A History of English Literature

A concise manual aimed at students and general readers that traces English literature from its Anglo‑Saxon origins through the Victorian period, arranging material by chronological periods and major genres (including medieval and Renaissance drama). It combines historical and biographical context with practical guidance on how to study and judge literature, treating substance and form, questions of truth and range, historical criticism, authorial objectivity and subjectivity, and the interplay of intellect, emotion, and imagination. The volume also supplies suggested editions, assignments, study questions, and bibliographic references for classroom use.