4: Neoclassicism and the Eighteenth Century (1660-1797)
- Page ID
- 7749
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)After reading this chapter, you will be able to:
- Analyze how Parliament limited monarchical power and protected civil rights
- Characterize Georgian rule (George I, II, and III)
- Relate Neoclassical literature to the rise of reason and science
- Analyze the changing relationship of authors to their readers, or audience
- Describe characteristic features of the novel as genre
- Compare the novel as genre to Elizabethan and Seventeenth Century poetry and drama
- Compare Alexander Pope’s mock epic The Rape of the Lock to Milton’s epic Paradise Lost
- 4.1: Introduction
- This page explores the evolution of communication and literature during the Glorious Revolution and the eighteenth century. It highlights the emergence of constitutional monarchy, political strife influenced by religious and foreign conflicts, and the shift to an independent literary marketplace. Writers like Johnson, Swift, and Defoe addressed diverse themes, reflecting societal changes and emphasizing individual experience in both politics and literature.
- 4.2: Recommended Reading
- This page contains the recommended readings cited by the author.
- 4.3: Aphra Behn (1640-1689)
- This page highlights the significant contributions of Aphra Behn, England's first professional woman writer, to the novel genre through her works like "Oroonoko," which confronts themes of love, duty, and the brutal realities of slavery. The narrative follows Prince Oroonoko's tragic love for Imoinda amid royal conflicts, leading to his enslavement and eventual revolt.
- 4.4: William Congreve (1760-1729)
- This page covers the works and themes of William Congreve, an English playwright known for his comedies that critique societal hypocrisy and explore marriage as a financial pursuit. Through dialogues among characters like Mirabell, Millamant, and Lady Wishfort, the pages reveal the intricacies of love, social dynamics, jealousy, and deception, often infused with humor.
- 4.5: Daniel Defoe (1660-1731)
- The summaries delve into the tumultuous life of Daniel Defoe, the evolution of his character Moll Flanders, and the moral dilemmas faced by various female characters navigating love, crime, and societal expectations. Central themes include the tension between virtue and vice, the complexities of relationships, and the struggle for autonomy amidst economic pressures.
- 4.6: Anne Finch, Countess of Winchilsea (1661-1720)
- This page provides an overview of Anne Finch's literary contributions, emphasizing her poetry's themes of gender, societal roles, and nature. It highlights her advocacy for women's education and critiques of male criticism, contrasting her views with contemporaries like Cavendish.
- 4.7: Jonathan Swift (1667-1745)
- This page provides a comprehensive overview of Jonathan Swift's life, his literary achievements, and key characters from "Gulliver's Travels." It details his upbringing, works, and relationships, notably criticizing British exploitation of Ireland. The narrative includes segments from the protagonist's perilous adventures in various fantastical lands, highlighting themes of power dynamics, societal critique, and reflections on human nature.
- 4.8: Alexander Pope (1688-1744)
- This page explores the life, work, and influence of Alexander Pope, emphasizing his neoclassical style and critiques of societal norms. It discusses the balance in poetry between adherence to tradition and personal expression, and the complexities of literary criticism. Various texts highlight themes of beauty, loss, and moral responsibility, often set against the backdrop of nature's harmony and societal vanity.
- 4.9: Henry Fielding (1707-1754)
- This page examines the transformation of the novel genre by Henry Fielding through humor and moral critique. It highlights the contrasts between caricature and burlesque, the significance of role models, and the complexities of love and virtue in character interactions. The narrative unfolds through various dynamics among characters like Joseph Andrews, Mr. Adams, and Lady Booby, revealing themes of class, morality, and societal absurdities.
- 4.10: Lady Mary Wortley Montagu (1698-1762)
- This page explores Mary Wortley Montagu's critiques of societal norms regarding women, particularly their beauty and freedom, through her observations in Turkey. It also includes poetic reflections on the transient nature of beauty, human ambition, and societal expectations, emphasizing the impact of these themes on personal identity.
- 4.11: Samuel Johnson (1709-1784)
- This page covers a range of themes explored through the lives of Samuel Johnson, Rasselas, and others, emphasizing the critique of societal corruption, the fleeting nature of ambition and fame, and the quest for genuine happiness amidst superficiality. It reflects on the struggles against materialism and the desire for meaning, the complexities of relationships, and the nature of fulfillment, both in isolation and companionship.
- 4.12: James Bosnell (1740-1795)
- This page explores the life of James Boswell, his friendship with Samuel Johnson, and various philosophical reflections from Johnson. It details Boswell's admiration for Johnson, their shared experiences, and Johnson's views on literature, society, and personal connections. Furthermore, it discusses Johnson's skepticism about the supernatural, social hierarchies, and the importance of genuine conversation and education.
- 4.13: Olaudah Equiano (c. 1745-1797)
- This page recounts the life of Olaudah Equiano, who was kidnapped into slavery and later earned his freedom. His autobiography detailed the horrors of slavery, influencing abolition efforts. The narrative explores the emotional struggles of enslaved individuals, their harrowing journeys, cultural contrasts, and relationships formed despite adversity. It emphasizes themes of oppression, resilience, spiritual transformation, and the plea for justice and abolition from a moral standpoint.
- 4.14: Key Terms
- This page contains a list of key terms found in Chapter 4: Neoclassicism and the Eighteenth Century (1660-1797).
Thumbnail: Oath of the Horatii (Public Domain; Jacques-Louis David via Wikipedia)