The Enlightenment and 18th Century Thought

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Questions and Answers

What was the central tenet of Enlightenment thought?

The rejection of empirical observation in favor of mysticism

The glorification of divine authority and tradition

The emphasis on subjective experience and emotion

The use and celebration of reason to understand and improve the human condition (correct)

Which movement is known for its philosophical questioning and practical applications for the benefit of society?

The Scottish Enlightenment (correct)

The Victorian Era

The English Renaissance

The French Revolution

Which of these works is associated with economic thought, revolutionizing concepts of trade during the 18th century?

Paradise Lost

Treatise of Human Nature

A Vindication of the Rights of Woman

The Wealth of Nations (correct)

What was a popular form of expression for the newly literate middle class during the 18th century?

Diaries and letters Signup and view all the answers

What is the distinctive characteristic of an epistolary novel?

It is told through the medium of letters Signup and view all the answers

At the turn of the 18th century, which genre became the dominant form in terms of readership?

The Novel Signup and view all the answers

Which social group composed the main readership for novels during the late 17th and early 18th centuries?

Female members of the upper and upper-middle classes Signup and view all the answers

What new type of morality was often covered in the novels of the 18th century?

Examination of male/female relationships, authority figures, and social awareness Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary theme explored in Aphra Behn's 'Oronooko'?

The corruption of indigenous people by Christian colonizers and the violence of the slave trade. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these accusations was NOT made against Aphra Behn during her lifetime?

That she was not a serious writer. Signup and view all the answers

What does Behn herself suggest contributed to her negative reception as an author?

Her outspoken support for women's rights and sexual freedom. Signup and view all the answers

What is 'A Journal of the Plague Year' representative of regarding novels of its time?

A quasi-factual, almost journalistic, but fictional portrayal of an event. Signup and view all the answers

What does the text suggest was the purpose of novels during the 18th century, in relation to the philosophical view of life presented by Hobbes?

To offer ways of coping with a 'brutish' reality. Signup and view all the answers

What is one way 'Robinson Crusoe' is interpreted in the provided text?

An example of how new societies bring their values and selfish behaviour to newly colonized lands. Signup and view all the answers

What is implied about the character 'Friday' in 'Robinson Crusoe'?

He is seen as inferior, and his religion and customs are mocked. Signup and view all the answers

Upon Robinson's return to society, what does he represent?

A model of the new capitalist man in Europe. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a defining characteristic of a picaresque novel?

A focus on moralistic themes Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of novel writing did Laurence Sterne challenge the most?

The traditional plot structure Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of Sterne's narration in Tristram Shandy, as described in the text?

The thoughts of a specific character Signup and view all the answers

Which of these elements is NOT mentioned as a feature of Laurence Sterne's Tristram Shandy?

A consistent and coherent narrative Signup and view all the answers

Based on the passage, what significant literary innovation is credited to Laurence Sterne?

The introduction of the 'stream of consciousness' style Signup and view all the answers

What key characteristic of novels in the first half of the 18th century was being challenged by writers like Sterne?

The dominance of rationalism Signup and view all the answers

What is suggested about the reception of James MacPherson's works, Fingal and Temora, by the text?

They were controversial and debated by critics Signup and view all the answers

What is a key distinction between Sterne's Tristram Shandy and the typical novel of the time?

Sterne's novel abandons the traditional linear plot structure Signup and view all the answers

What does the happy ending in Defoe's narratives imply?

The continuation of a white European lifestyle. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary technique used by Defoe in his novels?

First-person narration. Signup and view all the answers

Which character is known for her first-person narration of an immoral life?

Moll Flanders. Signup and view all the answers

What important themes are present in Richardson's novel Pamela?

Strong men and weak women; the power of sex. Signup and view all the answers

What does Swift's Gulliver's Travels symbolize with the contrasting sizes of Lilliputians and Brobdingnagians?

Political power dynamics. Signup and view all the answers

How was Swift's view of life perceived in his time?

As pessimistic and against the mood of the times. Signup and view all the answers

What major life event does Pamela go through in her narrative?

An attempted rape. Signup and view all the answers

Which author is noted for writing many political pamphlets besides their novels?

Jonathan Swift. Signup and view all the answers

What major theme is depicted through Pamela and Clarissa's experiences in epistolary novels?

The victimization of women in male-dominated society Signup and view all the answers

In Clarissa, what act does Lovelace commit against Clarissa?

He drugs and rapes her Signup and view all the answers

What narrative style is Henry Fielding known for in his novels?

Humorous and ironic with an omniscient narrator Signup and view all the answers

How does Tom Jones embody the themes of Fielding's novels?

Through a journey from freedom to social responsibility Signup and view all the answers

What literary tradition do novels like Tom Jones and Moll Flanders belong to?

Picaresque Signup and view all the answers

Which earlier work had a significant influence on English literature after the Restoration?

Don Quixote by Cervantes Signup and view all the answers

What role do male characters generally play in Henry Fielding's novels?

Leaders, often experiencing personal growth Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of the epistolary novel as represented in Pamela and Clarissa?

Letters serve as a primary method of storytelling Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Enlightenment and the 18th Century

The Enlightenment, also known as the Age of Reason, was a European intellectual movement spanning the 17th and 18th centuries. It synthesized ideas about God, reason, nature, and humanity into a unique worldview.
Enlightenment thought emphasized the use and celebration of reason, the power humans possess to understand and improve their own circumstances.
The Scottish Enlightenment was an intellectual movement that originated in Glasgow in the early 18th century and flourished in Edinburgh during the latter half of the century. Its focus was on philosophical inquiry and applying its findings to improve society.

Major Figures and Works

Daniel Defoe (1660-1731): Defoe's novels were foundational to 18th-century thought. His works ranged from the quasi-factual "A Journal of the Plague Year" to the enduring fable "Robinson Crusoe." His novels explored themes of survival, and the human condition in challenging circumstances. Defoe frequently used first-person narration in his novels.
Aphra Behn (1640-1689): A controversial figure, Behn was one of the first female figures in English literature. Her novel "Oronooko" used the story of an African prince to illustrate the cruelty of the slave trade and the corruption of colonizers. It was ahead of its time in its defense of the 'noble savage' and anti-colonial stance.

Literary Developments

The Epistolary Novel: Letters became the foundation for the epistolary novel, mirroring the popular trend of letter-writing among various social classes.
The Novel as a Dominant Form: Novels became the dominant form and genre of literature in the late 17th and early 18th century in terms of readership. The readership was primarily female and upper- or upper-middle class. Novels frequently explored new moral frameworks for male/female relationships, figures of authority, and social awareness.
Jonathan Swift (1667-1745): Gulliver's Travels was a satirical commentary on the political and religious conflicts of the time, albeit presented as a children's fable. The novel also critiques certain scientific institutions of the time. Swift was known for his pessimistic view of life and prolific political pamphlets.
Samuel Richardson (1689-1761): Richardson crafted the typical 18th-century heroine in his epistolary novel "Pamela." The novel presented a female protagonist's journey navigating societal pressures, uncertainties, and attempted subjugation. This novel influenced the portrayal of women in novels for centuries to come.
Henry Fielding (1707-1754): Fielding's novels, such as "Joseph Andrews" and "Tom Jones," offered an alternative approach to characterization compared to Richardson. Fielding's novels featured male characters and a more humorous and ironic tone that satirized previous approaches to characterization and storytelling.

Genre: Picaresque

"Picaresque" novels, including those featuring figures such as Tom Jones and Moll Flanders, were characterized by a hero or heroine's journey marked by a series of events that could include trickery, or a roguish lifestyle.

Laurence Sterne (1713-1768)

Sterne's "Tristram Shandy" challenged conventions of novel writing and characterization. His experimental style defied orderly plots by employing a stream-of-consciousness narrative structure, allowing characters' thoughts and feelings to dictate the direction of the story.
Stern's narrator often spoke directly to the reader. The style of narration was characterized by rapid jumps in subject, forward and backward movement of thought, and digressions along the conversational lines of common speech. He is credited with being influential on the concept of "stream of consciousness."

James MacPherson (1736-1796)

MacPherson's translations of Gaelic epics, notably "Fingal" and "Temora," were highly influential in the creation of a romanticized view of Scottish culture, with its wild landscapes and stories. This contributed to how Scotland was perceived by those outside of the country.

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Description

Explore the Enlightenment, also known as the Age of Reason, and its impact on 18th-century philosophy. This quiz covers key ideas, figures like Daniel Defoe, and the significance of intellectual movements such as the Scottish Enlightenment. Test your knowledge on how these themes shaped modern thinking.