Nunna John's English Literature Notes

  I Semester, Figures of Speech (English literature)   Figures of Speech:   A word or Phrase used in a non literal sense for Rhetorical or Vivid effect   1.Simile   It is a type of Figurative language that defines something by comparing it to something else with words ‘like’ or ‘as’   Examples:   i)These two are different as night and day ii)The mouse is as dead as a doormat iii) You sing like an Angel   Similes can make writing more colourful and interesting. They are often used in Literature.   Example:   i)I wandered lonely like a cloud That floats on high o’er vales and hills. (Daffodils by William Wordsworth)   ii) What happens to a dream deferred: Does it dry up Like a raisin in the sun! Or fester like a sore And then run (By Langston Hughes)   Sometimes similes make use of exaggeration.   Example: He runs as fast as lightening   2. Metaph...

  I Semester, Modern English (1500 to the Present Day)   Modern English can be divided into two parts. They are Early Modern English (1500 – 1800) and late Modern English (from 1800 to the Present Day). During the Early Modern English, the Great Vowel Shift began. It actually started in the 14 th century and Completed by 17 th Century.   The Great Vowel Shift changed some of the Pronunciation Techniques in English Language. It began in Southern England and has influenced all dialects of English effectively. Based on the Vowel Shift, the Pronunciation of all Middle English Vowels changed and it brought some modifications into consonant sounds also. Standardization of English spelling in the 15 th and 16 th centuries began because of the impact of the Vowel Shift. This Great Vowel Shift was studied by a Danish Linguist and Anglicist named Otto Jespersen. He coined the term Great Vowel Shift.   The reason for the Great Vowel Shift in Britain was the effect of ...

  I Semester, Middle English (1150 – 1500)   Normandy is a district extended to seventy five miles from the English Channel. It is situated on the Northern Coast of France. It derived its name from the bands of North men who settled in Normandy in the 9 th and Tenth centuries. They conquered Britain in 1066. The Norman Conquest changed the whole course of English Language.   French remained the language of the upper class in England for 200 Years after the Norman Conquest. At first those who spoke French were those of Norman origin, But soon through intermarriages and association with the ruling class, Numerous people of English must have found advantage to learn the new language. Due to that reason, French remained the language of upper class and English was treated as the language of masses. As a matter of fact, Significant number of words of Norman Origin began to appear in English Language in the field of religion, administration, law, etc, during the early m...