GREAT BOOKS Prefinals

1660-1800 CE

this is the time period when enlightenment and neoclassical literature became known

they focused on reason, logic, social critique and moral order

what did enlightenment and neoclassical literature focused on?

to think carefully, question authority,, and explore the world through science and logic

the enlightenment (age of reason) encouraged people to do what?

the writers often used satire and wit

in the enlightenment period, what did the writers often use to examine society and human behavior?

neoclassicism

this revived ancient greek and roman literary forms, valuing clarity, order, and balance

structured writing, moral lessons, and universal truths, often using satire to critique society

influenced by enlightenment, what did neoclassicism emphasize?

• reason

• satire

these are the main forms of enlightenment and neoclassical literature

reason

this form promotes critical thinking and logical understanding. it is used to challenge traditions, question authority, and encourage reform

candide

a novella that was used to critique blind optimism, organized religion, and societal injustices through sharp reasoning and wit

voltaire

the author of candide

satire

form that employs humor, irony, and exaggeration to reveal flaws in society or human behavior

a modest proposal

a work of literature that ironically suggests that the poor sell their children as food to solve famine, exposing social neglect and criticizing governmental indifference

jonathan swift

an irish satirist and the author of a modest proposal

develop critical thinking

an importance of studying enlightenment and neoclassical literature, they encourage analyzing ideas, questioning assumptions, and forming well-reasoned judgments

understand social critique

an importance of studying enlightenment and neoclassical literature, they show how writers use satire and reason to explore ethics and civic responsibility

promote structure and clarity

an importance of studying enlightenment and neoclassical literature, they demonstrate balance, order, and disciplined expression

1780-1850 CE

the time period where romanticism became known

it emphasized emotion, nature, imagination, the subline, and individualism

what did romanticism in literature emphasize?

personal feelings, creativity, unique experiences

what are the three things the writers during the romanticism period celebrate?

true

(T/F) writers in the romanticism period explored the beauty and power of nature, the awe inspiring experiences (the sublime) and the freedom to think and feel as individuals, breaking away from strict rules and traditional forms

• emotion

• nature

• imagination

• the sublime

• individualism

these are the 5 main forms of romanticism

emotion

this form emphasizes intense feelings and personal experience to understand human life

nature

form that serves as a source of inspiration, beauty, and spiritual insight

imagination

this form explores creativity, fantasy, and alternative realities beyond traditional rules

the sublime

this form conveys overwhelming beauty, awe, terror, often connected to nature or intense emotion

individualism

this form celebrates personal freedom, self-expression, and moral reflection

i wandered lonely as a cloud

a piece that shows how a simple scene of daffodils can inspire joy, peace, and reflection

william wordsworth

an english poet and the author of i wandered lonely as a cloud

ode to the west wind

literary piece personifying the wind as a force of change and highlighting nature’s power and its influence on human thought

percy bysshe shelley

an english poet and the author of ode to the west wind

frankenstein

literary piece that explores ambition, ethics, and the consequences of challenging natural laws through imaginative storytelling

mary shelley

an english novelist and the wife of percy bysshe shelley. she is the author of frankenstein

the rime of the ancient mariner

literary piece used to evoke fear, guilt, and wonder through the vast sea, supernatural events, and the mariner’s isolation

samuel taylor coleridge

an english poet and is the author of the time of the ancient mariner

childe harold’s pilgrimage

a literary piece featuring a hero who values his own personal experiences over societal expectations

lord byron

an english poet and the author of childe harold’s pilgrimage

understand the power of emotion

an importance of studying romanticism, it emphasizes feelings, intuition, and imagination as central to understanding human experience

appreciate nature’s influence

an importance of studying romanticism, it explores how nature inspires creativity, reflection, and spiritual insight

recognize personal expression

an importance of studying romanticism, it highlights individuality, originality, and freedom from societal constraints

1850-1910 CE

the time period when realism and naturalism became known

it aimed to depict life accurately and objectively, focusing on everyday experiences, human behavior, and social conditions

what does realism and naturalism aim to depict?

realism

this portrays ordinary people and everyday life, focusing on moral choices, social interactions, and ethical dilemmas, emphasizing society’s influence on individuals

naturalism

this emphasized determinism, showing how environment, heredity, and social conditions shape human behavior. depicts life as harsh and inevitable, illustrating forces beyond individual control

• social critique

• detailed characterization

these are the 2 main forms of realism and naturalism

social critique

a form that examines society by exposing inequalities, corruption, and social injustices. encourage readers to reflect on ethical dilemmas and human condition

detailed characterization

this form presents characters with complex personalities, motivations, and moral struggles

emphasizes psychological realism, showing how environment society, and heredity shape human behavior

germinal

a literary work portraying the harsh lives of 19th century coal miners in france, revealing poverty, exploitation, and class struggles, criticizing social economic systems that oppress workers

emile zola

a french novelist and the leader of the naturalist movement, who is also the author of germinal

the adventures of huckleberry finn

a literary work exploring huck’s moral struggles, choices, and growth, in response to society and his environment

mark twain

an american novelist who wrote the adventures of huckleberry finn

depict everyday life

an importance of studying realism and naturalism, they portray ordinary people, daily experiences, and realistic social settings

examine influences on behavior

an importance of studying realism and naturalism, they show how external forces, such as environment, family, and society, shape characters’ actions and decisions

explore social challenges

an importance of studying realism and naturalism, they highlight economic hardship, social inequality, and ethical conflicts in daily life

gulliver’s travels

is a satirical novel by jonathan swift, featuring lemuel gulliver’s voyages to fantastical lands

• lilliput

• brobdingnag

• laputa

• houyhnhnm land

these are the 4 fantastical lands that gulliver travelled

• written in prose and divided into 4 parts

• critiques human nature, society, and politics

these are 2 extra descriptors of gulliver’s travels

to highlight human folly

gulliver’s travels used exaggeration for what?

to represent pride and reason

gulliver’s travels used symbolism for what?

to expose the absurdity of societal customs

gulliver’s travels used irony for what?

lemuel gulliver

ship’s surgeon and titular protagonist of his story. becomes a giant in lilliput

the lilliputians

tiny people, about 6 inches tall, proud, petty, and politically divided

emperor of lilliput

ruler who tests gulliver and represents authority and politics

flimnap

treasurer and court official, involved in political rivalries and plots

the blefuscudians

people of lilliput’s rival island, representing opposing political views and conflicts