MSSU ENG272 - Spring 2025 Dashboard
Description
British Literature II: Revolution, Reaction, Reform examines British literature from the late eighteenth century to the present, a period that witnessed the American and French Revolutions, slave revolts such as the Haitian Revolution, a “revolution in female manners,” the Industrial Revolution, the twentieth-century revolutionary wave in Europe, as well as World War I and World War II, and, of course, artistic revolutions. We will consider how the authors and literary works of this period might be reacting to change, advocating for reform, or participating in literary revolutions—whether revolution is understood in the sense of “revolving” or of “revolting,” going full circle to return to a previous (more perfect?) time or experiencing/effecting a great alteration or rupture.
Access the works for annotations assignments in COVE Studio here: ENG 272, Spring 2025
The digital edition of Frankenstein for annotations and the map project can be found here: Mary Shelley, Frankenstein (1818)
Galleries, Timelines, and Maps
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Individual Entries
Sarajevo Bosnia was the location in which Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were killed. This initially was the start of World War I, which inspired Wilfred Owen to write "Dulce Et Decorum Est" which explains his experiences in World War I as a soldier. Sarajevo is the capitol of Bosnia, and it lies in the valley of the Miljacka River. In the 15th century, the Turks invaded the city and since then, Sarajevo became a huge trading center. Sadly, this city was burned down in 1697, and fires and the plague had killed many following the burning of the city. In 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife Sophie had been assassinated and this was the event that had began World War I. Austria-Hungary had blamed the Serbian government for the assassination, because the assassin was Serbian. Within the same week, Austria-...
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Throughout her life, Anna Letita Barbauld was actively involved in the literary and social circles of London. She was a prominent member of the Blue Stockings Society and engaged with other intellectuals and writers. Barbauld spent her later years in Stoke Newington, near London, where she continued to write and engage in literary activities. She died here on March 9, 1825.
Mary Wollstoncraft lived in Stoke Newington, specifically near Newington Green. She moved there in the early 1780s and founded a school for girls with the help of her sisters and her friend Frances Blood.
In the 1700s, Stoke Newington was still largely rural, with open fields, farms, and large estates. It was known for its market gardens and nurseries, which supplied produce to London. The area was...
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After marrying Rochemont Barbauld in 1774, she moved to Palgrave, where Anna Letita Barbauld taught at the Palgrave Academy. This period was significant for her contributions to education and children's literature.
The village was primarily agricultural, with most residents engaged in farming and related activities. The landscape of Palgrave would have been dominated by fields and pastures. Life in Palgrave was centered around the local community and the church. The social structure was typical of rural England, with a clear hierarchy based on land ownership and farming. Formal education opportunities were limited, especially for girls. However, the presence of educated families, like the Barbaulds, would have been an exception and a source of intellectual activity. The...
moreFrom the age of 15 to 30, Barbauld lived in Warrington, where her father taught at a Nonconformist Protestant academy. This environment encouraged her literary talents and intellectual development.
Here's what you need to know about Warrington. The Saxons established a new settlement here, and by the Middle Ages, Warrington had emerged as a market town. Warrington Academy was a prominent Dissenting academy where Barbauld's father, John Aikin, served as a tutor. The academy attracted many notable intellectuals and educators. Joseph Priestley, a renowned scientist and theologian, moved to Warrington in 1761 to teach at the academy. Barbauld became close friends with Priestley and his wife, and his work inspired her own writing. Barbauld's early poems were circulated among teachers and students at Warrington Academy. In 1774, Barbauld married Rochemont Barbauld, who had also been associated with Warrington Academy.
“Anna Lætitia Aikin Barbauld (1743-1825).” Upenn...
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