English Literature in Context by Paul Poplawski is a reference text, intended for the study of English Literature. This introductory text is also a handy reference tool for an entire degree in English Literature. The text's main objectives include helping students understand how literature has influenced by historical context and how subsequent historical periods influence literature.

The text is structured for undergraduate purposes, complete with illustrations and helpful textboxes which summarise and enhance important background material. There are seven chapters, chronologically arranged and written by experienced teachers who have a clear understanding of the English curriculum at the undergraduate level. These 7 chapters are: Medieval English, the Renaissance, Restoration and the 18th Century, the Romantic Period, the Victorian Age, the Twentieth Century: 1901-1939 and the Twentieth Century: 1939-2004. Each chapter provides an in depth analyses of a major period in history, documenting and surveying some of the cultural contexts which helped shape English literature. Each chapter includes a narrative survey, detailed chronology, contextual readings from selected literary texts and suggestion for further study.

English Literature in Context was published by Cambridge University Press in 2010 and is available in paperback format.

Key Features:

• The text features recurring themes throughout the chapters, showing how all historical periods influence and relate to one another. This will help students understand how ideas, movements and concepts develop.
• The text encourages students to engage in further reading, using secondary sources.
• It provides text boxes, detailed chronologies and illustrations to stimulate debate and promote understanding.