Jonathan Swift

Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) Video Lesson

Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) is the second of the three writers of the Augustan Age discussed in the English Course addressed to 4th year Secondary School Italian Students. The video lesson discusses Swift’s writing techniques and the strong criticism towards political, social and religious controversies of his time through a mastery of satire largely used in his works. The two main works discussed are his masterpiece, “Gulliver’s Travels”, published in 1726 and “A Modest Proposal” a pamphlet of political satire, published in 1729.

Jonathan Swift

Excerpt from “A Modest Proposal” by J. Swift

A satirical pamphlet in which Jonathan Swift denounces the incompetence and inadequacy of the English government regarding the Irish issue and its people’s despairing situation during his time.

Daniel Defoe (The Fortunes and Misfortunes of Moll Flanders) Video Lesson n. 2

Daniel Defoe (1660-1731) is the author of “The Fortunes and Misfortunes of Moll Flanders” (1722) one of his two most renowned novels, the other one is “Robinson Crusoe” which is also generally considered the first modern novel of English literature. In this novel the protagonist, Moll Flanders, can be said to be the female counterpart of the other novel’s protagonist, Robinson. In “Moll Flanders”, Defoe, unlike in his previous novel, highlights the negative aspects of the emerging industrial English society and points out at women’s poor life-conditions during this time emphasising how their struggle is much more incessant, bitter than that that the rising middle class man faces, thus causing at times mental and emotional distress. Therefore, in this case, Defoe even if he still celebrates the individual’s will power and inner strength as qualities needed to succeed, he also points out the downsides of the Augustan Age (1714-1760).

Daniel Defoe (Robinson Crusoe) Video Lesson n. 1

Daniel Defoe (1660-1731) is the author of “Robinson Crusoe” (1719) which is generally considered the first modern novel of English literature. This novel celebrates the rising middle class individual and it belongs to the Augustan Age which is an historical and literary current (1714-1760).

Orlando, 1928- V. Woolf

Video Lesson n. 4 – Comparing Virginia Woolf’s and James Joyce’s Stream of Consciousness

Virginia Woolf and James Joyce are the most representantive writers of the Stream of Consciousness technique which has so greatly influenced the prose of the twentienth century and beyond.

Video Lesson n. 3 – Comparing Virginia Woolf’s and James Joyce’s Stream of Consciousness

Virginia Woolf and James Joyce are the most representantive writers of the Stream of Consciousness technique which has so greatly influenced the prose of the twentienth century and beyond.

Video Lesson n. 2 – Comparing Virginia Woolf’s and James Joyce’s Stream of Consciousness

Virginia Woolf and James Joyce are the most representantive writers of the Stream of Consciousness technique which has so greatly influenced the prose of the twentienth century and beyond. This … Continue reading Video Lesson n. 2 – Comparing Virginia Woolf’s and James Joyce’s Stream of Consciousness

Video Lesson n.1 – Comparing Virginia Woolf’s and James Joyce’s Stream of Consciousness

Virginia Woolf and James Joyce are the most representantive writers of the Stream of Consciousness technique which has so greatly influenced the prose of the twentienth century and Beyond.

Excerpt from “1984”, G. Orwell

1984 (1949) Part 1, Chapter 5 “Just the man I was looking for”, said a voice at Winston’s back. He turned round. It was his friend Syme, who worked in the … Continue reading Excerpt from “1984”, G. Orwell

Excerpt from “Animal Farm”, G. Orwell

Animal Farm (1945) Chapter 1 All the animals were now present except Moses, the tame raven, who slept on a perch behind the back door. When Major saw that they had … Continue reading Excerpt from “Animal Farm”, G. Orwell

GEORGE ORWELL (1903-1950)

George Orwell is the pseudonym of Eric Blair, he was born in India in 1903 where his father was a colonial official. As it often happened to the children of … Continue reading GEORGE ORWELL (1903-1950)

“The horror!” – Heart of Darkness (1902), J. Conrad

Kurtz’s death and Marlow’s struggle in the depths of ghastliness. Kurtz discoursed. A voice! a voice! It rang deep to the very last. It survived his strength to hide in … Continue reading “The horror!” – Heart of Darkness (1902), J. Conrad