History of English Literature Volume 3 (of 3) by Hippolyte Taine

"History of English Literature Volume 3 (of 3)" by Hippolyte Taine is a scholarly analysis of English literary history written in the late 19th century. This volume particularly focuses on the Classical Age and the beginnings of Modern Life in literature, exploring the evolution of poetic forms, themes, and significant authors of the time, including Alexander Pope and Robert Burns. The book aims to contextualize literary movements within the broader social and historical frameworks, delineating the characteristics that define various literary periods. The opening of the volume introduces the dominance of the Classical spirit in English literature from the Restoration of the Stuarts to the French Revolution, presenting the idea that this stylistic approach, while highly influential, also limited the expression of genuine passion and individuality among writers. Taine emphasizes that poetry of this era became increasingly formulaic, as seen in the works of notable poets such as Pope, whose correct and polished style ultimately led to a lack of emotional depth. It continues to critique Pope's overly refined poetry, arguing that his technical virtuosity often overshadows the authentic emotional experience expected from true poetic expression. This foundational section sets the stage for an in-depth exploration of various poets and literary styles that follow. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

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About this eBook

Author Taine, Hippolyte, 1828-1893
Translator Van Laun, Henri, 1820-1896
Title History of English Literature Volume 3 (of 3)
Credits Produced by Laura Natal Rodrigues at Free Literature (Images
generously made available by The Internet Archive.)
Reading Level Reading ease score: 65.3 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.
Language English
LoC Class PR: Language and Literatures: English literature
Subject English literature -- History and criticism
Category Text
eBook-No. 61510
Release Date
Last Update Oct 17, 2024
Copyright Public domain in the USA.
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