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    Introduction To English-American Literature

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    Anjielyn P. Ramos

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Introduction To English-American Literature

    Uploaded by

    Anjielyn P. Ramos
    18 views2 pages

    Original Title

    English-American Literature

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    © © All Rights Reserved

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    18 views2 pages

    Introduction To English-American Literature

    Uploaded by

    Anjielyn P. Ramos

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
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    Introduction to English-American Literature

    Describe the characteristics and common genres of English-American Literature in


    relation to English and American geography, history, language, society, and culture.

    ANSWER:

    As English literature and American literature plays an important role where the
    term literature is concerned, identifying the difference between English literature and
    American literature is essential for literature students. As you may already know,
    literature encompasses a wide variety of written works, especially those with eternal
    artistic value and it is not confined to a particular geographical area, yet it is rather
    spread in almost every country.

    What is the difference between English Literature and American Literature?

    • Literary works written and published in Great Britain and British colonies are referred
    by the term English literature while American literature refers to literary works written
    and published in America.

    • English literature is written in British English while American literature is written in


    American English.

    • English literature mainly reflects the English culture, English mannerisms while
    American literature mirrors American culture, its history, and revolutionary concepts
    such as relationships with the church, the state, supernatural elements that emerged in
    the country. E.g. Massachusetts battle.

    • English literature is older than the American English.

    • American literature is often known as a much more realistic in portraying characters


    while English literature is known for its wit and portrayal of theme in plots and
    characterization.
    Judging by the above distinct and subtle differences, it is comprehensible that
    English literature and American literature are two different notions although American
    literature was once part of the English literature.

    English literature refers to the collection of written literary work in the Great
    Britain and its colonies since the 7th century to the present day. As may be apparent, it
    has a great and much-loved history where it is chronologically categorized into several
    eras: Old English literature (c.658-1100), Middle English literature (1100–1500), English
    Renaissance (1500–1660), Neo-Classical Period (1660–1798), 19th-century literature,
    English literature since 1901 which includes modern, post-modern, and 20th century
    literature. Among the many writers from different parts of the English speaking world,
    those who have immensely contributed to the development of English literature are,
    William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, Virginia Woolf, William
    Wordsworth, W.B. Keats, Robert Frost. As literature is the presentation of writers’
    expressions towards life in their socio-economic background, any type of literature
    depicts a certain culture. English literature, by its all forms, genres, and stylistics,
    reflects the culture of the British. The most known features of English literature include
    its wit, depiction of manners, disparity between classes, themes being stressed on plots
    and characterization.

    Comparatively, American literature is a notion that emerged in the recent past. It


    is the production of literary work written in the context of America portraying American
    culture and themes. America, originally being a British colony, was part of English
    literature until the country won independence and every aspect of the country:
    economy, education, literature, arts, culture, and social aspects changed and new
    brands brooded. The origin of the American literature dates back to the early 17th
    century. American literature was largely shaped by the history of the country and
    revolutionary ideas emerged during civil and revolutionary wars.

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