18世纪讲座

nullEnglish Literature in the 18th CenturyEnglish Literature in the 18th CenturyBackground Background 1688 The Glorious Revolution 1760s Industrial Revolution 1775—1781 War of Independence 1789 French Revolution Enlightenment MovementThe Glorious RevolutionThe Glorious RevolutionAim: To overthrow the rule of James II. To prevent Catholicism to restore in England. The Glorious RevolutionThe Glorious RevolutionJames II The last Catholic King in England. In the pursuit for the absolute power.nullThe Glorious Revolution—process The Glorious Revolution—process A revolution without blood– “glorious”. 1688 William of Orange was invited to England. November William arrived in England James II fled to Germany. 1689 William and Mary were declared to be the joint sovereign of England. The Glorious Revolution—resultThe Glorious Revolution—result1689 Bill of Rights Constitutional Monarchy was established. The monarch is the head of state, but a directly- or indirectly-elected prime minister is head of government. The real authority was in the hands of the parliament and of the cabinet responsible to parliament. The Glorious Revolution—resultThe Glorious Revolution—resultPower: in the hands of landlords and capitalists. Nature: a compromise between the aristocracy and the bourgeoisie. System of Capitalism was finally established. backIndustrial Revolution—background Industrial Revolution—background An established capitalism. Big trading companies Money investment Capitalist way of production: industry & agriculture EnclosureIndustrial Revolution—process Industrial Revolution—process Time: 1760s– 1840s Machines replaced manual tools. It began in the textile industry. Symbol: the wide use of steamers. 1764 spinning Jenny nullIndustrial Revolution—influenceIndustrial Revolution—influenceProductivity increased. Capitalist economy developed fast. Industrial structure changed. The society is changing from agricultural to industrial. New social classes: industrial capitalists & industrial proletariat; middle class. Industrial Revolution—influenceIndustrial Revolution—influenceTrends of thinking Socialism Anarchism Private property Most of the social classes wished to improve their life through revolution. back American War of IndependenceAmerican War of IndependencenullnullnullnullAmerican War of Independence-- backgroundAmerican War of Independence-- backgroundHeavy taxes Anti-English organizations: Son of Liberty , Communications Commission Boston Massacre American War of IndependenceAmerican War of IndependenceDec. 6,1773 Boston Tea Party April 19, 1775 Lexington July 4, 1776 Declaration of Independence American War of Independence– process American War of Independence– process 1775—1778 in the north, British army took advantage 1779—1781 in the south, American army won Great Victory in Saratoga, William Dean Howells nullAmerican War of Independence–significanceAmerican War of Independence–significanceDouble meaning: war of national liberation and capitalistic war Encouraged the European revolution, especially French Revolution in 1789. backFrench Revolution French Revolution 1789French Revolution French Revolution Background Background Developed capitalism Bourgeoisie– rich but powerless in politics Social Class First class: Catholic priests Second class: aristocracy Third class: bourgeoisie, peasants, plebiansProcess Process May 1789 Ectats générax （三级会议） July 14, 1789 uprising of the Paris People, Bastille Aug. 26, Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen （人权宣言） June, 1791 Louise XVI fled. Constitution of 1791– Constitutional MonarchyProcessProcess1792 Second uprising– constitutional monarchy was abolished. NapoleonInfluenceInfluenceThe bourgeois revolution of the largest scale in the modern history. It ended the feudalism of more than 1000 years in France. It shook the feudal order of the whole European Continent. It set an example for the later revolutions. Back Enlightenment Enlightenment nullA philosophical movement of the 18th century that emphasized the use of reason to scrutinize previously accepted doctrines and traditions and that brought about many humanitarian reforms. nullAn intellectual movement throughout Western Europe in the 18th century. A European movementBroad fields Broad fields Natural science Philosophy Ethnics Politics Economics History Literature Education Time Time In America, French and other European countries: before the bourgeois revolution In England: after the bourgeois revolutionIntroduction Introduction Origin: England Center: France Slogan: liberty, equality and fraternity Representatives : Voltaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Montesquieu, Diderot, Kant, HobbesNature and EffectNature and EffectA movement preaching bourgeois political system. The continuation of the anti-feudalism, anti-asceticism and anti-church movement of the Renaissance. Set up the base for French Revolution in 1789. Branches Branches Anti-authority Rationalism Enlightenment Cultural optimism Returning to nature Deism Human rights Presentation Presentation Bitter hostility toward serfdom and all that went with it in the economic, social and juristic fields. Strong advocation of education or “enlightenment” and self-government and freedom for the masses of people. In the service for the oppressed common people besides the bourgeoisie.PresentationPresentation“Age of Reason”Features of Enlightenment in EnglandFeatures of Enlightenment in EnglandTo carry on the revolution to the finish. The two bourgeois revolutions (1640 and 1688) brought a new social-political system. (compromise) Concepts of the EnlightenmentConcepts of the EnlightenmentNothing is unchallenged authority. All the old concepts are under ruthless examination and criticism and acknowledged to be unreasonable and discarded. All the past deserves regret and contempt. Reason is the “eternal truth”. (“eternal justice”, “natural equality”)ReligionReligionOfficial religion is rejected. Deism and materialistic philosophy were widely accepted. Enlighteners’ belief: Social problems could not be solved by church doctrine or power of God, but human intelligence. Declaration of IndependenceDeclaration of IndependenceWe hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that they are among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. nullbackDeclaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen 1、Men are born and remain free and equal in rights. Social distinctions may be founded only upon the general good. 2、The aim of all political association is the preservation of the natural and imprescriptible rights of man. These rights are liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression. Back Literature Literature I Neo-Classicism II Periodical Literature III Realistic Novels IV Sentimentalism V Gothic Novels VI ProseI Neo-ClassicismI Neo-ClassicismAlexander Pope Neo-ClassicismNeo-ClassicismA revival in the 17th and 18th centuries of classical standards of order, balance, and harmony in literature. John Dryden and Alexander Pope were major exponents of the neoclassical school.Neoclassicism Neoclassicism Neo— “new” Classicism– “the work of Greek or Latin authors” The term neoclassicism summarizes aesthetic that draws on ancient models for its guide and inspiration. In English literature it is a term particularly used to describe the writings of later 17th to the late 18th centuries.Neoclassicism Neoclassicism This period has John Dryden at one end, Alexander Pope in the middle and Samuel Johnson at the other. Alexander PopeAlexander Pope--- 1688—1744 The best poet of England and, at present, of all the worldnullnullLife and CareerLife and CareerBorn in a Catholic family, physical weakness and deformity– little education 1711 “Essay on Criticism” 1713 Scriblerus Club together with Swift and other writers. 1712 “The Rape of the Lock”(卷发遇劫记) Translation of Homer (10 years) 1720 “Iliad” 1726 “Odessey” Life and CareerLife and Career1732—34 “An Essay on Man” （论人） 1731—35 “Moral Essays” 1728—43 “The Dunciad” (愚人记）WorksWorks“An Essay on Criticism” -- a manifesto of English neoclassicism, expressing Pope’s aesthetic theories of poetry. 744 lines in 3 parts. Heroic couplet“An Essay on Criticism”“An Essay on Criticism”Pope’s chief contribution to literary criticism A comparative study of the criticism on poetry, summing up the theories of the poetic criticism advanced by Horace and Boileau. He eulogized the ancient classics and advocated a careful study and faithful representation of their rules and standards.“An Essay on Criticism”“An Essay on Criticism”he praises highly of the ancients Declared that to follow nature is equivalent to follow the Ancients and their rules of literature. Warned the critics against various unsound critical standards and touches upon the current literary problems. Advised the laws of criticism to be observed Eulogized the great critics in history. “An Essay on Criticism”“An Essay on Criticism”Significance: it is a comprehensive study of the theories of literary criticism. The Rape of the LockThe Rape of the LockA mock heroic poem. It is a satire on the idle and meaningless life of lords and ladies in the aristocratic bourgeois society of the 18th century England. Heroic couplet is used. Influence: on Byron’s “Don Juan”The DunciadThe DunciadOne of the most important work of the poet. Ostensible controversy concerning the comment on Shakespeare A revengeful satire upon his numerous contemporaries. A significant poem with the lashing of his witty and bitter satire sweeps the artificial poetry of his day. Essay on ManEssay on ManIt shows Pope’s philosophical and political stand of an Enlightener. Pope was under the influence of the Deists in this work. CommentCommentA great poet and had much influence. He popularized the neoclassical literary tradition. One of the early representatives of the Enlightenment, and introduced rationalism to English culture. A great satirist. Great master of heroic couplet Early 18th century is named as the Age of Pope.Quotable QuotesQuotable QuotesA wit’s father, and a chief a rod An honest man’s the noblest work of God To err is human, to forgive divine. Hope springs eternal in the human breast Man never is, but always to be blest. Samuel Johnson (1709—1784) Samuel Johnson (1709—1784)The leader of the school of neo-classicism in poetry and prose.Johnson the poetJohnson the poet“London” “The Vanity of Human Wishes” Both the two poems were written in heroic couplets, written with conciseness and polish in the true classical style. Theme: all human ambitions and endeavours are vain, with mixture of pessimism and moral fortitude. Johnson the DramatistJohnson the Dramatist“Irene”– a blank-verse tragedyJohnson the Prose RomancerJohnson the Prose Romancer“The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia” “Surely happiness is somewhere to be found” It has the same theme as “The Vanity of Human Wishes” It is a full expression of Johnson’s rationalism and great wisdom. No revolutionary spirit contained– though all is not well in the world and among the men, yet it is not hopelessly bad to necessitate a drastic change. (“golden mean”) Johnson the LexicographerJohnson the Lexicographer“The Dictionary of English Language” It was the first standard work which contains sound definitions and uses illustrative quotations from authorities. It remained for a century the unrivalled authority for the English language, and all English dictionaries since its time have been obviously indebted to it. “Letter to Earl Chesterfield”Johnson the EssayistJohnson the EssayistEssays for “The Rambler” and “Idlers”Johnson the CriticJohnson the Critic“Preface” to his edition of Shakespeare He praises Shakespeare as “the poet of nature”. He defends Shakespeare the charge of violating the rules of the three unities. Shakespeare “must have looked upon mankind with perspicacity, in the highest degree curious and attentive”. Johnson is a fair-minded critic with sound common sense.Johnson the CriticJohnson the Critic“Lives of the Poets” Lives of 52 poets. Johnson is in favor of neo-classicism and has some unfair comments on Milton and Thomas Gray. backII Periodical LiteratureII Periodical Literature--- in the early 18th century: Addison and SteeleBackgroundBackground1695 the Licensing Act was stopped. 1704—13 “The Review” Daniel Defoe “The Tatler” (1709—11) “The Spectator” (1711—12) The are the joint works of Joseph Addison and Richard Steele.The Contribution of the TwoThe Contribution of the Two“The Tatler” 闲谈者 Published 3 times a week. 271 numbers were published altogether. “The purpose of the newspaper, is to expose the false arts of life, to pull off the disguises of cunning, vanity, and affectation, and to recommend a general simplicity in our dress, our discourse, and our behavior”The Spectator 旁观者The Spectator 旁观者March 1, 1711, daily It dealt with a wider range of subjects. It was written in mature style. It also contain a gallery of vivid portraits e.g. Sir Roger de CoverleyThe SpectatorThe Spectator555 numbers Sir Roger An eccentric figure of Tory. A queer and singular sort of person. It has comprehensive though desultory comments and discussions. The significance of “The Tatler” and “The Spectator”The significance of “The Tatler” and “The Spectator”They are the historical landmarks in the development of periodical literature in England. The creation of the characters in Spectators’ Club backSection IIISection IIIEnglish Prose Fiction in the Middle and Last Decades of the 18th Century—realistic writers Features Features Influenced by materialistic philosophy. Follow the tradition of old novels, especially the picaresque novels. Reflected the social contradictions in the bourgeois society. Catered to the taste of the middle class readers. Features Features The social life is the main theme. The people from the middle or lower class are heroes or heroines. Serious attitude to social problems—criticism on reality. No revolutionary spirit is included. Features Features Structure is given more emphasis– focused plot, strict arrangement of time and place. Description on character and psychological movement. Daily language.BackgroundBackgroundEnglish novels flourished in the 40s and 50s of the century. The major novelists: Daniel Defoe Jonathan Swift Samuel Richardson Henry Fielding Tobias SmollettRealistic NovelsRealistic NovelsThe portrayal of life with fidelity. P330 One tends to think of realism in terms of the everyday, the normal, the pragmatic. The realistic novelists paid particular attention to exact documentation, to getting the facts right. Realistic NovelsRealistic NovelsDaniel Defoe Jonathan Swift Samuel Richardson Henry Fielding Tobias Smollett Daniel Defoe（丹尼尔·笛福）Daniel Defoe（丹尼尔·笛福）--- (1660—1731) A journalist, a pamphleteer, a poet and a novelistnullnullIntroduction Introduction The father of modern novel Mouthpiece of the newly arisen bourgeoisie. Central ideas: Develop bourgeois industry and commerce, especially trade. Enlarge colonies. Be against the feudal despotism. Fight for the political rights and social status for the bourgeoisie. Novels Novels “Robinson Crusoe” (鲁滨逊漂流记） “Captain Singleton”（辛格顿船长） “Moll Flanders”（摩尔·弗兰德斯） “Roxana” （罗克姗娜） “A Journal of the Plague Year” （大疫年日记）nullRobinson Crusoe (1719)Robinson Crusoe (1719)3 parts It is based on the true story of a sailor: Alexander Seilkirk. A picaresque novel. The hero is a true empire builder, being at once a colonizer and a foreign trader. SignificanceSignificanceThe glorification of the bourgeois man in the period of capital accumulation. The glorification of labor. Crusoe became a colonizer after he met Friday, and a exploiter. He is an ideal hero of the bourgeoisie. –do you agree? Why or why not?nullnullPattern of his novelsPattern of his novelsThe 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 conflict 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 novelsSignificance of Defoe’s novelsDefoe is a great realist. The charm of his novels is their intense sense 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. Significance of Defoe’s novelsSignificance of Defoe’s novelsDefoe gave 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·斯威夫特）IV Jonathan Swift （江奈生·斯威夫特）--- 1667—1745 Britain’s bitterest satirist Life and CareerLife and CareerThe Battle of the Books: a dialogue on the comparative merit of ancient and modern writers. A Tale of Tub: a prose satire and a sharp attack on the dispute among the different branches of the Christian religion. The Drapier’s Letter A Modest Proposal The Battle of the BooksThe Battle of the BooksA satirical dialogue on the comparative merit of ancient and modern writers. Current question of the quarrel between the Ancients and the Moderns. Favoring the Ancient, he showed himself a neo-classicist. Literary theory: great writers should draw from nature. A Tale of a TubA Tale of a TubIt is a prose satire. It satirizes on all the chief branches (Catholicism, Anglican church, Puritanism) of the Christian church and even upon Christian religion itself, modern learning is also satirized.A Tale of a TubA Tale of a TubThe main part is an allegorical romance. It also talks about the corruption of learning A Modest ProposalA Modest ProposalThe greatest and bitterest of his Irish tracks. The terrible miseries of the Poor Irish people are described. Gulliver’s TravelsGulliver’s TravelsLilliput （小人国） Brobdingnag （大人国） Laputa（飞来岛） Houyhnhnms （智马国） nullnullnullnullCommentCommentIt is a satire 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 wars and colonialism in the 18th century. It is a fantasy and a realistic work of fiction Samuel Richardson （理查迅） Samuel Richardson （理查迅）--- 1689—1761 Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded （美德有报）Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded （美德有报）The first epistolary novel in English language. It is in the form of long series of letters. The thoughts and feelings of the heroine are described and analyzed in great detail. Contribution of “Pamela”Contribution of “Pamela”The penetrating psychological study of the heroine– the first in English prose fiction. Limitation of “Pamela”Limitation of “Pamela”The morality is that of the bourgeoisie– the price for the virtue of woman’s chastity is honorable marriage plus wealth and high social position resulting from the marriage.Clarissa HarloweClarissa HarloweRichardson’s masterpiece. Clarissa aims at a true and thorough emancipation of herself. The struggle is doomed to failure. Clarissa is the victim of the society.Richardson’s significanceRichardson’s significanceHe had sympathy for women in their inferior social status. He entered into detailed psychological study of his female characters. There is the conflict between the woman and the society around her. He exposed the moral hypocrisy of the aristo-bourgeois societyHenry FieldingHenry Fielding--- (1707—1754 ) Novelist, dramatist, essayist,