Publisher's Synopsis
A History of English Literature by Robert Huntington Fletcher is a comprehensive and detailed overview of the development of English literature from its earliest beginnings to the early 20th century. The book is divided into chapters that cover different periods of English literary history, from the Anglo-Saxon period to the Victorian era, and includes discussions of major literary figures and movements.The book begins with an introduction that provides an overview of the history of the English language and its relationship to literature. The first chapter covers the Anglo-Saxon period, including the works of Beowulf and the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles. Subsequent chapters cover the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Elizabethan and Jacobean periods, the Restoration and 18th century, the Romantic period, and the Victorian era.Throughout the book, Fletcher provides detailed analyses of major literary works and their historical and cultural contexts. He also discusses the major literary movements of each period, such as the metaphysical poets, the Romantic poets, and the Victorian novelists.In addition to its comprehensive coverage of English literary history, A History of English Literature also includes a detailed bibliography and index, making it a valuable resource for students and scholars of English literature. Overall, it is a must-read for anyone interested in the development of English literature and its place in the broader context of literary history.Jonathan Swift, another unique figure of very mixed traits, is like Defoe in that he connects the reign of William III with that of his successors and that, in accordance with the spirit of his age, he wrote for the most part not for literary but for practical purposes; in many other respects the two are widely different. Swift is one of the best representatives in English literature of sheer intellectual power, but his character, his aims, his environment, and the circumstances of his life denied to him also literary achievement of the greatest permanent significance.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
