Slide 2: Introduction
- The changing social and cultural aspects influence the development of themes.
- Literary works suit the culture of time and place where they were written.
- The short story “Editha” by William Dean Howells "Editha" explores the theme of love in a war context by disapproving war and calling for peace and love.
- Amy Lowell "patterns" poem argues against societal rule and expectations urging people to be more “human”.
- Claude McKay devotes his poem "America" to the country that has shown him love.
- In the poems, “The bird understander” and “To my dear and loving husband” by Craig Arnold and Anne Bradstreet respectively appreciate romantic love.
- In each case, the culture of the author and the literary period influenced the manner in which the author brought out their message of love.
Slide 3
- Two poems “The bird understander” by Craig Arnold and “To my dear and loving husband” by Anne Bradstreet, present themes of love in different societies and literary periods.
- These poems show that while authors can express closely related themes, the culture and period within which they write alters the message to suit the expectations of the society.
- Arnold’s message of love suits contemporary or modern literary period and culture.
- Bradstreet’s love message satisfies the Victorian literary period and culture.
Slide 4
- Arnold’s poem suits the modern literary work as it has an airport (relatively new) context. Since airports are a recent phenomenon and suits the daily lives of people in modern societies, this poem speaks to people in modern times.
- The playfulness of love between the couple shows mutual respect and appreciation-no gender is superior. Arnold’s poem shows a contemporary or modern society/culture’s conception of love as playful and mutual.
- Bradstreet’s poem is a sonnet-typical of Victorian poetry styles championed by William Shakespeare who was an inspirational figure in Victorian as well as modern times
- Bradstreet’s poem shows glorification of men in the society. There is huge adoration of the husband, and it is safe to state that the culture and society viewed men as superior beings worthy of praise in relationships.
Slide 5
- According to Arnold’s love message, relationships in modern societies are fun and detailed. The author dealt on a single incident of his beloved writing a letter that whose subject matter is funny “the lady finding a bird trapped in a terminal”.
- Arnold’s poem gives vivid examples of loving gestures and examples from the incident “you write to meso you can tell me there is a bird trapped” (Arnold)
- Bradstreet’s poem lacks examples of loving gestures and has general issues “If ever man were loved by wife, then thee” (Bradstreet). In general, the poem views the life of the couple holistically as the woman does not appreciate a single incident or gesture of love but a general description of satisfying mutual love.
Slide 6: Conclusion
- Literary works address their themes in the context of the culture and the literary period in which they were written.
- William Dean Howells "Editha", short story has an ancient setting in which the author urges for love and harmony in place of war.
- Amy Lowell "patterns" suits some Victorian period in which she urges people to be more “human” and discard oppressive societal rules.
- Claude McKay "America” suits modern literary period and urges for patriotism.
- Anne Bradstreet’s poem “To my dear and loving husband” represents a Victorian style of writing and culture.
- Craig Arnold’s poem ‘The bird understander” shows a contemporary or modern society/culture’s conception of love as playful and mutual.
- Arnold’s poem shows a contemporary or modern society/culture’s conception of love as playful and mutual. Bradstreet’s work represents a Victorian style of writing. The sonnet-style of Bradstreet’s poem contrasts with the dynamic style of Arnold.
- In all cases, the authors managed to communicate deep love messages in styles that portrayed their cultures and times.
