english quiz Flashcards
(33 cards)
other names for the restoration
the enlightenement
the age of reason
the neoclassical era
the Augustan period
why is this era aka the enlightenement/ age of reason
- the country shifted from an emotional perspective to a intellectual/factual one
- the industrial revolution influenced the british thoughts and ideas (even literature)
-signs and punishments from god were analyzed with science (london fire and plague) : people asked how instead of why - the writing content and style of literature was influenced by scientific writing –> sentences got shorter, extended metaphors
Why is this period known as the
Augustan Period?
- refers to the similarities of england and rome (during caesers reign)
-octavius ruled after caesars murder and is often thought of as the second founder - similarly, Charles II is taken from exile in France and restored England. He reopened playhouses, brought back a formal court, and exhumed the body of Oliver Cromwell to have it decapitated.
Why is this period known as the
Neoclassical Period?
many people during this time were educated on the classics and in the new modern works
- they enjoyed the connection between them and works making references to multiple time periods
- neoclassic–> new classics
Why is this time known as the
Restoration?
King charles II was restored to england in 1660
- he brought new artistic and indulgent ways of king louis XIV’s court
-two political parties emerged
Whigs and tories
whigs
want to limit royal authority
tories
support absolute royal authority
restoration of the monarchy
- restoration of charles II to the throne
- ends the republic commonwealth under lord protector oliver cromwell and his son
- brought about a resurgence of royalist culture, festivities, and a relaxation of the Puritanical constraints of the previous era.
intellectual development– the enlightenment
shift towards reason, science, and individual rights
- Thinkers such as John Locke advocated for individual freedoms, while the scientific works of Isaac Newton and others reshaped understanding of the world.
Growth of Print Culture
- printing press
- democratization of information and literature
- increase in newspapers, periodicals, pamphlets
- increase in spread of ideas
Education
- The period saw a significant shift in educational priorities, moving from classical studies to more practical subjects.
- Formal education remained a privilege of the wealthy, but there was a growing push for broader access to learning.
Functional Literacy
- rise in literacy rates (particularly among the middle classes and urban populations)
- The spread of newspapers, periodicals, and affordable books played a significant role in promoting functional literacy.
- notable gender gap: While literacy rates rose for both men and women, men generally had higher rates.
Long term impacts
- The focus on functional literacy and broader education paved the way for educational reforms in the 19th century.
-the idea of self-improvement through reading became ingrained in society, laying the foundation for public libraries and adult education programs in the future.
THE AGE OF REASON
key features:
empirical approach: emphasis on experimentation and observation and use of the scientific method
questioning of authority: challenging traditional views, especially those of the church and ancient philosophers
mathmetization of nature: understanding the whys of nature through science and math
NEOCLASSICAL PERIOD
- Neoclassicism is an artistic and literary movement that emerged in the mid-18th century and lasted until the early 19th century.
- It sought to revive the classical art and literature of ancient Greece and Rome.
- Characteristics include simplicity, symmetry, and a sense of grandeur. Emphasis was on clarity, order, and balance.
Influence
-Influenced by discoveries of ancient Roman and Greek artifacts.
- Seen in architecture (e.g., the Pantheon in Paris), sculpture, painting, literature, and theater.
- Famous proponents include artists like Jacques-Louis David and writers like Alexander Pope.
Social and Economic Change
- Significant Social Change
50% of the men are functionally literate (a dramatic rise). - Fenced enclosures of land cause demise of traditional village life.
- Factories begin to spring up as industrial revolution begins.
- Impoverished masses begin to grow in harsh factory conditions.
Urbanization
- Economic and agricultural changes began reshaping the landscape.
- Villages declined in prominence as people migrated to cities for work, especially with the onset of the Industrial Revolution.
- Factors such as agricultural revolution, enclosure movements, and the burgeoning Industrial Revolution contributed to the decline of traditional village life.
Agricultural Revolution
- Innovations in farming techniques and tools meant fewer laborers were required for the same amount of work.
- Small-scale farming became less viable, pushing many to seek work in urban factories.
- As agriculture became less labor-intensive and industries grew, the economy began its shift from being predominantly agrarian to industrial.
Population Growth
- Britain experienced significant population growth during this period.
- The increasing population put pressure on available land in villages, making urban areas more attractive for opportunities.
- Many of those displaced from villages migrated to towns and cities, leading to rapid urban growth in places like Manchester, Birmingham, and London.
LITERATURE: content of the period
Reason and Logic
Harmony, Stability, Wisdom
Concern with Society as a Whole
Follow Traditions and Standards
Optimism about the Present Day
Deism: God as a clockmaker (no interference with human affairs)
LITERATURE: themes and motifs
Rationalism
Scientific Reasoning
order
reason
harmony
Optimism
Social Reform (Satire)
Patriotism
LITERATURE: genre/ style
Satire: using humour or making fun of humanity and society to get a point across in a relatable comprehendable way
Poetry: little of note
Nonfiction: letters, essays, diaries, biographies
Novels: Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe is often cited as the first novel in English.
Firsts: dictionaries, essays, novels
Satire
using humour or making fun of humanity and society to get a point across in a relatable comprehendable way
The societal shifts, political dramas, and changing cultural landscapes provided fertile ground for writers to employ wit, irony, and exaggeration, not just to entertain but to provoke thought, challenge the status quo, and effect change.