Select one work from the Romantic period and one work from the Victorian period, and trace one theme throughout each text, arguing how the historical period treats that topic. Consider also how the features of the text (nonfiction versus dramatic monologue, for example) influence the reception of the theme as well.
You may use the lecture notes and the background information in The Longman Anthology of British Literature to develop a clear understanding of the feature of Romanticism you are discussing as well as pertinent background on the work of literature you are analyzing. You do not necessarily need to focus on the five principles that Wordsworth defines in his introduction to the 1800 edition of Lyrical Ballads. You may choose to focus on historical, social, economic, political, or religious issues of the period as well.
All support must come directly from our textbook either from the background sections or from the texts you are analyzing. In other words, you do not need additional research for this essay. However, you must include a Works Cited page listing primary texts and the background sections you used (the Works Cited page does not count toward the page/word limits). In addition to reading “How to Quote Poetry” (see the attachment above), please check with any MLA style guide for correct form in essay presentation, parenthetical citations, and Works Cited entries (the Purdue OWL is an excellent web site for this – click on the “Resources” button to your left for a link to the Purdue OWL and several other helpful places).
Requirements:
Your paper MUST be 6-8 pages long (no less will be accepted). This translates to: at the very minimum, all the way to the very bottom of page 6, and your Works Cited page will be on page 7.
It must be in MLA style format:
