Smruti's Blog

Tennyson and Browning: Literary Luminaries of the Victorian Era This blog is part of thinking acitivity assigned by Prakruti Bhatt Ma'am. Introduction The Victorian Era (1837–1901), characterized by the reign of Queen Victoria, was a period of profound change in Britain. It saw the rapid expansion of the British Empire, the advent of industrialization, and the rise of scientific advancements, which reshaped societal norms and values. Amid these changes, literature emerged as a vital medium for addressing the age’s complexities, offering reflections on its moral dilemmas, philosophical debates, and human experiences. Alfred Lord Tennyson and Robert Browning were two of the most significant poets of this era, each capturing different facets of Victorian life. Tennyson, as the Poet Laureate, became the voice of the age, addressing national identity, moral questions, and personal grief with eloquence and universality. His work mirrors the Victorian struggle with faith, progress, and th...

Richardson's Epistolary Novel: Pamela or Virtue Rewarded This blog is assigned by Prakruti Bhatt ma'am as a part of thinking activity. Introduction The 18th-century literary landscape saw the rise of the novel as a dominant genre, with Samuel Richardson's Pamela: Or, Virtue Rewarded (1740) standing as one of its earliest and most influential examples. This novel combines moral instruction with innovative narrative techniques, particularly its use of the epistolary format, to explore themes of virtue, power dynamics, and social mobility. At its core, Pamela exemplifies literary realism, portraying the life of a young servant girl navigating the challenges of class disparity and predatory advances from her employer. The narrative’s focus on the minutiae of daily life, the psychological struggles of its characters, and the moral dilemmas they face reflect a commitment to depicting life with authenticity. The novel’s innovative use of letters as a narrative medium enhances its ...

Exploring The Neo-Classical Era This blog is assigned by Prakruti Bhatt ma'am as a part of thinking Activity. 1) Write about the rise of the novel form and its development in the Neo-Classical Age. The Rise of the Novel Form in the Neo-Classical Age The Neo-Classical Age, spanning the late 17th and 18th centuries, marked the rise of the novel  as a significant literary form. This period, also known as the Age of Reason or the  Enlightenment, was characterized by an emphasis on rationality, order, and moral instruction. As  a response to the changing social, political, and cultural dynamics, the novel emerged as a  reflection of individual experiences, societal norms, and moral dilemmas. 1. Historical Context The novel’s emergence was facilitated by several historical and cultural developments during t he Neo-Classical Age: - Rise of the Middle Class: The burgeoning middle class demanded literature that was relatable  and reflective of their own lives. Unlike the...

The Representation of Women, Agency, and Aphra Behn’s Legacy in The Rover This blog is part of thinking activity assigned by Megha Trivedi Ma'am. Introduction Aphra Behn (1640–1689) occupies a monumental position in the history of English literature. As one of the first women to earn a living through writing, Behn broke societal norms and created a path for future women to enter the literary world. Her work, particularly The Rover (1677), remains a masterful critique of Restoration England’s gender inequalities, societal hypocrisies, and the complex roles women were forced to navigate. In The Rover , Behn presents strong, multidimensional female characters whose struggles and triumphs reflect her own experiences and beliefs as a trailblazing writer. This essay addresses three key questions related to The Rover : the critique by Angellica Bianca equating marital financial negotiations with prostitution, Virginia Woolf’s tribute to Behn’s legacy as a feminist pioneer, and the fe...

Transitional Literature: Bridging Two Eras of Sensibility in the Later 18th Century This blog is assigned as thinking activity by Prakruti Bhatt Ma'am. Introduction: Understanding the Concept of “Transitional” in Literature The late 18th century is one of the most fascinating periods in English literary history, defined by its transitional nature. This era, roughly spanning the mid-1700s to the early 1800s, acts as a bridge between the Age of Enlightenment and the Romantic era. The concept of “transitional” in literature signifies a period where the rigidity of Neoclassicism—marked by its emphasis on reason, order, and universal truth—gives way to Romanticism, which prioritizes emotion, individuality, and the sublime. Writers during this phase were responding to a rapidly changing world. The Industrial Revolution was transforming society, bringing about urbanization and changing the relationship between people and nature. At the same time, philosophical ideas, like those of Roussea...