englishliteratureofthe18th__century-handouts

1、English Literature of the 18th centuryI. Sketch: 1. Historical background1). Political: Glorious Revolution, Industrial Revolution, War of Independence, French Revolution, 2). ideological: Enlightenment Movement2. l

2、iterature1. Neoclassicism 2. Periodical 3. novels (Sentimental Movement)4. dramaII. Enlightenment 1. A philosophical movement of the 18th century that emphasized the use of reason to scrutinize previously accepted do

3、ctrines and traditions and that brought about many humanitarian reforms. 2. A progressive intellectual movement throughout western Europe (England, Germany and France) in the 18th century and in Russia in the 19th cent

4、ury (Lenin: bourgeois movement)3. Nature and Effect1) A movement preaching bourgeois political system.2). The continuation of the anti-feudalism, anti-asceticism and anti-church movement of the Renaissance.3). Set up

5、 the base for French Revolution in 1789.4. Enlighteners in English Literature: 2 groups1). moderate group: Pope, Defoe, Addison and Steele, and RichardsonThey supported the rules of the existing social order and consider

6、ed partial reforms would be sufficient.2). Radical group: Swift, Fielding, Smollett, Goldsmith and SheridanThey insisted on more resolute democratization in the management of the government and even partly defended the

7、 interests of working people, peasants and laboring classIII. The 18th Century Literature I Neo-Classicism II Periodical Literature III Realistic Novels IV Sentimentalism V Gothic Novels VI Prose an Drama8)No revoluti

8、onary spirit is included. 9)Structure is given more emphasis– focused plot, strict arrangement of time and place. 10)Description on character and psychological movement. 11)Daily language.Daniel Defoe（丹尼爾 丹尼爾·笛福 笛

9、福）Pattern of his novels The hero or heroine began from a humble origin, with vicissitudes in their life. Moralizing on the part of the hero or heroine over his or her misdeeds. The struggle of the protagonists is in conf

10、lict with the society. The Puritan conscience is included. The blame is both on the hero or heroine and at the society.Significance of Defoe’s novels Defoe is a great realist. The charm of his novels is their intense se

11、nse of reality, which is embodied in succession of thoughts, feelings and incidents that are easily recognized to be credibly true to life. The readers can see the essence of the aristocratic-bourgeois society. Defoe ga

12、ve his story the quality of factual truth from his observation of nature and society, moreover, he is a novelist of strong imagination.IV Jonathan Swift （江奈生 江奈生·斯威夫特 斯威夫特）Comment on Gulliver’s Travels It is a sat

13、ire on the whole English society of the early 18th century. It exposes the ugly appearance of the British ruling classes. It criticizes the declining feudalism and the new capitalist relations. It attacks the aggressive

14、 wars and colonialism in the 18th century. It is a fantasy and a realistic work of fiction His understanding of human nature is profound: human nature is seriously flawed. To better human life, enlightenment is needed.

15、He intends not to condemn but to reform and improve human natureHenry Fielding Comment A realistic novelist, Fielding set up the theory of realism in literary creation. Exact observation and study of the real life He m

16、ade a close and constant study of real men and women of his own age. His characters are common earthly men with earthly interests, needs and passion. He created human nature truthfully and accurately. His characters are