Halleck's New English Literature

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

10631

Title

Halleck's New English Literature

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Reuben Post Halleck's comprehensive guide traces English literature from the Anglo-Saxon era to the twentieth century, emphasizing literary movements and the spirit of each age. Designed as a stimulating textbook, it aims to awaken enthusiasm for reading original works through detailed suggested readings, historical context, and extensive illustrations of authors and their settings.

Summary up to 500 words

Reuben Post Halleck's *New English Literature* offers a comprehensive and organic account of English literary history, spanning from the heroic age of *Beowulf* in 449 A.D. to the modern era. Halleck updates traditional histories by incorporating twentieth-century research on the Elizabethan theater and revising critical viewpoints on major figures such as Ruskin, Dickens, and the Pre-Raphaelites. The text prioritizes the essential qualities that differentiate each period, from the Norman Conquest to the Romanticism of Wordsworth and Keats, the Victorian dominance of Dickens and Tennyson, and the diverse voices of the twentieth century. The book functions as a practical guide, encouraging students to move beyond mere summary to engage directly with primary texts. It features extensive 'Suggested Readings' for every chapter, historical introductions, and a rich collection of illustrations drawn from original paintings, manuscripts, and the National Portrait Gallery. Special attention is given to social reformers like John Ruskin, whose moral enthusiasm and love for nature are highlighted alongside his revolutionary theories on political economy and art. The narrative also explores the lives and homes of major figures, including Shakespeare, Scott, and Austen, balancing factual history with an enthusiastic appeal to the student's imagination. Halleck emphasizes the spirit that animates each age, arguing that the art of any country is the exponent of its social and political virtues. The text covers the evolution of English thought and art, detailing the transition from the Puritan age to the Restoration, the Second Forty Years, and the Romantic movement. It provides detailed treatments of the Victorian novelists, noting how Dickens portrayed humanity born in poverty with a brother's clasp, while also addressing the moral dimensions of literature. The work concludes with a dedicated chapter on twentieth-century literature, revealing the thought and ideals of that generation. Through careful treatment of the modern drama, the latest bibliography, and new illustrations, Halleck aims to arouse in the student an enthusiastic desire to read the works discussed, fostering a deeper appreciation for the literary heritage of England.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/10631.epub.noimages

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data/epubs/pg10631.epub

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Categories

• English Literature
• Literary Criticism