📜British Literature I Unit 14 – The Age of Enlightenment and Satire

Historical Context

• The Age of Enlightenment, also known as the Age of Reason, was an intellectual and philosophical movement that dominated Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries
• Emerged in the wake of the Scientific Revolution, which challenged traditional beliefs and promoted empirical investigation and rational thinking
• Influenced by the ideas of philosophers such as René Descartes, John Locke, and Isaac Newton, who emphasized the importance of reason, individualism, and scientific inquiry
• Coincided with significant historical events, including the American Revolution (1765-1783) and the French Revolution (1789-1799), which were inspired by Enlightenment ideals of liberty, equality, and democracy
• Marked a shift from the authority of the church and monarchy to the authority of reason and individual rights
• Encouraged the spread of education and literacy, leading to the rise of public libraries, newspapers, and coffeehouses as centers of intellectual exchange
• Challenged traditional social hierarchies and promoted the idea of meritocracy, where individuals could advance based on their abilities and achievements rather than their birth or social status

Key Enlightenment Thinkers

• John Locke (1632-1704), an English philosopher who argued for the natural rights of individuals, including life, liberty, and property, and the concept of the "social contract" between government and citizens
• Voltaire (1694-1778), a French writer and philosopher who advocated for religious tolerance, freedom of speech, and the separation of church and state
  • Known for his satirical works, such as "Candide" (1759), which critiqued the optimistic philosophy of Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz
• David Hume (1711-1776), a Scottish philosopher who challenged the concept of causality and argued that knowledge is based on experience and observation rather than innate ideas
• Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778), a French philosopher who argued for the inherent goodness of human nature and the corrupting influence of society, as well as the importance of individual freedom and equality
• Immanuel Kant (1724-1804), a German philosopher who emphasized the importance of reason and moral duty, and argued that individuals should act according to universal moral principles
• Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797), an English writer and philosopher who advocated for women's rights and education, and argued that women should be treated as rational beings equal to men

Major Themes of the Enlightenment

• Reason and rationality as the primary sources of knowledge and authority, rather than tradition, religion, or superstition
• Individualism and the importance of personal liberty, freedom of thought, and self-determination
• Progress and the belief that society could be improved through education, scientific advancement, and social reforms
• Tolerance and the idea that individuals should be free to hold their own beliefs and opinions without persecution or discrimination
• Secularism and the separation of church and state, with religion being a matter of personal conscience rather than public policy
• Empiricism and the emphasis on observation, experimentation, and evidence as the basis for knowledge and understanding
• Universalism and the belief in fundamental human rights and equality, regardless of race, gender, or social status
  • This idea was central to the American Declaration of Independence (1776) and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (1789)

Satire: Definition and Techniques

• Satire is a literary device that uses humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize human vices, follies, and societal issues
• Aims to promote social or political change by highlighting the absurdities, hypocrisies, and moral failings of individuals, institutions, or society as a whole
• Often employs techniques such as irony (expressing the opposite of what is meant), sarcasm (mocking or contemptuous language), and hyperbole (exaggeration for emphasis or effect)
• Can take various forms, including prose, poetry, drama, and visual art, and can range in tone from light-hearted and playful to biting and scathing
• Frequently uses fictional characters and situations to represent real-world people and issues, allowing the satirist to critique society indirectly and avoid direct confrontation or censorship
• Relies on the reader's ability to recognize and interpret the satirical elements, often requiring a shared cultural or historical context and a critical understanding of the issues being addressed
• Can be divided into two main types: Horatian satire, which is gentler and more humorous, and Juvenalian satire, which is harsher and more critical

Famous Satirical Works

• "Gulliver's Travels" (1726) by Jonathan Swift, a satirical novel that uses the fantastical adventures of its protagonist to critique various aspects of 18th-century British society, including politics, religion, and human nature
  • The Lilliputians, for example, represent the pettiness and absurdity of political rivalries and court intrigues
• "A Modest Proposal" (1729) by Jonathan Swift, a satirical essay that suggests solving the problem of poverty in Ireland by having the poor sell their children as food for the rich, highlighting the callousness and indifference of the British government towards the Irish people
• "Candide" (1759) by Voltaire, a satirical novella that follows the misadventures of its naive protagonist as he encounters various forms of evil and suffering, ultimately questioning the optimistic philosophy of Leibniz and the concept of the "best of all possible worlds"
• "The Way of the World" (1700) by William Congreve, a satirical play that mocks the marriage customs and social conventions of the English upper class, exposing their hypocrisy, greed, and moral corruption
• "The Rape of the Lock" (1712) by Alexander Pope, a mock-heroic poem that satirizes the trivial quarrels and vanities of the English aristocracy, using the story of a stolen lock of hair to comment on the absurdity of social norms and gender roles
• "The School for Scandal" (1777) by Richard Brinsley Sheridan, a satirical play that ridicules the gossip, rumor-mongering, and moral hypocrisy of fashionable London society, exposing the gap between public reputation and private behavior

Impact on Literature and Society

• The Enlightenment's emphasis on reason, individualism, and social criticism had a profound impact on the development of literature, particularly in the genres of the novel, essay, and satire
• The rise of the novel as a literary form was closely tied to Enlightenment ideas of individual experience, psychological realism, and social commentary, as seen in works by authors such as Daniel Defoe, Samuel Richardson, and Henry Fielding
• The popularity of the essay as a medium for expressing personal opinions, critiquing social norms, and promoting political and philosophical ideas was exemplified by the works of Joseph Addison, Richard Steele, and Samuel Johnson
• Satire became a powerful tool for exposing and criticizing the flaws and follies of society, as writers such as Jonathan Swift, Alexander Pope, and Voltaire used humor and irony to challenge traditional authorities and advocate for social and political reform
• The Enlightenment's focus on education and literacy led to the expansion of the reading public and the growth of the publishing industry, making literature more accessible to a wider audience and facilitating the spread of new ideas and perspectives
• The emphasis on reason and empiricism also influenced the development of literary criticism, as writers and thinkers began to analyze and evaluate works of literature based on objective criteria and standards of taste, rather than relying solely on tradition or personal preference
• The Enlightenment's challenge to traditional social hierarchies and promotion of individual rights and freedoms had a lasting impact on Western society, influencing the American and French Revolutions and paving the way for modern democratic and egalitarian ideals

Legacy and Modern Relevance

• The Enlightenment's emphasis on reason, individualism, and progress continues to shape modern Western thought and culture, influencing fields such as science, politics, education, and human rights
• The idea of individual rights and freedoms, as articulated by Enlightenment thinkers such as John Locke and Thomas Jefferson, remains a cornerstone of modern democratic societies and is enshrined in documents such as the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)
• The Enlightenment's promotion of religious tolerance and the separation of church and state has had a lasting impact on the development of secular governments and the protection of freedom of religion and belief
• The scientific method and the emphasis on empirical observation and experimentation, as championed by Enlightenment thinkers such as Isaac Newton and Francis Bacon, continue to form the basis of modern scientific inquiry and technological innovation
• The Enlightenment's critique of traditional authorities and social hierarchies has inspired various social and political movements, from the women's rights movement to the civil rights movement, which have sought to challenge inequality and discrimination and promote greater social justice
• The satirical techniques and strategies employed by Enlightenment writers such as Jonathan Swift and Voltaire continue to be used by modern satirists, such as Stephen Colbert, John Oliver, and "The Onion," to critique contemporary social and political issues and expose the absurdities and hypocrisies of those in power
• The Enlightenment's legacy of critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and social engagement remains relevant in an age of rapid technological change, globalization, and complex social and political challenges, encouraging individuals to question assumptions, seek knowledge, and work towards a more just and rational society

Key Takeaways

• The Age of Enlightenment was a pivotal intellectual and philosophical movement that emphasized reason, individualism, and progress, and challenged traditional authorities and beliefs
• Key Enlightenment thinkers, such as John Locke, Voltaire, and Immanuel Kant, advocated for ideas such as natural rights, religious tolerance, and the importance of reason and moral duty
• Major themes of the Enlightenment included the primacy of reason, individualism, progress, tolerance, secularism, empiricism, and universalism
• Satire, a literary device that uses humor, irony, and exaggeration to expose and criticize human vices and follies, was a powerful tool for Enlightenment writers to promote social and political change
• Famous satirical works, such as Jonathan Swift's "Gulliver's Travels" and Voltaire's "Candide," used fictional characters and situations to critique various aspects of 18th-century society
• The Enlightenment had a profound impact on the development of literature, particularly in the genres of the novel, essay, and satire, and on the expansion of the reading public and the publishing industry
• The Enlightenment's legacy continues to shape modern Western thought and culture, influencing fields such as science, politics, education, and human rights, and inspiring various social and political movements
• The key takeaways from the Age of Enlightenment and its satirical literature remain relevant in the modern world, encouraging critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and social engagement in the face of complex challenges and issues