English Literature – 1850 to 1950

Unit 1 – Victorian Literature: 1837-1901

Unit 2 – Realism & Naturalism in Literature

Unit 3 – Modernism in Literature

Unit 4 – The Harlem Renaissance

Unit 5 – The Lost Generation Writers

Unit 6 – Experimental Narrative in Modernism

Unit 7 – War Literature in English (1850-1950)

Unit 8 – Existentialism & Absurdism in Literature

Unit 9 – Postcolonial Literature: Global Perspectives

Unit 10 – The Beat Generation

Unit 11 – Feminist Literature in 19th-20th Century

Unit 12 – Dystopian & Speculative Fiction

## What do you learn in Literature in English: The Mid-19th through the Mid-20th Century

You'll explore major literary works from the 1850s to the 1950s. This covers the Victorian era, Modernism, and early Postmodernism. You'll read novels, poetry, and plays by authors like Dickens, Woolf, Eliot, and Hemingway. The course examines how historical events and social changes influenced literature during this period, and how writers responded to industrialization, world wars, and shifting cultural norms.

## Is Literature in English: The Mid-19th through the Mid-20th Century hard?

It can be challenging, especially if you're not used to reading older texts. The language and writing styles from this period can be dense and take some getting used to. You'll need to do a lot of reading and analysis, which can be time-consuming. But if you're into literature and history, it's totally manageable. Just stay on top of the readings and don't leave essays to the last minute.

## Tips for taking Literature in English: The Mid-19th through the Mid-20th Century in college

1. Use [Fiveable Study Guides](https://fiveable.me/cram-mode) to help you cram 🌶️
2. Keep a reading journal to jot down thoughts and quotes as you go
3. Don't just read summaries - actually read the books (trust me, it helps)
4. Pay attention to historical context - it's key for understanding the texts
5. Join a study group to discuss the readings and share interpretations
6. Watch film adaptations after reading the books for a different perspective
7. Check out "The Victorian Web" website for extra context on that era
8. Try audiobooks for some of the longer novels to help you keep up

Movies to watch: "The Hours" (based on Virginia Woolf's work), "Great Expectations" (for Dickens), and "Midnight in Paris" (for a fun take on modernist writers)

## Common pre-requisites for Literature in English: The Mid-19th through the Mid-20th Century

1. Introduction to Literary Analysis: This course teaches you how to read critically and write about literature. You'll learn key terms and techniques for analyzing poetry, prose, and drama.

2. British Literature Survey: This class gives an overview of British literature from the Middle Ages to the present. It provides a foundation for understanding the literary traditions that influenced 19th and 20th-century writers.

## Classes similar to Literature in English: The Mid-19th through the Mid-20th Century

1. American Literature 1865-1945: Covers similar time periods but focuses on American authors like Mark Twain, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and William Faulkner. You'll explore themes of American identity and the American Dream.

2. Modernist Literature: Dives deep into the experimental writing of the early 20th century. You'll read authors like James Joyce, T.S. Eliot, and Ezra Pound, and explore how they broke with traditional forms.

3. Victorian Literature: Focuses specifically on British literature from the Victorian era (1837-1901). You'll read authors like the Brontë sisters, George Eliot, and Oscar Wilde.

4. World Literature in Translation: Explores literature from around the globe during the same time period. You'll read works by authors like Dostoevsky, Kafka, and Borges in translation.

## Majors related to Literature in English: The Mid-19th through the Mid-20th Century

1. English Literature: Focuses on the study of literature written in English from various time periods and cultures. Students develop critical thinking and writing skills while exploring diverse literary works.

2. Comparative Literature: Involves studying literature across different languages, cultures, and time periods. Students often learn multiple languages and explore how literary traditions influence each other.

3. History: Examines past events, societies, and cultures to understand how they've shaped the present. Students in this major might focus on the historical context of 19th and 20th-century literature.

4. Cultural Studies: Analyzes cultural phenomena, including literature, film, and media. Students explore how cultural products reflect and shape society, often with a focus on issues of power and identity.

## What can you do with a degree in Literature in English: The Mid-19th through the Mid-20th Century?

1. Teacher/Professor: Educate students about literature at various levels, from high school to university. You'd design courses, lead discussions, and help students develop critical thinking skills.

2. Editor: Work in publishing to review and improve written content before publication. You might specialize in fiction editing, bringing your knowledge of literary traditions to help shape contemporary works.

3. Content Writer: Create written content for websites, magazines, or marketing materials. Your understanding of language and storytelling can be applied to craft engaging content for various audiences.

4. Librarian: Manage and organize library resources, assist patrons with research, and develop community programs. Your knowledge of literature would be valuable in recommending books and curating collections.

## Literature in English: The Mid-19th through the Mid-20th Century FAQs

1. Do we only read British authors in this course? While British authors are a major focus, you'll also read works by American authors and possibly some in translation from other countries.

2. How much reading is typically assigned per week? It varies, but expect to read about 100-200 pages per week, sometimes more if there's a novel assigned.

3. Are there any creative writing assignments, or is it all analysis? Most assignments are analytical, but some professors might include a creative option for a final project.

4. How does this course relate to contemporary literature? You'll see how many themes and techniques in modern literature have roots in works from this period, and how writers were responding to issues we still grapple with today.

Literature

1.4 Oscar Wilde

1.6 The Victorian novel

1.2 The Brontë sisters

1.1 Charles Dickens

1.7 Victorian social and cultural context

1.5 Victorian poetry

1.3 Thomas Hardy

2.2 Émile Zola

2.1 Gustave Flaubert

2.4 Mark Twain

2.5 Realist and Naturalist fiction

2.6 Realist and Naturalist theater

2.3 Henry James

3.6 Modernist fiction

3.7 Modernist drama

3.1 James Joyce

3.2 Virginia Woolf

3.3 T.S. Eliot

3.4 Ezra Pound

3.5 Modernist poetry

4.1 Langston Hughes

4.2 Zora Neale Hurston

4.3 Claude McKay

4.4 Harlem Renaissance poetry

4.5 Harlem Renaissance fiction

4.6 Harlem Renaissance cultural context

5.1 Ernest Hemingway

5.3 Gertrude Stein

5.4 Lost Generation fiction

5.5 Lost Generation expatriate experience

5.2 F. Scott Fitzgerald

6.2 James Joyce's Ulysses

6.3 Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway

6.4 Stream of consciousness technique

6.5 Nonlinear narratives

6.6 Fragmentation and montage

6.1 William Faulkner

7.1 World War I poetry

7.2 Ernest Hemingway's war novels

7.3 Erich Maria Remarque's All Quiet on the Western Front

7.4 World War II literature

7.5 The Holocaust in literature

7.6 Postwar trauma and disillusionment

8.1 Jean-Paul Sartre

8.2 Albert Camus

8.3 Samuel Beckett

8.4 Existentialist fiction

8.5 Absurdist theater

8.6 Existentialist and Absurdist themes

9.2 Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o

9.3 Salman Rushdie

9.4 Postcolonial poetry

9.5 Postcolonial fiction

9.6 Postcolonial themes and perspectives

9.1 Chinua Achebe

10.1 Jack Kerouac

10.2 Allen Ginsberg

10.3 William S. Burroughs

10.4 Beat poetry

10.5 Beat fiction

10.6 Beat Generation counterculture

11.1 Virginia Woolf

11.2 Simone de Beauvoir

11.3 Sylvia Plath

11.4 Feminist poetry

11.5 Feminist fiction

11.6 Feminist literary criticism

12.1 George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four

12.2 Aldous Huxley's Brave New World

12.3 Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451

12.5 Speculative fiction and alternate realities

12.6 Science fiction's social commentary

12.4 Dystopian themes and warnings

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