ENGLISH LITERATURE

Taranaki Daily News, 17 August 1935, Page 13 (Supplement)

ENGLISH LITERATURE

INCLINED TO DEGENERATE

(By

Russell W. Kirk by.)

Since the introduction of Christianity into Britain, one of the greatest glories has been that derived from her literature. The history of English literature is usually divided into three periods, firstly the time from the Anglo-Saxon invasion to the Norman conquest, secondly from the Norman conquest to the Reformation in England, and thirdly from the Reformation to the present day.

In the first period the monks were by far the most prominent people concerned with literature. We have only to go back to this age to realise the hardships and trials with which these worthy scholars were confronted. Nevertheless their work appeared with distinction and superiority, though very rare and! expensive. Our first poet was a monk—Caedmon in 664. Bede (the “Venerable Bede”) who died in 753, was the first English historian, The second period saw much progress made in literary activities. By now the race was practically civilised, and consequently the whole country became advanced. The Latin language, which in •the past had had much influence on scholarship in England, began now to decline in popularity, and .in place French was introduced as an important foreign tongue. It will be noticed that many ideas and customs at this time, whether educative, parliamentary or general, are those on which our modern systems and administrations are based. The greatest writers were Chaucer, the “father of English poetry,” and the author of the “Canterbury Tales,” Langland, Gower and many, others of pro-» minence.

It is unnecessary to discuss the happenings in history from the Reformation. Literature was by then firmly established, and England was an “all round” nation ' in her Imperial necessities. Shakespeare, Spenser, Bacon and Milton appeared at the beginning of this period, the literature being mainly dramatic. Never before and never since has the ■world known such geniuses as these.

Afterwards writers turned more from dramatic to lyrical and miscellaneous literature, a cavalcade of poets, playwrights, historians and novelists existing to the present century. Among the greatest generally recognised are Scott, Goldsmith, Bums, Tennyson, Wordsworth, Dickens, Thackeray, Byron, Macaulay, Browning, Ruskin, Shelley, Keats, George Elliot (Miss M. Evans), R. L. Stevenson, Dr. Johnson, and those more modem writers, T. Hardy, G. B. Shaw, Miss K. Mansfield (New Zealand), J. Galsworthy, H. G. Wells and J. Masefield.

To compare the ancient and modem literature one must consider and refer to the times and history of the nation. Perhaps that which is most worthy of note in the . period of the AngloSaxon invasion to the Norman conquest is that the country was still partly uncivilised, and there was little contribution to literature apart from its introduction. Methods were of decidedly poor quality, few people could write, and a considerable amount of labour was necessary in securing suitable material. One volume would perhaps take years to complete. The consequence was that scrolls (the most common of writing materials then) were very rare and most expensive.

A distinct improvement and advancement appeared during the second period of this history. Christianity and learning became, in some parts of Britain, one of the necessities of life. Churches and schools were built on larger. scales, enabling a wider range for religion and education and also opening up important scholastic centres. Consequently writings and books were more frequently appearing and methods became improved, necessitating a reduction in prices. The third period saw the introduction of printing, resulting in a remarkable contrast with past' centuries in the output of books, and a further decrease in their cost. Since the Reformation England has had . far more prominent literary geniuses than any other country in the world, a fine record.

However ' we must now look at our modern production of literature and compare it with that of more ancient times. Firstly we may ask ourselves numerous questions:—Are the writers of to-day similar in class to those of the centuries before the war? Is our literature of to-day up to the standard of that of centuries before the war? We certainly have to confess and cannot deny that there has been a noticeable decrease in good writers since the war, and therefore also a decrease in the quality and superiority of books. It is inevitable that the present time marks in history an age of reconstruction. Whereas manual labour took the only important part in our industries, a few years ago, machinery is surely displacing this to-day. In our modern civilisation we have all the advantages and conveniences at our disposal, yet there is a decided inclination for products to be turned out in a hurried, superficial condition, and for, the old proverb “Slow and sure” to be excluded from application to modem life. >Not only literature has a tendency to deteriorate. Numerous other things such as music and art show a similar tendency. Does this modern reformation inspire us with confidence? It reminds me of a line I remember seeing in a primary school history book a few years ago—“ They had no poet and they died” (referring to ■ a once-powerful nation which gradually lost its national strength and degenerated). It is to the point to make another quotation from Robert Louis Stevenson—a literary toiler and master. He refers to some of . his ill-fated efforts when a young man' in the “introductory” of "Treasure Island.”:—“All my pretty ones had gone for a little and then stopped inexorably like a schoolboy’s watch. I might be compared to a cricketer of many years who should never have made a run. Anybody can write a short story—a bad one I mean—who has industry and paper and time enough.” The greater portion of our modem literature is similar to this novelist’s early efforts. The rising generation is confronted with a big responsibility. It is this generation on whom Britain depends to rid and heal her of her' present troublous' experience, to re-establish a firm, intellectual and prosperous empire. Firstly it is essential for the younger community; of which I am one, to cultivate good tastes. For these requirements wholesome and superior literature must take an increasingly important part in the curriculum of oui- lives, and should cause people to become more inspirational, sympathetic and' less neglectful. A great deal can be derived from the influence of parents and ■ schools.

It behoves the rising generation to increase the literary capacity of our nation, and to keep up the standard and reputation that England has established in centuries past.