Chapter Seven

1. Chapter Seven The Eighteenth Century

2. Historical Background ※ Parliament set up the constitutional monarchy in 1688 ↓ Monarchy became a compromise between the bourgeoisie and the aristocrats. ↓ The monarch was deprived of ruling power by Parliament ※ England became a powerful naval country.

3. The war of Spanish Succession (1702—1714) The war of Austrian Succession (1740– 1748) The Seven Years’ War with France (1756 – 1763) Powerful Navy

4. The remarkable changes in bourgeoisie cultural life 1. Political writings 2. Newspapers and journals 3. Coffeehouses Men of all classes met in coffeehouses. 4. The new morality reason ﹥emotion 5. Science and technology Newton, John Locke 6. The French influence

5. In the precious ages, authors depend on the patrons. ↓ Writing became an independent job. Patrons depends on writers. →

6. A new mass media appeared: ｛ 1.Both parties printed newspapers. 2. The middle class rose. ↙ ↘ entertainment and education express their opinions on political and moral problems Prose -- predominant writing genre

7. The same profession gather at certain coffeehouse. coffeehouse Will’s in Covent Garden Spectator Club Pickwick Club Dryden and literary men Dickens in 19th Cen. Addison and friends

8. Newton The great scientist profound significance in the history of thought --- Law of gravitation. John Locke The father of a new theory of knowledge The Age of Reason

9. The influence of Neo – classicism from France The classicists believed that those Roman writers had established the perfect art and rules of art for future generations to follow. Such as: heroic couplet instead of blank verse, the three unities of time, place and action.

10. The characteristics of Neo-classicism • ---emphasized reason rather than emotion, form rather than content. • ---stress reason, most of the writings of the age were didactic and satirical. • ---poet prefer closed couplet for elegance, correctness, appropriateness and restraint • ---cater to the interests of the society in great cities instead of town. • --- lack in those elements related with the romantic.

11. The outline of the Literature in the 18th century Essayists: Addison and Steele---- start the periodical essay Samuel Johnson---- the man of letter and the composer of dictionary Poets: Alexander Pope--- neo-classicism Thomas Gray---- derived from neo-classicism, sentimentalism, elegy Robert Burns---- Scottish folk songs William Blake---break with neo-classicism but with more romantic elements

12. Dramatist: Sheridan--- the most important English playwright of the 18th century Novelist: Daniel Defoe--- Robinson Crusoe Fielding---playwright novelist Joseph Andrews Richardson---Pamela Swift--- prose and novel, esp. for satire

13. Daniel Defoe (1661-1731) • Born in London in 1661 • His father was a poor and hard-working Presbyterian butcher. • His father wanted Defoe to be a clergyman. In fact, Defoe is a pioneer novelist of England a prolific writer of books and pamphlets

14. A versatile man novelist merchant economist journalist pamphleteer politician 6 novels shop kiln writing periodical principle trade spy articles

15. Robinson Crusoe (1720) --- The Life and Strange Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe Moll Flanders (1722) ---The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders Defoe’s two important novels

16. read a real incident in 1704 interview embellish Alexander Selkirk was thrown onto a desolate island by the mutinous crew of his ship because of the conflict with captain. Robinson Crusoe adventurous story Go abroad for business accident on the sea Caught Moor Robinson’s experience desolated island for 28 years Escaped to Brazil met “Friday” – his slave Became a planter helped captain to get the ship back Bought slaves in Africa go back home

17. the daughter of a woman (theft) was born in prison Moll Flanders was brought up by a stranger became a maid was seduced married for five times steal and cheat was caught to prison Her prospect met her cared husband the function of her mother got a plantation left by her mother

18. Jonathan Swift(1667—1745) 1. Born in Dublin, English parents 2. Worked as a private secretary 3. Political pamphlets 4. The Dean of St. Patrick’s Cathedral

19. Two satirical essays during the 2nd period The Battle of Books ----- a satire or the controversy concerning the values of ancients and moderns Mock ---heroic epic A Tale of the Tub ----- a satire on the various churches of the time Roman Catholic Allegory:3sons { dissenter England church

20. Two political pamphlets in the 3rd period The Drapier’s Letter ----- under the pseudonym of Mr. Drapier A Modest Proposal ----- bitter satire on the policy of the English government toward Irish

21. In 1726, his masterpiece was published : ----- Gulliver’s Travels Four parts: about the four voyages of its hero to strange places Writing style: travel literature

23. The Comparison between Defoe and Swift Defoe Swift *businessman *churchman *have little knowledge *university graduate *a dissenter *a member of the Anglican Church *aimed to improve the morals of his time *viewed human society, cynic , misanthropic

24. Joseph Addison (1672--- 1719) Richard Steele (1672---1729)

25. Periodical essays:started by Joseph Addison and Richard Steele during the early 18th century and were the most characteristic genre of the 18th century. Similarities of two essayists *born in the same year, study in the same school and university *both are the periodical essayists and educators *similar topics: light topics--- fashions, head dresses *writing style: wit humor, satire *describe lively pictures of men and manners in the ordinary society of the time

26. The Tatler Three times a week The Spectator daily

27. The same purposes To educate the newly risen middle class the morals and modes To bridge the gap between the small circle of London and the large Puritan middle class To interest the general reader, to guide and develop their tastes

28. Alexander Pope (1688--- 1744) • Family----- London draper • Religion ----- Roman Catholics • Health ----- handicapped, less than 5 feet • Marriage ----- never • Education ----- self-educated

29. Pope’s three creative periods 1st period (1709--- 1720): Pastorals--- a collection of poems Essay on Criticism --- a number of quotable lines The Rape of the Lock --- attract public attention The Windsor Forest --- a patriotic poem

30. the 2nd period (1720--- 1726) : Translation --- Homer’s epic Iliad and Odyssey in free manner Comedy --- Three Hours After Marriage Edition of Shakespeare

31. The 3rd period (1728 --- 1735): The Dunciad --- three books of long poem Four Epistles --- moral and philosophical nature An Essay on Man --- a collection of poems Imitations of Horace --- a collection of poems

32. Quotable lines in Pope’s poem • To err is human, to forgive is divine. • For fools rush in where angels fear to tread. • The proper study of mankind is man. • A little learning is a dangerous thing. 人皆有错，难能宽恕 只有傻瓜才去那些天使不敢涉足的地方。 对人类的真正研究就在于其本身。 知识少是很危险的事。