第四讲18世纪文学1.ppt
,English Literature of 18th century,Enlightenment Movement 1. progressive intellectual movement throughout western Europe (England, Germany and France) in the 18th century and in Russia in the 19th century (Lenin: bourgeois movement),2. the enlighteners: had hostility to serfdom; strongly advocated the education and self-government and freedom for the masses of people; asserted the right and interests of the people, esp. peasants.,English Enlightenment appear after bourgeois revolution, urge the carrying-on of revolution the English enlighteners considered the chief way to better the society was “enlightenment” (education). They believe the power of reason. So the 18th C in England is also called “the age of reason”,Enlighteners in English Literature: 2 groups 1. moderate group: Pope, Defoe, Addison and Steele, and Richardson They supported the rules of the existing social order and considered partial reforms would be sufficient.,2. Radical group: Swift, Fielding, Smollett, Goldsmith and Sheridan They insisted on more resolute democratization in the management of the government. They even partly defended the interests of working people, peasants and laboring class,neo-classicism periodical literature sentimental movement novel drama,18th century literature,Neo-classicism Alexander Pope Samuel Johnson,In literature, the Enlightenment Movement brought about a revival of interest in the old classical works. This tendency is known as neoclassicism. According to the neoclassicists, all forms of literature were to be modeled after the classical works of the ancient Greek and Roman writers (Homer, Virgil, and so on) and those of the contemporary French ones. They believed that the artistic ideals should be order, logic, restrained emotion and accuracy, and that literature should be judged in terms of its service to humanity., neo-classicism: modeled on Greek and Latin authors, tried to control literary creation by some fixed laws and rules drawn from Greek and Latin works: 1. drama: rhymed couplet instead of blank verse, the three unities, regularity in construction, presentation of types rather than individuals 2. poetry: following the ancient divisions: lyric, epic, didactic, satiric or dramatic 3. prose: precise, direct and flexible,4. The basic difference between Dryden and the 18th century enlighteners Dryden: wrote to please the declining aristocracy during the Restoration period Enlighteners: wrote for the bourgeoisie to tidy up the capitalist social orders,Alexander Pope(1688-1744),1. life story merchants family, Catholic, feeble, severe bodily pain, introduced to literary world by Wycherley, 1713: formed Scriblerus Club (涂鸦社), side not definitely either with Whig or Tory Wrote Newton's epitaph: “Nature, and Nature's Laws lay hid in Night. God said, Let Newton be ! and All was Light.“,2. works 1). pastoral poems “Pastorals” 田园组诗 “Winsor Forest” 温莎林 “Ode on Solitude” 隐居颂 2). satirical poems “The Rape of the Lock”夺发记 “The Dunciad” 群愚史诗,3). philosophical works “An Essay on Criticism”批评论 “An Essay on Man”人论 “Moral Essays” 道德论 4). translation and edition “Iliad” “Odessey” “The Works of Shakespeare”,“An Essay on Criticism” 1). a manifesto of English neo-classicism aesthetic theories of poetry comprehensive study of the theories of literary criticism 2). criticism on poetry written in blank verse (heroic couplet): how to write and appreciate poetry,3). content: respect to ancient Greek and Roman poets and critics not showing preference either for the Ancients or for the Modernsjudge each individual work according to its own merit or demerit respect to Shakespeare (violate classical rules),4). a didactic poem in heroic couplet, in a plain style, easy reading. 'Tis hard to say, if greater Want of Skill Appear in Writing or in Judging ill, But, of the two, less dang'rous is th' Offence, To tire our Patience, than mis-lead our Sense: Some few in that, but Numbers err in this, Ten Censure wrong for one who Writes amiss;,Famous sayings: For fools rush in where angels fear to tread. 智者裹足不前，愚者铤而走险. To err is human, to forgive, divine. 人皆有错，难能宽恕 A little learning is a dangerous thing. 浅学误人,“The Rape of the Lock” 1). poem in mock-heroic (type of satirical verse which deals with trivial matters in the style of epic or heroic verse 仿英雄体) a quarrel between two aristocratic families: Lord Petre's cutting of a lock of Miss Arabella Fermor's hair without her permission.,2). analysis social satire of the idle, meaningless life of the aristocratic bourgeois society of 18th c England Inferior position of women: toys and slaves to mens passion influenced Byrons “Don Juan”,“The Dunciad” 1). satirical poem of personal attack in 4 books, 15 years 2). background: provoked by Theobalds criticism of his edition of Shakespeare, first choosing Theobald as “the poet laureate” of the kingdom of Dullness. But by and by all the authors who had criticized Pope were ridiculed, and the satire was directed to all the literary vices of the time.,3). bitter satire on Popes rival writers and whole literary life in 18th c England 4). expose and satirize dullness as reflected in the corruptness of government, social morals, education and even religion,“An Essay on Man” 1). philosophical poem in heroic couplet, 4 epistles: Of the Nature and State of Man with respect to the universe with respect to Himself as an individual with respect to society with respect to happiness 2). Ps political and philosophical stand of an enlightener, influence of Deism,3). selection All Nature is but Art unknown to thee; All chance direction, which thou canst not see; All discord, harmony not understood; All partial evil, universal good: And spite of Pride, in erring Reason's spite, One truth is clear, Whatever is, is right.,4. Comments on Pope (1). Pope was one of the first to introduce rationalism to England. He was the greatest poet of his time. (2). His lines are smooth, balanced and concise, a master of the heroic couplet. (3). influenced other writers of his age, early 18th c England-the age of Pope,Samuel Johnson (1709-1784),1. life story 1728-29 Oxford 1731 father died, make his own living: usher, translating 1735 married a widow, 20 years senior, 800 , set up a school, failure 1755 Oxford: M.A. 1756 arrested for debt, loan from Richardson 1762 governmental pension: 300,1763 met Boswell biographer 1764 “The Club”, “The Literary Club”, Goldsmith, Sheridan 1765 Trinity College, Dublin: Dr. of Laws 1767 conversation with George , loyal to king 1770 political tracts as Tory 1775 Oxford: Doctor of Laws 1782 paralysis, recovered, “Essex Head Club”,1784 After his death, Johnson received many honors. He was buried in Westminster Abbey, near the memorial to Shakespeare poet, dramatist, prose romancer, biographer, essayist, critic, lexicographer and publicist.,2. His works: poems: “London” “The Vanity of Human Wishes” (heroic couplet) romance: “The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia” drama: “Irene” (blank-verse tragedy),periodicals: “The Rambler” “The Idler” critical works: “Lives of the Poets” dictionary: “The Dictionary of the English Language” Letter To the Right Honorable the Earl of chesterfield,“The Vanity of Human Wishes” 1). sharp satire on the social evils in aristocratic-bourgeois world all-powerful influence of gold so many engaged in struggle for political power corruption and struggle for power between two parties 2). general picture of his society, not a particular person,“The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia” 1). most popular of Js writings, didactic romance: 6 editions (besides one in Ireland & American): a prince who has led a sheltered life, and who goes out to explore the world and learns the meaning of life and the secret of happiness.,2. analysis: lack the revolutionary spirit, advocate golden mean (中庸之道) between Deism: reconcile to everything in the existing social order revolutionary thought: expose and criticize the ugly reality,“Lives of the poets” 1. Preface: praise Shakespeare “the poet of nature” and defend Shakespeare from the charges of mixing of comic with the tragic (violating the classical rules),2). 52 poets: unfair to Milton and Gray, cares for rhymed verse than blank verse 3). contents: biographical facts analysis of personal traits and character comments on their poetry,The Dictionary of the English Language the first English dictionary by an Englishman; first brought fame to Johnson remained for a century the unrivalled authority for English language and all English dictionary.,Letter To the Right Honorable the Earl of chesterfield 1. Background: Samuel Johnson wrote the letter in 1755, when he was 45 years old. Johnson had just completed his great dictionary of the English language, which he had been toiling away at for eight years. seven London booksellers had commissioned the project eight years previously.,At that time Johnson had issued a plan for the work, in the hope of getting more funds from patrons. He had dedicated the plan to Philip Dormer, the Earl of Chesterfield. Johnson paid a call on the Earl at some point, and been disappointed with the results. He did apparently get a few guineas out of the noble Lord, but it was much less than he had hoped for. Chesterfield seemed to have taken no further interest in the project.,Until, all those years later, when the dictionary was at last ready for publication (it was actually five years later), Lord Chesterfield published an advance review of it in a magazine named The World, presenting himself as principal patron of the work. This excited Johnson's indignation, and he wrote the following letter to his Lordship. It is one of the great letters of all time.,2. Analysis Js strong indignation at the lord's fame-fishing and his firm resolution not to be reconciled to the hypocritical lord. the author's assertion of his independence- the opening of a new era in the development of literature.,3. comments on Johnson: 1). next only to William Shakespeare, Samuel Johnson is perhaps the most quoted of English writers. 2). The latter part of 18th century is often called the “Age of Johnson”.,Periodical Literature Addison and Steele,Addison (1672-1719) 1. Life: clergymans family (Steele: schoolmate), Oxford, classical education, MA, fellow, Latin poems, classical scholar, pension, tour in Europe, Whig, 1708-19: MP, Kit-Cat Club, political post, 1718 retired with pension of 1500,Steele (1672-1729) 1.Life: born in Dublin, English parents, Oxford, classical, without degree, army, a poem on Queen Marys funeral, captain, dissolute life, sentimental comedies, 1713: M.P., knighted in 1715, 1718: quarrel with Addison over politics, extravagant life, in debt, money difficulties and poor health forced him to leave London,best and most important periodicals by Addison and Steele “The Spectator” 旁观者 “The Tatler” 闲谈者,“The Tatler” (1709) 1). three times a week, 271 numbers: 188 by Steele, 42 by Addison, 36 together by A and S 2). essays, in conversational style to entertain and instruct the readers 3). the character “Isaac Bickerstaff” invented by Swift,4). objective: To expose the false arts of life, to pull off the disguises of cunning vanity, and affectation, and recommend a general simplicity in our dress, discourse, and behavior (揭露生活中的虚伪，扯下狡诈、虚荣和矫揉造作的种种面具， 并力荐服饰、言谈和行为的简洁),“The Spectator” (1711) 1). A daily paper, 555 numbers, wider range of subjects and maturer style than “The Tatler”: supposed to be edited by a small club headed by Mr. Spectator, a man of travel and learning, frequently comes to London as an observer. 2). The essays mainly deal with manners, morals and literature of the time.,3). Literary merits: literary criticism characterization Invent “Sir Roger de Coverley” one of the best-known figures in English fictional literature: an ideal squire in 18th century England,The character sketches in the paper are most outstanding: a type of a new culture, learned, familiar with all languages, old and new, traveled in all countries, visited every place- the character sketches are forerunners of the modern English novel., Contributions of Addison and Steele: 1). Their writings shape a new code of social morality for the rising bourgeoisie. 2. They give a true picture of the social life of England in the 18th century.,3. In the hands of Addison and Steele, the English essay has completely established itself as a literary genre. Using it as a form of character sketching and story-telling, they pave the way to modern novels.,Novels in the 18th century,The Division of the Novels realistic novel sentimental novel Gothic novel historical novel,back,Realistic Novels Daniel Defoe Jonathan Swift Henry Fielding Tobias Smollett,back,Daniel Defoe (1660-1731),back,1. His Life: is generally considered to be England's first true novelist. butcher, his father, clergyman, plunged into politics and trade, traveling in Europe, bankrupt, Mary Tuffley, two sons and five daughters, involved in Monmouth rebellion in 1685 against James II, hiding in a churchyard after rebellion was put down, noticed the name Robinson Crusoe carved on a stone, and later gave it to his famous hero.,a supporter of William III, joining his army in 1688, In 1702: pamphlet “The Shortest-Way with the Dissenters”, arrested, released in return for services as a pamphleteer and intelligence agent for the Tories, in prison wrote a ode, “Hymn to the Pillory”. The poem was sold in the streets, the audience drank to his health while he stood in the pillory and read aloud his verses.,Tories fell from power, continued to carry out intelligence work for the Whig government, political writings were widely read and made him powerful enemies, periodical “The Review”, remaining years, concentrated on books, historical works, works involving the supernatural.,2. His works: “Robinson Crusoe”-masterpiece “Captain Singleton”-novel of adventure. “Colonel Jacque”- novel of adventure “Moll Flanders” “Roxana”- picaresque novel “A Journal of the Plague Year”-historical fiction 伦敦大疫记,“Robinson Crusoe” 1). real fact: Alexander Seilkirk (Scottish sailor) 2). content: three parts, the first part most significant: Robinsons adventures on the uninhabited island for 28 years (Friday),Selkirk, who went to sea in 1704 under William Dampier and was put ashore at his own request on an uninhabited island in the Pacific, where he survived until his rescue in 1709 by Woodes Rogers. As a journalist Defoe must have heard Selkirk's story and possibly interviewed him.,Selkirk never went back to the Pacific island as Defoe had Crusoe do in two sequels. Selkirk became known as a eccentric. It is said he taught cats how to do strange dances.,back,contents: (P36):Crusoe is shipwrecked off South America. He stays in the island 28 years, two months and 19 days. Aided with his enterprising behavior, Crusoe adapt
