British Lit Final ExamMay 26, 2010Books are humanity in print,The human race is known for its change; it has evolved from prehistoric “cavemen,” ancient empires and the Vikings to aristocratic monarchies, democracies and dictatorships. With each passing year we see technological advancements, shifting political platforms, and an increasingly mobile global population. Each literary era reflects human exploits, lifestyles and changing times: Anglo-Saxon epics consist of scenes of glorious battles, bloodied warriors and countries in conflict; Middle English works consist of glorified knights, the chivalric code, and a greedy, materialistic court; and the classics of modern literature describe worlds in which the human race is ruled by technology. From ancient Greek mythology to the next great literary classic, the era in which a work is written reflects the period in which it was written. Centuries before the introduction of printing and written history, historical events were transmitted through oral accounts from which people could take artistic liberties without anyone knowing. Spanning six hundred years, the Anglo-Saxon period is filled with rival tribes, invading empires, and the spread of Christianity throughout the British Isles. The anonymously written epic poem, Beowulf, illustrates the era through its mixture of religion, destiny, and feudal systems. Beowulf depicts the Anglo-Saxon period as one ruled by war and the love of revenge, making people pawns in the powers that be in search of land, power, courage, gold and glory; however, the poem interweaves pagan and Christian beliefs signifying the changing times. During the Anglo-Saxon period, Romans, Anglos, Saxons and Jutes invaded the islands and made the islands a war zone with...... middle of paper ...... Huxley's dystopian novel. Each generation witnesses new exploits, new ways of life, and new ideas about how the world is and how it should be. The works of art produced during this period reflect the changing world. Literature contains many genres that appeal to a variety of different people; However, each literary classic taught in the classroom reflects the changing history of the world and how humanity has evolved over the centuries. To put it simply, “books are humanity in print.” Works Cited Tuchman, Barbara W. ““Books are humanity in print”” Thinkexist Quotes. Internet. May 24, 2010. .Tuchman, Barbara W. ""Books are humanity in print"" Thinkexist Quotes. Internet. May 24 2010. .