 1066 significantly impacted the grammar,
spelling, pronunciation and vocabulary of Old English. Middle
English is remarkably close to English as we know it today. A large
portion of texts from this period are religious, along with some
fictional texts. Even these contain religious themes and symbols.
Around the year 1400, the Great Vowel Shift commenced, bringing
considerable change to English pronunciation.
10
MIDDLE ENGLISH
(1066-1500)
The Great Vowel Shift lasted from c. 1400-1700 and marked a shift
in English pronunciation. There was a considerable change in long
vowel sounds, as well as the silencing of some consonants. This was
a result of the migration of large groups of people leading to a
mixing of accents and French influence as a result of the Norman
conquest, as well as the war with France.
11
MIDDLE ENGLISH
(1066-1500) – KEY
WORKS
The Canterbury Tales : Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales (c.
1387) is the most well-known works of this period. Chaucer is a
notable author who had a significant influence on the development
of the English literary canon. The work, which is unfinished, survives
in 92 manuscripts and consists of stories told by a group of pilgrims
while on a pilgrimage from the Tabard Inn in Southwark to the
shrine of St Thomas Becket in Canterbury, hence the title. While
Chaucer had planned for a 100 tales, only 24 survive
12
THE RENAISSANCE
(1500-1660)
The Renaissance as a movement originated in
Western Europe, primarily in Italy, and was
based on principles of humanism. The
renaissance marks the rebirth of society,
culture and art in the renewed enthusiasm for
classical culture, leading to innovation and
reform all across Europe. The Renaissance
significantly manifested in art, architecture,
literature, scientific progress and technology, as
well as politics. The Renaissance also marked
the rise of figures such as Leonardo Da Vinci,
Michaelangelo in Italy, and notable authors
such as William Shakespeare, Christopher
Marlowe and Edmund Spenser in England.
13
THE RENAISSANCE
(1500-1660) – KEY
WORKS
The Faerie Queene : Edmund Spenser's The
Faerie Queene (1590) is an epic poem and
pioneered a stanza style which became known
as 'Spenserian stanza', featuring 9-line blocks of
verse. The first 8 lines of the Spenserian stanza
are written in the iambic pentameter and the
final one in the iambic hexameter. The titular
character is said to have been based on Queen
Elizabeth I, who granted patronage to Spenser.
14
THE RENAISSANCE
(1500-1660) – KEY
WORKS
Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet (1597)
and Macbeth (1603). Both plays contain
universal themes of love and envy.
Paradise Lost : John Milton's seminal work,
Paradise Lost (1667) is an epic English poem
narrating the expulsion of Adam and Eve from
the Garden of Eden and the fall of the devil.
15
THE ELIZABETHAN
AGE (1558-1603)
The title of this literary movement is derived from the then reigning
Queen of England, Elizabeth I. A great patron of the arts, Queen
Elizabeth I invited artists to perform for her and her court, including
William Shakespeare. She was a poet herself, and proved to be a
competent ruler. She survived numerous assassination attempts and
is credited with defeating the Spanish Armada. She portrayed
herself as 'The Virgin Queen' (for example in paintings of herself) to
signify that she was married to Britain. Due to her patronage, art
thrived during her reign, and is therefore often dubbed 'The Golden
Age.' Because of her immense popularity, numerous works have
characters that allude to her, such as Edmund Spenser's The Faerie
Queene .
16
THE ELIZABETHAN
AGE (1558-1603) – KEY
WORKS
As you will notice, there is some overlap between the Renaissance
and the Elizabethan Age, with some literary texts in common. Apart
from those mentioned in the Renaissance section, other popular
works during the Elizabethan Era include:
• The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus (1592) by Christopher
Marlowe, which was inspired by Goethe's original.
• Every Man in His Humor (1598) written by Ben Johnson, who is
regarded as the second most important English dramatist after
William Shakespeare.
17
THE JACOBEAN AGE
(1603-1625)
Like the Elizabethan Age, the Jacobean Age is named after the
reigning monarch, King James I. It is called the 'Jacobean' era rather
than the 'Jamesian' era as 'Jacobus' is the Latin version of the King's
name. The Jacobean style can be identified in works of literature,
architecture, visual arts and decor.
18
THE JACOBEAN AGE
(1603-1625) – KEY WORKS
The works collected by Francis Bacon: Francis Bacon was an
influential figure of the Jacobean Age in the fields of literature as well
as science. He is recognised as the father of empiricism, which is a
method for research and data collection. Some of his notable works
are Advancement in Learning (1605), Novum Organum (1620), Essays
(1625), Masculine Birth of Time (1605).
Shakespeare's life spanned the Elizabethan Age as well as the
Jacobean Age. During the reign of King James I, he produced King Lear
(1606) and The Tempest (c. 1610) . His theater group was granted
royal patronage and consequently became known as the King's Men
rather than the Lord Chamberlain's Men. The King's Men also
included what were considered celebrities of the time, Lawrence
Fletcher and Richard Burbage.
19
THE RESTORATION
PERIOD (1660-1700)
We call this epoch the Restoration period because of the restoration
of the English monarchy. In 1649, the English monarch, Charles I was
executed, and the country was ruled by senior ministers and officers
of Parliament and the Council of State under the Lord Protector,
Oliver Cromwell. This continued up to the arrival of the King's son,
Charles II in 1660. The period without any reigning king is known as
the Interregnum . Upon the arrival of Charles II, the English
monarchy was restored. The literature produced during this period
is referred to as Restoration literature as a significant amount of it
was a reaction to the restoration. During the interregnum,
Puritanism and an austere lifestyle were imposed, so literary works
from the Restoration period and comment on life before
Restoration.
20
THE RESTORATION
PERIOD (1660-1700)
Restoration Drama: Plays in the Restoration period are divided into
genres, and include Heroic drama (John Dryden's The Conquest of
Granada from 1670), the Restoration comedy (William Wycherly's
The Country Wife from 1675), and Restoration spectacular or the
machine play .
Prose: During the Restoration period, prose varied from religious to
philosophical to journalistic. Fiction was also becoming increasingly
popular. Key works include John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress
(1678), John Locke's Two Treatises of Government (1689), and
Aphra Behn's Love-Letters Between a Nobleman and His Sister
(1684). Other notable authors of the Restoration period include
William Temple and Izaak Walton.
21
THE ROMANTIC
PERIOD (1785-1832)
The Romantic period developed its distinctive
characteristics as a reaction to neoclassicism.*
The Romantics valued chivalry, honour, union
with nature, the expression of emotions, and a
sense of individualism, which features in most
texts of the period. The two generations of
Romantic poets contributed significantly to the
English literary canon. It was during this period
that a challenge was issued by a group of
authors and poets holidaying in Switzerland.
The challenge, issued by Lord Byron, was to
write a ghost story, which suited the
atmosphere of Villa Diodati, where they were
residing at the time.
22
THE ROMANTIC
PERIOD (1785-1832)
The winner of this challenge was Mary Shelley,
who produced her seminal work Frankenstein
(1818) and consequently became a notable
author. The Romantic Period was significantly
influenced by the social, political and cultural
happenings of the time, particularly the
Industrial Revolution and the Enlightenment.
23
THE ROMANTIC
PERIOD (1785-1832)
Neoclassicism (as the name suggests) drew
inspiration from classicism. Neoclassic texts paid
homage to classical texts, such as those by Greek
writers Sophocles and Aristotle. Neoclassical
literature is characterised by reason, rationale,
accuracy, and order. An example of a neoclassical
work is John Dryden's Of Dramatick Poesie : An
Essay (1668).
The Age of Enlightenment ran parallel to and
coincided with neoclassicism. The main features of
the Enlightenment were: the pursuit of knowledge,
the application of reason, and scientific progress.
Emphasis was also placed on human happiness,
diversity, tolerance, freedom, and a sense of
community. An example of a work from the Age of
Enlightenment is Voltaire's Candide (1759).
24
THE ROMANTIC
PERIOD (1785-1832) –
KEY WORKS
Poetry: The first generation of Romantic poets
includes William Blake, Samuel Taylor Coleridge,
and William Wordsworth. The second generation
of Romantic poets includes Lord Byron, Percy B
Shelley and John Keats. These poets contributed
significantly to the English literary canon. Some of
their most important works include Lyrical Ballads
(1798), Songs of Innocence and Experience
(1794), She Walks in Beauty (1814), Ozymandias
(1818), Ode to Autumn (1819). Scottish poets too,
produced romantic poetry, such as Robert Burns A
Red, Red Rose (1794) . The figure of the Byronic
hero was established in works by Lord Byron,
particularly the epic poem, Don Juan (1819).
25
THE ROMANTIC
PERIOD (1785-1832) –
KEY WORKS
Prose: The Romantic novel was a product of
this period. Mary Shelley produced
Frankenstein (1818), which had Romantic
influences and also expressed a fascination
with gothicism, galvanism, and electricity. Jane
Austen's works too, criticised the institution of
marriage and sensibility. The Scottish novelist
Sir Walter Scott produced the immensely
popular Ivanhoe (1819), and the historical
novel Rob Roy (1817).
26
THE ROMANTIC
PERIOD (1785-1832) –
KEY WORKS
Drama: The second generation of Romantics
attempted to write for the stage but not all
their attempts were successful, and it was the
plays of Shakespeare that continued to
dominate the stage.
27
THE VICTORIAN
PERIOD (1832-1901)
Just like the Elizabethan Age, the Victorian period is named after
England's monarch, Queen Victoria, who was crowned in 1837.
While Romanticism continued to be popular, Victorian literature
tended towards mysticism, spiritualism and the supernatural. Gothic
fiction became popular. There was immense progress in technology,
science, evolution, medicine and industry, and these aspects feature
in Victorian literature. The treatment of women and children was
also an important topic of discussion in Victorian literature.
Serialised publications also became popular. Charles Dickens
published numerous stories in instalments. While he aimed to
entertain audiences, he often used his publications as a means to
offer commentary on and to criticise certain aspects of Victorian
society.
28
THE VICTORIAN
PERIOD (1832-1901)
The Victorian novel became so popular and appealing that today the
'neo-Victorian novel' is a popular genre. Neo-Victorian texts,
although written in modern times, are set in the Victorian age and
often feature the 'asylum' trope. Additionally, reading culture
transformed as periodicals and pamphlets became popular and
libraries increased the desire to read.
29
THE VICTORIAN
PERIOD (1832-1901) –
KEY WORKS
Jane Eyre : Charlotte Bronte's novel (published in 1847) continues to
be popular and has been adapted into numerous films, limited
series, and retellings.
Wuthering Heights : Similar to the work of her sister, Emily Bronte's
Wuthering Heights (1847) is an enduring work of literature.
Works by Charles Dickens: Some of these were originally published
serially. Works by Dickens include Oliver Twist (1837-9), Nicholas
Nickleby (1838-9), A Christmas Carol (1843) and Great Expectations
( 1860-61 )
30
THE VICTORIAN
PERIOD (1832-1901) –
KEY WORKS
Victorian Poetry: Poets such as Robert Browning ( The Pied Piper of
Hamelin published in 1842), Elizabeth Barrett Browning ( Poems
published in 1844) and Alfred Tennyson ( Break, Break, Break (1842)
and Crossing the Bar (1889)) published their poetry in the Victorian
period.
Works by Oscar Wilde were also published during the Victorian
period, but adhere more appropriately to another literary period
called fin de siècle. Fin de siècle translates to 'turn of the century'
and as a literary movement is marked by Hellenism, decadence,
cynicism and ennui. A good example of work from this period is
Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray (1891).
31
MODERNISM (1914-1945)
As society progressed, particularly in fields of science and technology,
there was a renewed desire for innovation in art and philosophy.
Innovations in technology such as photography, the moving picture,
stream-of-consciousness, and a sense of self-reflection permeated
works emerging from this period. Abstractism and formalism also
became key features of modernism. Writers broke away with
established literary traditions to highlight self-consciousness and the
fragmented nature of memory and contemporary society.
Furthermore, Freudian and Jungian theories also had a significant
influence on literature. Notable authors and poets from this period
include James Joyce, TS Eliot, WB Yeats, Samuel Beckett and Virginia
Woolf.
32
MODERNISM (1914-1945) –
KEY WORKS
Ulysses : James Joyce's text published in 1922 is a modernist novel
that features stream-of-consciousness where the character Leopold
Bloom records his thoughts as he walks through Dublin on an
ordinary day in 1904.
The Wasteland : This poem published in 1922 by TS Eliot is
remarkable for its introspective and dark tone that is characteristic of
modernism
Works by Virginia Woolf: Woolf was famous for employing the
narrative device of stream of consciousness in her novels, such as
Mrs. Dalloway .
33
POSTMODERNISM
(1945 - PRESENT)
CLASSICAL LITERATURE
Though numerous scholars disagree on the term,
with some employing 'metamodernism' or
'posthumanism,' a large number of scholars call
the literary period following modernism postmodernism, as it is seen as a reaction against its
predecessor. Postmodernism, like modernism, is
characterised by fragmented narratives and
introspection, but rejects the 'grand narratives' of
literary works.
34
POSTMODERNISM
(1945 - PRESENT)
CLASSICAL LITERATURE
Instead it uses skepticism, self-referential
techniques and obscurantism - arguing against
simple narrations and concrete binary oppositions
(such as female/male, self/other, object/subject).
Postmodernists believe in accurately reflecting the
current state of society, which is broken,
disconnected, obscure, irrational and multifaceted.
Numerous literary theories flourished with the
influence of postmodernism such as feminist
theory, queer theory and ecocriticism.
35
POSTMODERNISM
(1945 - PRESENT)
Wide Sargasso Sea : This novel by Jean Rhys
published in 1966 was written as a prequel to the
events that transpired in Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre
and criticise patriarchy, colonialism and assimilation.
CLASSICAL LITERATURE
As a result of globalisation and urbanisation,
postmodernism spread all over the world, and some
famous postmodernists include Umberto Eco from
Italy, who wrote The Name of the Rose (1980) and
Kurt Vonnegut, who wrote Slaughterhouse-Five
(1969), Margaret Atwood, who wrote Oryx and Crake
(2003), Toni Morrison, who wrote Beloved (1987) and
EL Doctorow, who wrote Ragtime (1975) and The
March (2005).
36
UNDERSTANDING
LITERARY MOVEMENTS
Literary movements do not have a clear, black and white boundary.
There is some overlap with other movements and periods, and
some texts may adopt only some features of a movement while
distancing themselves from others. Furthermore, the examples
mentioned are only a very small number of works in the English
literary canon. When writing about literary movements, think of the
historical context and the political, social, economical and
technological influences on the author or poet.
37
LITERARY
MOVEMENTS - KEY
TAKEAWAYS
• Literary movements have certain common
characteristics in a body of literary works. These
characteristics were influenced by the social and
political circumstances in which they were written.
CLASSICAL LITERATURE
• Literary movements often overlap, and there may be
various schools of thought concurrently during any
given period.
38
LITERARY
MOVEMENTS - KEY
TAKEAWAYS
Key literary movements include:
1. Old English
2. Middle English
3. Renaissance
5. The Jacobean Age
6. The Restoration Period
CLASSICAL LITERATURE
4. The Elizabethan Age
39
LITERARY
MOVEMENTS - KEY
TAKEAWAYS
Key literary movements include:
7. The Romantic Period
8. The Victorian Period
9. Modernism
CLASSICAL LITERATURE
10. Postmodernism
40
Thank
You
EMAIL
cechalhoub@aust.edu.lb