Coleridge's Biographia Literaria

 

 Here is a summary of Coleridge's Biographia Literaria in 500 words, point wise, with proper headings:

- Introduction: Coleridge introduces his work as a combination of autobiography, literary criticism and philosophy. He reflects on his early education, poetic influences and literary career.

- Criticism of Wordsworth: Coleridge reviews the Lyrical Ballads, a collection of poems he co-authored with Wordsworth, and criticizes Wordsworth's theory of poetic language and his views on the role of nature and emotion in poetry.

- Criticism of Hartley: Coleridge rejects the associational psychology of David Hartley, who argued that all mental phenomena are derived from sensory impressions and their combinations. Coleridge argues that the mind has an active role in shaping reality and creating new ideas.

- Theory of Imagination: Coleridge develops his own theory of imagination, which he distinguishes from fancy. He defines imagination as the creative power of the mind that perceives the unity of reality and produces original works of art. He divides imagination into primary and secondary: primary imagination is the basic faculty of perception, while secondary imagination is the artistic faculty that modifies and transforms reality.

- Transcendental Philosophy: Coleridge outlines his philosophical principles, which are influenced by Immanuel Kant and German idealism. He argues that reason is superior to understanding, and that there are universal truths that transcend empirical experience. He also discusses the nature of free will, moral law and faith.

- Satyrane's Letters: Coleridge includes two letters written by his fictional persona Satyrane, who describes his travels in Germany and his encounters with various philosophers and poets. Coleridge uses these letters to express his admiration for German literature and culture, and to contrast it with the state of English literature and society.

- Conclusion: Coleridge concludes his work by apologizing for its imperfections and promising to continue it in a future volume. He also expresses his hope that his readers will appreciate his efforts and benefit from his insights.

I hope this helps you prepare for your MA exam. You can find more information about Coleridge's Biographia Literaria from these sources: