An Insight into British and American Literature / Nguyễn Quang Nhật, Nguyễn Hoàn Vũ, Phan Lê Vĩnh Thông

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BANKING UNIVERSITY HO CHI MINH CITY

FACULTY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES

AN INSIGHT INTO BRITISH

AND AMERICAN LITERATURE

Nguyễn Quang Nhật

Nguyễn Hoàn Vũ

Phan Lê Vĩnh Thông

HO CHI MINH CITY, 09/2020

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This book consists of 14 chapters and is designed to meet the needs of students at Faculty of Foreign

Languages, Banking University HCMC. Its essence includes critical reading, analysing, evaluating,

and discussion of selected literary works of British and American culture. These works (or chapters

of these works) are also chosen by the author of the syllabus of British and American literature at

Faculty of Foreign Languages, Banking University HCMC. Readers first get exposure to fundamental

literary issues. Then, these famous works are examined from multiple viewpoints, not only for themes,

narratives, and styles, but also through application of critical theories. Through intensive, close

reading, students will understand diverse experiences, languages, forms, and genres. It is also a

discussion-centered coursebook mandating that students have a high level of personal investment. The

objectives are for students to gain an awareness of themselves, other cultures and other individuals;

to gain an ability to think critically and to express ideas orally and in writing; to gain aesthetic

sensitivity; to further develop their intellectual curiosity, and could be challenged by the remarkable

range of knowledge available through literature.

The material presented here borrows from William J. Long's “English Literature” and Kathryn V.

Spanckeren’s “American Literature”. It is meant to serve pedagogical purposes with careful citation

and acknowledgements.

Good luck and best wishes!

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Table of Contents

PART 1 FUNDAMENTALS OF LITERATURE...........................................................................5

CHAPTER 1: AN OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE .....................................................................6

I. Definition of “Literature” ............................................................................................................6

II. Elements of literature ..................................................................................................................7

III. Common literary devices/ Figurative languages.......................................................................14

IV. Practice ......................................................................................................................................20

CHAPTER 2: FORMS OF WRITTEN LITERATURE..............................................................26

I. Poems .......................................................................................................................................26

II. Dramas and films.......................................................................................................................37

III. Prose .......................................................................................................................................41

IV. How to analyse a film, drama, or a prose ..................................................................................44

V. Practice ......................................................................................................................................46

CHAPTER 3: LITERATURE ANALYSIS...................................................................................47

I. Definition of literary analysis....................................................................................................47

II. Typical structure........................................................................................................................47

III. Criteria and requirements..........................................................................................................48

IV. Essay development ....................................................................................................................50

V. Practice ......................................................................................................................................53

PART 2 BRITISH LITERATURE.................................................................................................54

CHAPTER 4: AN OVERVIEW OF BRITISH LITERATURE..................................................55

I. The history of English language................................................................................................55

II. Historical periods of British literature.......................................................................................56

III. Practice ......................................................................................................................................64

CHAPTER 5: HAMLET – WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE...........................................................66

I. Contextual background..............................................................................................................66

II. William Shakespeare .................................................................................................................67

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III. Shakespearean tragedies............................................................................................................68

IV. Analysis of Hamlet....................................................................................................................69

V. Hamlet’s soliloquy.....................................................................................................................75

VI. Meaning of the soliloquy...........................................................................................................75

VII. Practice ......................................................................................................................................77

CHAPTER 6: DAFFODILS - WILLIAM WORDSWORTH .....................................................81

I. Contextual background..............................................................................................................81

II. William Worthword...................................................................................................................82

III. The poem “Daffodils” or “I wandered lonely as a cloud”.........................................................82

IV. Meaning of the poem.................................................................................................................83

V. Analysis.....................................................................................................................................83

VI. Practice ......................................................................................................................................88

CHAPTER 7: WUTHERING HEIGHTS - EMILY BRONTE...................................................92

I. Contextual background..............................................................................................................92

II. Emily Bronte and Wuthering Heights.......................................................................................93

III. Summary of Wuthering Heights................................................................................................95

IV. Summary of Chapter 15.............................................................................................................97

V. Analysis of chapter 15...............................................................................................................97

VI. Practice ....................................................................................................................................102

CHAPTER 8: MR. KNOW-ALL - WILLIAM SOMERSET MAUGHAM ............................105

I. Contextual background............................................................................................................105

II. William Somerset Maugham...................................................................................................106

III. Summary..................................................................................................................................107

IV. Analysis...................................................................................................................................108

V. Practice ....................................................................................................................................112

CHAPTER 9: ARABY – JAMES JOYCE ..................................................................................116

I. Contextual background............................................................................................................116

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II. James Joyce .............................................................................................................................117

III. Summary of Araby ..................................................................................................................117

IV. Analysis...................................................................................................................................118

V. Practice ....................................................................................................................................123

PART 3 AMERICAN LITERATURE.........................................................................................127

CHAPTER 10: AN OVERVIEW OF AMERICAN LITERATURE........................................128

CHAPTER 11: RIP VAN WINKLE - WASHINGTON IRVING ............................................137

I. Contextual background............................................................................................................137

II. Washington Irving...................................................................................................................137

III. Summary..................................................................................................................................138

IV. Analysis...................................................................................................................................140

V. Practice ....................................................................................................................................147

CHAPTER 12: I HEARD A FLY BUZZ WHEN I DIE – EMILY DICKINSON...................151

I. Contextual background............................................................................................................151

II. Emily Dickinson......................................................................................................................151

III. The poem “I heard a fly buzz when I die”...............................................................................152

IV. Summary..................................................................................................................................153

V. Analysis...................................................................................................................................154

VI. Practice ....................................................................................................................................157

CHAPTER 13: ROMAN FEVER – EDITH WHARTON.........................................................160

I. Contextual background............................................................................................................160

II. Edith Wharton .........................................................................................................................162

III. Summary..................................................................................................................................163

IV. Analysis...................................................................................................................................165

V. Practice ....................................................................................................................................173

CHAPTER 14: FLIGHT – JOHN STEINBECK........................................................................177

I. Contextual background............................................................................................................177

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II. John Steinbeck.........................................................................................................................177

III. Summary..................................................................................................................................178

IV. Analysis...................................................................................................................................180

V. Practice ....................................................................................................................................185

REFERENCES...............................................................................................................................188

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PART 1

FUNDAMENTALS OF

LITERATURE

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CHAPTER 1: AN OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE

I. Definition of “Literature”

Broadly speaking, "literature" describes anything from creative writing to technical or scientific

works, but the term commonly refers to works of creative imagination, aesthetic, and/or humanistic

purposes such as poetry, drama, fiction, and nonfiction (Terry Eagleton, 1996). It may also contain

political messages or beliefs.

Task 1: Match the benefits of literature with each description.

2. Literarure helps us to expand our minds

with each exposure to those who differ from

us. We may still reject their unique beliefs and

assumptions, but we're one step closer to

understanding them.

1. History, anthropology and religious

studies provide a method of learning about

the cultures and beliefs of others from the

outside. Literature, on the other hand, allows

us to experience the cultures and beliefs of

others first-hand from the inside looking out.

3. When we explicate literature, we build a

solid case in support of our opinions, and we

build self-confidence in our own

interpretations of language.

4. Literature hones our language skills and

teaches us valuable techniques for

communication. Thus, literature becomes an

important tool to sharpen our linguistic skills.

5. World literature contains most available

knowledge about humanity and interactions

with the world at large. Some most

important lessons are subtly expressed in

literature. Great literature has hidden

meanings that we have to dig and analyze to

find the gold.

6. Literature teaches us better courses of

action and more effective responses to

situations. It forces readers to challenge their

simplistic ethical conceptions and sometimes

their outright condemnation of others' actions.

Ethical exploration is a mature endeavor; it is

not for the thin-skinned.

A. To exercise our brains from the insights of others

B. To explore other cultures and beliefs

C. To appreciate individuals at a deeper level

D. To further our mastery of language

E. To explore ethical complexities and learn better ways to behave

F. To learn how to support our points of view and trust our own interpretations

G. To know we aren't alone

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II. Elements of literature

a) Theme

Theme is the main idea or message about humans, society or life in a literary work. In literature

analysis, it should be stated in the form of a message (a full statement).

Task 2: Decide which option is a better description of the theme in each situation.

A B

1. Mr. Know-all by William Somerset Maugham

The story of Mr. Know-all holds a belief

that humans tend to judge other people by

stereotypes and races rather than examining the

true character of people as individuals.

The story of Mr. Know-all is about the

theme of cultural and racial prejudice. This

prejudice exist among human beings and should

be avoided.

2. Hamlet – Shakespeare

Hamlet is a revenge tragedy involving

Hamlet and his responsibility to avenge the

murder of his father.

One theme of Hamlet is the seamy human

world where deception is imevitable, and there

is explicit connections between the moral

legitimacy of a ruler and the health of the nation.

3. The Tale of Kieu by Nguyen Du

The main message of the story is moral

issues when the main character managed to save

her family and the innocence of her soul

regardless the circumstances she faced.

The main message of the story is a respect

towards women and desire for women’s freedom

from all the norms of a male-dominated society,

which reinforces an oppression as a result of

Confucian tradition and the patriarchal society.

4. Daffodils by William Wordsworth

The main theme of the poem “Daffodils”

is about the beauty of nature. The author is

shown to be lonely, but when he thinks back to

the Daffodils, he is happy and content.

The poem enchanted the beauty of nature

which could empower people to put human

problems into perspective and transform their

sadness into joy for more motivation to survive.

5. Araby – James Joice

The central theme of the story is the

disappointing transformation of humans when

confronting with reality. The boy undergoes

emotional growth, changing from an innocent

boy to an adolescent when he goes to a bazaar.

The central theme of the story is the

maturity change in terms of understanding about

human relationship and the challenging reality.

This is a major step toward adulthood when

people coming of age and dealing with reality.

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Task 3: Write one theme for the following Vietnamese fictions.

1. When the light is out (Tắt Đèn – Ngô Tất Tố)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

2. The A-Phu couple (Vợ chồng A Phủ – Tô Hoài)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

3. Mountains and Rivers of the Southern Country (Nam quốc sơn hà – Lý Thường Kiệt)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

b) Plot

Plot is a sequence of events that occurs to characters from the beginning to the end of a story.

Elements in a plot:

Exposition/Introduction: This is the beginning of the story, where characters and settings are

established to explain or summarize background information.

Rising action: It occurs when a series of events begin to get complicated. It is during this part of a

story that excitement, tension, or crisis is encountered.

Conflict/ Complications

• Internal conflict: It is a struggle which takes place in the protagonist’s mind and through

which the main character reaches a new understanding or dynamic change.

• External conflict: It is a struggle between the protagonist and another character against nature

and some outside force.

Climax: This is the moment of highest interest and emotion, leaving the reader wondering what is

going to happen next.

Falling Action (or the winding up of the story): This part occurs after the climax has been reached

and the conflict has been resolved.

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Resolution: This is the end of a story, which may occur with either a happy or a tragic ending.

Denouement: A French word meaning "unknotting" or "unwinding," denouement refers to the

outcome or result of a complex situation or sequence of events, an aftermath or resolution that usually

occurs near the final stages of the plot.

Open Plot: Open plot is one of those things where the author never gives a definite ending, and is

very vague about what happens. You can use your imagination for what happens to the characters.

Closed Plot: A restricted sequence of events in a play, novel, or film.

Example: Cinderella

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Task 4: Identify the required element in each literary work.

1. Climax - The Tale of Kieu by Nguyen Du

………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

2. Conflict - Romeo and Juliet by W. Shakespeare

………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

3. Falling Action – The last leaf by O.Henry

………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

c) Characterisation

Characterisation refers to the way how an author or poet uses his/her description, dialogue, and

action to create in the readers an emotional or intellectual reaction to a character or to make the

character more vivid and realistic.

Some types of characters are are:

• Protagonist: The main character on whom the author focuses most of the narrative attention.

• Antagonist: The character against whom the protagonist struggles or contends.

• Static Character/Flat Character: A simplified character who does not change his or her

personality over the course of a narrative.

• Dynamic Character: a character whose personality changes or evolves over the course of a

narrative or appears to have the capacity for such change.

• Round character: a well-developed character who demonstrates varied and sometimes

contradictory traits.

• Foil: A character that serves by contrast to highlight opposing traits in another character.

• Confidant: A character in a drama or fiction, such as a trusted friend or servant, who serves as a

device for revealing the inner thoughts or intentions of a main character.

• Antihero: A protagonist who is a non-hero or the antithesis of a traditional hero. While the

traditional hero may be dashing, strong, brave, resourceful, or handsome, the antihero may be

incompetent, unlucky, clumsy, dumb, ugly, or clownish.

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• Stereotype: A character who is so ordinary or unoriginal that the character seems like an

oversimplified representation of a type, gender, class, religious group, or occupation.

• Stock Character: A character type that appears repeatedly in a particular literary genre, one which

has certain conventional attributes or attitudes.

d) Setting

The setting of a literary work encompasses a number of different elements:

• Time: refers to day or night, summer or winter, and the historical period. Period is the common

historical eras that scholars use to divide literature into comprehensible sections. Dividing

literature into these arbitrary periods allows us to better compare and contrast the works in

different ages, to more easily trace chains of influence from one writer to another, and to

appreciate more readily the connection between historical events and intellectual trends.

• Place: implies the location of inside or outside, country or city, specific town and country,

Cultural milieu (urban, rural, multicultural, ethnic, diverse), and real or fictional areas,

• Social situation: implies the social status and situation of not only the main characters but also

the minor characters who take little part in advancing the plot, and even from those whose

presence contributes to the realism of the work.

• Mood and atmosphere: can be eerie, dangerous, menacing, tense, threatening, relaxing, nostalgic,

happy, light-hearted, etc.

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e) Point of view

It is the method of narration/ the voice that determines the position from which the story unfolds.

It governs the reader's access to the story. It includes:

• First-person Narrator: A narrator that indicates the speaker. It means we are seeing events

through the eyes of the character telling the story.

E.g.: “I gazed – and gazed – but little thought

What wealth the show to me had brought.” (Daffodils by William Wordsworth)

• Second-person Narrator: A narrator that indicates the person spoken to.

E.g.: “You are not the kind of guy who would be at a place like this at this time of the morning. But

here you are, and you cannot say that the terrain is entirely unfamiliar, although the details are fuzzy.”

(Bright Lights, Big City by Jay Mclnemey)

• Third-person Narrator: A kind of narrator very commonly found in fictions written as

third‐person narratives.

E.g.: He entered, vociferating oaths dreadful to hear; and caught me in the act of stowing his son

sway in the kitchen cupboard. Hareton was impressed with a wholesome terror of encountering either

his wild beast’s fondness or his madman’s rage … (Rip Van Winkle’s by Washington Irving)

There are three kinds of third-person point of view:

• Third-person objective narrative: The narrator is not one of the characters in a story but he or she

expresses only about all actions done by the characters in the story and not their feelings or thoughts.

• Third-person limited: The narrator is not one of the characters in the story but he or she expresses

about all actions done by characters and she or he has a permission to express feelings and thoughts

of only one character in the story.

• Third - person omniscient narrative: A story is portrayed by a narrator who is not one of the

characters in the story but he or she expresses every action done by the characters in the story as well

as all their feelings and thoughts. He knows everything about all characters.

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f) Diction

Diction refers to the word choice and the language used by the author to reveal the theme and

purpose of the novel. It includes:

Tone: The means of creating a relationship or conveying an attitude or mood. The tone might

be formal or informal, playful, ironic, optimistic, pessimistic, or sensual.

Style: The author's words and the characteristic way that writer uses language to achieve certain

effects. An important part of interpreting and understanding fiction is being attentive to the way the

author uses words.

g) Monologue vs. Dialogue

A monologue is a speech that one character delivers aloud to express his or her inner thoughts.

• Stream of consciousness/Interior Monologue: It is used to describe the narrative method where

novelists describe the unspoken thoughts and feeling of their characters without resorting to

objective description or conventional dialogue.

• Soliloquy: A monologue spoken by an actor at a point in the play when the character believes

himself to be alone.

A dialogue is a conversation between two or more people in novels, prose, some poetries, and

plays. Dialogue is a literary device that can be used for narrative, philosophical, or didactic purposes.