Ch 2: CBASE English: Literary Periods & Movements
About This Chapter
CBASE English: Literary Periods & Movements - Chapter Summary
This chapter focuses on literary periods ranging from the medieval era to contemporary literature with thorough analyses of significant authors, poets, and literary styles. The lessons will address the following topics:
- Medieval and Renaissance literature
- Important authors of 17th & 18th century literature
- Romantic poetry and prose
- Victorian literature themes
- Characteristics of naturalism in literature
- Context of literary modernism
- The Lost Generation and the Beat Generation
- Prominent authors of contemporary American literature
You will be led by expert instructors through brief informative video lessons to help prepare you for the CBASE English exam. Pertinent vocabulary terms are highlighted and the instructors are available to answer questions should you need assistance.
CBASE English: Literary Periods & Movements Chapter Objectives
The CBASE exam is meant for college students who aspire to be educators. The English portion consists of questions centered on writing and reading/literature. In addition to testing reading comprehension, this portion of the English exam will test your knowledge of important literature terminology, including genres and significant American and British works. This chapter of this comprehensive study guide aims to hone your grasp of the knowledge that will be tested in the reading/literature portion of the exam through detailing important literature information.
1. Overview of Literary Periods and Movements: A Historical Crash Course
Western literature has many historical periods and stylistic movements from the Medieval period (circa 600-1500) through today. Discover the history, styles, and significant authors of Western literature during the Medieval Period, Renaissance, Enlightenment, Romanticism, Victorianism, Modernism, and Postmodernism.
2. Introduction to Literary Theory: Major Critics and Movements
Literary criticism is less about negative commentary and more of an art form in which one participates in an art that responds to other forms of art. Explore some of the major types of literary theory and movements, including formalism, New Criticism, Deconstructionism, Postmodernism, Feminist Theory, Queer Theory, Marxism, and Post-Colonialism.
3. Introduction to Medieval Literature: Old English, Middle English, and Historical Context
Medieval literature includes a variety of works, such as ~'Beowulf~' and ~'Caedmon's Hymn,~' written by renowned authors like Chaucer, Langland, and Kempe. Explore some of this literature and understand its historical context, as well as how it corresponded with the transition from Old English to Middle English.
4. Introduction to Renaissance Literature: Characterizing Authors and Works
The English Renaissance is often considered by critics to be when Western literature, drama, and poetry came of age. Discover important literary figures of the English Renaissance, including playwrights William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlow, Ben Jonson; poets Edmund Spenser and John Donne; and essayists Philip Sidney (literary criticism) and Francis Bacon (science and conducting experiments).
5. Introduction to 17th- and 18th-Century Literature: Major Authors and Works
The 200 years that spanned the 17th and 18th centuries saw an explosion of major authors, works, and styles in English literature. Discover the authors and major literary movements at end of the Renaissance (known as the Jacobean era); Caroline, Interregnum, and Restoration periods; and Neoclassism (or Augustan era).
6. Introduction to Romantic Poetry: Overview of Authors and Works
Romantic poetry began in the 18th century England and emphasized emotions, nature, and representations of the individual artist. Learn about the themes of Romantic poetry, famous Romantic poets, and some of their most significant works.
7. Introduction to Romantic Prose: Overview of Authors and Works
Romantic prose is the style of writing that was popularised during the Romantic period that took place in the 18th and 19th century in Europe. Discover some significant literary works from this period and how to identify the characteristics of Romantic writing.
8. Introduction to Victorian Literature: Overview of Themes, Style, and Authors
Victorian literature was written in England during the reign of Queen Victoria and is characterized by themes such as the struggle of the working class and the triumph of right over wrong. Explore this literary period, its authors and their style of Victorian prose and poetry, and explore the major events of the Victorian era.
9. Naturalism in Literature: Authors and Characteristics
Naturalism, the literary movement depicting a realistic worldview, where nature is often indifferent or apathetic towards humanity. Explore the major works of naturalism, elements in their writing, and the authors and characteristics of naturalism.
10. Overview of Literary Modernism: Authors, Context, and Style
Literary Modernism was born out of the death, destruction, and horror of World War I. Explore an overview of Modernism, learn why it appeared, meet its most prominent authors, review its context, and discover its style.
11. The Lost Generation: Expatriate Writers of the 20th Century
The Lost Generation refers to a group of young American writers who were disillusioned by World War I and a rapidly changing society in the United States, prompting many to move abroad. Explore the common themes and characteristics of these expatriate writers of the early 20th century.
12. The Beat Generation: Characteristics of Beat Poetry
The Beat Generation was a group of writers that emerged in the 1950s, rejecting literary formalism and the capitalist and materialist aspects of American culture. Learn more about the influences (Romanticism, jazz music), characteristics (drugs, sexuality, controversy, nature), and famous authors (Ginsberg, Kerouac, Snyder, Corso, Ferlinghetti) of the Beat Generation.
13. Contemporary American Literature: Authors and Major Works
To understand contemporary American literature, readers must recognize that generally, the main characters of contemporary works are on a quest for identity. Explore some of the more renowned authors in contemporary American literature, and examine their major works to understand expressionism and elements of style, including juxtaposition.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the CBASE: Practice & Study Guide course
- CBASE English: Critical Reading
- CBASE English: Important Authors in Literature
- CBASE English: Writing Processes
- CBASE English: Writing Grammar & Mechanics
- CBASE English: Essay Writing
- CBASE Math: Basic Concepts & Vocabulary
- CBASE Math: Solving Word Problems
- CBASE Math: Statistics & Probability
- CBASE Math: Basic Algebra
- CBASE Math: Basic Geometry
- CBASE Science: Scientific Research Methods
- CBASE Science: Scientific Methods
- CBASE Science: Basics of Life Science
- CBASE Science: Basics of Physical Science
- CBASE Science: Basics of Earth Science
- CBASE Science: Basics of Astronomy
- CBASE Social Studies: Ancient History
- CBASE Social Studies: World History
- CBASE Social Studies: Major Historical Movements
- CBASE Social Studies: Key Figures in History
- CBASE Social Studies: Early American History
- CBASE Social Studies: Modern American History
- CBASE Social Studies: American Government
- CBASE Social Studies: Geography & Culture
- CBASE Social Studies: Political & Economic Structures
- CBASE Social Studies: Social Science Research
- CBASE Flashcards