QUESTIONS ON STUDIES

IN

ENGLISH AND AMERICAN LITERATURE.

INTRODUCTORY.

1. In studying the literature of a nation, with what do we become acquainted?

2. In such writings what do we have revealed to us?

3. What are some of the influences exerted by daily association with such thoughts and motives?

4. What result is finally produced?

5. Why is it not thought best to take up much space in this book with remarks on the personal traits of authors? 6. Why is it that this study of the habits and peculiarities of writers is not always profitable?

7. What is it that we want of an author?

8. What will we aim to study and take to ourselves?

9. What is the original source of all light and truth?

10. How has He revealed himself?

II. How are some fitted to be truth interpreters ?

12. What is their special mission?

13. Illustrate the fallibility of genius.

14. What alone can be absolutely perfect?

15. What other writings may be profitable?

16. Explain the relation of history to literature.

17. On account of this relation, what becomes necessary in tracing the literature of a people?

18. What does Part First of this book contain ?

19. To what will Part Second be devoted?

PART FIRST.

HISTORICAL OUTLINE.

CHAPTER ONE.

Origin of the English Nation and Language.

20. Explain the first peopling of the British Isles. 21. Describe the Roman occupation?

22. What was the origin of the Teutons?

23. When did they make their way into England? 24. What other country did they invade ?

25. From what did the name England originate?

26. Give a brief outline of English history down to the time of the Norman invasion.

27. Give a history of the Normans.

28. When, and under whom, did they invade England?'

29. Describe the attitude of the Norman and the Saxon inhabit

ants of England.

30. What is the nature and origin of the English language?

31. What was the nature of our First English ?

32. How long was it the prevailing language in England?

33. What was the fate of the Keltic tongue ?

34. What effect was produced on the language by the Danish and Roman occupations?

35. After the Norman invasion what became the fashionable language in England?

36. What language was still spoken by the common English people ?

37. How long did the two languages remain distinct?

38. Describe the origin of the language which the Normans brought into England?

39. What has it given to our modern English ?

40. What is the character of the old English words?

41. To what extent do they prevail?

42. Describe the effect and use of Latinized words?

43. What advantages are derived from this composite nature of

our language?

44. How is the character of our language set forth in the extract from the Cyclopedia of English Literature?

CHAPTER TWO.

Beginnings of English Literature.

EARLY WRITINGS OF KELTIC ORIGIN.

45. Describe the character of the Kelts.

46. What literary tastes did they manifest at a very early period?

47. What is their record with reference to accepting and pro

moting the Christian religion?

48. What does Mr. Morley say of the character of these people? 49. What does he say of the influence of this race upon the character and literature of the nation ?

50. What is the record concerning their early poetry? 51. When did Cædmon write, and what was his theme?

52. Write an account of Cadmon's experiences and work. 53. Judging from the extracts herein given, what are some of the leading qualities of Cædmon's writings ? — Simplicity, directness, and homely strength.

54. Describe the peculiar versification of his lines.

EARLIEST LITERATURE OF TEUTONIC Origin.

55. Describe the character and customs of the Teutonic settlers

in England.

56. What rude epic poem was sung by their gleemen ?

57. What is thought to have been its origin ?

58. Compare the “Beowulf" with the poems of Cædmon.

59. To what influence may this difference be traced ?

60. Give the theme of the "Beowulf as described in the

extract.

61. What qualities of style characterized the poem ?

62. What qualities have the Teuton, the Kelt, and the Norman severally contributed to our language?

63. What has been the result?

64. Write a paraphrase of the extract from "Beowulf."

CHAPTER THREE.

From Cædmon to Chaucer.

FIRST-ENGLISH PERIOD.

65. During the four hundred years from Cædmon to Chaucer, to what was learning mostly confined?

66. Describe the only system of schools then existing.

67. By what other cause was intellectual culture withheld from

the people?

68. Give an account of Bede and his work.

69. What was his best work? What his most extensive?

70. What was King Alfred obliged to do during the first part of

his reign?

71. Why was not this a lost experience?

72. What was his final success? What did he do for the English

people?

73. How are his writings regarded?

74. Tell how they were received by the people.

75. Why is it that only a few of the writings of that age have come down to us ?

76. Why is it that a mere sketch of the literature of this period has been deemed sufficient?

THE TRANSITION PERIOD.

77. What was the effect of the Norman Conquest?

78. Describe the effect in detail.

79. What was the origin of the people called the Normans?

80. How did they come to speak a different language from the

Teutons who settled in England?

81. What was the character of the people thus formed? 82. What state of feelings existed for many years between the Norman French and the Saxon English?

83. What course did the Normans pursue toward the Saxons? 84. What causes conspired to root out the language of Saxon English, and make that of the Norman French universal ? 85. What prevented such a result?

86. What finally brought about a blending?

87. How firmly had the original English language become estab. lished among educated people before the Norman Conquest ?

88. How was it among the uneducated classes?

89. What was the effect of the Norman tongue upon both these classes?

90. How long did these conditions seem to grow worse rather than

better?

91. Was it a new language that emerged from this chaos ?

92. For what are the writings produced during this transition period chiefly interesting?

93. Describe the "Brut" written by Layamon.

94. Describe the "Ormulum."

95. How long did this transition period continue?

96. For whom only does it afford an interesting study?

97. Of what does this period mark the close?

98. What begins with the writings of the latter part of the fourteenth century?

99. How has the language been affected by the five centuries that have elapsed since that time?

CHAPTER FOUR.

The Awakening.

100. State causes that made it impossible for the Norman invasion to restrain English thought for a long period.

101. What had exerted a potent influence upon the English people and their literature?