5H Lit - Restoration and the Age of Reason

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 5

The Age of Reason 1660-1789

• Historical context
  
• Literary themes
  
• Gulliver's Travels
  

The Eighteenth Century

The Neo-Classical Period / The Age of Reason

• Neo-Classical: classical influence > absolute authority
• Result: "good art" >> imitation of the classics

• Reason: rational and balanced judgement, based on knowledge, no personal emotions
• Result: "good art" > strict rules regarding form and content

The Eighteenth Century

• Britain: becomes the world's leading economic power

• Wealth based on colonies and trade
• Tea, silks and spices (India)
• Atlantic "Triangular Trade"

Triangular trade

• Slaves
  
• Plantation crops (sugar, cotton and tobacco)
  
• Manufactured goods
  

Industrial Revolution

• How did the Industrial Revolution start?
  
• Introduction of steam engines
  
• Dramatic social consequences

Impact on British society:

1776 - Declaration of Independence

1789 - French Revolution

Literature

• "Reason" > as defined in the 18th century
  
• Rational + balanced judgement, based on knowledge, wisdom and common sense
  
• Not hindered by personal emotions!
  
• Literature had to stick to strict rules
  
• Most people failed to live up to standards > satire
  

Gulliver's Travels

Jonathan Swift (1667-1745)

Classic example of satire

Allegory about current social situation in England

Fairy-tale with dwarves, giants and talking horses

Which answer best defines the Triangular Trade?

1. slaves - goods - crops
2. crops - slaves - goods
3. slaves - crops - goods
4. crops - goods - slaves

What started the Industrial Revolution in England?

1. The invention of the printing press
2. The introduction of steam engines
3. The Triangular Trade System
4. The Declaration of Independence

What is NOT a part of literature in the Age of Reason?

1. personal emotions
2. balanced judgement
3. strict rules
4. knowledge and wisdom

Reading Gulliver's Travels

Read the extract of Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift

Do the assignment together with a classmate