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  1. Lucifer
    Lucifer better to reign in hell than to serve in heaven
    This answer was edited.

    14th Century is also known as the Age of Chaucer. This period holds a great significance in the history of English Literature. It was the time of great turmoil, disturbance. First, there was the outbreak of the Black Plague and second there was political unrest due to the Hundred Years War. Thus, poRead more

    14th Century is also known as the Age of Chaucer. This period holds a great significance in the history of English Literature. It was the time of great turmoil, disturbance. First, there was the outbreak of the Black Plague and second there was political unrest due to the Hundred Years War. Thus, political conditions, religious conditions and social conditions are interrelated and dependent on each other.

    Religious Conditions

    As we find in The Canterbury Tales, people used to go on pilgrimage e.g. in The Canterbury Tales, the people go to the shrine of Thomas Becket. They belonged to all classes and ranks.  This shows that, people had strong belief in shrines and used to go there on foot. We also find that these routes were tough and long so, they would form groups for their mutual benefits (irrespective of classes and ranks).

    The other aspect of religion which we find is the hollowness. The religious leaders and institutions seem to be corrupt. As the Church used to exercise maximum power over commoners, people were tired of it and hence they began to question the authority of Church.

    Not only people, but the rulers were also fed up with unnecessary involvement of Church in state matters. They started to exert more power. Consequently, the power and domination of Church began to decline.

    Political Conditions

    As said before, there were wars and political instability. The rulers began to question the authority of Church and began to exercise power by themselves. As the war became more costly, the rulers started collecting the taxes directly. This way, the Noble Class also lost its power and feudalism started declining.

    The peasants who earlier used to serve the feudal lords left them and migrated to cities to become craftsmen, merchants, and artisans. The Canterbury Tales depicts this. There are people from different professions in the poem.

    Social Conditions

    Social Conditions were directly influenced by political and religious turmoil. The Black Death took away one third of total population. The war also had devastating effect. And, Church and noble class left no stone unturned to money from the commoners.

    This led the people to hate feudal lords, Church and even the rulers. People began to question the authority of Church, they started moving to the cities which made the feudalism decline. Not only this, there was also advancement of Science.

    Thus the century was characterised by turmoil, rationality and quest for change.

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  1. Lucifer
    Best Answer
    Lucifer better to reign in hell than to serve in heaven

    The main features of 20th century novel are: Concentration on urban middle class Propensity to introspection Introduction of the stream of consciousness Focus on the life of educated characters Experimental writing Read detailed article on 20th century novel  

    1. The main features of 20th century novel are:
    2. Concentration on urban middle class
    3. Propensity to introspection
    4. Introduction of the stream of consciousness
    5. Focus on the life of educated characters
    6. Experimental writing

    Read detailed article on 20th century novel

     

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In:
  1. Athar
    Best Answer
    Athar

    Literature of any age holds a mirror to the society of that period. In doing so, it seeks to reflect the social fabric and expose the many social evils that plague nearly every modern-day society. This is true for Modern Indian literature as well. The social conditions of India not only determine thRead more

    Literature of any age holds a mirror to the society of that period. In doing so, it seeks to reflect the social fabric and expose the many social evils that plague nearly every modern-day society. This is true for Modern Indian literature as well. The social conditions of India not only determine the subjects and themes in literary works but also impact the manner in which literature is received and interpreted.

    Ever since its Independence in 1947, literature in India has taken a new turn. No longer are the British colonisers and India’s struggle for independence central to Indian literature. They undoubtedly still form a background and thus continue to hold historical significance, but the changing social setup has altered the ways of writers and consequently their writing. The increased tolerance and acceptability of unconventional themes in literature points to a certain broadening of the mental horizons of Indian society.

    Owing to cultural diversity, the fabric of Indian society is complex. The modern Indian novel and poetry seek to capture the essence of Indian life with all its complexities. For a society that is constantly in flux, literature has also been dynamic. The social stratification in India is essentially done on lines of religion and caste. Untouchability still remains a bitter truth in many parts of India. Due to this, there has been a surge in writers from the Minority or Oppressed sections. The emergence of Dalit literature as a new discipline is in itself proof of how conditions of the marginalised groups have become a subject of literary interest.

    The social reality of modern India is also expressed in the treatment of the subjects of alienation, identity and rootlessness in works of Indian diasporic writers like Jhumpa Lahiri. Arvind Adiga’s novel “The White Tiger” is an exemplary representation of the ugliest social realities of corruption and restricted social mobility in India.

    Gender Inequality, too, remains a major concern. Mahesh Dattani’s play “Tara” gives a heart-searing portrayal of gender discrimination. This play voices the contemporary issue of preference for a male child over a female child in most Indian communities. From this struggle to even out the gender differences has emerged the genre of Feminist literature in India. Modern-day writers like Arundhati Roy have voiced issues of women in their works. Kamala Das remains a pioneer in the field of Feminist literature. The ideas of women’s sexuality, liberation from gender stereotypes and freedom from the cult of the domestic woman are recurrent in today’s works. In Girish Karnad’s play “Naga-Mandala”, the unhappy married life of Rani not only highlights the modern-day problem of marriages but also the male chauvinism and the oppression of women.

    The East versus West conflict is central to modern Indian society. Due to an educated young population that constitutes more than half of the Indians, society has spiralled into further conflicts. There is an ever-widening gulf between the traditional Indian value system and the newer, more progressive and apparently Westernised worldview of the younger population. As Indian society attempts to free itself from the clutches of orthodox thought, literature strives to capture the essence of this conflict. The subject of degeneration of values and the conflict between change and preservation, therefore, impact a writer’s work in a choice of themes and settings.

    The family unit in Indian society was traditionally bigger. The joint family system is crumbling and the family is disintegrating into a smaller unit. An emphasis on the individual rather than the community is a hallmark of the modern world and India is no exception. Much of Modern Indian Poetry addresses this present-day condition in which the joint-family system is disappearing.

    The failure of institutions like marriage and the fragility of other familial relations is explored in Arundhati Roy’s novel “The God of Small Things”. Vikram Seth’s novel “A Suitable Boy” also aptly highlights the conflict a modern-day Indian feels when going through the process of choosing a life partner. It brings forth the pressure of social obligations and the need to conform to norms that determine such choices.

    Modern Indian literature also reflects modern thought, which is unconventional and often radical. Such unconventional modern themes like homosexuality, are explored in Mahesh Dattani’s plays “Bravely Fought the Queen” and “Dance Like a Man”. Hence, Modern Indian English Literature has made treatment of such formerly unacceptable topics possible. This is how the social conditions, the changing mindsets and the broadening perspectives impact literature.

    Thus, Modern Indian Literature does not limit itself to a mere glorification of the multiculturalism and diversity of Indian society but also presents a harsh critique of the social conditions of contemporary India.

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  1. Poonam Sharma
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    Poonam Sharma literarian

    The concept of prose has been used by many scholars to mean different things. Some people use the term to refer to narrative or fictional prose, while others use it to refer to non-fictional prose. It is generally agreed that prose is distinct from poetry and verse. Prose can be defined as the writiRead more

    The concept of prose has been used by many scholars to mean different things. Some people use the term to refer to narrative or fictional prose, while others use it to refer to non-fictional prose.

    It is generally agreed that prose is distinct from poetry and verse. Prose can be defined as the writing of sentences and paragraphs that are grammatically correct. In English, a common distinction is between the use of the passive voice (which is considered to be more formal) and the active voice (which is less formal).

    Many people argue that “prose” includes not only fiction but also journalism, legal documents, and some types of scientific writing. In addition to these definitions, there are many other ways to define prose. Some people say that prose is characterized by the use of dialogue or by the absence of poetry. Other definitions include the idea of simplicity or economy. In a general sense, we can say that prose is less complex than poetry or verse, and it is more direct and direct in its communication. It is not unusual for prose to be short, concise, and clear. It is important to remember that prose was not always considered to be more important than poetry or verse. In the past, many people thought that poetry and verse were the most important forms of literature, and prose was something that was added later.

    However, during the Renaissance and the Enlightenment, prose came to be regarded as the highest form of literary art. Prose can be defined as the writing of sentences and paragraphs that are grammatically correct. The term “prose” was first used in English to refer to the writing of sentences and paragraphs that are grammatically correct. In the early 20th century, the term “prose” came to mean all types of writing except poetry and verse. In this sense, prose includes both fictional and non-fictional prose.

    When we read a novel, we often think of the story as a piece of fiction. In fact, the stories we read may not be completely true. For example, many of us know about the “Iliad,” which is a collection of ancient Greek poems written in the epic genre. Although the “Iliad” is a very famous work, it is not completely true. It was written by one person and told in the first person. It does not have any direct quotations from other people, although it sometimes has indirect quotations from other works. The “Iliad” also contains some mythical elements. These elements make it a good example of fiction. Some people say that “prose” includes not only fiction but also journalism, legal documents, and some types of scientific writing. In addition to these definitions, there are many other ways to define prose. Some people say that prose is characterized by the use of dialogue or by the absence of poetry.

    Other definitions include the idea of simplicity or economy. In a general sense, we can say that prose is less complex than poetry or verse, and it is more direct and direct in its communication. It is not unusual for prose to be short, concise, and clear. It is important to remember that prose was not always considered to be more important than poetry or verse. In the past, many people thought that poetry and verse were the most important forms of literature, and prose was something that was added later.

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  1. Lucifer
    Lucifer better to reign in hell than to serve in heaven

    There were several reasons which led to the rise of English Novel. Some of these reasons are as follows: Decline of Drama: After industrial revolution, there was mass urbanisation and people got too busy to read long dramas which was the first reason for the rise of novel. Rise of Middle Class: DueRead more

    There were several reasons which led to the rise of English Novel. Some of these reasons are as follows:

    1. Decline of Drama: After industrial revolution, there was mass urbanisation and people got too busy to read long dramas which was the first reason for the rise of novel.
    2. Rise of Middle Class: Due to rise in trade and commerce in 18th century, the middle class came into existence. This class was rejected by high-class writers. Novelists gave voice to them and hence it became a popular genre.
    3. Newspaper and Magazine: Middle class was interested in reading newspapers and magazine. Romantic novels and tragedies were well-liked by them. Many novelists started publishing such novels in parts (in newspapers).
    4. Women: Women novelists also came into limelight. They started producing novels which were read by other women of middle class society.
    5. Periodical Essays: Periodical Essays by Addison and Steel laid the foundation of 18th century novel. These essays were read with great interest by the middle class and people developed taste in domestic and social novels which were mentioned in the periodical essays.

    Read this article for detailed notes.

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In:
  1. Gulam Mohiuddin
    Gulam Mohiuddin

    The period you’re referring to, is the Late Victorian age (1890-1901), Modern Age (1901- 50s) comprising the war years (1914-1918) and again at 1939-45. Firstly, Individualism- some of the great English novelists focused on an individual coming into collision with the society, for example, Tess of tRead more

    The period you’re referring to, is the Late Victorian age (1890-1901), Modern Age (1901- 50s) comprising the war years (1914-1918) and again at 1939-45.

    Firstly, Individualism- some of the great English novelists focused on an individual coming into collision with the society, for example, Tess of the D’urbervilles (Hardy), Middlemarch (Eliot).  Novels started to showcase the force of sexual desires among the characters which were earlier considered as Taboo in English literature.

    Secondly, Experimentation was another literary feature of that age where writers abandoned the old techniques and forms and started writing in free verses such as in the cases of W.B. Yeats, Auden, T.S. Eliot, who discarded the traditional rhyming techniques and started writing with images mixed from past with modern consciousness. Novelists such as James Joyce and Virginia Woolf developed the form of narration called stream of consciousness.

    Thirdly, Absurdity- The brutal picture of the two world wars deeply affected the writers of the period. The overall carnage turned the consciousness of the writers into absurdity each day.

    Fourthly, Symbolism- Although not a modern concept yet the modernists’ use of symbols in their work was an innovation. Their works left the readers’ imagination to wander farther than the earlier writers.

    Lastly, Formalism- Writers of this period saw literature as not something as a plain flowering of creativity but as a craft.

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  1. Lucifer
    Lucifer better to reign in hell than to serve in heaven

    Romantic tragedy refers to a genre of literature that focuses on the emotions of characters in stories with tragic endings. The genre arose in the 1700s, and its popularity lasted until the early 1800s.

    Romantic tragedy refers to a genre of literature that focuses on the emotions of characters in stories with tragic endings. The genre arose in the 1700s, and its popularity lasted until the early 1800s.

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  1. Lucifer
    Lucifer better to reign in hell than to serve in heaven

    War poetry is a literary genre that developed during the period of the world wars. The term was coined by Randall Jarrell in his essay "The Literature of War" (1961). Jarrell defines war poetry as "a poem that has as its theme war and that is written during or about a war". For example, Wilfred OwenRead more

    War poetry is a literary genre that developed during the period of the world wars. The term was coined by Randall Jarrell in his essay “The Literature of War” (1961). Jarrell defines war poetry as “a poem that has as its theme war and that is written during or about a war”. For example, Wilfred Owen’s “Dulce et Decorum est” is a war poem.

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  1. Lucifer
    Lucifer better to reign in hell than to serve in heaven

    Poems about wars generally fall into three main categories: personal war chronicles, patriotic war lyrics, and war prophecies. Personal War Chronicles: Personal war chronicles were kept by soldiers during wars. These chronicles were about what the writer did during war, what the writer thought aboutRead more

    Poems about wars generally fall into three main categories: personal war chronicles, patriotic war lyrics, and war prophecies.

    1. Personal War Chronicles: Personal war chronicles were kept by soldiers during wars. These chronicles were about what the writer did during war, what the writer thought about war, and how the writer’s life was affected by war.
    2. Patriotic War Lyrics: The patriotic war lyrics in war poetry show the spirit of American nationalism and freedom.
    3. War Prophecies: War prophecies in war poetry are suggestive phrases that depict the horrors of war, as well as the potential destruction that is to come. There are many war prophecies in war poetry, such as “the Old Man’s dream of war” by Siegfried Sassoon and ” The Soldier” by Rupert Brooke, both of which depict the horrors of war.
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