7. Carlyle.  Why is Carlyle called a prophet, and why a censor?  Read the Essay on Burns and make an analysis, having in mind the style, the idea of criticism, and the picture which this essay presents of the Scotch poet.  Is Carlyle chiefly interested in Burns or in his poetry?  Does he show any marked appreciation of Burns’s power as a lyric poet?  What is Carlyle’s idea of history as shown in Heroes and Hero Worship?  What experiences of his own life are reflected in Sartor Resartus?  What was Carlyle’s message to his age?  What is meant by a “Carlylese” style?

8. Macaulay.  In what respects is Macaulay typical of his age?  Compare his view of life with that of Carlyle.  Read one of the essays, on Milton or Addison, and make an analysis, having in mind the style, the interest, and the accuracy of the essay.  What useful purpose does Macaulay’s historical knowledge serve in writing his literary essays?  What is the general character of Macaulay’s History of England?  Rqad a chapter from Macaulay’s History, another from Carlyle’s French Revolution, and compare the two.  How does each writer regard history and historical writing?  What differences do you note in their methods?  What are the best qualities of each work?  Why are both unreliable?

9. Arnold.  What elements of Victorian life are reflected in Arnold’s poetry?  How do you account for the coldness and sadness of his verses?  Read Sohrab and Rustum and write an account of it, having in mind the story, Arnold’s use of his material, the style, and the classic elements in the poem.  How does it compare in melody with the blank verse of Milton or Tennyson?  What marked contrasts do you find between the poetry and the prose of Arnold?

10. Ruskin.  In what respects is Ruskin “the prophet of modern society”?  Read the first two lectures in Sesame and Lilies and then give Ruskin’s views of labor, wealth, books, education, woman’s sphere, and human society.  How does he regard the commercialism of his age?  What elements of style do you find in these lectures?  Give the chief resemblances and differences between Carlyle and Ruskin.

11.  Read Mrs. Gaskell’s Cranford and describe it, having in mind the style, the interest, and the characters of the story.  How does it compare, as a picture of country life, with George Eliot’s novels?

12.  Read Blackmore’s Lorna Doone and describe it (as in the question above).  What are the romantic elements in the story?  How does it compare with Scott’s romances in style, in plot, in interest, and in truthfulness to life?

CHRONOLOGY