British Culture - User contributions [en]

Oroonoko: or, the Royal Slave

2009-07-17T13:21:17Z

PhoebeCaulfield: Created page with ''''Oroonoko: or, the Royal Slave''' is a novel by Aphra Behn published in published in 1688. The plot revolves around the protagonist Oroonoko, the grandson of an African ki…'

'''Oroonoko: or, the Royal Slave''' is a novel by [[Aphra Behn]] published in published in 1688.
The plot revolves around the protagonist Oroonoko, the grandson of an African king. He falls in love with Imoinda, the daughter of the king's general. The king himself is also in love with Imoinda and sells her as a slave when he learns the truth. Oroonoke is captured by an English slave captain and brought to the English colony Surinam in the West Indies. There he is reunited with Imoinda. After a failed slave revolt organized by Oroonoko and his public punishment he decides to kill Byam, the deputy-governor. To guarantee Imoinda's security Oroonoko kills her with her consent. Before he can commit suicide, Oroonoko is cruelly executed which he bears stoically.

Behn's novel is remarkable because it is the first expression in English literature of sympathy for oppressed black slaves. The author is believed to have shaped the novel according to her own experiences which she had made as a young woman in Surinam. In 1695 Thomas Southerne produced a tragedy called ''Oroonoko: A Tragedy'' based on Behn's novel.

* Harvey, Sir Paul, ed. ''The Oxford Companion to English Literature.''3rd ed. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1964.
* Griffiths, Trevor R., ed. ''Restoration Comedy.'' London: Nick Hern Books, 2005.

John Bunyan

2009-07-17T13:19:35Z

PhoebeCaulfield:

(November 28th,1628- August 31st, 1688). English writer and Baptist preacher. Bunyan was born in Elstow (near Bedford) as the son of a tinsmith. He received his education in the local village school. At the age of 16 Bunyan joined the parliamentary army and was stationed at Newport Pagnell from 1644 to 1646. This experience might have been an inspiration for his novel ''The Holy War'' (published in 1682).
In 1653 Bunyan joined the the Nonconformist church in Bedford where he also started to preach. Upcoming conflicts with [[Quakers]] led to publication of his first writings ''Some Gospel Truths opened'' (1656) and ''A Vindication'' (1657).
In November 1660 Bunyan was arrested due to preaching without permission. As an opponent of the state church he remained in prison for the following twelve years until [[Charles II]]'s Declaration of Indulgence. After his release in 1672 he continued his career as a pastor but he was again imprisoned for a short time. In this period Bunyan began to write ''The Pilgrim's Progress'' which was finally published in 1678.

Sources:

* Harvey, Sir Paul, ed. ''The Oxford Companion to English Literature.''3rd ed. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1964.

John Bunyan

2009-07-17T12:43:34Z

PhoebeCaulfield:

'''John Bunyan''' (November 28th,1628- August 31st, 1688), English writer and Baptist preacher. Bunyan was born in Elstow (near Bedford) as the son of a tinsmith. He received his education in the local village school. At the age of 16 Bunyan joined the parliamentary army and was stationed at Newport Pagnell from 1644 to 1646. This experience might have been an inspiration for his novel ''The Holy War'' (published in 1682).
In 1653 Bunyan joined the the Nonconformist church in Bedford where he also started to preach. Upcoming conflicts with Quakers led to publication of his first writings ''Some Gospel Truths opened'' (1656) and ''A Vindication'' (1657).
In November 1660 Bunyan was arrested due to preaching without permission. As a opponent of the state church he remained in prison for the following twelve years until [[Charles II]]'s Declaration of Indulgence. After his release in 1672 he continued his career as a pastor but he was again imprisoned for a short time. In this periode Bunyan began to write ''The Pilgrim's Progress'' which was finally published in 1678.

* Harvey, Sir Paul, ed. ''The Oxford Companion to English Literature.''3rd ed. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1964.

The Pilgrim's Progress

2009-07-17T12:36:55Z

PhoebeCaulfield:

'''The Pilgrim's Progress''' ''from this World to that which is to Come'' is a Christian allegory written by [[John Bunyan]]. The first and second edition were published in 1678. One year later the third edition released.
The allegory is built up as a dream of the author and represents the pilgrimage of the soul to the celestial Jerusalem. The plot revolves around a character named Christian who learns from a book (the Bible) that his hometown the City of Destruction will be burned with fire. He leaves without his wife and his children whom Christian could not convince to join his journey to the Celestial City. The first part of the allegory focuses on Christian's pilgrimage to the Celestial City on which he passes places like the Vanity Fair or the Valley of Humilation. He also meets allegorical characters like Faithful or the Giant Despair.
The second part focuses on the pilgrimage of Christian's wife Christiana and their children. They overcome all the dangers of their journey with the help of Mr. Great-Heart who leads them to their destination.

* Harvey, Sir Paul, ed. ''The Oxford Companion to English Literature.''3rd ed. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1964.

The Pilgrim's Progress

2009-07-17T12:26:38Z

PhoebeCaulfield:

'''The Pilgrim's Progress''' ''from this World to that which is to Come'' is a Christian allegory written by [[John Bunyan]]. The first and second edition were published in 1678. One year later the third edition released.
The allegory is built up as a dream of the author. The plot revolves around a character named Christian who learns from a book (the Bible) that his hometown the City of Destruction will be burned with fire. He leaves without his wife and his children whom Christian could not convince to join his journey to the Celestial City. The first part of the allegory focuses on Christian's pilgrimage to the Celestial City on which he passes places like the Vanity Fair or the Valley of Humilation. He also meets allegorical characters like Faithful or the Giant Despair.
The second part focuses on the pilgrimage of Christian's wife Christiana and their children. They overcome all the dangers of their journey with the help of Mr. Great-Heart who leads them to their destination.

* Harvey, Sir Paul, ed. ''The Oxford Companion to English Literature.''3rd ed. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1964.

The Pilgrim's Progress

2009-07-17T12:26:10Z

PhoebeCaulfield: Created page with ''''The Pilgrim's Progress'''''from this World to that which is to Come'' is a Christian allegory written by John Bunyan. The first and second edition were published in 1678. …'

'''The Pilgrim's Progress'''''from this World to that which is to Come'' is a Christian allegory written by [[John Bunyan]]. The first and second edition were published in 1678. One year later the third edition released.
The allegory is built up as a dream of the author. The plot revolves around a character named Christian who learns from a book (the Bible) that his hometown the City of Destruction will be burned with fire. He leaves without his wife and his children whom Christian could not convince to join his journey to the Celestial City. The first part of the allegory focuses on Christian's pilgrimage to the Celestial City on which he passes places like the Vanity Fair or the Valley of Humilation. He also meets allegorical characters like Faithful or the Giant Despair.
The second part focuses on the pilgrimage of Christian's wife Christiana and their children. They overcome all the dangers of their journey with the help of Mr. Great-Heart who leads them to their destination.

* Harvey, Sir Paul, ed. ''The Oxford Companion to English Literature.''3rd ed. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1964.

John Bunyan

2009-07-17T11:49:20Z

PhoebeCaulfield:

'''John Bunyan''' (1628-1688), English writer and preacher. Bunyan was born in Elstow (near Bedford) as the son of a tinsmith. He received his education in the local village school. At the age of 16 Bunyan joined the parliamentary army and was stationed at Newport Pagnell from 1644 to 1646. This experience might have been an inspiration for his novel ''The Holy War'' (published in 1682).
In 1653 Bunyan joined the the Nonconformist church in Bedford where he also started to preach. Upcoming conflicts with Quakers led to publication of his first writings ''Some Gospel Truths opened'' (1656) and ''A Vindication'' (1657).
In November 1660 Bunyan was arrested due to preaching without permission. He remained in prison for the following twelve years until [[Charles II]]'s Declaration of Indulgence. After his release in 1672 he continued his career as a pastor but he was again imprisoned for a short time. In this periode Bunyan began to write ''The Pilgrim's Progress'' which was finally published in 1678.

* Harvey, Sir Paul, ed. ''The Oxford Companion to English Literature.''3rd ed. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1964.

John Bunyan

2009-07-17T11:42:57Z

PhoebeCaulfield:

John Bunyan

2009-07-17T11:40:23Z

PhoebeCaulfield: Created page with ''''John Bunyan''' (1628-1688), English writer and preacher. Bunyan was born in Elstow (near Bedford) as the son of a tinsmith. He received his education in the local village scho…'

'''John Bunyan''' (1628-1688), English writer and preacher. Bunyan was born in Elstow (near Bedford) as the son of a tinsmith. He received his education in the local village school. At the age of 16 Bunyan joined the parliamentary army and was stationed at Newport Pagnell from 1644 to 1646. This experience might have been an inspiration for his novel ''The Holy War'' (published in 1682).
In 1653 Bunyan joined the the Nonconformist church in Bedford where he also started to preach. Upcoming conflicts with Quakers led to publication of his first writings ''Some Gospel Truths opened'' (1656) and ''A Vindication'' (1657).
In November 1660 Bunyan was arrested due to preaching without permission. He remained in prison for the following twelve years until Charles II's Declaration of Indulgence. After his release in 1672 he continued his career as a pastor but he was again imprisoned for a short time. In this periode Bunyan began to write ''The Pilgrim's Progress'' which was finally published in 1678.