Course Overview

Course Code EL 302

Descriptive Title SURVEY OF ENGLISH AND AMERICAN LITERATURE
Credit Units 3
School Year/ Term AY 2023-2024/ 1st Semester
Mode of Delivery Online/offline Learning
Instructor Lanie Jean Recta-Paglinawan
Course Description This course engages pre-service English teachers in a historical survey
of selected works produced by understanding English and American
literatures from its beginnings to the 21st century. The way, they will
be able to demonstrate content knowledge and application of English
and American literature and use the English language within the
context of literature and English language teaching.
Course Outcomes At the end of the module, you must have:
1. Apply content knowledge of English and American literature by
producing creative works such as original epics, modern adaptations of
texts, etc. that will develop their students’ understanding and use of the
English language;
2. Demonstrate an understanding of content and research-based
knowledge in preparing an annotated reading list of English and
American literature based on an analysis of the texts’ characteristics,
motifs, archetypes, and symbols.

SLSU Vision A high quality corporate University of Science, Technology, and

Innovation
SLSU Mission SLSU will develop science, technology and innovation leaders,
produce high-impact technologies from research and innovations;
contribute through sustainable development through responsive
community engagement programs, and generate revenues to be self-
sufficient and financially viable.

MODULE GUIDE

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 The modules are designed in order to address the flexible learning modalities in
higher education as instructed by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). The course
module on Survey of English and American Literature consist of four modules. The
presentation of the information was carefully planned so that optimum learning shall take
place given the modalities we have today.

To start the course module, you need to complete the pre-test structured by the author
of this module. The pre-test covered all topics of the course. You don’t need to worry because
pre-test will not be graded, just answer the test in order to determine the level of
understanding or prior knowledge to the subject.

Course module is divided into two terms, two module for midterm and another two
for the final term. A separate examination shall be given to you to assess the knowledge
gained from two modules. Dates on the examination will be announced accordingly.

Every topic contains learning outcomes that you must accomplished once in a while.
Four A’s Model was used in presenting the topic to ensure a learner- centred approach. You
must complete every activity provided to help yourself understand the topic easily.

Once done with the course module, a separate parallel post- test will be accomplished
by you to further evaluate the learning and the module itself. References are provided for
further research on your end.

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 Module 1:
Introduction to English-American
Literature

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 Topic 1: Short Summary of English and American Geography, History, Language,
Society and Culture

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this Module, the students must have:

 Describe the characteristics and common genres of English American Literature in
relation to English and American geography, history, language, society, and culture; and
 Identify the K to 12 English learning outcomes under English-American literature as
preparation for an annotated reading list.

Let’s start off!

To gear you up with the topic ahead let us first unlock those unfamiliar words. Kindly look
the meaning of the following words in the dictionary and be able to use them in a sentence.

Unfamiliar Words Write your definitions and sample sentence

here.

1. Bards

2. Heathen

3. Monasteries

4. Delved

5. Eminent

6. Straitlaced

7. Shrewd

8. Frailties

9. Paradox

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 10. Dearth

11. Subdue

12. Temperaments

13. Subtle

14. Combative

15. Paved

Note: You need to complete the activity above so that it will be easy for you to understand
the discussion below. If you are done, we shall continue.

We’re getting there!

Let me ask you some questions from the previous activity that you have.

1. What do we mean when we speak of English literature?

___________________________________________________________________________
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___________________________________________________________________________

2. What do you think is the reason for us to study English literature?

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___________________________________________________________________________

3. Do you think being familiar with different authors of the different periods of English
literature will help you to better understand the history of literature? Explain.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

4. What do we mean we speak about American Literature?

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

5. Is there a need for you to know different authors and their writings of American literature?
Explain.

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___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

Now, we explore!

To give you a concrete and substance understanding of the topic, together we will explore the
topic more. Read the content of the lesson which is all about the Essence and Significance of
Literature and Functions of Literature.

ENGLISH LITERATURE
English literature began in the era of bards and “gleeman” who, accompanying the
Angles and the Saxons, sang the tales of the Northland. When they arrived in England in the 5 th
and 6th century, the Angles and Saxons had no written language. Their folk epic was Beowulf
which depicts the heroic efforts of man against the evil forces of their time. Their stories and
songs were recorded in The Far Traveler. When the heathen Anglo-Saxons then came under
the influence of Christianity, they started building monasteries. It was within the walls of these
monasteries that English literature had its beginnings. North Umbria became the seat of
learning for nearly two centuries where the historian Bede, one of the monks, started to write
in prose.

English Literary Periods Significant Events

Old English Period
Middle English Period
An important name to remember in this
period is that of Alfred the Great. Had it not
been for him, English literature would have
been long extinguished. When Alfred the
Great stopped the Danes from invading
England in the 19th century, the centre of
learning was transferred from the North to
South. Whitby became the cradle of English
poetry in the north, and Winchester the seat
of English prose in the south. Alfred the
Great is attributed with having established
schools, and having written textbooks for the
schools so that every free-born youth might
attend to his books till he could read English
writing perfectly. Next to King Alfred is the
name Aelfric Grammarian. His translation of
the Bible in English is the best example of the
language at the beginning of the century. The
greatest examples of Old English prose can
be found in his writings especially those in
his sermons and lives of saints.
The literature that came out of this century
was almost entirely in Latin and French. For
300 years Latin exerted influence on the
Anglo-Saxon language which made English
more flexible. Stories of King Arthur arose

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 from Geoffrey of Monmouth’s History of the
Kings of Britain.
The most distinguished name in the
literature of this period is that of Geoffrey
Chaucer, a poet whose brilliant character
portrayals made his Canterbury Tales an
enduring literacy legacy. Although Chaucer
wrote in his Midland dialect, his English
became the basis of much of the English we
know today. To the genius of Chaucer there
arouse no true successor. There was little
progress in the development of literary art in
the century following Chaucer. The dearth of
literature was mainly due to the fact that the
people’s mind were occupied by the struggle
between the York and the Lancaster families.
A very important contribution of the
period was the printing press which was
established by William Caxton when he came
out with the first printed book in England,
Dictes and Sayings of the Philosophers.

Two historical forces, the Renaissance and

the Reformation, combined to make this
period a great intellectual age. In fact, it was
referred to as the Golden Age in English
literature. It got its name from the reigning
ruler, Queen Elizabeth. This great period
began with Edmund Spenser and Christopher
Marlowe, and climaxed in William
Shakespeare, the period’s superstar, whose
uncanny perceptions of human nature were
carved into his immortal plays and sonnets.
The Elizabethans The age also produced the metaphysical John
Donne and John Webster, Spenser, “the
poet’s poet”, with his metrical forms paved
the way for such poets as Byron, Shelly, and
Keats.
The drama had its full development in this
age which produced such great as Marlowe,
Francis Beaumont, John Fletcher, and of
course William Shakespeare. The
Shakespeare’s fame is world-wide, prompting
the comment that “the measure of greatness is
his universality.” He was “not of an age, but
for all time.” In 1597 Sir Francis Bacon
published his volume of essays and his Of
Studies was gem of precision writing.
The Puritan Age sharply contrasts with the
preceding Elizabethan age. The reign of
Queen Elizabeth was characterized by peace
within the realm, general prosperity, and
much worldliness. The Stuart reign, however,
was marked by open conflict between the
King and the Parliament which eventually

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 caused the long Civil war. If the great
literature of the Elizabethan Age was poetry,
the Puritan Age’s was prose. The literature of
this period presented the sombre tone of the
Puritan Age age and was, to extent, religious.
The second greatest name after
Shakespeare’s is that of John Milton. His
works are considered perfect in Lyric
qualities, beautiful in imagery, and truthful in
their portrayal of emotions.
Other writers to mention in this century
are Francis Bacon, John Bunyan, and Pepys.
Samuel Bunyan is the prince of prose. What
Shakespeare is to the English dramatists,
what Milton is to English epic poets, Bunyan
is to writers of English allegory. Samuel
Pepys’ Diary stands out as most interesting
prose work and Edward Hyde’s History of
the Great Rebellion is the chief historical
work of the period.

John Dryden stands out as a transition poet

between the Puritan Age and the Eighteen
Century. He is considered the precursor of the
new period. He is well known for his cynical
The Eighteenth Century attitude and epigrammatically wit,
exemplified in his political satire, criticisms,
and didactic poems. However, the
representative poet of the period is Alexander
Pope who wrote his satires on the political
unrest and coarse social life. Other names of
the period are Jonathan Swift, Joseph
Addison, and Richard Steele.
Among the distinguished poets of the Age
of Romanticism were Lord Byron, Shelley,
and Keats. It was, however, William Blake, a
visionary poet, who took the first steps that
The Romantic Age led to the Romantic Age with his Songs of
Experience. Two important names to
remember in this period are those of William
Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
They were responsible for articulating the
philosophical foundations of Romanticism.
The ascendancy of Queen Victoria in 1873
marked the beginning of the Victorian Age
which lasted till the end of the 19th century.
Among the eminent Victorians were Robert
Browning who perfected the dramatic
monologue, Alfred Lord Tennyson who
The Victorian Age delved into the depths of human sorrow and
death, and Sir Walter Scott who is credited
with the origin of the historical novel.
Meanwhile, new writers began revolting
against Victorian formalism which they

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 termed “straitlaced,” “prim,” and “prudish.”
This revolt paved the way for the next age.
The 20th- century writers wrote against the
background of two world wars, tremendous
insights from psychology, and the
unbelievable technological progress.
Consequently, their traditional values and
attitudes were no longer adequate to meet the
needs of his fast-changing world. The
constant search for new ideas, new
The Twentieth Century philosophies, and new approaches was
reflected in the works of the modern writers.
We find the first great fiction detectives in
Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes. In
John Galsworthy, we see the dramatization of
social conditions, while in Gilbert Keith
Chesterton we see the emphasis on the
paradox of life. James Joyce, who is class by
himself, shows shrewd insights into people
who harbour secret fears and desires. His
random style is known as “stream of
consciousness.” In the field of science fiction,
Aldous Huxley brought us a step closer to the
futuristic mind and the controlled chaos
brought about by technological advancement.
Frank O’Connor tackled the frailties of
human race, and Dylan Thomas in his
tragically short life recorded his individual
struggle from darkness toward some measure
of light in a language as “genuinely
impassioned.”
We conclude our brief review of the
history of English literature with Dylan
Thomas. The authors have been treated
chronologically, to enable us to see the trends
of literary thought and style. We will see how
historical forces influence writers, and how
though some writers break away from the
restrictions of their milieu.
This will be a parade of stars—literary
luminaries who pulsate through the centuries.
And even when the light of these stars shall
have been snuffed out by the winds of time,
their glow will continue to radiate and travel
through the space of literary history.

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 American Literature

Unlike the other literatures of other countries, American literature was not born solely
out of American soil. It was brought in by the people who emigrated from lands already
possessed with a culture. From the very first, American writers began with a long tradition
behind them. as they started, they already had behind them an intimate familiarity with a rich
literature and a burning interest in some problems of religion and conduct. However, at first
they did not have the leisure to write, since they were too busy trying to conquer a new land.
It took some time before they could develop a literature with an individuality all their own.
We can approach American literature by simply dividing into four major historical period.

Periods of American Literature Significant Events

Colonial Period
The Revolutionary Period
Although American literary history started
with accounts of life, travels, and adventures, the
period was dominated by the Puritans in which
the writings reflected the best qualities of early
Puritanism. Puritanism was characterized by two
basic beliefs: first; to secure salvation; and
second, to subdue the body in preparation for
joys of heaven. Two writers of contrasting
temperaments easily dominated the period—
Jonathan Edwards and Benjamin Franklin.
In 1754 a book, published by Jonathan
Edwards, created a sensation both in America
and Europe, particularly in Scotland where
Calvinistic theology was at its zenith. The subtle
philosophical reasoning makes it less appealing
to the modern taste. In Benjamin Franklin,
however, the modern reader will find affinity in
spirit. Franklin stressed the practical aspects of
life. His Autobiography was candid and
humorous. His almanacs contained numerous bits
of useful information, including the witty sayings
of “Poor Richard”, many of which are still
relevant today.
Ballads and satirical verses marked this
particular stage in American literature. The
ballad on the death of Nathan Hale is one of the
most notable among all the patriotic ballads
written in this period because of its real poetic
quality. With the Stamp Act of Congress in 1765
—the first formal protest against England, the
Revolutionary Period began. The very
atmosphere created a literature that was
combative in nature. It was a period of great
speeches. Among the great orators were John
Adams and Patrick Henry. Who could ever forget

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 Henry’s Speech on Liberty with its stirring pleas,
“Give me liberty or give me death!” There were
outstanding political writers such as Alexander
Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and George
Washington. Thomas Paine, however, had the
greatest impact on literature. His Common Sense
was the first open work championing the cause of
American independence.
Although the last two centuries of American
writing were too limited in scope, it paved the
The Creative Period
way to rapid development in the first decades of
the 19th century. Some literary historians would
divide this period into two—the First National
Period and the Second National Period. During
the early decades at the height of harsh criticism
of American writers, a group of young writers
started writing humorous and satiric writing.
Among them was Washington Irving who
established the prestige of American writers in
England. He was recognized as the Addison in
America. His Sketch Book was issued in New
York and London, a popular book which
contained the memorable Rip Van Winkle. James
Fennimore Cooper wrote the excitement and
adventure. We remember him most for The last
of the Mohicans. Perhaps the greatest of the
poets that emerged in this period are Edgar Allan
Poe and Walt Whitman. Poe’s haunting poetry
and horror tales made a great impact during this
period. Walt Whitman, the controversial poet,
wrote his Leaves of Grass in free verse. He was
the first of the free verse poets and his “frankness
of expression’’ disturbed many. Some
condemned his work as sheer trash; others
praised it. William Cullen Bryant should be
mentioned here. He created a number of
memorable poems such as To a Waterfowl and
Thanatopsis. An American writer worth
mentioning is Stephen Crane who wrote The Red
Badge of Courage, a story about the Civil war.
During this period the New England writers
were considered the most creative. Included in
this group were Emerson, Hawthorne,
Longfellow, Whittier, Holmes, Thoreau, and
Lowell. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet
Letter” and “The House of Seven Gables”
became classics. Longfellow wrote more poems
than any other poet at that time. Most youngster
could recite from memory his The Arrow and
The Song and The Psalm of Life but his Song of
Hiawatha and Evangeline were considered
masterpieces. Oliver Wendell Holmes who
created The Autocrat of The Breakfast Table, a
unique book of chatty essays, was an essayist par
excellence. The modern man’s craving for

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 communion with nature will find Henry David
Thoreau a kindred soul. He was considered as
America’s foremost nature writer. His love for
nature was clearly expressed in his book Walden,
or Life in the Woods. James Russel Lowell wrote
The Vision of Sir Launful, a narrative poem in
Ode form. His Under the Old Elm could very
well have been written by one of the Beatles.
Such was Lowell’s ability to seize universal
themes.
To assess the Modern Period is rather difficult
not only because of the remarkable explosion of
published works that took place especially after
World War II but also because of its closeness to
our time. We live so close to the Modern Period
that whatever generalization or evaluation we
may make will necessarily lack a certain
objectivity and perspective. The best we can do,
perhaps, is to drop a few names: O. Henry for the
The Modern Period short story; Robert Frost for poetry; Eugene
O’Neill for drama and E. B. White for the essay.
For the novel, dropping names might not do
justice to any of the modern novelists since there
are so many of them who have made their mark.
Time and Newsweek, American weekly
magazines with international editions, usually
keep an up-to-date listing of outstanding
fictionist as well as non-fictionists, and such
names as Sinclair Lewis, Ernest Hemingway,
Salinger, Updike, Baldwin, and Michener appear
in their lists from time to time.
The American literary explosion is part of the
total explosion. Universalities turn out potential
writers like Richard Bach and Erich Segal.
Printing is so technically advanced that several
thousands of books could be made in just a few
days. With a little push from mass media, a book
could be turned into a movie overnight. Some
American writers are so rated that they are paid
even before they start to write. Naturally, scores
of new writers enter the field. Some make it to
the top once or twice, and then kaput. Others
linger, and quite a few are here to stay. These
few have staying power, you will meet in this
book.

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Try this!
I believe that you have understood the topic. This time kindly fill the table with the needed
information. (2pts. Each)

AUTHOR LITERARY PERIOD CONTRIBUTION

1. Middle English Period The Canterbury tales an
enduring literary legacy

John Milton Puritan Age 2.

3. The Elizabethan Period “The measure of greatness is

his universality.”

4.

Wordswoth &Samuel Romantic Age

Taylor

Alfred the Great 5. 6.

William Blake 7. 8.

9 10. Perfected the monologue

Edgar Allan Poe 11. 12.

13. Creative Period Established the prestige of

American writers in
England.

14. 15. Created a sensation both in

Benjamin Franklin
America and Europe,
particularly in Scotland
where Calvinistic theology
was a zenith.
16. 17.

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O. Henry Modern Period 18.

Robert Frost 19. 20.

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 Topic 2: Characteristics and Common Genres of English of English-American
Literature

English Literature vs. American Literature

The similarities and differences between English literature and American

literature continues to be a subject of continuous debate.
Aside from historical differences, English literature and American
literature differ in style, grammar, and language. Let’s explore each of
these (and even more) differences below.
History
National literature is connected with national history. As we all know,
English literature emerged earlier than American literature, since
America was a British colony.
Therefore, while American literature’s history dates back to the
17th century, English literature emerged in the 10th century. The
English style is therefore considered richer in this respect.
Writers
When discussing this issue, many experts conclude that English
literature is deeper; however, it’s not always true.
There are many globally known US writers like J. F. Cooper, J.D.
Salinger, Jack London, E.A. Poe, Mark Twain, Scott Fitzgerald, W.
Faulkner, Flannery O’Connor, Ernest Hemmingway, and Stephen King,
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to name a few. Many people are familiar with their works. Many
generations enjoy reading their stories.
English literature offers an even wider list of well-known writers, such
as Shakespeare, Bronte, Lord Byron, Kipling, Dickens, Austin,
Rowling, Woolf, Tolkien, Orwell, and Collins.
Narration
Differences in language are evident when reading novels by English
writers and American writers. British writers tend to use classical
British English; their vocabulary is richer.
On the contrary, the language of an American writer is simultaneously
simpler and more accessible. This language is more modern than
original British English.
Style
The common tendency of American literature is to be focused on
politics, economics, and social status. Satire, sarcasm, and cynicism can
be also often find their way into the works of American authors. For
example, language functions as a vehicle of protest in “The Catcher in
the Rye” and “The Great Gatsby.”
On the contrary, British literature of the same period mostly invokes
romance, human values, ideals, and manners, although class differences
are often discussed or referenced in some meaningful way. There is a
common thought that British writers’ works come “from the heart,”
while American writers are more cool-headed and cynical.
At the same time, there is much diversity within the wells of both
British writers and American writers, and this diversity should be
acknowledged. In general, it’s perhaps most useful to compare two
novels within English literature or American literature that date back to
the same period or a stage of country development.
Otherwise, such a comparison doesn’t make sense.
Genres & Topics
English writers mostly emphasize their culture and manners, while
American writers discuss American history and social issues. As well as
early writings in the UK, early American works involve topics related
to religion and politics.
American writers of the 17th century invoked Puritanical morals. In the
18th century, revolutionary topics prevailed in American style.
Also, American writers often described events that took place during
the development of the country. For example, the American Civil War
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 is described in “Gone with the Wind” by Margaret Mitchell, and theme
of Slavery in “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain.
It’s impossible to imagine English literature without William
Shakespeare, who wrote historical plays (Julius Caesar, Richard II,
Antony & Cleopatra), tragedies (Macbeth, Hamlet, Othello), and
comedies (A Midsummer Night’s Dream). The Romanticism Period
gave the world Robert Burns (Halloween, The Jolly Beggars) and
George Byron (Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage, Manfred).
Later, the historical novel emerged as a genre, with Walter Scott’s
Ivanhoe. English writers’ contribution to literature for children is
prominent: “Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland” by Lewis Carroll and
the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling are known in each and every
corner of the world.
Grammar
The English language is considered classic. In American literature,
English is more modern. Americans adopted the English language for
their literature. However, there are certain differences in grammar.
The following linguistic elements differ between American literature
and English literature:
 US writers tend to simplify the English language by removing letters
from words: they write “color” instead of “colour” or “neighbor”
instead of “neighbour.”
 Concerning irregular verbs, Americans simplify again. Disregard the
rules; they form Past Simple Tense by adding –ed. In British English,
the suffix –t is added.
 Americans use the end –iz rather than –is: “capitalize” instead of
“capitalise” or “summarize” instead of “summarise.”
 A singular conjugation is used in American literature, while British
creators mostly pair up collective nouns with plural verbs. This should
be taken into account when writing for different audiences.
These linguistic choices reflects not only American literature, but their
way of living. The tendency to shorten or abbreviate words is common
in American style. Also, the writers, especially modern, tend to simplify
the language.
On the contrary, English creators follow classical, sometimes
conventional traditions paths in writing, but this doesn’t make English
literature less interesting.
Punctuation

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 Like grammar, punctuation is a critical technical aspect of English
literature and American literature. For example, using comma in listings
is typical for American literature, but can be rarely met in classic British
literature.
Also, classical writers prefer to leave quotation marks outside, while the
other ones place them inside. Besides, in the UK, writers use single
quotation marks rather than double marks used by Americans. These are
minor differences, but they still exist.
Both English literature and American literature offers a lot of
interesting differences for consideration. One can insightfully apply
these differences to an exploration of the history and culture of these
two countries by reading the writing by their writers. Styles, narration,
and topics may differ, but one can recognize unmistakable habits and
customs typical for both English and American writers.

Try this!
Using the Venn Diagram compare and contrast the English and American Literature. Label
the ideas in each circle. In the outer circles, write things about them that are different. In the
center circle, write things that are alike. (15 pts.)

English Literature American Literature

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