Introduction 1
Chapter I The Ancient World 8
I．Historical Introduction 8
II．Literary Giants and Woks 10
III．Reading 18
Chapter II The Middle Ages 50
I．Historical Introduction 50
II．Literary Giants and Works 52
III．Reading 56
Chapter III The Renaissance 78
I．Historical Introduction 78
II．Literary Giants and Works 79
III．Reading 83
Chapter IV Classicism 91
I．The Rise of Classicism 91
II．The Features of Classicism 91
III．The Representatives of Classicism 92
IV．The Rise of English Realist Novel 97
V．Reading 98
Chapter V Romanticism 115
I．The Rise of Romanticism 115
II．The Features of Romanticism 116
III．The Representatives of Romanticism 118
IV．Reading 124
Chapter VI Realism and Naturalism 168
I．The Rise of Realism 168
II．The Features of Realism 169
III．The Representatives of Realism 170
IV．Naturalism 182
V．The Representatives of Naturalism 183
VI．Reading 185
Chapter VII Modernism 234
I．The Rise of Modernism 234
II．The Features of Modernism 237
IV．Symbolism 238
III．Post-modernism 238
V．Futurism 250
VI．Expressionism 251
VII．Existentialism 263
VIII．The Theatre of Absurd 285
IX．Surrealism 297
X．Stream of Consciousness 305
XI．Black Humor 317
XII．Neo-novel 334
XIII．Neo-realism 335
XIV．Modern Criticism 345
Glossary 357
References 382