📜British Literature I Unit 13 – Restoration Era: Novel's Emergence

Historical Context

• The Restoration period in English literature (1660-1700) followed the end of the Puritan Commonwealth and the restoration of the monarchy under Charles II
• Marked by a reaction against the strict moral and religious codes of the Puritan era, leading to a more secular and libertine society
• Rise of scientific inquiry and empiricism, influenced by the works of Isaac Newton and John Locke
  • Newton's "Principia Mathematica" (1687) laid the foundation for classical mechanics
  • Locke's "Essay Concerning Human Understanding" (1690) emphasized the role of experience in the formation of ideas
• Growth of London as a cultural and economic center, with the reopening of theaters and the expansion of the printing industry
• Political instability and religious tensions, including the Glorious Revolution of 1688 and the Act of Toleration (1689)
• Increased global trade and exploration, leading to the growth of the British Empire and exposure to new cultures and ideas
• Development of new literary genres, such as the novel, and the adaptation of existing forms like the comedy of manners

Key Literary Figures

• John Dryden (1631-1700): Poet, playwright, and critic; known for his satirical works and translations of classical texts
  • Notable works include "Absalom and Achitophel" (1681) and "All for Love" (1678)
• Aphra Behn (1640-1689): One of the first English women to earn a living by writing; known for her plays and novels
  • Notable works include "The Rover" (1677) and "Oroonoko" (1688)
• Samuel Pepys (1633-1703): Diarist whose detailed accounts provide insight into the social and cultural life of the Restoration period
  • "The Diary of Samuel Pepys" (1660-1669) covers major events like the Great Plague and the Great Fire of London
• William Congreve (1670-1729): Playwright known for his witty and satirical comedies of manners
  • Notable works include "The Way of the World" (1700) and "Love for Love" (1695)
• John Bunyan (1628-1688): Puritan writer and preacher, best known for his allegorical novel "The Pilgrim's Progress" (1678)
• John Milton (1608-1674): Poet and polemicist, whose later works reflect the political and religious tensions of the Restoration era
  • Notable works include "Paradise Lost" (1667) and "Samson Agonistes" (1671)
• Margaret Cavendish (1623-1673): Writer and philosopher, known for her unconventional ideas and advocacy for women's education
  • Notable works include "The Blazing World" (1666) and "Observations upon Experimental Philosophy" (1666)

Major Works and Themes

• "The Pilgrim's Progress" by John Bunyan (1678): An allegorical novel depicting a Christian's journey through life, emphasizing Puritan values and religious faith
• "Paradise Lost" by John Milton (1667): An epic poem retelling the biblical story of the Fall of Man, exploring themes of free will, sin, and redemption
• "The Country Wife" by William Wycherley (1675): A comedy of manners satirizing the sexual double standards and hypocrisy of Restoration society
• "The Diary of Samuel Pepys" (1660-1669): A detailed account of daily life in Restoration London, providing insight into the period's social, cultural, and political climate
• "Oroonoko" by Aphra Behn (1688): A novel exploring themes of slavery, colonialism, and the noble savage, based on Behn's experiences in Surinam
• "The Rover" by Aphra Behn (1677): A comedy of intrigue set in Naples during the exile of Charles II, featuring strong female characters and themes of sexual liberation
• "Absalom and Achitophel" by John Dryden (1681): A satirical poem using biblical allegory to comment on the political intrigues of the Exclusion Crisis
• "The Way of the World" by William Congreve (1700): A comedy of manners known for its witty dialogue and satirical portrayal of the marriage market and social conventions

Stylistic Innovations

• Development of the novel as a distinct literary genre, with a focus on realism, character development, and social commentary
  • Early examples include Aphra Behn's "Oroonoko" (1688) and William Congreve's "Incognita" (1692)
• Refinement of the comedy of manners, characterized by witty dialogue, satirical portrayals of society, and complex plots
  • Exemplified in the works of William Wycherley, George Etherege, and William Congreve
• Emergence of the heroic couplet as a popular poetic form, used for both satirical and serious works
  • Mastered by John Dryden in poems like "Mac Flecknoe" (1682) and "To His Sacred Majesty" (1661)
• Experimentation with prose style, including the development of the periodical essay
  • Notable examples include John Dryden's "An Essay of Dramatic Poesy" (1668) and the journals "The Tatler" (1709-1711) and "The Spectator" (1711-1712)
• Adaptation of classical forms and themes to contemporary contexts, as seen in John Dryden's "All for Love" (1678), a retelling of Shakespeare's "Antony and Cleopatra"
• Incorporation of scientific and philosophical ideas into literary works, reflecting the influence of the Age of Enlightenment
  • Examples include Margaret Cavendish's "The Blazing World" (1666) and Thomas Shadwell's "The Virtuoso" (1676)

Social and Cultural Impact

• Reflected and shaped the values and concerns of Restoration society, including the tension between traditional morality and the pursuit of pleasure
• Contributed to the development of a more secular and skeptical worldview, challenging religious and political authority
  • Works like John Wilmot's "A Satire Against Reason and Mankind" (1675) exemplified this trend
• Promoted the ideal of the "libertine," a figure who defied social conventions and pursued individual freedom and pleasure
  • Characters like Dorimant in George Etherege's "The Man of Mode" (1676) embodied this archetype
• Highlighted the changing roles and expectations of women in society, with female writers like Aphra Behn and Margaret Cavendish challenging gender norms
• Reflected the growing interest in science and empiricism, with literary works incorporating new ideas and discoveries
  • Thomas Shadwell's "The Virtuoso" (1676) satirized the Royal Society and the scientific enthusiasts of the time
• Contributed to the development of a more polished and refined literary culture, with an emphasis on wit, elegance, and social commentary
• Influenced the development of literary criticism and theory, with writers like John Dryden and Thomas Rymer establishing new standards for evaluating literature
  • Dryden's "An Essay of Dramatic Poesy" (1668) set forth his ideas on the superiority of English drama

Critical Reception and Analysis

• Contemporaneous critics, such as John Dryden and Thomas Rymer, established new standards for evaluating literature based on classical models and the principles of wit, decorum, and verisimilitude
• 18th-century critics, like Samuel Johnson, praised the wit and elegance of Restoration literature while also acknowledging its moral shortcomings
  • Johnson's "Lives of the Poets" (1779-1781) provided influential assessments of major Restoration writers
• Victorian critics often dismissed Restoration literature as frivolous and immoral, reflecting their own cultural values and sensibilities
  • Thomas Babington Macaulay's "Comic Dramatists of the Restoration" (1841) exemplified this view
• 20th-century critics reevaluated Restoration literature, recognizing its complexity, innovation, and social commentary
  • Scholars like Maximillian Novak and Harold Love explored the political and cultural contexts of Restoration works
• Feminist critics, such as Elaine Hobby and Janet Todd, have examined the role of women writers and the representation of gender in Restoration literature
  • Studies like "The Sign of Angellica: Women, Writing, and Fiction, 1660-1800" (1989) by Janet Todd have shed new light on female authors of the period
• Postcolonial and race studies have investigated the representation of colonialism and slavery in works like Aphra Behn's "Oroonoko"
  • Critics like Srinivas Aravamudan have explored the complexities of Behn's depiction of the titular character and his experiences
• Recent scholarship has focused on the intersections between Restoration literature and other fields, such as science, philosophy, and material culture
  • Studies like "The Matter of Revolution: Science, Poetry, and Politics in the Age of Milton" (1996) by John Rogers have examined these connections

Legacy and Influence

• Established the novel as a major literary genre, paving the way for 18th-century writers like Daniel Defoe, Samuel Richardson, and Henry Fielding
• Influenced the development of the comedy of manners in the 18th century, as seen in the works of Richard Brinsley Sheridan and Oliver Goldsmith
• Contributed to the growth of literary criticism and the establishment of new standards for evaluating literature
  • The works of John Dryden and Thomas Rymer set important precedents for later critics
• Inspired adaptations and reinterpretations in later periods, such as William Hogarth's "A Rake's Progress" (1732-1734), a visual narrative influenced by the libertine themes of Restoration comedy
• Provided a model for the exploration of controversial social and political issues through literature
  • The satirical works of Jonathan Swift and Alexander Pope in the 18th century built upon the foundation laid by Restoration writers
• Influenced the development of the English language and prose style, with the works of Restoration authors contributing to the standardization of grammar and vocabulary
• Shaped the perception and understanding of the Restoration period in the popular imagination, with works like "The Diary of Samuel Pepys" providing a vivid and enduring portrait of the era
• Continues to be studied and performed, offering insights into the social, cultural, and literary history of the period
  • Modern productions of Restoration plays, such as the Royal Shakespeare Company's 2019 staging of "The Provoked Wife" by John Vanbrugh, attest to their enduring relevance and appeal

Further Reading and Resources

• "The Cambridge Companion to English Restoration Theatre" (2000) edited by Deborah Payne Fisk: A collection of essays covering various aspects of Restoration drama, including its historical context, major authors, and critical reception
• "Restoration Literature: An Anthology" (2009) edited by Paul Hammond: A comprehensive selection of Restoration poetry, drama, and prose, with introductory essays and annotations
• "The Broadview Anthology of Restoration and Early Eighteenth-Century Drama" (2001) edited by J. Douglas Canfield: A wide-ranging collection of plays from the Restoration and early 18th century, with critical introductions and appendices
• "The Restoration and Eighteenth Century" (2014) by April London, part of the "Oxford History of the Novel in English" series: An in-depth examination of the development of the novel during the Restoration and 18th century, with chapters on major authors and themes
• "Oroonoko: A Norton Critical Edition" (2019) edited by Tiffany Potter: A comprehensive edition of Aphra Behn's novel, featuring the text, contexts, and a selection of critical essays
• "The Diary of Samuel Pepys: A Selection" (2003) edited by Robert Latham: An abridged version of Pepys' diary, with an introduction and notes by a leading Pepys scholar
• "The Cambridge Companion to Aphra Behn" (2004) edited by Derek Hughes and Janet Todd: A collection of essays on Behn's life, works, and cultural context, with contributions from leading scholars in the field
• "The Restoration Transposed" (2019) by Ann Marie Hagen: A study of the relationship between Restoration literature and material culture, examining how objects and spaces shaped literary production and reception