Notes, abstracts, papers, exams and problems of Primary education

The Age of Johnson

1744-1785, often referred to as The Age of Sensibility.

Samuel Johnson (1709-1784), poet, critic, and author of fiction, is the namesake for this period in literature. Johnson wielded considerable influence over this era with works that focused on neoclassical aesthetics (the study of natural and artistic beauty with an eye toward the great classical writers). Johnson and his fellow writers placed great emphasis on the values of the Enlightenment which stressed the importance of using knowledge, not faith and superstition, to enlighten others, and led to the expansion of many social, economic, and cultural areas including astronomy, politics, and medicine. Writers of the Age of Johnson focused on the qualities of intellect,... Continue reading "The Age of Johnson: Literature, Enlightenment, and Legacy" »

The Age of Realism and Precision

The main characteristics of the Restoration period—Realism and Precision—were carried to further perfection. They are found in their excellent form in the poetry of Pope, and in the prose of Addison, who developed it into a clear, precise, and elegant form of expression. The Whigs and the Tories—members of two important political parties which were constantly contending to control the government of the country—used and rewarded writers for satirizing their enemies and undermining their reputations. A satire is concerned mainly with finding fault with opponents and is destructive in its intention.

Development of the Novel

Several conditions and factors contributed to the development of the novel:

• Growing

The Rise of Prose in 18th Century English Literature

Coffeehouse Culture and the Socialization of Literature

In London, the coffeehouse replaced the Court as the meeting place for intellectuals and cultural figures. The emergence of journalism contributed to the socialization of poetry, making it more accessible and familiar to the public.

The Expanding World of the British People

A growing sense of possibility transformed the daily lives of the British people. New ways of thinking about their relationship with nature emerged. London became the center of business, pleasure, and a burgeoning consumer society. With increasing prosperity, London transformed into a city where everything was for sale, and spectacles and shows attracted larger and larger... Continue reading "18th Century English Literature: Rise of Prose & Coffeehouse Culture" »

The Augustan Age in English Literature

As the term Classical Age is too dignified for writers of the eighteenth century in England, who imitated only the outward trappings of the ancient classical writers and could not capture their inner spirit, this age is preferably called the Augustan Age. This term was chosen by the writers of the eighteenth century, who saw in Pope, Addison, Swift, Johnson, and Burke the modern parallels to Horace, Virgil, Cicero, and other brilliant writers who made Roman literature famous during the reign of Emperor Augustus.

The Age of Reason and Enlightenment

The eighteenth century is also called the Age of Reason or the Age of Good Sense because people thought they could stand on their own two feet and be guided in... Continue reading "The Augustan Age in English Literature: Reason, Enlightenment, and Neoclassicism" »

Mercantilism (Dominant from The 16th to the 18th Century) - It's not efficient…Made a small group of people wealthy Emphasis on developing national power, building exports, getting bullion. Favored A large trade surplus, subsidizing big business, low wages.

Adam Smith - Is the "Father of Economics". Was a professor of Moral Philosophy in the Department of Logic. Made The Wealth of Nations in 1776. Describes the Building blocks of national economic wealth. Divisions of labor allows people To specialize Productivity rises up due to improvements in dexterity, ↓ use of Time, and lead to Interconnect Economy. Trade = another building block; leads People to act in their own self-interest. Argued FREE trade benefits all parties. NOT zero-sum "I... Continue reading "Economic Theories and Concepts: Mercantilism, Adam Smith, and More" »

Mandela was born in... mandela's first teacher told him that his new first name would be nelson. His father had died and then, he was adopted by a tribal chief. Melaqnini explained him that their young boys were slaved in their own countri. He also said that white men controled their land. He dreamt os the day they ould had power.

Contrasts Between American and European Cultures in Daisy Miller

Innocence vs. Knowledge/Experience

Innocence vs. knowledge or experience
Utility vs. form and ceremony
Spontaneity vs. ritual
Action vs. inaction
Nature vs. art
Natural vs. artificial
Honesty vs. evil

Daisy Miller: A Representation of American Innocence

In Daisy Miller, Henry James focuses on the differences in behavior between Americans and Europeans. Daisy Miller embodies the American, while Mrs. Costello, Mrs. Walker, and Winterbourne represent the European perspective. Ironically, these "Europeans" are American-born but have adopted European views.

Sophistication and Prejudice: A Two-Fold Meaning

Europeans in James's novels are often portrayed as more sophisticated and art-conscious,... Continue reading "American vs. European: Innocence and Experience in Henry James's Daisy Miller" »

Henry James (1843-1916)

A Cosmopolitan Life

Born in New York in 1843, Henry James was a true cosmopolite, moving seamlessly between drawing rooms in Europe, England, and America. While he may have felt more at home in Europe, his American roots profoundly influenced his writing. His works often explore the complex relationship between American and European cultures, highlighting the confrontations and contrasts between these two worlds.

Early Influences and Literary Beginnings

In his youth, James's family embarked on a European journey, immersing themselves in the intellectual and cultural landscapes of Switzerland, France, and Germany. Upon returning to America, they settled in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a hub of intellectual thought. James's... Continue reading "Henry James: Exploring American Identity and European Influence" »

Henry David Thoreau's *Walden*: A Transcendentalist Experiment

Thoreau's Experiment in Simple Living

Finally, although Thoreau's life at Walden Pond between 1845 and 1847 constituted a community of only one, his stay there was just as much an experiment in living and an attempt at applied idealism as were Brook Farm and Fruitlands.

The Transcendentalists believed in the importance of a direct relationship with God and with nature.

*Walden*: A Journey of Spiritual Discovery

Thoreau, who was born and lived almost his entire life in Concord, went to live at Walden Pond in 1845 to experience nature directly and intensely and to test his Transcendental outlook in the concrete physical world. The full title of the work is *Walden; or, Life in the Woods*... Continue reading "Henry David Thoreau's Walden: A Transcendentalist Experiment in Simple Living" »

Transcendentalism: An Overview

Transcendentalism emerged as a significant religious, philosophical, and literary movement in New England during the 1830s, reaching its peak in the 1840s and 1850s. Although key figures like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Amos Bronson Alcott lived well into the 1880s, the movement's initial energy declined around 1860.

Transcendentalism encompassed complex and often mystical ideas that defied easy categorization. Even within the movement, there were significant differences in focus and interpretation among its adherents.

Defining Transcendentalism

Henry David Thoreau, a prominent Transcendentalist, highlighted the difficulty of defining the movement in his journal entry on March 5, 1853. He noted that Transcendentalism... Continue reading "Understanding Transcendentalism: History, Beliefs, and Key Figures" »