What is the pastoral?

The 'pastoral' is a literary tradition or genre, which is commonly associated with its conventional focus on idealised country life, hailing from ideas of the Classical utopian country setting of 'Arcadia'. Inherited into Western culture, in literature its developed into a far more complex genre; notably used by reknowned writers such as Blake or Shakespeare in their poetry or as a setting in his comedies, modern and contemporary writers have used the conventions of this genre and its idealised imagining of the countryside to further explore the themes this concept provokes. These themes include man's relationship with the landscape, modern issues of climate change, the urban versus the pastoral and the reality of manual labour.

Related English Literature A Level answers

All answers ▸

Analyse pages 38-39 of Regeneration making connections between landscape and mindscape, and relate to page 184


When I write comparative essays, I have the tendency to talk about one text more than the other which restricts my marks. What can I do to make sure I address both texts equally and make a strong comparison?


Compare the presentation of love in Hemingway's The End of Something and Roberts' Your Shoes


Williams and Webster present societies in which ‘Black deeds must be cured by death’. In what ways could you apply this statement about sin and justice to your study of ‘The Duchess of Malfi’ and ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’?.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2024

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences