RESTORATION & 18TH CENTURY
TEXTS TO BE READ
The Coverley Papers from the Spectator by Addison and
Steele [selections]
The Way of the World by William Congreve [1700]
The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Henry Fielding
[1749]
The Rape of the Lock by Alexander Pope [1712]
AGE OF RESTORATION
1660-1700
Very strict puritan regime
Unstable socio-economic conditions, disabled any
literature to flourish
Tremendous social reactions from the restraints
of Puritanism
After Puritanism was driven away, the theatres
re-opened
Many base pleasures which were suppressed
during the Puritan age, were showcased in the
theatres
A delight and pleasure in the vanities of the world
RESTORATION
Time Period: Late 17th century to early 18th century
(1660-1714)
Historical Context: Restoration of the monarchy, Charles II
in England after the Civil War and Puritan rule
Influences: Renaissance, Enlightenment, French literature
CHARACTERISTICS OF RESTORATION LITERATURE
Wit and Satire:
Clever wordplay, sharp humor, and social criticism
Popular forms: comedy of manners, satire, and burlesque
Moral Ambiguity:
Complex characters with both virtues and vices
Exploration of ethical dilemmas and human flaws
Social Realism:
Depiction of contemporary society, manners, and customs
Examination of social hierarchies and gender roles
HISTORICAL PREMISE OF THE 18TH CENTURY
1700-1800 is considered as the period for the
advent of 18th century literature
The Revolution of 1688, marks the beginning of the
18th century, which banished the last of the Stuart
kings and brought William of Orange to the throne.
Supported by a group of influential British political
and religious leaders, William invaded England in
what became known as the Glorious Revolution.
Voting system was introduced in Britain in the
parliamentary position, instead of total reign of the
monarchy.
HISTORICAL PREMISE
Because of the voting systems introduced, the public had to be
approached with facts and conversations were encouraged.. This
gave the rise of the newspaper, and various other forms of
literature.
At this time, the French Revolution was also beginning in 1789
The adoption of the Bill of Rights in 1689: The Bill of Rights 1689
(sometimes known as the Bill of Rights 1688) is an Act of
the Parliament of England that set out certain basic civil rights and
clarified who would be next to inherit the Crown. It remains a
crucial statute in English constitutional law.
The starting of a constitutional government meant more tolerance
among people, who were so far largely divided between the Whig
(Liberal) and the Tories (Conservatives)
AFFECTS ON LITERATURE
People had more time in their hands because
of relative peace, so literature was mass
produced.
Newspapers were also circulated widely.
Rapid social development
Clubs and coffeehouses multiplied. The
social life of these clubs resulted in better
manner.
Superficial elegance in manners and
literature
Low standard of morals- lots of theft, bribery
and corruption
DIVISIONS OF THE 18TH CENTURY
Divided into two parts
Age of Pope
(1700-50)
Age of
Johnson
(1740-1800)
AGE OF POPE
Historical Background: Predominance of Prose:
Rise of the political parties Political writings
The succession The new publishing houses
The spirit of the age- Augustan The new morality
age, classical in nature
AGE OF JOHNSON
Historical Background: The Transition Age:
Decline of the party feud The new romanticism- Thomas
Commercial and imperial Gray, William Cowper etc
expansion The new realism
The French Revolution Decline of political writing
RISE OF THE NOVEL
England gave birth to the modern novel
A medium was required where the thoughts of the writers could be
explained unshackled.
Daniel Defoe and his Robinson Crusoe is one of the first novels, along
with Tom Jones by Henry Fielding.
Describing life as it is, not as it should be.
An increase of readers, not just from the nobility, but every class of
people. There was a spread of education, which made novels
accessible to everyone.
Middle class people assumes foremost place in English history.
FEATURES OF THE NOVEL
Emphasis on sentiments and manners
Satiric exploration of human follies and vices
Rise of picaresque traditions (habits and adventures of a
Picaro or a rogue)
Comic effects by idiosyncratic characters (unusual
characters)
The origins of Gothic sensibilities (derived from medievalism)
Social commentaries on moral failings
ADDISON AND STEELE
Joseph Addison (1672-1719) and Richard Steele (1672-
1729) are the founders of the modern English essay as
well as modern English prose. Both Steele and Addison
aimed at easy and free flowing expression and that
was the style the 18th century needed with the
expansion of England's trade and industry.
They wrote The Coverley Papers
The main subject of the Coverley Paper is to satire the
society. Though this is the age of enlighten, scientific
revolution has occurred and people become educated;
social, psychological, political conflict have appeared-
all these factors are portrayed by Addison and Steele
through wit irony and symbols.
