ENGLISH LITERATURE - Its History and Its Significance for the Life of the English-Speaking World - A Text-Book for Schools

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Aurelia

“English Literature” presents a comprehensive history of English literature from Anglo-Saxon times through the end of the Victorian era. The preface outlines aims to cultivate students’ desire to read great books, interpret literature both personally and historically, and show how English writing develops across successive periods. The book organizes features such as summaries of events and social conditions, studies of literary epochs, accessible biographies of key writers, analysis of major works and college-entry selections, and student/teacher helps with questions and chronologies.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages648

Reading Time16 h 38 min

AccessFree to download

Preface

Aims of the book

Key features for students and teachers

Physic orgoffe1t c www.forgottenbooks.comon emy Copyright ◎ 2016 FB &c Ltd. All rights reserved.No part of this publication may be reproduced,distributed,or transmitted in any form or by any means,including photocopying,recording,or other electronic or mechanical methods,without the prior written permissionof the publisher,except in the case of brief quotations embodied in criticalreviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. # ENGLISH LITERATURE ITS HISTORY AND ITS SIGNIFICANCEFOR THE LIFE OF THE ENGLISH一SPEAKING WORLD A TEXT-BOOK FOR SCHOOLS BYWILLIAM J.LONG” GINN AND COMPANY BOSTON · NEW YORK · CHICAGO · LONDONATLANTA . DALLAS · COLUMBUS · SAN FRANCISCo COPYRIGHT,1909,1919,BY WILLIAM j.LONGENTERED AT STATIONERS'HALLALL RIGHTS RESERVEDPRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A833·5 # TOMY FRIENDC·H·TIN GRATITUDE FORHIS CONTINUED HELP IN THEPREPARATION OFTHIS BOOK ## PREFACE This book,which presents the whole splendid history ofEnglish literature from Anglo-Saxon times to the close of theVictorian Era,has three specific aims.The first is to create orto encourage in every student the desire to read the best books,and to know literature itself rather than what has been writtenabout literature.The second is to interpret literature both per-sonally and historically,that is,to show how a great book gen-erally refects not only the author's life and thought but also thespirit of the age and the ideals of the nation's history.Thethird aim is to show,by a study of each successive period,howour literature has steadily developed from its first simple songsand stories to its present complexity in prose and poetry. To carry out these aims we have introduced the followingfeatures: (I)A brief,accurate summary of historical events and socialconditions in each period,and a consideration of the idealswhich stirred the whole nation,as in the days of Elizabeth,before they found expression in literature. (2)A study of the various literary epochs in turn,showingwhat each gained from the epoch preceding,and how each aidedin the development of a national literature. (3)A readable biography of every important writer,showinghow he lived and worked,how he met success or failure,howhe influenced his age,and how his age influenced him. (4)A study and analysis of every author's best works,and ofmany of the books required for college-entrance examinations. (5)Selections enough—especially from earlier writers,andfrom writers not likely to be found in the home or school library M78419 ENGLISH LITERATURE —to indicate the spirit of each author's work;and directionsas to the best works to read,and where such works may befound in inexpensive editions. (6)A frank,untechnical discussion of each great writer'swork as a whole,and a critical estimate of his relative placeand influence in our literature.. (7)A series of helps to students and teachers at the end ofeach chapter,including summaries,selections for reading,bibliog-raphies,a list of suggestive questions,and a chronological table ofimportant events in the history and literature of each period. (8)Throughout this book we have remembered RogerAscham's suggestion,made over three centuries ago and stillpertinent,that"'t is a poor way to make a child love study bybeginning with the things which he naturally dislikes."Wehave laid emphasis upon the delights of literature;we havetreated books not as mere instruments of research—which isthe danger in most of our studies—but rather as instrumentsof enjoyment and of inspiration;and by making our study asattractive as possible we have sought to encourage the studentto read widely for himself,to choose the best books,and toform his own judgment about what our first Anglo-Saxonwriters called"the things worthy to be remembered." To those who may use this book in their homes or in theirclass rooms,the writer ventures to offer one or two friendly sug-gestions out of his own experience as

FAQs

What are the book’s three specific aims?

The aims are to encourage students to read the best books and care about literature itself; to interpret literature both personally and historically; and to show how literature steadily develops across periods into its later complexity.

What features does the book include to support learning?

It provides summaries of historical events and social conditions, studies of literary epochs, readable biographies of major writers, analysis of key works and college-examination readings, and a critical discussion of each writer’s relative place and influence.

How does the book suggest teaching and reading literature?

It emphasizes delight and inspiration over treating books only as research instruments, encourages wide reading and personal judgment, and recommends teaching in a way that lets students discover meaning without excessive notes and critical directions.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Aurelia