Alquin 18th century 33-48 Defoe + Swift

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 6

British Spirit & Empire

British Empire

Start around 1580s --> Spanish Armada defeated

1607: First North American colony

1650s-1670s: British establish dominance in Carribean

1763: Treaty of Paris --> Britain gains French and some SPanish possessions in the Americas and Carribean

Cultural Influence

- Huge economic wealth --> Growth of education and literacy

- Sense of superiority

- New literary topics

- New Writing Styles: Journalism

LOST..LOST?LOST?!LOST!LOST!!

Image that you became stranded on a deserted island. 

What would you (not) do? 

Discuss & make a top 3 list of DO's & DON'TS 

Daniel Defoe (1660 – 1731)

WORK:

• Robinson Crusoe
  
• he founded his own newspaper: The Review
• Other novels: Moll Flanders and Roxana
  

Robinson Crusoe (1719)

• Presented as true story
  
• Written as memoirs
  
• 28 years!
  

1a Robinson Crusoe instinctively views ‘savages’ as inferior and certainly not his equal.

b Friday appears to totally accept this, as witnessed by the fact that he slavishly worships the man who saved him.

c According to the Enlightened view of the world all humans are basically good by nature, although this applies primarily to the Western world. Other cultures, which have not yet embraced science and technology, are considered backward

Questions page 38

2 It makes things even more realistic, creating the effect of a ‘true’ and exciting story.

3 In the final paragraph: While Friday has to collect and incinerate all human remains, it has been made entirely clear to him that he should refrain from eating human flesh, on pain of death!

4a No; novels and films are nowadays generally restricted to one ‘main story’ or just a few plotlines of more or less equal importance.

b It is highly realistic on the one hand, as we learn about Robinson Crusoe’s entire life, including his experiences prior to and following his stay on the island. A great deal does happen to him on the other hand, and it appears as though Defoe added a few sensational scenes to keep his readers enthralled

Questions page 38

5 The 18th century was the Age of Enlightenment, of Rationalism. The century revolved around logical thinking; actions were not taken on the basis of emotions, but in a composed and carefully considered manner. The entire book, particularly during the years spent on the island, focuses on the question: ‘How can I survive’. To which Defoe gives the following answer: ‘By thinking logically and acting accordingly.’ (E.g. he builds a cabin, grows cereal, breeds goats, uses tools and generally provides for himself). 

However, this does not imply that Robinson Crusoe does not experience feelings of loneliness, desperation and fear. These feelings are nevertheless entirely subordinate to his thoughts and actions.

6 The reader can readily associate with the main character.

Questions page 38

Jonathan Swift (1667 – 1745)

• Born in Ireland (Anglo-Irish parents)
  
• Brought up by prosperous relatives after his father died
  
• Studied at the University of Dublin
  
• Secretary to Sir William Temple (in England)
  
• Held several clerical posts in Ireland
• later in life Deacon in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin (where he is buried)
• Gulliver’s Travels: his masterpiece
  
• The Battle of the Books and A Tale of A Tub
  

Gulliver’s Travels

• Satire on British society
  
• Although many children like the book, it was not meant for children.
  
• Travel story (to extraordinary countries)
  
• Several levels:
  
•  - superficially: a travel book
  
•  - deeper levels: a political allegory: a commentary on contemporary England (London)
  
• Four voyages
  

Satire: 

The four voyages

• Voyage to Liliput and Blefuscu
  
• Voyage to Brobdignac
  
• Voyage to Balnibarbi , Laputa. Glubbdubdrib and Luggnagg
  
• Voyage to the land of the Yahoos and Houyhnhnms
  

While you listen to the story,
make notes / drawings. (whatever you prefer...)

Gulliver's Travels

The Rape of the Lock and The Dunciad

Robinson  Crusoe

Daniel Defoe

Jonathan Swift

Alexander Pope

• 1a The intention was to make the story appear as realistic as possible to his contemporaries.
  
• b To Swift’s contemporaries, the inclusion of all these dimensions served as proof that he had carefully considered the matter.

• 2 On the fourth (and final) voyage. The Yahoos and the Houyhnhnms. Generally speaking, a fable is a story in which  animals are lent human traits. In this case, however, two worlds – one of anarchy, chaos and aggression, and one of peacefulness, order and rationality – are compared with one another. One could not clearly express such stark contrast using two groups of animals.

• 3 In part 4. Everything in this ideal state is based on rationality.
  

4 France

Questions page 48

• 5  that he does not cause any injury or damage to the inhabitants or property. 
• 6 Because a coat with tails might damage roofs, chimneys, etc.
• 7  500,000 inhabitants
• 8 He uses his penknife to cut down a couple of  trees, from whose trunks he makes two stools strong enough to bear his weight. He can then reach the royal apartments by stepping from one stool to the other. He is able to look inside by lying down on the stools.
• 9 The Empress sticks her hand out of the window, whereupon Gulliver kisses it courteously.
• 10 Around nine months

Questions page 48

waistcoat

• 11 At Reldresal’s request, he was allowed to stand on the palm of his hand during the conversation. 
• 12a Due to the efforts of Reldresal himself
• b Due to precarious circumstances in the country
• 13a Between the High-Heels (Tramecksam) and the Low-Heels (Slamecksam)
  
• b Over seventy moons
  
• c The Emperor sided with the Low-Heels. He allocates supporters of this party good jobs; in fact, he even had his own heels lowered.
• d The Crown Prince had his heels raised to show his support for the High-Heels.
  
• e The Crown Prince’s heels were inexpertly raised to different heights, so that he appears to walk with a limp.
• 14 They think that Gulliver must have come from the moon or some other star.

Questions page 48

15a False

b True

c True

d False (great-grandfather)

e False (they highly resented the new law)

f False (there were six rebellions against the Emperor, because the people did not agree)

g True

h True (All true believers shall break their eggs at the convenient end)

I False (substantial numbers of ships and over 30,000 sailors/soldiers on Lilliput’s side)

16 He announces that he will not participate in domestic disputes; he does not wish to choose sides. However, he will assist if Lilliput is attacked by Blefuscu. In that case, he would be prepared to defend the Emperor and the state, even if this placed his own life at risk.

Questions page 48