Renelyn R.

Sugarol
BSED-ENGLISH 3D

TASK 2 (MY VIEW)

The evolution of English literature is a journey of expansion of

abundant array of notable literary texts. These myriad of literary texts have
been so influential for so long and still fascinate us with no doubt. Out from
these compositions, we could grasp the beliefs, social milieu and historical
moments in almost every genre and style of writing across different time
periods. In result, we internalize a sense of historical shaping of some of our
own ideas and values towards these texts. Through understanding of the
texts, we also understand its interaction that makes up a literature,
particularly Western literature, as a whole. There are myriad of literary texts
considered central to its development. Ideas are adopted and adapted to suit
the social, political and personal situations of the Western people allowing us,
Asians, to think that these situations through their literary texts reflect on
how they live and what their society and culture is all about.

In essence, literature is a reflection of society, the numerous changes

which have come about in Western society, from the earliest to the modern
times, have left their hallmark on English literature. This paper would delve
more into the Western literary texts during 15th century and 19th century.
Topmost is in the Middle English period, the fifteenth century witnessed the
ascendancy of poetic talents. Additionally, the English prose of the period was
utilized in romance, travel literature and in the Wycliffe’s translation of the
Bible. It was also the era where drama, miracle and morality plays, popular
music and ballads had a commanding influence. These literary texts allow us
to ponder on how did Western people live before and what kind of life was
dominant during this time. Western literature during this era was dominated
by Catholic religion. One remarkable literary text during this period was The
Canterbury Tales highlighting many of the problems corrupting the church.
This would make us believe that various religious institutions became
important, rich and powerful. It was not really a good time to have beliefs
differed from the church. Since there was little to safeguard any member of
the country that spoke their mind if it is disparate from those in power, we
often view that there were people who had little to no rights. As Asians, we
could actually tell that average people’s lives was pervaded with great deal of
hard work and modest earnings. Most families were barely able to make ends
meet. On the other hand, the wealthier people often had a much easier time.
The culture during this era was exceptionally bounded due to strong
restrictions placed on society by the church. The church was worried that the
more education the people received, the more likely they were to interrogate
their beliefs, so they encouraged the hindrance of culture.
 During 19th century which is also known as Victorian era, values such
as individual freedom, opportunity and women’s rights are important factors
in Western thought and are important themes in Western literature. In
particular, through the theme on women’s rights, we could say that Western
societies perceive women as inferior to men. Through Western literary texts,
women were not expected to assume a man’s role but rather they were
expected to act as acquiescent wives and mothers who take care of the family.
These customs were reflected in a vast amount of feminist literature that
emerged in Victorian era. Later on, more and more women found it
intolerable that the ones who produce sons were the ones considered inferior
so they acted out in able to change this. A popular work of Western literature
that reflects the Western values regarding women and their subsequent
liberation is Kate Chopin’s The Awakening. The Awakening relates the tragic
life of Edna Pontellier, a rich Creole in New Orleans. After a vacation in which
she had a brief affair with another man, Edna discovered that there is more to
life than being a mother, wife, socialite, and property of her husband. After
an unsuccessful attempt to reestablish her extramarital affair, she dies while
swimming in the beach and her death is often considered as an act of suicide
which frees her mind from the confinements of being a woman.

As stated, people today, especially Asians are finding themselves

immersed in a melting pot of cultures and beliefs. How we view a certain
society solely depends on their history, literary texts, cultures and traditions.
Through the Western literary texts, we are able to get a view of their life
since their literature has a great role of mirroring their society in order to
understand the underlying truths behind every literary genre. Indeed, how we
discern the Western world justifies their literary texts allowing us to concur on
the primary goal of literature which is to tell the story of life in words of truth
and beauty.