Literature, what's the use of it? Should it be ethical, or (merely) aesthetical? We will investigate this question as we study British literature from the 1890s to the 1940s. We'll see how the question of aesthetics is complicated by social and political events--the Irish nationalist movement, the women's rights movement, and most significantly two world wars. Conversations will take place in class and via e-mail groups. Two papers, a mid-term, and a final are required; you must complete all four of these projects.