1 Flashcards
(50 cards)
1
Q
Victorian rhetoric
A
-separate spheres for men and women
-men are public and political
-women private domestic
2
Q
Masculinity
A
Strength and stoicism
3
Q
Femininely
A
“The angel of the house” vs “the fallen women”
4
Q
Charlotte Brontë
A
-born and raised in Yorkshire
-returned to England and began writing Jane eyre
5
Q
Jane eyres journey
A
Gateshead -lowood-thornfield- marsh end-ferndean
6
Q
The British Victorian period
A
-great reform act
-reign of queen victoria
-much debate about gender politics
-advent of REALISM as a literacy mode
7
Q
Realism
A
-faithful representation of everyday life
-revolt again pictorial conventions
-emphasis on portraying things as they are
8
Q
Gothic novel
A
Adapts elements from folklore and fairytale
-plays with the boundaries of unspeakable fears and desires
9
Q
Byronic Hero
A
A character type named after the romantic poet George
-a handsome, melancholic usually aristocrat man
- a man with a dark past and hidden secrets
- a figure of sexual intrigue and complexity
10
Q
Phrenology
A
The idea that the contours of the head and face reveal intellectual aptitudes and character traits
11
Q
Physiognomy
A
The study of the u rental character from external appearances
12
Q
Mary Seacole
A
-set up the British hotel during the Crimean war and nursed British soldiers
-wrote wonderful adventures of Mary seacole
13
Q
Logos
Pathos
Ethos
A
-reason
-emotions
-credibility
14
Q
The Crimean war 1853-56
A
-Russian empire vs alliance of Ottoman Empire, Britain, France, and Sardinia
-disease accounted for a disproportionate number of deaths on each side
- a media sensation
15
Q
Autobiography
A
Tells us a story of the authors developing self
-creates a pact between author and reader
-author overcomes challenges
-reader synthesizes with author
16
Q
Travel writing
A
- a popular and successful genre in the Victorian period
-seacole uses this for to subtly challenge the imperial glaze
17
Q
The dramatic monologue
A
-features a single speaker, who is not identifiable with the post but rather an invented persona
This persona delivers a lengthy speech at a crucial dramatic moment-like in Shakespeare plays
18
Q
Ex of dramatic monologue
A
Alfred Tennyson “Ulysses’s”
19
Q
Victorian neoflassicism
A
-fascination worth Ancient Greece
Classical Greece= a golden age
-literature that seems to be about Ancient Greece may really be invested in distinctly Victorian concern
20
Q
Ex 2 dramatic monologues Robert brownings
A
-“porphyria’s lover”
-master of dramatic monologue
21
Q
Elizabeth and Robert browing
A
-married
-admired eachother work and send love letters before they met
22
Q
Bildungsroman
A
-from the German novel of education a story that shows the protagonists psychologically and ethical growth
-development of gentlemen and ladies
23
Q
Sensation fiction
A
Sensationalism refers to texts that provide sexual titillation, evoke terror, and represent disturbing and unusual behavior and images merely to create a reaction in readers.
24
Q
Apostrophe
A
As a literary device, apostrophe refers to a speech or address to a person who is not present or to a personified object, such as Yorick’s skull in Hamlet. It comes from the Greek word apostrephein which means “to turn away.”
25
William Blake, “The Divine Image" and “London”
“The Divine Image”:
In this poem, Blake celebrates the divine qualities of Mercy, Pity, Peace, and Love. He suggests that these virtues are not only attributes of God but also inherent in humanity. The poem emphasizes the interconnectedness of all people and encourages acts of kindness and compassion.
Themes: Unity, compassion, divinity within humanity.
“London” presents a darker view of the city. Blake describes the suffering, oppression, and moral decay he observes in London. He criticizes the social injustices, poverty, and the impact of industrialization on human lives.
Themes: Social criticism, urban decay, human suffering
26
Mary Robinson, “The Haunted Beach"; Ann Radcliffe, “Sonnet”
The Haunted Beach”:
Spooky beach with ghosts of drowned sailors.
Themes: Guilt, haunting.
“Sonnet”:
Beautiful countryside, praising nature.
Themes: Nature’s beauty.
27
William Wordsworth, “Tintern Abbey, and “Nutting”
“Tintern Abbey”:
Summary: The speaker revisits a tranquil location after five years. Memories of nature have sustained him during urban life. He reflects on the past and finds consolation in the present.
Themes: Memory, nature, time, and restoration12.
“Nutting”:
Summary: A young boy ventures into the woods to gather nuts. Instead, he becomes captivated by nature’s beauty.
Themes: Nature’s allure, pleasure, and moral sensitivity
28
John Keats, “When I Have Fears” and “To Autumn”
“When I Have Fears That I May Cease to Be”:
The speaker fears dying before achieving their poetic aspirations.
Themes: Fear of death, creativity, and ambition12.
“To Autumn”:
Celebrates the season of autumn, describing its abundance, harvest, and transition into winter.
Uses vivid imagery to elevate the fleeting beauty of the moment.
Themes: Beauty, embracing the present, and acceptance of mortality
29
Thomas Hood, “The Song of the Shirt”
Elizabeth Barrett Browning, “The Cry of the Children”
“The Song of the Shirt” by Thomas Hood:
A poor seamstress works tirelessly in poverty, singing a sad song. The poem exposes the harsh conditions faced by England’s working poor.
Themes: Exploitation, suffering, and societal indifference1.
“The Cry of the Children” by Elizabeth Barrett Browning:
Condemns child labor during the Industrial Revolution. The poem calls for change to protect vulnerable young workers.
Themes: Child exploitation, social injustice, and advocacy for reform
30
Robert Browning “Porphyria’s Lover
.; Alfred Tennyson, “Ulysses”
“Porphyria’s Lover” by Robert Browning:
A dramatic monologue where the speaker strangles his passionate lover, Porphyria, and then props her lifeless body up beside him. Dark and twisted.
Themes: Obsession, control, and madness12.
“Ulysses” by Alfred Lord Tennyson:
Ulysses, an aging hero, yearns for adventure and exploration. He rejects a quiet home life and longs to sail the seas once more.
Themes: Adventure, restlessness, and the pursuit of knowledge
31
Jane Eyre summary
Summary:
“Jane Eyre” is a novel by Charlotte Brontë. It follows the life of an orphan named Jane, who faces oppression and dependence at Gateshead.
Jane’s journey involves breaking free from restrictive conditions, seeking love, and striving for independence.
The novel explores her quest for self-discovery and her desire to find a loving family.
32
jane eyre themes
Themes:
Love Versus Autonomy: Jane seeks both romantic love and a sense of belonging. She learns to gain love without sacrificing her autonomy.
Religion: Jane encounters different religious perspectives, ultimately forming her own ideas about faith and principle.
Social Class: Victorian society and its class differences play a significant role in Jane’s experiences and relationships.
33
JE chapters 1-4
Chapters 1–4:
Jane Eyre, an orphan, lives with her cruel aunt and cousins at Gateshead Hall. She endures mistreatment and is sent to the “red-room” as punishment.
The eerie red-room symbolizes Jane’s emotional confinement and her longing for freedom.
Jane then leaves for Lowood School, where she faces strict discipline and forms a close bond with her friend Helen Burns.
Themes: Injustice, resilience, and self-discovery.
34
JE chapters 17-35
The secrets of Thornfield unfold: Rochester’s mad wife, Bertha Mason, hidden in the attic.
Jane’s love for Rochester is tested as she grapples with moral dilemmas and societal norms.
The novel explores love, identity, and sacrifice.
Themes: Love, identity, and sacrifice.
35
Mary Seacole's wonderful adventures
Early Life and Travels:
Mary Seacole, a Jamaican woman, overcame social, racial, and economic barriers.
She traveled widely in Central America, Russia, and Europe.
Her autobiography, Wonderful Adventures of Mrs. Seacole in Many Lands, chronicles her remarkable life from childhood in Jamaica to her experiences during the Crimean War12.
Heroic Acts During the
Crimean War:
In the face of racism and refusal, Seacole volunteered as a nurse during the Crimean War.
She cared for wounded soldiers, nursed the sick, and performed last rites for the fallen.
Her courage and devotion made her a famed heroine, alongside Florence Nightingale
36
Oscar Wilde, “The Grave of Keats” and “The Happy Prince”
“The Grave of Keats”:
This poem by Oscar Wilde describes the physical state of poet John Keats’ grave and the emotional impact that Keats’ short life had on England.
Wilde reflects on Keats’ martyr-like status and the absence of grand trees at his grave. Instead, gentle violets weave an ever-blossoming chain around his resting place
“The Happy Prince”:
In this fairy tale, a gilded statue of the Happy Prince stands high above the city. The statue, adorned with sapphires and a ruby, becomes compassionate and selfless.
The Happy Prince helps the poor by giving away his gold leaf and jewels, even sacrificing himself to aid those in need.
Themes: Compassion, sacrifice, and kindness
37
Postmodernism
-continues modernisms experimental and subversive tactics
-challenges the elitism of modernist “high art” by turning to pop culture
38
Postmodern period
typically applies to the era following world war II
-experimentation with new and often hybrid literacy forms
39
What is a Parable?
A story with a hidden truth, or a lesson
-a short narrative that upsets or surprises the readers expectations
-teaching with a twist-not prescribing a lesson but provoking a response
40
modernism
Modernism, a literary and artistic movement, is characterized by a deliberate break with tradition, a focus on subjective perception over objective truth, and an emphasis on individualism.
41
T.S. Eliot, “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”
The poem is a dramatic monologue, narrated by the brooding speaker, J. Alfred Prufrock.
Prufrock expresses his anxieties, preoccupations, and romantic hesitations.
The poem’s fragmented narrative style and rich imagery contribute to its depth.
Prufrock contemplates life, love, and his own inadequacies.
The yellow fog, smoke, and Michelangelo references add layers of meaning.
Themes:
Overwhelming Question: Prufrock alludes to an “overwhelming question” that haunts him but remains unnamed. This question symbolizes existential uncertainty and inner turmoil1.
Modernity: The poem epitomizes the frustration and impotence of the modern individual. Prufrock grapples with isolation, indecision, and disillusionment in a rapidly changing world2.
Crisis of Mortality: Prufrock reflects on aging, mortality, and missed opportunities. He wonders if he dares to take action or remains paralyzed by fear
42
Katherine Mansfield, “The Garden Party”
The story takes place on a perfect summer day at the home of the wealthy Sheridan family in New Zealand.
Laura, one of the Sheridan daughters, is tasked with overseeing the arrangements for a garden party hosted by her family.
As she interacts with workmen and domestic servants, Laura becomes aware of the stark separation between the privileged upper class and the working class.
Unexpectedly, news arrives of a cart-driver’s tragic death, disrupting the idyllic setting and prompting Laura to question the boundaries of social class and human empathy12.
Themes:
Class Divide: “The Garden Party” highlights the sharp divide between the economic elites and the working class. Mansfield critiques this inequality, emphasizing how leisure enjoyed by the upper class relies on the labor of others3.
Maturation and Loss of Innocence: Laura’s experiences during the garden party lead to her understanding that distinctions of class vanish in the face of human mortality. Her maturation involves questioning societal norms and empathizing with others4.
Life and Death: The story juxtaposes life and death. Laura’s realization that life is marvelous reframes death as a peaceful sleep away from earthly troubles. The coexistence of life and death becomes a central theme
43
Jean Rhys, Wide Sargasso Sea
The Oppression of Slavery and Entrapment:
The specter of slavery and entrapment pervades the novel. Set in the West Indies during the early nineteenth century, it portrays the aftermath of slavery even after the Emancipation Act has freed the slaves.
Ex-slaves who worked on sugar plantations play a prominent role. However, compensation has not been granted to the island’s Black population, leading to hostility and resentment between servants and white employers.
Antoinette’s mother, Annette, feels imprisoned at Coulibri Estate, and Antoinette herself is trapped in her love for and dependency upon her husband. The theme of literal and figurative enslavement runs throughout the narrative1.
The Complexity of Racial Identity:
Rhys delves into subtleties of race and Jamaica’s social hierarchy. White Creoles (descendants of Europeans living in the West Indies) are distinct from whites born in England.
the population includes formerly enslaved Black people, mixed-race individuals, and those like Christophine (originally from Martinique). Sandi and Daniel Cosway, Alexander Cosway’s illegitimate children, occupy a middle ground between Black and white society.
Interaction between racial groups is often antagonistic, but Antoinette and her mother recognize their dependence on Black servants, blurring power structures based on race1.
The Link Between Womanhood, Enslavement, and Madness:
Womanhood intersects with issues of enslavement and madness. Antoinette learns feminine virtues at a convent school, but her fiery nature contrasts with the idealized poise.
The novel explores how ideals of womanhood clash with Antoinette’s reality. Her tragic fate is intertwined with societal expectations, displacement, and colonialism
44
Carol Ann Duffy, “Text,” “Name,” “Rapture,” and “Elegy”
“Text”:
Summary: “Text” is a short poem from Duffy’s collection Rapture (2005). It reflects on the act of texting and shares the poet’s thoughts about this modern form of communication.
Themes: The poem touches on technology, brevity, and the impact of digital communication on human connection1.
“Name”:
Summary: “Name” is another poem from Rapture. It explores the significance of names and how they shape our identity. The speaker reflects on the power and weight of names throughout history.
Themes: Identity, history, and the personal resonance of names are central to this poem1.
“Rapture”:
Summary: “Rapture” is the title poem of Duffy’s collection. It traces the progress of a love affair, capturing its fluctuations, joys, and heartache. The word “rapture” originally referred to a state of being in the presence of God, but in the poem, it signifies both earthly and religious pleasure.
Themes: Love, transformation, and the complexities of romantic relationships are explored. The sky, birds, and rain serve as dominant imagery23.
“Elegy”:
Summary: “Elegy” is a poignant poem that mourns the loss of a loved one. It reflects on grief, memory, and the passage of time. The elegy form traditionally pays tribute to the deceased.
Themes: Grief, remembrance, and the enduring impact of loss are at the heart of this elegiac poem
45
Malika Booker, “A Parable of Sorts”Links to an external site. and “Faith”
A Parable of Sorts”:
Summary: “A Parable of Sorts” is a magnificent poem of resilience and redemption through defiant collective identification. It celebrates inner strength and confronts the history of prejudice.
Themes:
Resilience: The poem portrays resilience in the face of adversity, emphasizing the power of collective identity.
Abuse and Resistance: Booker dynamically explores the interchange between abuse and resistance, highlighting the struggle against discrimination.
Natural Energy and Dance: The poem references dance and energy as forms of defiance and survival.
Iniquitous Past: Booker’s powerful defense of a race and culture redresses historical injustices12.
“Faith”:
Summary: “Faith” is a poignant poem that reflects on faith, loss, and memory. It paints a vivid picture of an empty museum and evokes nostalgia for a bygone era.
Themes:
Loss and Nostalgia: The poem mourns the passing of time and the loss of old ways. The museum, once vibrant, now stands empty.
Religious Imagery: References to Jesus and an old rosary evoke a sense of faith and tradition.
46
Romanticism
sublimeAesthetic experience of the sublimeAesthetic experience of the sublime
An experience of intense andAn experience of intense andAn experience of intense and
overwhelming poweroverwhelming poweroverwhelming power
Both delights and terrifies the viewer Both delights and terrifies the viewer Both delights and terrifies the viewer
47
Juxtaposition
putting things that are not similar side-by-side, for the purpose of a
startling comparison and contraststartling comparison and contraststartling comparison and contrast
48
Fragmentation
Breaking up narrative continuity
49
Stream of consciousness
Reproducing the continuous flow of a character’s mental process
50
Modernism
New and distinctive features (subjects, forms, concepts) that emerged in the
literature of the early 20literature of the early especially after World War I (1914 -century and especially after World War I (1914 -century and especially after World War I (1914 -
1918)1918)1918)
Motto: “make it new” (Ezra Pound)Motto: “make it
AimsAimsAims
To subvert conventional modes of representing realityTo subvert conventional modes of representing realityTo subvert conventional modes of representing reality
To shock and challenge the readerTo shock and challenge the readerTo shock and challenge the reader
