Saturday 26 November 2016
Sunday 20 November 2016
Wordsworth As A Literary Critic And His Theory Of Poetic Diction
Roll
No:17
Study:
M.A. Sem -1, Year:2016
Sub:
Literary Theory And Criticism (Paper No 3)
Topic
:
Wordsworth
As A Literary Critic And His Theory
Of Poetic Diction
Submitted
To:-
Dr. Dilip Barad , Department Of
English M.K. Bhavnagar University
Introduction
Wordsworth
was primarily a poet and not a critic. He was left behind him no
comprehensive treatise on criticism. The bulk of his literary
criticism is small yet the core of his literary criticism is as
inspired as his poetry There is the same utter sincerity, earnestness
passion and truth in both he knew about poetry in the real sense and
he has not said even a single word about poetry says chapman,
“Which
is not valuable, and worth thinking over “
Wordsworth
As A Critic :-
Wordsworth
was born in 1770 and died in 1850. He was primarily a poet and not a
critic. He belongs to the age of romantic critic. His view on poetry
are extremely important and can be found in the preface to the
Lyrical Ballads (1800). The preface was first published as a short
advertisement in 1798. In 1800 AD he wrote the Detailed preface was
an 'Half a child of my own Brain'. The most important addition in the
1802 preface is the long account of nature, qualification and
function of a poet the demonstolation of his superiority over the
mass of poetic pleasure. Would Scooth added an Appendix on poetic
diction.
The
aim of writing the preface was to introduce to the renders poems of a
new kind both in theme and style. Wordsworth evaluate early poetry
and how new poetry is different and can be appreciated. the dominant
them of the preface is Wordsworth's view of poetic diction and thus
subject of poetry.
Wordsworth’s
conception of poetry:-
After
his attack on the diction of the Neo - Classical poets and the poets
of his time Wordsworth moves to his conception of poetry and its
function words worth defines poetry as 'The Spontaneous' ever flow of
powerful feelings recollected in tranquility. The two parts of the
definition are opposite to each other. The first one is sudden while
the second one suggests a deliberate recalling to memory thus
Wordsworth is giving an idea of a poetic process. The four stages in
the poetic composition are:
- Observation
- Recollection
- Contemplation
- Imaginative expression.
In
this , Wordsworth has given emphasize to emotion has to be expressed
by thought. The critics view of the poet gives the poet a very high
status.
According
to him the poet is a man speaking to man. He differs from other men
not in nature but in the degree of talent. The poet Wordsworth says
is the man of greater sensibility ¸observation, reflection,
imagination and has great powers of communication he can communicate
his comprehending to the soul the readers.
Talking
about the function of poetry Wordsworth says that it gives him
pleasure. By pleasure here he means knowledge and understanding. He
considers poetry to be superior to history, philosophy and science.
For Wordsworth poetry is the pursuit of the truth and a great force
for good. He differs from Neo - classical critics because for him
poetry.
Wordsworth's
view on meters makes a diction between use of meter and the use of
poetic diction. The use of meter are fixed. It gives the sense of
restrained contrast, it gives pleasure by softening the emotion grace
and dignity and shows the emotion grace and dignity and shows the
skills of the poet. But in diction he says there are no rules but he
advocate the use of simple everyday language. Wordsworth theory of
poetic diction is very important but it thus been criticized
Coleridge was the first been criticized, Coleridge was the first to
criticize his theory of leading diction is not just word but also
arrangement of words, imagery etc. Wordsworth does not define what he
meant by fiction.
Wordsworth
said that the language of the rustics need purification, Coleridge
says in that case. There will be no difference between rustics
diction and diction of other secondly he feels that of poetry and
prose. Criticizing him Coleridge point out that the use of meter and
the arrangement of words in a poem makes poetry different from prose.
T.S. Eliot also point out that Wordsworth on one hand talk about
using the real language of men and on the other hand he speaks of
selection. This nothing but contradictory view.
The
literary criticism of William Wordsworth is usually considered the
menifectory of the English Romantic Movement. The single for the
break with the age of Neo - Classicism. After several criticism by
other critics Wordsworth had to write criticism in self Defiance and
justification of the type of poetry he was writing. Only a thorough
study of his critical writing can prove his worth as a literary
critics and can also bring originality of his views with regard to
the natural of poetry, poetic creation and poetic diction.
Wordsworth's
Achievements As a Critics :-
Wordsworth
not among the best English critics and his position as a critic is
not as high as that of Coleridge. But still his criticism has a value
and Wordsworth was against Neo - Classicism in his view on the nature
of poetry. Poetic diction and also in his judgment of set rules and
principles and adhered to them closely and rigidly either when
writing poetry or when judging poetry. Wordsworth posed and important
problem that a poem might be flawless and prefect from the point of
view of meter, diction etc. and yet it may full to pleaser the
reader. The ultimate lest of the beauty and literary excellence of a
work therefore, is not in its out wardly perfect structure but
somewhere else. It lies, according to Wordsworth, in the healthy
pleasure in poetry than to any other thing in it. This impression
linguistic approach towards literature was a major contribution to
English critical idea. He says good poems are produced only by a man
who has thought long and deeply.
Wordsworth’s
reaction against the 18th
century poetic diction:
Highly
influenced by Rousseau and French revolution, Wordsworth came forward
in 1798, with a new theory of man, a new theory of poetry. In another
edition of Lyrical Ballads polished in 1809, he elaborately
explained his theory of poetic diction as against highly
sophisticated language of 18th
century, he gave rustic colours to the poetic diction. Wordsworth
rightly felt that for the new poetry of the new age, a language was
needed and what he earnestly felt, he expressed in the 'preface' to
the Lyrical Ballads. His entire effort in renovating the language of
poetry was guided by the feeling that all conventions to evolve the
true poetic style, which should not only be simple and unaffected but
should possess the power and truth of feeling.
Wordsworth's
theory of poetic diction
:
Wordsworth
is the English critic of romantic Age. people tendency arose towards
romanticism. The broke off from the Neo - Classical ideas.
Wordsworth and Coleridge are considered to the beginners in
Romanticism. In it he discussed theory of poetry subject matter of
poetry theory of poetic diction etc. here I am going to discuss the
theory of poetic diction in the preface to the Lyrical Ballads.
Basically
Wordsworth is a poet, however, his criticism is small but whatever he
says about poetry is full of sincerity, passion and truth. He knows
about poetry in real sense and whatever he says is valuable and worth
thinking when words worth started writing, it was the era of Neo -
Classical criticism. when poetry was judged on the basis of rules
devised by Aristotle and other ancients, who cared for rules, forms
but ignored the substance the soul of poetry. He is the first critic
who times from the form of the poetry to the substance. He is he is
the first critic who builds the theory of poetry. His emphasis is on
novelty. Experiment liberty, inspiration and imagination as
contrasted with the classical's emphasis on authority, restrain and
tradition.
Poetry is communication and it is the pleasure that poet
communicates. Traditionally it has been believed that the function of
the poetry is to interest and delight but Wordsworth says that the
function of the poetry is to give pleasure. Wordsworth says that
poetry is most philosophical.
Regarding
process of poetic creation he says that all good poetry is the
spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings. The process of storm is
claim when the man recollects some past emotional experience.
Wordsworth’s
preface has been badly criticized by some of the contemporary critics
but the preface is probably the most important single document in the
history of English criticism. It provide the readers his most
important views and reforms on poetry.
Wordsworth
insists on humble and rustic life. He also talks of simple language,
which is rustic and simple.
Conclusion
Wordsworth
loved nature so his themes are also natural. He is language is also
natural. He says that there is neither and nor can be any difference
between language of prose and verse. The only difference is that the
poet uses meter. Wordsworth says since meter add an additional source
of pleasure so it is useful. The poet speaks through the character so
his language should be proper and simple diction should be preferred.
In
those day most of the writers or poets glorified Royal families where
as Wordsworth wants the glory of all. He wants the poets to write and
communicate in such a way that no class remains untouched. He wants
to write in local language as our Tulsidas write Ramayana in the
local dialects again as the original in Sanskrit seemed though for
common people.
SOURCE
: NET AND TEXT
Overview of Tom Jones by Henry Fielding
Subject:
The Neo - Classical literature (paper -2)
Topic:
- Overview of Tom Jones by Henry Fielding
Roll
No: 17
Std:
M.A, Sem-1, Year -2016
Submitted
To: Department of English
M
K Bhavnagar University
Introduction:-
The
History of Tom Jones, a foundling often known simply as Tom Jones is
a Comic novel by the English playwright and novelist Henry Fielding.
The novel is both Bildungsroman and a picaresque novel. Themes of the
novel is virtue as action rather than thought the impossibility of
stereotypical categorization, the tension between art and Artifice.
Title:-
The
short tittle of this novel is ‘Tom Jone’ which is also the name
of our hero. This title equals main character's name equation was a
big thing back when Fielding was writing. But the formal long tittle
of this book is actually the history of Tom Jones is foundling and
two word [history and founding'- are worth thinking about fielding
admits that Tom Jones might not technically be a history, since the
character are not real people and there is mop rood any of the events
in this book actually happened. Theme there is the word foundling a
founding is an abandoned child with unknown parents.
Themes:-
One
of the central themes in tom Jones deals with the conflict between
authority and individual choice in matters of love and marriage other
themes like also there liked virtue as fiction rather than thought
the impossibility of stereotypical categorization the tension between
art and artifice etc.
- Virtue as action rather than thought
Henry
Fielding contrasts the concept of virtue espoused like Squire and
Thwackum with the virtue actually practiced by Jones and Allworthy.
Tom as the active hero who saves damsels in distress and plans on
fighting for his country, is the embodiment of the very active type
of virtue that fielding esteems.
- The impossibility of stereotypical categorization
Henry
Fielding’s novel attempts to break down numerous bounders. In
decide whether his novel is a philosophical history a romance or an
'Epi-Comic prosaic poem'. Yet though these confounded musings
fielding subtly suggests that cataloging fiction is silly and that
“The founder of a new province of writing”.
In
another example of broken stereotypes fielding characters, cannot be
distinguished by masculine or feminine traits in this novel both men
and women fight and cry.
- The tension between art and artifice
Although
the narrator upholds the value of natural art in his characters he
uses artifice himself in the construction of his navel for example.
he often closes chapters by hinting to the reader what is to follow
in the next chapter or he warns the he is going to omit a scene in
such a way he prevents us from suspending our disbelief and giving
ourselves up to the art of the narrative instead fielding constantly
entices us to reflect on and review the process of construction.
- Plot :-
Tom
Jones abandoned as a baby is mysterious circumstances is brought up
by square Allworthy. Resented by Allworthy’s light mate heir
Blifil, Tom grows into an amiable rascal fond of the fair an sex he
loves squire squire Western’s daughter Sophia Western but when
discovered by us tutors with a local girl Molly, he is banished by
benefactor after numerous adventures he reaches London and embark on
affair with the wealthy Lady Bellaston while Squire Western's sister
has arranged a marriage between Sophia and baleful homicide Sophia
escapes to London meeting up with her cousin Mrs. Fitzpatrick who is
also running away from her husband Mr. Fitzpatrick follows them and
suspects tom of having seduced his runaway wife.
- Characterization
Characterization
is the process by which a writer reveals the personality of the
characters. It is an important element in almost every work of
fiction or novel 'Tom Jones' Fielding imperfect and mortal hero is
the character through whom fielding imperfect and mortal hero is the
character through whom fielding gives voice to his philosophy of
virtue in contrast to the moral philosophy of fielding in contrast to
the moral philosophy of fielding ‘s contemporaries fielding does
not suggest that tom’s affairs with molly Seagram. Mrs. Waters and
Lady Ballaston should reflect badly on character rather keeping with
the romantic genre fielding seems to admire tom’s adherence to the
principles of gallantry, which require that a man return the interest
of a woman.
Tom’s
character is constantly showing the philosophy of 'Carpe diem' Tom
shows as if he is only capable of doing at the moment and not what
the consequences might be in the future. A perfect example of these
impulse is when he without situation water and lady Ballaston while
being deeply in love with Sophia in this way fielding shows us both
good and bad sides of his character we can say that Tom Jones belongs
to that class of novels which aim at presenting by a multitude of
characters and a complete picture of human life so it would be right
to say that fielding portrays in Tom Jones not
men the but manners not individuals but the human species
- Main conflict:-
The
main conflict is Tom Jones as the forces he must overcome to reunite
with Sophia and become a responsible young adult. These forces
include the people attempting the forces inside the people attempting
the forces inside tom himself such as his reckless and lustful bearer
that he must master to win Sophia and become an upstanding young man.
Symbols:-
Sophia’s
muff
Sophia’s
muff stands in for her in stations when Sophia can not physically be
present herself this is made evident by the fact that she attaches
her name to the muff before leaving it in Jones bed at Upton. Since
both Jones and Sophia kiss the muff it allows them to achieve a
closeness despite their physical distance.
Motifs:-
Food
The
narrator invokes the motif of food in relation to the process of
reading love, and war. He begins the novel by referring to himself as
a restaurateur who will provide the reader with a feast he later
defines lust as a person appetite for a good chunk of white flesh.
Travel
where
the narrator opens the novel with a novel with a reference to food,
he Concludes the novel with a reference travel casting himself as the
reader’s fellow traveler this represent the culmination of a travel
motif throughout the navel as the characters journey from the county
to the city the narrator includes himself as a fellow traveler
remarking that he will not plod through the journey but will hasten
and slow down as he pleases.
The
law
The
narrator infuses his language and the speech of his characters with
legal terms. For example after a petty domestic argument with square
western Mrs. Western refers to their reconciliation as the signing of
a treaty such examples reveal the narrator technique of buildup
events that are actually irrelevant however there are also cases in
which the narrator’s legal motif is genuine as both Allworthy and
western are justices of the peace and the western are justices of the
peace and the lawyer Dowlling plays large part in the plot against
Tom.
Structure
and setting :-
Henry
fielding presented the novel in their main sections with action
taking place in the first half of the 18th
century. The first section centers on life in the country of the
estates of squire western and Allworthy in Somerset-shire in
southwestern England. In this section the protagonist Tom Jones grows
from infant foundling into a teenager who falls in love with the
beautiful daughter of squire western.
The
second part of the navel takes place along roads, at inns and in
other locales in the middle and late 1740s. In this section the
protagonist experiences many episodic adventures involving a diverse
cast of characters that include a women in distress soldiers on the
march, gypsies' untrustworthy lawyers puppeteers, women admires of
the title character, and an impoverished robber.
The
action in the third part takes place mainly in London, where the
title character searcher for his beloved fights a clued has
encounters with a possessive seductress goes to jail gains his
freedom and reunites with a possessive seductress goes to jail gains
his freedom, and reunites with his beloved this section ends when the
principal characters return to Someraetshire.
Tone
The
ton is playful and right hearted.
Point
of view:-
When
telling the story. The narrator generally uses third person
omniscient point of view enabling his to reveals the thoughts of the
characters when commenting on the story. The narrator uses first
person point of view sometimes in the singular and sometimes in the
plural.
Sum
up
Fielding
was a winter of the theater before he strongest impressions that the
realer gets from 'Tom Jones' is that of dramatic handling of science
and act: the sharp silhouetting of characters and there grouping in
such a manes as to avoid any Confusions even in so populous drama.
Tom Jones is rightly regarded as Fielding's greatest work and one of
the first and most influential of English novels. At the center of
one of the most ingenious plots in English fiction stands a hero
whose actions were in 1749, as shocking as they are funny today.
SOURCE
: NET AND TEXT
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