The Enlightenment and 18th Century Thought

A European intellectual movement of the 17th and 18th centuries that emphasized reason, logic, and scientific inquiry. It challenged traditional ways of thinking about God, nature, and humanity.

A key concept of the Enlightenment, it refers to the ability to think logically, solve problems, and make informed decisions.

An intellectual movement that originated in Scotland in the 18th century. It focused on philosophical inquiry and its practical applications for societal improvement.

A book by Adam Smith, published in 1776, that revolutionized economic thinking. It explored the principles of free trade and the importance of individual self-interest in driving economic growth.

A type of novel where the story is told through letters written by the characters.

A literary genre that gained popularity in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. It focused on realistic situations and characters, often exploring issues of morality and social norms.

A new morality that emerged in novels during the Restoration and 18th century. It addressed topics like gender roles, authority figures, and social awareness of desires and needs.

The growing class of people who could read and write during the Restoration and 18th century. They were primarily female and from the upper or upper-middle classes.

Aphra Behn was the first female author in English literature known for her works like "Oronooko" which tells the story of an enslaved African prince highlighting the brutality of the slave trade and the hypocrisy of European colonialists.

Behn's novel, "Oronooko", criticizes the oppression of enslaved people in the English colony of Surinam, challenging European attitudes towards colonialism and the treatment of indigenous populations.

Aphra Behn was a controversial figure due to her bold stance on women's rights and sexual freedom, defying societal norms of the late 17th century. Her outspokenness may have contributed to her being largely ignored in literary history for many years.

Daniel Defoe's novels, like "A Journal of the Plague Year" and "Robinson Crusoe," reflect the 18th-century mindset. They explore themes of survival and societal values in the face of hardships like the plague and isolation.

Defoe's "Robinson Crusoe" depicts a man stranded on a deserted island who creates his own society and becomes wealthy. It symbolizes European colonial expansion and the exploitation of the colonized.

In "Robinson Crusoe", Friday represents the colonized person whose culture and beliefs are disregarded. He is seen as inferior and is expected to assimilate to European values.

Robinson Crusoe's story exemplifies the emerging capitalist spirit of Europe, where individuals strive for wealth and success through hard work and resourcefulness.

While "Robinson Crusoe" can be interpreted as a survivalist tale, it can also be viewed as a critique of colonialism, where European values are imposed on colonized societies.

Daniel Defoe's literary technique of using a first-person narrator, creating a sense of realism and immediate experience.

In the 18th century, novels often reflected the social concerns of the time, including poverty, prison conditions, and the experiences of immigrants.

A literary device that uses exaggeration or irony to criticize society, institutions, and behaviors.

Jonathan Swift's 'Gulliver's Travels' uses the contrast between Lilliputians and Brobdingnagians to satirize the political and religious conflicts of his time.

Samuel Richardson's 'Pamela' depicts a virtuous woman, Pamela, who resists a wealthy man's advances and eventually marries him.

Defoe's 'Robinson Crusoe' is often interpreted as a celebration of European colonialism and the 'civilizing' of nature.

18th-century novels often explored themes of gender roles, power dynamics, and the importance of social behavior.

A novel by Samuel Richardson that portrays a tragic love story where a woman is victimized by a man. The novel explores themes of virtue, seduction, and the societal expectations placed upon women.

A literary style characterized by a humorous and ironic tone, where an omniscient narrator controls the lives and destinies of the characters.

A comedic and satirical novel that parodies the serious tone of Richardson's works. It focuses on male characters and explores themes of freedom, responsibility, and social expectations.

A novel that follows a young man's progression from innocence to experience, highlighting his journey from freedom to responsibility.

A literary genre characterized by the adventures of a rogue or trickster who faces various misadventures and emerges triumphant. It often includes elements of social satire and moral commentary.

A character who is cunning and resourceful, often using deception and manipulation to achieve their goals.

A novel by Daniel Defoe that follows the life of a woman who becomes a thief and is forced to survive in a harsh society, highlighting societal forces and moral ambiguity.

A type of novel that tells the story of a rogue or lowborn adventurer who travels from place to place, often surviving by wit and cunning.

A literary movement that emerged in the 18th Century in which novelists broke free from traditional rules and experimented with new forms and techniques. It emphasized individual thought and emotion.

The author of Tristram Shandy, a groundbreaking novel that disrupted the traditional order of plot and introduced elements of stream of consciousness.

A style of writing that imitates the flow of a person's thoughts. It is characterized by fragmented sentences, non-linear structure, and the inclusion of personal feelings and memories.

A novel that does not follow a traditional plot structure with a clear beginning, middle, and end.

The tendency to break the fourth wall and directly address the reader.

A Scottish writer known for his epic poems Fingal and Temora, which were allegedly translations of ancient Gaelic poems but were later revealed to be his own creations.

A literary controversy surrounding the authenticity of MacPherson's epic poems, which claimed to be translations of ancient Gaelic texts but were eventually revealed as forgeries.