Defining “English Literature”:

• English literature refers to the body of written works produced in the English language by inhabitants of the British Isles from the 7th century to the present.
• It encompasses various genres, including drama, poetry, fiction, autobiography, and historical writing¹.

Why Study Literature?:

• Literature provides insights into culture, history, and human experience.
• It fosters critical thinking, empathy, and creativity.
• Studying literature enriches our understanding of language and storytelling.

Approaching the Great Books:

• English literature includes influential authors such as Chaucer, Donne, Johnson, Wordsworth, Austen, Dickens, and Woolf.
• Literary movements like Romanticism and Modernism have shaped its development².

English Literary Periods:

• These periods represent spans of time with shared intellectual, linguistic, religious, and artistic influences.
• Examples include the Classical Period (1200 BCE-455 CE), the Renaissance, the Romantic Era, and the Victorian Age