This course offers a chronological exploration of British literature from the Romantic era to the contemporary period, tracing the evolution of literary forms, themes, and cultural contexts. Students will examine key movements including Romanticism, Victorian realism, Modernism, and Postmodernism through representative texts by major authors. Emphasis is placed on how literature reflects and critiques historical change, from industrialisation and empire to modern identity and global concerns.

Course Objectives

The objectives of this module are:

  • To develop a critical understanding of major periods and movements in British literary history,

  • To examine the evolution of literary forms, genres, and themes across historical contexts,

  • To analyze the interplay between literature and socio-political developments in Britain, and

  • To foster an appreciation of canonical authors and texts that have shaped British cultural and intellectual life.

By the end of the course, learners will be able to:

  • Identify defining characteristics of key British literary movements from Romanticism to Postmodernism.

  • Critically engage with primary texts using historical and thematic analysis, and

  • Articulate how British literature reflects, critiques, and constructs cultural and national identity over time.


Keywords: periodisation, canon, cultural context, genre evolution, critical themes