In literature written today, the criteria for inclusion in the traditional English cannon includes the most well-known pieces of laic English literature that serve to ground the culture as a whole in both representation, and attraction. ... As the criteria for certain cannons tend to be based on popularity, this sidelines other works simply because they're not as popular. ... Rather, it means to take into consideration the bias that can occur when limiting the study of a work based on popular tastes. ... Most dystopian fictions have a kind of resolution. ...

• Word Count: 638
• Approx Pages: 3
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

These times were most important to Whitman's way of thinking, and had much influence on his both democratic and urban poetry. ... Most of his significant educational experiences were self-taught from trips to museums, libraries, and lecture halls. ... No longer did Walt visit the countryside while he was on his own, so the urban setting contributed greatly to most of his early journalism, prose, and even some poetry. ... In 1855, twelve of his works were published in a collection entitled "Leaves of Grass", which stands today as one of America's most popular literary works. ... Cr...

• Word Count: 1470
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

When someone is admired and praised as a great figure, there is a natural desire to know more about this individual. For this reason there is a question over the true authorship of Shakespeare's plays and sonnets. There is ample reason to support either side; some believe that William Shakespeare, b...

• Word Count: 486
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

His interest was sparked because of his dissatisfaction with the popular theory of spontaneous generation. ... While observation is important to the poet and to the scientist, "hands on" experiences allow both to convey to their students the most meaningful and coherent interpretation of gathered information. ...

• Word Count: 547
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

"Beowulf" perhaps our most widely translated window into our Anglo- Saxon past, has become somewhat clouded over the years. ... Most likely the original tale was far more pagan in origin than is conveyed today. The Mid-English period was a time of conversion and heretical eradication, the Christian feel most likely was gained during translation, in hopes that this historical document would survive at least in part. ... It is best to come to personal conclusions regarding "Beowulf" and its translation, simply put a version is only as good as its author and his knowledge, a literary critic m...

• Word Count: 740
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

From 1917 to 1920 Eliot also edited a small unprofitable magazine Egoist and later another quarterly edition, Criterion, which was the most distinguished international critical journal of the period and where one of his most significant poems, The Waste Land, was first published in 1922. ... His most famous and popular work of that kind is Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats (1939), which was later assumed as a source of the modern musical Cats by Andrew Lloyd Webber (the musical was first staged in London in 1981 and was on for 21 years, enjoying great éclat, until it was taken ...

• Word Count: 1915
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Most writers began to imitate the French writers, throwing away the patriotism, love of adventure creative vigor and moral discipline aspects defined by the old Elizabethan and puritan spirit. ... One of Swifts most popular works is the 'A modest proposal' at a time when Ireland was in a state of distress owing to exploitation by the British Empire. ...

• Word Count: 1100
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Although poems can make us think, above all, they make us feel; "Fern Hill" is, I believe, one of the most sensory poems written inasmuch as, after a reading (slow please, very slow - try to hear a talking voice!)... Note the expressions which are a play upon clichés:- "happy as the grass was green" for the more popular "happy as the day is long" and "once below a time" in contrast to "once upon a time". ...

• Word Count: 994
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Lines 4-5 of stanza 1 become the most vital part of the stanza, as this is where the allusions are mentioned. ... Angelou strengthens her claim in the proceeding stanzas through the use of visual imagery, integrating an example that contradicts popular belief and establishing that wealth isn't as appealing as it seems. ... Like Lindsey Lohan is always getting in trouble for the most obscure crimes or Kanye West frowning in every single picture Kim Kardashian takes of him; someone rich might not actually be able to live his life contently without a society around to support him. ... And I ...

• Word Count: 1766
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The poems protagonist the Mower prefers nature in its purest state as opposed to the idea of the cultured gardens that were popular at the time. ... "The artificiality of pastoral poetry is most explicit in the courtly language and dress of the, "shepherds," (Schwartz, 1996). ...

• Word Count: 1808
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

I will take a look at the poetic theories propagated by these four authors, as to provide a general overview of what the most important issues concerning poetry were at the time. ... Hallam is primarily known for being the subject of one of Tennyson's most important works – "In Memoriam"..According to Hallam, the poets of sensation – such as Shelley and Keats, but also Tennyson – compose what may tentatively be called 'true poetry': poetry of which the "predominant motive [is] the desire of beauty" (Hallam 184). ... Being one of Tennyson&#x...

• Word Count: 2449
• Approx Pages: 10
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate