ENLIGHTENMENT CONTEXT (1660-1798)

What did literature become a tool for?

social reform, political critique and the promotion of a rational worldview

What happens as there is a sift away from religious dogma?

move to rational thought, scientific inquiry and individual liberty

what is believed about human reason?

could discover truths about the world, leading to improvements in the human conditions

What is there a clear preference for in literature?

structure, balance and clarity often looking back to roman and greek models

What began to be explored?

individual experiences, personal growth and self determination

What do individuals have an inherent right to?

life, liberty and property promoted

What is challenged?

absolute monarchies and traditional unquestioned authorities

What is satire used as?

a tool to criticise, especially religion and politics

What is used to expose hypocrisy?

wit and irony

What happened as essays became a popular form?

they advocated for politeness, reason and moderation

What do realistic prose and novels focus on?

survival, social mobility and human character

What happens as many writers adopt ‘deism’?

belief in a clockmaker God who created the universe and its logical laws but doesn't not intervene