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Literature of the Neo- Classical Period

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  Home Assignment  Question1 : What are the main themes of Alexander Pope’s The Rape of the Lock? Answer : Introduction Alexander Pope’s The Rape of the Lock is one of the finest examples of satire in English literature. Written in a mock-epic style, it elevates a petty quarrel — the cutting of a lock of hair — into the grandeur of an epic poem. Through this playful exaggeration, Pope both entertains and critiques the values of 18th-century aristocratic society. The poem’s deeper meaning is revealed through four central themes. About the Author Alexander Pope (1688–1744) was the most important poet of the Augustan Age. Despite suffering from severe ill health and belonging to a marginalized Catholic family, he rose to fame through his sharp wit, mastery of the heroic couplet, and keen sense of satire. He could not attend university or hold public office, but he dedicated himself entirely to literature, becoming the voice of his age. His major works include An Essay on Criticis...

Literature of Elizabethan and Restoration period

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  Home Assignment  Question 1: Discuss the major themes in John Dryden’s poem Absalom and Achitophel. Answer : Introduction John Dryden’s Absalom and Achitophel is one of the greatest political satires in English literature. On the surface, it retells the biblical story of King David and his rebellious son Absalom, but in reality, it is a cleverly disguised allegory of English politics during the 1670s and 1680s. Through biblical characters, Dryden reflects on the Popish Plot, the Exclusion Crisis, and the struggle between the monarchy and its challengers. The poem is rich in themes such as politics, allegory, satire, divine right of kings, religion, power, and ambition—all of which reveal Dryden’s support for King Charles II and his belief in monarchy as a God-given institution. About the Author John Dryden (1631–1700) was the most prominent literary figure of the Restoration period. He was not only a poet but also a dramatist, translator, and one of the first great English c...

History of English Literature

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  Home Assignment  Question 1  What were the key features of Humanism during the Renaissance? Amswer : Introduction : The Renaissance, often described as the Age of Revival of Learning, flourished between the 14th and 17th centuries. It marked a break from the medieval worldview dominated by the Church and a return to the classical ideals of Greece and Rome. At the very heart of this cultural rebirth was Humanism. Humanism was not merely a philosophy of education but a new way of looking at the world. It shifted focus from divine authority to human ability, from the next world to this world, and from collective submission to individual achievement. The movement spread across Europe—beginning in Italy and later influencing countries like France, England, Spain, and Germany—and it transformed literature, philosophy, education, science, and the arts. Features of Humanism: 1. Rediscovery of Classical Texts: Humanism was built on the revival of ancient Greek and Roman works. S...

Literature Of Victorians

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  Home Assignment  Q1. Write the themes of the novel Hard Times by Charles Dickens. Answer : Introduction Charles Dickens’s Hard Times: For These Times (1854) is a sharp criticism of Victorian society. Unlike his longer novels filled with humor and subplots, Hard Times is short and direct, focusing on education, industry, class, and morality. Set in the grim industrial town of Coketown, it exposes the harshness of a system that values money, machinery, and statistics above human happiness. Dickens uses the struggles of the Gradgrind family, the sufferings of workers like Stephen Blackpool, and the kindness of characters like Sissy Jupe to present universal truths about life, society, and morality. About the Author Charles John Huffam Dickens (1812–1870) was one of the greatest novelists of the Victorian Age. Born in Portsmouth, England, Dickens endured hardship when his father was imprisoned for debt, forcing him to work in a shoe-blacking factory as a child. These experiences...

Literature of Romantic's

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  Home Assignment  Question 1 Q: Discuss the major themes of Pride and Prejudice. Answer : Introduction Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is a timeless novel that continues to be celebrated for its sharp wit, engaging characters, and deep social critique. First published in 1813, it explores the nature of love, marriage, reputation, class, and family relationships in Regency England. The story revolves around Elizabeth Bennet, a spirited young woman, and her evolving relationship with the proud yet honorable Mr. Darcy. Through the ups and downs of their courtship, Austen examines the ways in which prejudice, pride, and social expectations can create barriers to personal happiness. The novel’s themes are universal, making it relevant even in modern society where social pressures still influence personal choices. About the Author Jane Austen (1775–1817) was an English novelist whose works are considered classics of English literature. She was born in Steventon, Hampshire, into a...