Classicism Flashcards

Questions and Answers

How has life changed from Native Americans/Puritans/Explorers to now?

Concern becomes more about life on earth than the afterlife. Writings are about science, ethics, and government, rather than religion.

What was the primary purpose for writing?

Persuasion

What were common forms of literature?

Essays and speeches

What is the age of reason?

By using reason, people can manage themselves and their societies without depending on authorities and traditions. Signup and view all the answers

What did the age of reason mean?

Social evils and superstitions could end and the general quality of life improved. Signup and view all the answers

What four types of freedom does reason thrive on?

Freedom of speech, freedom from arbitrary rulers, freedom to experiment, and freedom to question existing laws and institutions. Signup and view all the answers

What is classicism?

A movement that favors restraint, rationality, and the use of strict forms in literature, painting, architecture, and other arts. Signup and view all the answers

In literature, what is classicism based on and what is the focus?

Based on reason, focused on science, ethics, and government. Signup and view all the answers

What are the five core ideas of classicism?

Classicism emphasizes the traditional and universal, placing value on reason, clarity, balance and order. Human nature and nature are governed by fixed, unchanging laws. Emphasizes reason over imagination, social over personal, and common over the individual. Signup and view all the answers

What was the growth of culture?

America was establishing itself worthy of standing beside Europe with its distinct new voice. The revolution inspired people to express themselves. Cities grew and population almost doubled. Signup and view all the answers

What is parallelism?

The use of components in a sentence that are grammatically the same or similar in their construction, sound, meaning or meter. Signup and view all the answers

How is parallelism persuasive?

Parallelism adds balance and rhythm to sentences giving ideas a smoother flow; also the repetition it employs cements an idea in the mind of the audience. Signup and view all the answers

What is repetition?

A literary device that repeats the same words or phrases a few times to make an idea clearer. Signup and view all the answers

How is repetition persuasive?

It puts emphasis on a point, confirms an act or idea, creates cohesion, and arranges the words into something dramatic. Signup and view all the answers

What is a rhetorical question?

A question asked just for effect or to lay emphasis on some point discussed when no real answer is expected. Signup and view all the answers

How is a rhetorical question persuasive?

They make the audience a partner in emotional statements and influence the response the speaker wants to get. Signup and view all the answers

What is logos?

Appeal to reasoning, logic, fact, and evidence. Signup and view all the answers

What does logos do?

Demonstrates intelligence, good character, good will, and ethics. Signup and view all the answers

What is pathos?

Appeal to emotions such as fear, pride, or hate. Signup and view all the answers

What does pathos do?

Tries to arouse audience through enargeia (visual), and honorific and pejorative language. Signup and view all the answers

What is ethos?

Appeal to a person's character, is he or she ethical? Do you share the same values? Signup and view all the answers

What does ethos do?

Syllogism (deductive reasoning) and enthymemes (unstated premise). Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Change from Early Societies to Modern Life

Shift in focus from afterlife concerns to earthly life
Contemporary writings emphasize science, ethics, and governance over religion

Purpose of Writing

Primary aim is to persuade the audience

Common Literary Forms

Prominent forms include essays and speeches

Age of Reason

Era characterized by reliance on reasoning and common sense for self-management
Individuals sought to challenge authoritative figures and tradition

Implications of the Age of Reason

Aimed to eradicate social evils and superstitions, leading to enhanced quality of life

Types of Freedom Essential for Reason

Advocates for freedom of speech, independence from arbitrary rulers, ability to experiment, and freedom to question laws and institutions

Classicism Overview

Artistic movement prioritizing restraint, rationality, and structured forms

Basis and Focus of Classicism in Literature

Literature hinges on rational thought, intending to explore science, ethics, and governance

Core Concepts of Classicism

Values tradition and universality, emphasizing reason, clarity, balance, and order
Asserts that human nature adheres to fixed laws, valuing rationality over imagination and social over individual perspectives

Cultural Growth in America

Emergence of a unique American identity capable of standing alongside European achievements
Revolutionary sentiments encouraged self-expression and urban growth, with populations nearly doubling

Understanding Parallelism

Utilizes grammatically similar sentence components for structural coherence

Persuasiveness of Parallelism

Creates a rhythmic flow in language, enhancing the memorability of ideas through repetition

Concept of Repetition

Literary technique that employs repeated phrases to clarify concepts

Effectiveness of Repetition

Draws attention to key points, reinforces ideas, and adds dramatic flair to speech

Definition of Rhetorical Question

Aimed at emphasizing a point rather than requiring an answer

Persuasiveness of Rhetorical Questions

Engages the audience emotionally, prompting desired responses from speakers

Logos in Persuasion

Appeals to logic, reasoning, and factual evidence

Function of Logos

Establishes credibility, goodwill, and ethical standing in discourse

Pathos Explained

Appeals to emotional responses such as fear, pride, or hate

Role of Pathos

Engages the audience using visual language and emotionally charged terms

Ethos Defined

Appeals to the speaker's character and shared values

Purpose of Ethos

Utilizes deductive reasoning (syllogism) and implied premises (enthymemes) to persuade through character credibility

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Description

Explore the key concepts of Classicism through flashcards that cover major themes, purposes of writing, and common forms of literature. This quiz highlights the shift from religious to secular perspectives in literature and focuses on the importance of persuasion. Perfect for students studying Classicism and its impact on modern literature.