A COURSE IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE

 Class Assignment   Question -A Thomas Gray and His Poetry. Introduction Thomas Gray (1716–1771) was one of the most important poets of the 18th century. He is often considered the forerunner of the Romantic Movement in English literature because his poetry bridges the gap between the classical (Augustan) age of reason and the emotional, nature-centered Romantic age. Though Gray’s poetic output was small, his works are highly refined, polished, and rich in feeling and thought. Early Life and Education: Thomas Gray was born in London on December 26, 1716. He was the only surviving child of twelve born to Philip Gray, a scrivener, and Dorothy Antrobus. His mother ran a boarding house to support him after escaping an abusive marriage. Gray studied at Eton College, where he met lifelong friends such as Horace Walpole and Richard West. Later, he attended Cambridge University (Peterhouse College), where he remained for most of his life as a scholar and poet. Literary Career: Gray wa...

 Class Assignment Question -A What is Metaphysical Poetry? Metaphysical poetry is a special type of poetry that became popular in the 17th century. The main poets of this group were John Donne, George Herbert, Andrew Marvell, Henry Vaughan, and Richard Crashaw. The word metaphysical means “beyond the physical.” These poets were not satisfied with writing only about beauty, nature, or simple love. Instead, they wanted to explore deeper ideas such as the meaning of love, the relationship between man and God, the nature of the soul, and the mystery of death and life after death. The term metaphysical poets was first given by Samuel Johnson, who noticed that these poets used unusual comparisons and very clever arguments in their poems. Characteristics of Metaphysical Poetry 1. Use of Conceits (Unusual Comparisons): A conceit is an extended and surprising comparison between two very different things. Metaphysical poets often used such images to explain their ideas. For example, in Donn...

  Class Assignment  Question -A Analyse the Pride and prejudice by Jane Austen. About Jane Austen: Jane Austen was an English novelist, born on 16 December 1775 in Steventon, Hampshire. She was the daughter of a clergyman and grew up in a large, educated family. From an early age, she loved reading and writing. Her novels, published anonymously during her lifetime, focus on love, marriage, family, and society, often with sharp irony and wit. Her most famous works include Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814), Emma (1815), Northanger Abbey (1817), and Persuasion (1817).Austen’s writing is admired for its realistic characters, moral depth, and social criticism, especially of women’s limited choices in the 19th century. She never married and lived a quiet life with her family. Jane Austen died on 18 July 1817 at the age of 41. Analyse: Pride and Prejudice, first published in 1813, is Jane Austen’s most famous novel. It blends romance, so...

Class Assignment Characteristics of The Age of Chaucer: 1. Introduction:   The Age of Chaucer (1343–1450) is one of the most important periods in English literary history.This era was marked by significant changes in society, politics, religion, and literature, and is known as a time of transition, where medieval traditions were giving way to new, modern ideas. 1.1 An Era of Transition: The Age of Chaucer was a time of great change. The old ways of the medieval world were slowly being replaced by modern thoughts and ideas. This was the period when John Wycliffe and his followers began challenging the Church, which laid the foundation for the Reformation.People began focusing more on individualism—the idea that individuals and their thoughts were important. At the same time, military conflicts like the Hundred Years' War were increasing national pride and unity. Industrial development, such as the growth of towns and trade, was creating a middle and working class, which contributed...