英美文学课件Part 11Eighteen Century English Literature.pptVIP

Part Eleven Eighteen Century English Literature I The Age of Enlightenment a. The “Glorious Revolution” of 1688 ended in a compromise between the aristocracy and bourgeoisie. The crown became more or less a figurehead and the real authority fell into the hands of the parliament and cabinet. Part Eleven Eighteen Century English Literature b. The Englishman no longer spent his energy in fighting for political freedom as his forefathers did, but spent it in endless political discussions in efforts to improve his government and enlighten his people. Accordingly, the English journalism was born; literature, including newspapers, magazines and books became the chief instrument of the country’s progress. Part Eleven Eighteen Century English Literature c. In the meantime, social life developed rapidly. Many public coffeehouse and private clubs sprung up in London. →This new social life gave the citizens a means of exchanging ideas, forming opinions and spreading new thoughts. Part Eleven Eighteen Century English Literature →This social life had a marked effect on literature. Nearly all writers frequented the coffeehouse and thus such matters as politics and fashions became subjects of literature. Besides, the multiplication of coffeehouses and clubs resulted in better manners, especially in a kind of superficial elegance which showed itself in the writing of prose and poetry of this period. Part Eleven Eighteen Century English Literature e. With the pace of the Industrial Revolution and urbanization, great changes also took place in rural England. Peasants rushed into cities to earn their living by selling their labor in the factories. f. In the field of ideology, the Enlightenment, as a progressive intellectual movement throughout western Europe in the 18th century, spread into England, too. Part Eleven Eighteen Century English Literature →The enlighteners considered “enlightenment” or “education” of the peop