Discuss the evolution of English from the 18th century to the present time with reference to Terry Eagleton’s “The Rise of English.”

Answer

Discuss the evolution of English from the 18th century to the present time with reference to Terry Eagleton’s “The Rise of English.” 

Terry Eagleton (1943-present) is a well-known British literary theorist and critic. In his essay “The Rise of English,” he gives a clear analysis of how English developed as a language and a subject. This essay is part of his book “Literary Theory: An Introduction” (1983). The essay traces how English literature grew from the 18th century to today. It also talks about the historical, social, and ideological factors that influenced its rise. The discussion focuses on how English moved from being a minor subject to a global academic field.

English for the Elite: In the 18th century, English literature was not seen as creative writing like it is today. It included all kinds of important writing, like philosophy, history, and essays. Eagleton says that literature was mostly enjoyed by the elite at that time. It was used to entertain them and keep their values strong. Eagleton explains:

With the need to incorporate the increasingly powerful but spiritually rather raw middle classes into unity with the ruling aristocracy, ….., literature gained a new importance.

The focus was on works that reflected polite society. This limited literature to those in power.

Rise of English as a Discipline: By the late 18th and early 19th centuries, English became an important academic subject. This change was driven by the need to educate more people. Eagleton explains that studying English literature was first thought to be suitable for women and workers. He says:

English was literally the poor man’s classics-a way of providing a cheapish ‘liberal’ education for those beyond the charmed circles of public school and Oxbridge.

At that time, top schools like Oxford and Cambridge did not want to include English in their courses.

Literature Replacing Religion: In the Victorian era, the role of literature changed a lot. Advances in science and technology made people doubt religious teachings. This left a gap that literature started to fill. Eagleton explains that Matthew Arnold promoted literature as a moral guide. Arnold believed it could replace the lost influence of religion. He states:

Like religion, literature works primarily by emotion and experience, and so was admirably well-fitted to carry through the ideological task which religion left off.

Romanticism and the Redefinition of Literature: During the Romantic period, the idea of literature changed. Imagination and creativity became central to what was valued in literature. Eagleton notes:

Through symbols, writers have highlighted many issues of society. And it was the Romantic poets who started it first.

He means that during the Romantic period, creative and imaginative writings became part of literature. This new idea of literature laid the foundation for how we see English as a subject today.

English as a Global Academic Discipline: In the 20th and 21st centuries, English grew from a national subject to a global academic discipline. The British Empire played a big role in spreading English literature around the world. Eagleton says British civil service exams included English literature. This prepared officers to spread British values in other countries. Today, English is a dominant global language studied for both education and work.

In termination, Terry Eagleton shows how English grew from a language for the elite in the 18th century to a global academic subject. The growth of English literature is closely linked to social and political changes. Eagleton’s essay shows how English has become a powerful tool for preserving and challenging dominant ideas.