Literary theory's presentation New Historicism, Slides of English Literature

Download Literary theory's presentation New Historicism and more Slides English Literature in PDF only on Docsity! NEW HISTORICISM AND ITS ANALYSIS IN THE NOVEL SENSE AND SENSIBILITY Presented to Mr. Irfan Ali Shah Presented By Muhammad Zahir MPhil English Second Semester Qurtaba University Peshawar Campus NEW HISTORICISM  New historicism is literary criticism related to the historical, social, and cultural context of the writer at the time the literary work was produced. Seen from the time, place, and historical circumstances of the author.  The word New historicism was first used by Stephen Greenblatt in an introduction to the edition of the journal Genre in 1982, to offer a new perspective in the study of the Renaissance, namely by emphasizing the relevance of literary texts to the various social, economic and political forces that surround them. JANE AUSTEN • Jane Austen is a very important woman writer in the Georgian era. She works with a lot of themes about women in her era, and very popular until now. The theme that is often raised and very dominant in her works is marriage. She illustrates that in her era, marriages of different social status were very limited and difficult to realize. Someone from the upper class, generally only marry someone from their own class. This was done because it was to strengthen the dynasty, gather wealth, land and inheritance. Therefore, the aspects contained in Austen's work are not only about romance, but sociological aspects are so dominant in her time. SENSE AND SENSIBILITY Sense and Sensibility talks about how Elinor and Marianne, the two girls of the Dashwood family who have entered the age of being ready to marry must face the intrigues of 18th century life in England which are very thick with nuances of marriage, inheritance, and social life that are vulnerable to scandal and must always be perfect in people’s eyes. At that time a person’s honor is valued form wealth, high position that is often passed down from generation to generation (Miller, 2017). NEW HISTORICISM ANALYSIS There are the historical context, the social context, the cultural context, and the biographical context. THE SOCIAL CONTEXT CONT… Data 02 and 03 dialog between Lucy and Elinor. In this dialog, Lucy tells to Elinor that she is engaged to Edward. They kept it a secret from the Edward family because Lucy was not rich and came from lower class. Data 02 explain that Edward's mother is likely not going to agree with Edward's engagement with Lucy because her fiance is not from a respected family. From data 02 untill data 03 illustrate that some women in the georgian era who came from the middle class or lower class, tried to improve their social status, by marrying a wealthy man. Men who have high social status, have a lot of inheritance, come from respectable families, and are handsome are the ideal type of women in the georgian era. Simply explain that social class is a major concern in choosing prospective wives or prospective husbands in the Georgian era. People who come from wealthy families, usually will not allow their children to marry someone from a lower social status. They want their child's husband or wife, at least equal or richer than them. THE CULTURAL CONTEXT Data 4 ‘Marianne’s abilities were, in many respects, quite equal to Elinor’s. She was sensible and clever; but eager in everything: her sorrows, her joys, could have no moderation. She was generous, amiable, interesting: she was everything but prudent. The resemblance between her and her mother was strikingly great. (Page 6) Data 04 described that Marriane is someone who is very sensitive to something. She is cheerful, smart, always passionate about everything, friendly, interesting and wise nature, he got from her mother. This data illustrates morals which are aspects according to their culture. BIOGRAPHICAL CONTEXT Data 5 ‘Mr. Dashwood’s disappointment was, at first, severe; but his temper was cheerful and sanguine; and he might reasonably hope to live many years, and by living economically, lay by a considerable sum from the produce of an estate already large, and capable of almost immediate improvement. But the fortune, which had been so tardy in coming, was his only one twelvemonth. He survived his uncle no longer; and ten thousand pounds, including the late legacies, was all that remained for his widow and daughters. (Page 4) Data 5 explains that Mr. Dashwood, father of Elinor and Marriane, died. This is the same as the life of Jane Austen whose her father also died. In 1807, the father of Jane Austen died. at that time, the church did not have provisions for widows and their children or families left behind. Therefore, Jane, Cassandra, and her mother experienced very severe financial difficulties. Although they have several older brothers, they can only donate annually which is £ 50 and their brother edward is £ 100. If not, it is very possible that they have to sacrifice their independence and work as governesses.