1. What was the progressive ideology of the Renaissance?

Why is it said that Humanism was the progressive ideology of the

Renaissance in the English Literature? Who was the most outstanding
author of this period?
- The progressive ideology of the Renaissance was Humanism. Human life, the
happiness of people and belief in man’s abilities became the main subjects in
fine arts and literature. The works of humanists proclaimed equality of people
regardless of their social origin, race, religion, Humanism did away with dark
scholastic teaching of the Middle Ages. The development of a new social order
presented great possibilities for man’s creative power. That is why the
humanism outlook was marked with bright optimism with belief in man’s great
abilities and his high mission.
- The most outstanding author of this period is the first English humanist-
Thomas More (1478-1535) in his book Utopia.
2. What makes Hamlet one of the greatest of Shakespeare’s masterpieces?

The tragedy Hamlet was written by the great English playwright and poet
William Shakespeare during the second period of his creative work. The
tragedies reflect the deep, unsolvable contradictions of life, the falsehood,
injustice and tyranny existing in society. They show people who perish in the
struggle against Evil. Hamlet is one of the greatest of Shakespeare's
masterpieces. It is the most profound expression of his humanism and his
critism of the epoch. The tragedy tells of the struggle between Hamlet, the
bearer of the ideals of the Renaissance, on the one hand, and the evil, false
world of kings and courtiers, on the other. The tragedy of Hamlet has always
excited the minds of people. It stir people's conscience, makes them fight
against Evil for the triump of justice and Good.

3. What are the characteristic features of Shakespear's comedies,

historical chronicles and tragedies?

The comedies (1590-1600) describe the adventures of young men and women,
their friendship and love, their search for happiness. They are usually based on
some misunderstanding that creates comic situations. The laughter is not a
mockery directed against the people and thier vices. The works are Much Ado
About Nothing (1598), Twelfth Night (1600).

The historical chronicles are plays written on subjects from national history.
The main subjects of the chronicles are not the lives and fates ofKings but
historg itself and the development of the country. One of the great
achievements of Shakespear was that in his chronicles he showed not only the
kings, feudal, and churchmen, but the lower classes too.
The tragedies (1601-1608) reflect the deep, unsolvable contradictions of life,
the falsehood, injustice and tyranny existing in society. They show people who
perish in the struggle against Evil.The tragedies are centered around the life of
one man Shakespeare touched on the moral problems of universal significance
- honesty, cruelty, kindness, love, vanity and others.

4. The story Romeo and Juliet still fascinates modern readers? What is the
secret of its powers?

- Unhappy ending but good ending

- The death of Romeo and Juliet in the rebirth of good relation of the two
families
- the death of main characters stirs the conscience of modern readers
- the end of their love opens a better future for later generation
- the tragedy Romeo and Juliet are centered round the life of a couple,
Shakespeare universal on moral problems of kindness, love, vanity and others.
That is why his Romeo and Juliet are a great interest to every generation.

5. What was the peculiarity of the Enlightenment in English literatures?

What were two trends among the English Enlighteners? The 17th and 18th
centuries are known in the history of European culture as the period of
Enlightenment. Their criticism was directed against social inequality, religious
hypocrisy as well as the immortality of the aristocracy. The central problem of
the Enlightenment ideology was that of man and his nature. In England the
period of Enlightenment followed the bourgeois revolution. While in other
countries it came before the revolution (the French Bourgeois Revolution took
place at the end of the 18th century); therefore, the aims of the English
Enlighteners were not so revolutionary as those of French Enlightenment.
There are two trends among the English Enlighteners. Some of them spoke in
defence of the existing order, considering that a few reforms were enough to
improve it. Others, the radicals, wanted more democracy in the ruling of the
country. They defended the interests of the exploited masses.

6. What was Defoe's contribution to English literature? Why did the novel
Robinson Crusoe become very popular?

Daniel Defoe (1660-1731) is rightly considered the father of the English and
the European novel. In the early 90s Defoe turned to literature. His first literary
works were satirical poems dealing with the urgent problems of the time. In
697 he publishes An Essay on Projects, a typical enlightener's work in which
he suggested, all kinds of reforms in different spheres of social life. In 1702
Defoe published a satirical pamphlet written in support of the protestants, or
dissenters, persecuted by the government and the Church. In the pamphlet
called The Shortest Way with the Dissenters, the author ironically suggested
that the best way to fight against thedissenters was to excuse them all.

His first and most popular novel The Life and Strange Surprising
Adventures of Robinson Crusoe was written in 1719. The popularity of the
novel was due to the fact that Robinson Crusoe was a typical figure of the
period. Crusoe's adventurous and enterprising nature and his common sense
were the features most characteristic of the English bourgeoisie. He was the
first character of a bourgeois ever created in world literature. Through him
Defoe asserted the superiority of the new class over the idle
aristocracy.Robinson Crusoe became an instant success after its publication.
The charm of this story mainly lies in its intense reality, in the succession of
thought, feeling and incidents that every reader find true to life.

7. What is the difference between Swift’s realism and the realism of Defoe?

- Swift’s realism was different from Defoe’s. Defoe present extremely precise
pictures of bourgeois life. Swift used his favorite weapon- laughter – to mock
at bourgeois reality. He criticized it and his criticism was hidden away in a
whole lots of allergorical pictures. At the same time, he gave very realistic
descriptions, exact mathematical proportions it the tiny Liliputs and this giants
from Boribdingnag. Sometimes his laughter was simply goodnaturehomor, as
for instance, when he wrote of the intelligent horses.

Swift’s language was more elaborate and literary than Defoe’s. This does not
mean that he did not make use of the language of the common people. He
resorted to it when his criticism became most severe.

8. What are the peculiarity of the Romanticism in English literatures?

(Romanticism is one of the most influential movements in art, philosophy and

literature.
- A deep interest in nature and in obcure: humble or underprivlege people.

 It was believed that civilization was harmful to man. Therefore, nature

turned into the hiden place for people wanting to escape from the
complexity of civilization. There, in humble and rustic life the real
feelings of the heart fourished best.

- A vivid imagination that can produce supernatural or fantastic dream

worlds
 - An enthusiam in fighting against tyrannical authority and glorifying
liberty.

- A love for the remote in time and distance

- A sense of disappointment mixed with a melancholy mood

- A revolution in literary language-use

Some writers were definitely revolutionary, they denied the existing order,
called upon the people to struggle for a better future, shared the people's desire
for liberty and objected to colonial oppression. Furthermore, they supported the
national liberation wars on the continent against feudal reaction. Such writers
were George Gordon Byron (1788-1824) and Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-
1822).)

Romanticism is one of the most influential movements in art, philosophy

and literature.

The progressive minds of Europe expressed this general discontent. Thenew

trend in literature (Romanticism) reflected it. The progressive-minded writers,
who were faced with the necessity of finding an answer to such questions as
their attitude to the feudal state, to the revolution, to the national liberation
movements to the relations between the individual and society, to the common
people, to historical development.

England went through the so-called Industrial revolution that gave birth to a
new class, that of the proletariat. The Industrial revolution began with the
invention of a weaving-work which could do the work of 17 people. The
weavers that were left without work destroy these machines, or frames as they
were called. This frame-breaking movement was calles the Luddite movement.

"Correspondence Societies" were headed by well-known progressive men for

revolutionary changes and improvement in the social order.

The reactionary ruling class of England was, however, decisively against any
progress. The Industrial revolution in England, as well as the French Bourgeois
Revolution had a great influence on the cultural life of the country. The English
writers of the period had to find answers to those that arose in their own
country, such as; the growth of industry, the rising working class movement
and the final disappeance of the class of peasantry.
Some writers were definitely revolutionary, they denied the existing order,
called upon the people to struggle for a better future, shared the people's desire
for liberty and objected to colonial oppression. Furthermore, they supported the
national liberation wars on the continent against feudal reaction. Such writers
were George Gordon Byron (1788-1824) and Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-
1822).

Others abandoned revolutionary ideas. They turned their attention to nature and
to the simple problems of life. They tried to avoid the contradictions that were
becoming so great in all the spheres of social life with the development of
capitalism. They looked back to patriarchal England and refused to accept the
progress of indusrry, they even called to the Government to forbid the building
of new factories which, they considered were the cause of the workers'
sufferings.

The romanticists paid a good deal of attention to the spiritual life of man. This
was reflected in an abundance of lyrical verse. The so-called exotic theme
came into being and great attention was dedicated to nature and its elements.
The description became very rich in form and many-sided in contents. The
writers used such means as symbolic, fantasy, grotesque, etc.. legends, tales,
songs and ballads also became part of their creative method. The romanticists
were talented poets and their contribution to English literature was very
important.

9. Comment on the statement: “ It is true universally acknowledge that a

single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife?”.
What is the relationship between money and marriage expressed in “Pride
and Prejudice” by Jane Austen?

Jane Austen (1775-1817) is a writer of the Romanticism in English literature.

She began writing when she still was a little girl and the “Pride and Prejudice”,
which tells a story centres around a series of misundersandings between
Elizabeth and Darcy, is her most famous work.

Pride and Prejudice has long been a favourite of both readers and critics alike
and is often regarded as Jane Austen's consummate achievement. In Pride and
Prejudice and her other works, Jane Austen focused on characters of her own
social class: the ladies and gentlemen of the landed gentry. She wrote about the
people that she knew best and wove her plots around the intricacies of
courtship and marriage between members of herself, she illuminated in their
characters the follies and failings of men and women of all times and classes.
The author really wanted to mock at her own social class: the ladies and
gentlemen of the landed gentry, who think of nothing but property, even
marriage, the important thing in one’s life. For them, marriage also means
earnings once their children get married to some-one rich. They care nothing
about their son-in-law but his wealth. So money and marriage are closely
linked.

10. What were the characteristic features of the Critical Realism? How
was the critical realist contribute to world literature?

Many prominent writers became aware of the social injustices around them and
tried to picture them in their works. Thus this period of fierce class struggle
was mirrored in literature by the appearance of a new trend, that of Critical
Realism. The writers used the novel as a means to protest against the evils in
contemporary social and economic life and to picture the world in a realistic
way. Engels said that in his opinion Realism should depict typical characters in
typical circumstances.

The critical realists introduced new characters into literature: they described the
new social force in modern history -the working class. They expressed deep
sympathy for the working people; they described the unbearable conditions of
their life and work; they voiced a passionate protest against exploitation and
described their persistent struggle for their rights.

The greatness of these novelists lies not only in their truthful description of
contemporary life, but also in their profound humanism.

The contribution of the writers to world literature is enormous. They created a

broad panorama of social life, exposed and attacked the vices of aristocratic
and bourgeois society, sided with the common people in their passionate
protest against unbearable exploitation, and expressed their hopes for a better
future.

- (Many prominent writers became aware of the social injustices around

them and tried to picture them in their works. Thus this period of fierce
class struggle was mirrored in literature by the appearance of a new
trend, that of Critical Realism

- The instruction of a new set of character from the working class as a

new force in society.

- A deep sense of the dramatic contrast between the rich and the poor.
 - An irresistable hatred for every species of social oppression and
injustice.

- An illusion of bringing about social justice and harmony by reforms.

- An interest in the theme of Woman Emancipation.

. The writers used the novel as a means to protest against the evils in
contemporary social and economic life and to picture the world in a realistic
way
The greatness of these novelists lies not only in their truthful description of
contemporary life, but also in their profound humanism.
The contribution of the writers to world literature is enormous. They created a
broad panorama of social life, exposed and attacked the vices of aristocratic
and bourgeois society, sided with the common people in their passionate
protest against unbearable exploitation, and expressed their hopes for a better
future.)
11. What vices of bourgeois aristocratic society are exposed by Thackery
in his novel Vanity Fair?

William Makespeace Thackery (1811-1863) possesses great talent of all the

European writers of the present time. He and Dickens were the greatest
representatives of Critial Realism in English literature of the 19th century.
Vanity Fair is well-known as Thackery’s masterpiece, which brought great
fame to the novelist and remains his most-read work up to the present day. The
novel shows the author’s intention not to describle separate individuals, but
English bourgeois-aristocratic society as a whole.

The social background of the novel which influences all the characters in the
thought and actions, is high society large. He attacks the vanity pretensions,
prejudices and corruption of the aristocracy, the narrow-mindedness and greed
of the bourgeoisie. He mercilessly exposes the snobbishness, hypocrisy,
money-worship and parasitism of all those who form the bulwark of society.

Thackery attacks the vanity pretentions, prejudices and corruption of the

aristocracy (the Crawleys, Lord Steyne); the narrow-mindedness and greed of
the bourgeoisie (the Osbornes, the Sedleys). He mercilessly exposes the
snobbishness, hypocrisy, money-worship and parasitism of those who form the
bulwark of society.

12. Charles Dickens was a critial realist who gave a satirical portrayal of
the society with profound sympathy for the common people. Find evidence
to prove this point of view.
In 1838, Dickens created this story of powerful emotional appeal and social
critism perhaps at the inspiration of the Poor Law passed in 1834. The law
stopped government aid to the poor unless they entered workhouses where
more miseries awaited them. The novel is significant in its truthful presentation
of the miseries of the poor and the description of the thieves's den and of the
underworld in London. With his realistic art, Dickens startled the public into a
new consciousness of the poor and the oppressed and the criminal level of
society, and shows how the social system and institutions were held
responsible for the miseries and crimes.

The first two chapters of the book deal with the young hero Oliver Twist's birth
and adventures in the workhouse. Chapter I describes his birth. In order to
appreciate the humour in the workhouse. Chapter I describes his birth. In order
to appreciate the humour in this chapter, one needs to regconize the ironic tone
in which the scene is presented. Many words are used in an ironic way; for
instance, the pun on "gruel" when the surgeon says: "It's very likely it will be
troublesome. Give it a little gruel if it is." Chapter II is famous for the scene in
which Oliver asks for more. Driven by hunger Oliver ventures one day to ask
for a second 'serving of porridge'. The scandalized authorities beat him, put him
in solitary confinement, and give him away along with five pounds. This scene
strips the philanthroph mask of the ruling class and highlights their extreme
brutality and corruption. It is in scenes like this that we see the great critical
realist voicing the helplessness of the poor and the oppressed.

13. Why is the novel Dombey and son considered to be one of Dicken's
greatest works? Describe Mr. Dombey as a typical representative of the
English bourgeoisie.

When Belinsky read Dombey and Son he called it a miracle that made all other
works written by Dickens seem pale and weak. He said that it was "something
ugly, monstrously beautiful". Dickens managed to disclose the ugliness of
relations based on money in a work of art. Dickens had an eye that penetrated
into the very depths of contemporary society. The principle of the very
beginning of his creative work. It remained throughout his life though his
criticism of reality became sharper, as his world outlook and his art matured.
As the years padded, the soft humour and light-hearted laughters of his first
works, gave way to mockery and satire.

Thus, the sombre Dombey was shown as a cold and tragic figure, a product of
the money-making environment. Opposed to him are his two children Florence
and Paul. Dickens made them loving and lovable creatures who despised
money. That is why the novel sounds at time as the story of the two children,
rather than that of their money-making father.

The richness of Dickens' languages can be traced back to the everyday speech
of the people. A master of his pen made the contemporary reactionary critics
fear him; even now the reaction fears his merciless truth, directed against the
evils of bourgeois society.

Dombey and son tells the story of a rich bourgeois family, the Dombeys, and
shows how their policy decides the destiny of the poor people dependent on
them.

Mr. Dombey is a merchant, a capitalist. His only interest in life lies in the
prosperity of his family firm. He is a man with a heart of stone. His character
has its roots in his love of money. The firm casts its shadow upon the life of
certain common people and ruins them.

14. What is the difference between Thackeray's realism and the realism of
Dickens?

Thackery's realism is different from that of Dickens; it is less combined with

fantasy and lyricism, it is more exact and objective. While Dickens idealizes
his positive characters (sometimes they are too goodto be true and the author's
attitude towards them is somewhat sentimental), Thackersy portrays his
characters more realistically. They are not static; his women characters, in
particular, develop as the story progresses. Thackeray tries to describe things
and human beings as existing outside his mind, they are shown as natural
results of their environment and the society which bred them. He depict his
characters as if viewing them from afar. This was a new feature in literature
which was followed by many other writers, and was later called objective
realism in literature.

15. What do you know about Shakespeare's works?

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) was the great English playwright and poet.
His creative work is usually divided into three periods:

The first period is reflected in his comedies (1590-1600) which describe the
adventures of young men and women, their friendship and love, their search for
happiness. They are usually based on some misunderstanding that creates
comic situations. The laughter is not amockery directed against the people and
thier vices. The works are Much A do About Nothing (1598),
TwelfthNight(1600).

Also, the historical chronicles are plays written on subjects from national
history. The main subjects of the chronicles are not the lives and fatesof Kings
buthistorg itself and the development of the country. One of the great
achievements of Shakespear was that in his chronicleshe showed not only the
kings, feudal ,and churchmen, but the lower classes too.

The second period as known as the period of his tragedies (1601-1608) which
reflect the deep ,unsolvable contradictions of life ,the false hood, injustice and
tyranny existing in society. They show people who perishin the struggle against
Evil. The tragedies are centered around the life of one man Shakespeare
touched on the moral problems of universal significance-honesty, cruelty,
kindness, love, vanity and others. His great tragedies are Hamlet, Prince of
Denmark (1601), MacBeth (1605).

The plays of the third period (1609-1612) are called romantic dramas. The
playwright stilltouches upon important social and moral problems. But hee
suggests utopian solution to them by introducing romantic and fantastic
elements, which have a decisive role in his plays.

 (William Shakespeare (1564-1616) was the great English playwright

and poet. His creative work is usually divided into three periods:
 The first period is reflected in his comedies (1590-1600) which describe
the adventures of young men and women, their friendship and love, their
search for happiness. Much Ado About Nothing (1598), Twelfth
Night(1600).
 The second period as known as the period of his tragedies (1601-1608)
which reflect the deep ,unsolvable contradictions of life ,the false hood,
injustice and tyranny existing in society:Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
(1601), Macbeth (1605).
 The plays of the third period (1609-1612) are called romantic dramas.
The playwright still touches upon important social and moral problems.
But he suggests utopian solution to them by introducing romantic and
fantastic elements, which have a decisive role in his plays.)
16. Briefly state what you know about Robert Burns and William
Wordsworth and the main theme in their work.

Robert Burns (1759-1796) became the national poet of both Scotland and
England at the close of the 18th century. He is considered one of the greatest
poets in English literature, his songs anf poems are known and loved in English
literature, his songs and poems are known and loved far beyond the limits of
his country. The years of Burns' creative work belong to the period known in
Englishliterature as Pre-Romanticism. Burns' poetry has features from the
Enlightenment to Romanticism.

Robert Burns' poetry was inspired by his deep love for his mother-land, for its
history and folklore. His beautiful poem My heart's in the highlands full of
vivid colourful descriptions, is a hymm to the beauty of Scotland's nature and
to its glorious past.

Burns' poetry is closely connected with the national struggle of the Scottish
people for their liberation from England oppressionm, the struggle that had
been going on in Scotland for many centuries.

Burns expressed the most sacred thoughts and hopes of the Scottish people,
who, even in their poverty, are full of proud love of freedom, hatred for all
oppressors, contempt for the rich, human dignity and an optimistic belief in
their beautiful future. This is reflected, for instance, in the poem Is there for
Honest poverty, which isrightly called the Scottish Marseillaise.

Burns' lyrical poems are known for their beauty, truthfulness, freshness, depth
of feelings and their lovely melody. Among his best lyricsnis Oh My Love is
like a Red, Red Rose.

William Wordsworth (1770-1850) was born in the Lake District in

Northwestern England. The first influence upon William Wordsworth's life as a
poet came not from his parents but from Nature. It is noteworthy that William
Wordsworth, more than any other English poets up to his day, regarded nature
not only a source of spiritual influence on man, but as a moral teacher who can
teach us more than all sages can. Nature was, in fact, his religion.

In 1843, Wordswoth was made Poet Laureate.

17. Briefly state what you know about Jane Austen and her works.

Jane Austen (1775-1817) was born at Steventon Rectory in Hampshire,

England. Jane Austen began writing when she was a little girl and by 1787, she
had already started to write stories. In 1795, she wrote Elinor and Marianne,
and early version of work Sense and Sensibility. In 1796, she wrote the
writing of First Impressions, the old entitle of work Pride and Prejudice,
which turned out to be her most famous work. It is completed in 1797. In 1805,
she has given up writing for almost 5 years because of her father and a close
friend’s death. In 1809, she returned to Hampshire and started writing again. In
1811, she was rewriting First Impressions (Pride and Prejudice). January 23,
1813 it was published. Jane Austen’s other works include Northanger Abbey,
Persuasion and Mansfield Park. She died quietly at Winchester in 1817.

Pride and Prejudice tells a story which centres around a series of

misunderstanding between Elizabeth and Darcy. This work has long been a
favourite of both readers and critics alike and it often regard as Jane Austen’s
consummate achievement. In Pride and Prejudice, she focused on characters
of her own social class: the lady and gentlemen of the landed gentry. Though
critics paid little attention to this work when it first appeared, it was remarkably
well received by readers for its characterization and portrayal of domestic life,
or rather, as Sir Walter Scott noted, for Austen’s ability to render commonplace
things and characters interesting.

18. Say briefly about Willian Makespeace Thackeray, Charles Dickens and
main theme in their works.

William Makespeace Thackeray and Charles Dickens were the greatest

representatives of Critical Realism in English literature of the 19th century.

William M. Thackeray (1811-1863) was born in a prosperous middle-class

family. His father was a well-to-do English official in Calcutta, India. When
the boy was six years old, he was taken from Calcutta, where he was born, to
England to be educated. He worked as a journalist after dropping his studies to
earn a living.

Thackeray's first notable works was The Book of Snobs 1 (1846-1847) which
deals with the upper classes and their followers in the middle classes, whose
vices the author criticizes with the sharp pen of satire. The book may be
regarded as a prelude to the author's masterpiece Vanity Fair, which can be
called the peak of Critical Realism. Vanity Fair brought great fame to the
novelist and remains his most-read work up to the present day.

Thackeray's contribution to world literature is enormous. In his novel,

Thackeray gives a vivid description of the upper classes of society, their mode
of life, manners and tastes. He shows their pride and tyranny, their hypocrisy,
and snobbiness, and their selfishness and general wickedness. His knowledge
of human nature is abroad and his portrayal of it is keenly analytical.

Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was born in a lower middle class family near
Portsmouth on the southern coast of England. Dickens left school when he was
twelve. He had to continue his education by himself. He studied law which
later replaced by shorthand and he found a job as a newspaper reporter.
Dickens' first writing efforts at writing were little stories about the ordinary
Londoners he saw. The stories were funny street sketches. They were printed
and Sketches by Boz appeared in various magazines. Having discovered,
almost accidentally, his ability as a novelist, Dickens devoted himself to
literary work. His first novel was Pickwick Papers, the next was Oliver Twist.

Dickens has a style of his own. Everything Dickens gives the reader was learnt
in suffering, even the most comical situation. The secret of Dickens' style lies
in the combination of the strictest realism of detail with fantasy. He draws a
distinct line between all that is good and all that is bad. Everything or being
that is good he describes as having human qualities, the best ones. But when
Dickens describes a man whose existence does not make the world happy, that
man becomes a cold unliving thing, or a beast.

(10. Say briefly about Charles Dickens and main theme in their works.
Charles Dickens were the greatest representatives of Critical Realism in
English literature of the 19th century.
Thackeray's contribution to world literature is enormous. Thackeray developed
the realistic traditions of his predecessors, the enlighteners, Jonathan Swift and
Henry Fielding in particular, and become one of the most prominent realists
and satirists of his age. Thackeray loathed snobbishness, and in his works he
used satire to expose the pretensions of the snobs and social climbers.)

19. Why did the novel Robinson Crusoe become very popular?
Daniel Defoe (1660-1731) is rightly considered the father of the English and
the European novel. In the early 90s Defoe turned to literature. His first literary
works were satirical poems dealing with the urgent problems of the time. His
first and most popular novel The Life and Strange Surprising Adventures of
Robinson Crusoe was written in 1719. The popularity of the novel was due to
the fact that Robinson Crusoe was a typical figure of the period. Crusoe's
adventurous and enterprising nature and his common sense were the features
most characteristic of the English bourgeoisie. He was the first character of a
bourgeois ever created in world literature. Through him Defoe asserted the
superiority of the new class over the idle aristocracy. Robinson Crusoe became
an instant success after its publication. The charm of this story mainly lies in its
intense reality, in the succession of thought, feeling and incidents that every
reader find true to life
ENGLISH AND AMERICAN LITERATURE
Câu 1: Why it is said that Humanism was the progressive ideology of the
Renaissance in
the English literature?
• Human life, the happiness of people and the belief in man’s abilities became
the main
subjects in fine arts and literature.
• The works of humanists proclaimed equality of people regardless of their
social origin,
race and religion.
• Humanism did away with the dark scholastic teaching of the Middle ages.
The
development of a new social order presented great possibilities for man’s
creative power.
That is why the humanist outlook was remarked with bright optimism, with
belief in
man’s great abilities and his high mission.
• Thomas More was the most outstanding author of this period.
Câu 2: Explain the meaning of the subtitle of Vanity Fair. Why is it said that
Vanity Fair
is a novel without a hero?
• The title of the book is borrowed from The Pilgrim’s Progress, an allegorical
novel
written by John Bunyan , one of the greatest writers of the second half of the
17th centery.
• The interest of the novel centres on the characters rather than on the plot. The
author
shows various people, and their thoughts and actions, in different situations.
Thus, there is
no definite hero in the book.
Câu 3: What are Shakespear’s tragedies and what do they reflect? In what way
does the
tragedy of Hamlet differ from other tragedies of that time.
• Shakespear’s tragedies are Romeo and Juliet and Julius Caesar.
They reflect the deep, unsolvable contradictions of life, the falsehood,
injustice and
tyranny existing in society.
• The tragedy Hamlet differs from other tragedies of that time because unlike
“blood
tragedies” written before and in Shakespear’s time, it’s “a tragedy of thought”
and Hamlet
is the first thinker that has ever appeared on the stage.
Câu 4: In 150 words write what you know about Jane Austen and her novel
“Pride and
Prejudice”?
• Jane Austen(1775 – 1817)
- She was born at Steventon Rectory in Hamphire, England. She spent her
childhood
and early womanhood at her birthplace secluded from the outside world, which
“gave
her an intimate knowledge of the segment of english society- the landed
gentry- that
was to provide the materials for most of her fictions”. Jane Austen began
writing
when she was a little girl and had already started to write stories by 1787. In
1797,
she completed First Impression which then was rejected by a London publisher.
After
that, she moved to Bath in 1801 and continued to work on the book. However,
she
gave up writing for almost 5 years because the deaths of her father and a close
friend.
In 1809, she returned to Hampshire and started writing again. Then she
publised
Sense and Sensibilities in 1811 and rewrited Firt Impression with new title
called
Pride and Prejudice. In 1817, she quietly died at Winchester.
- Pride and Prejudice is a story which centres around series of
misunderstandings
between Elizabeth and Darcy. Elizabeth is a lively young middle class woman
with
satirical temperament, whereas, Darcy is arrogant young man in a wealthy
upper class.
Câu 5: What were the three periods of English Enlightenment in literature?
Who were
representatives of each period?
• The three periods of English Enlightenment in literature:
- Early Enlightenment ( 1688 – 1740) : Deniel Defoe and Jonathan Swift are
representatives of this period.
- Mature Enlightenment (1740- 1750): Henry Fielding is the outstanding
representatives.
- Late Enlightenment (1750 – 1780): Oliver Goldsmith, Lawrence Sterne and
Richard
Sheridan are representatives at that time.
Câu 6: Comment on the main themes in Burn’s poems? (main themes: his deep
love for
his motherland, national struggle, the most scared thoughts and hopes of the
scottish
people).
- Burn’s themes are about people and for people. The slogant of his poetry of
the ideas
of the Revolution was liberty, Equality and Fratenity. His poem was inspired
by his
deep love for his mother land for its history and folklore. His beautiful poem
“My
heart’s in the highlands” full of vivid colourful descriptions, is a hymn to the
beauty
of Scotland’s nature and its glorious past.
- Burn’s poetry is closely connected with the national struggle of scottish
people for
their liberation from England oppression, the struggle that had been going on in
Scotland for many centuries. His favourite heroes were William Wallace, the
leader
of the uprising against the English oppressors and Robert Bruce, who defeated
the
English army in battle at Bannackburn and later became the king of Scotland.
- The poem’s Bruce’s address to his army at Bannockburn is the poet’s call to
his
people to keep up the freedom-loving spirit of their fathers. Burn expressed the
most
scared thoughts and hopes of the Scottish people even in their povertry, are full
of
proud love of freedom, hatred for all oppressors contempt for the rich, human
dignity
and an optimistic belief in their beautiful future.
Câu 7: What is the meaning of the word “Enlightenment”? What were the two
trends
among the English Enlightenment?
• “Enlightenment” means educating people.
• Two trends among the Enlightenment:
- The English Enlightenment were not unanimous in their views. Some of them
spoke
in defence of the existing order, considering that a few reforms were enough to
improve it.
- Others, radicals, wanted more, democracy in the ruling of the country. They
defended
the interests of the exploited masses.
Câu 8: What is Dicken’s contribution to the world literature?
- Dicken has given a full picture of 19th centery English life. His method of
writing
inspired many others to write realistically, and great works of critical realism
appeared after him.
- Dicken never loses his warmth of feeling and quickness of sympathy, which
impresses all readers.
- Some social improvements in England were attributed to the influence of
Dicken’s
work.
- Dicken portrays people of all types in the street of great cities in this time.
Câu 9: What are characteristic features of the Romanticism in the English
literature?
- A deep interest in nature and in obcure: humble or underprivlege people.
It was believed that civilization was harmful to man. Therefore, nature turned
into the
hiden place for people wanting to escape from the complexity of civilization.
There, in
humble and rustic life the real feelings of the heart fourished best.
- A vivid imagination that can produce supernatural or fantastic dream worlds
- An enthusiam in fighting against tyrannical authority and glorifying liberty.
- A love for the remote in time and distance
- A sense of disappointment mixed with a melancholy mood
- A revolution in literary language-use
Câu 10: What is differences between Swift’s realism and the realism of Defoe?
- Defoe presented extremely precise picture of bourgeois life. Swift used his
favorite
weapon – laughter – to mock at bourgeois reality. He criticized it and his
criticism
was hidden away in a whole lot of allegorical pictures.
- Swift’s language was more elaborate and literacy than Defoe’s.
Câu 11: What are the characteristic features of the Critical Realism in E
liteature?
- The instruction of a new set of character from the working class as a new
force in
society.
- A deep sense of the dramatic contrast between the rich and the poor.
- An irresistable hatred for every species of social oppression and injustice.
- An illusion of bringing about social justice and harmony by reforms.
- An interest in the theme of Woman Emancipation.
Câu 12: What was Defoe’s contribution to English literature?
- Defoe wrote his novels in the form of memoirs, which made them look like
stories
about real people.
- As a true Enlightener he set himself the task of improving people’s moral;
that’s why
he provides his books with a moralizing comment.
- The influence of his work on the literacy process as well as on the minds of
the
readers can hardly be overestimated.
Câu 13: Why is it said that Ermet Hemingway is a writer of the iceberge
principle? Prove
this base on the old man and the sea (1958)?
- Hemingway is essentially a negative writer. He looked at life in terms of
tension and
battles, his works dramatize this concept of life.
- The typical situations in Hemingway’s work is one who enjoys the pleasure
of life in
the face of ruin and death, who acts with grace under pressure, and maintains
courage
and dignity in the face of despair, disaster and defeat.
- The old man and the sea is story of a cuba fishman. At the beginning, he didnt
catch
any fish in 84 days but that didnt discourage him. Then he finally caught a
marlin.
However, on the way to back home, He struggled with a shark which wanted to
eat his
fish. After tough fight, he was exhausted and then back home with marlin’s
skeleton.
Câu 14: Why is O’henry considered as the greatest American short story
writer?
- The literary heritage of O’ Henry contains two hundred and seventy-
thounsand short
stories.
- He had a broad knowledge of the life of common people. His stories always
unusual
and unexpected plots which never fail to surprise the reader. He is master of
surprise
ending.
- He enriched American literature with a series of storu-types such as adventure
stories,
the psychological stories, anecdotem dialogue, monologue and so on.
- He is both a realist and a romantic.