Term/Character	Explanation/Significance
The Enlightenment	Intellectual and cultural movement (late 17th - 18th century) emphasizing reason, science, and individualism over tradition and religion. Focused on questioning authority and improving society.
The Age of Reason	Another name for the Enlightenment, highlighting its focus on logic, critical thinking, and empirical evidence instead of superstition.
Neo-Classical Period	Artistic/literary era influenced by ancient Greece and Rome (1660-1798). Valued order, rationality, and decorum. Key writers: Alexander Pope, Jonathan Swift.
Commonwealth	Period (1649-1660) when England was ruled as a republic after the English Civil War. Led by Oliver Cromwell. Ended with the Restoration.
The Restoration	1660 return of King Charles II after the collapse of the Commonwealth. Marked by a resurgence of drama, wit, and indulgence after Puritan rule.
Importance of Reason	Central Enlightenment value—reason was seen as humanity’s greatest tool to understand the world and reform society.
Hierarchy	Social and political ranking system (monarch → nobility → commoners). Critiqued during the Enlightenment for being rigid and unjust.
Satire	Literary device using humor, irony, and exaggeration to expose and criticize human folly or vice. Examples: Swift’s A Modest Proposal.
Juvenalian	Harsh, biting satire (think brutal takedowns). Example: A Modest Proposal.
Horatian	Light-hearted, playful satire. Example: Alexander Pope’s The Rape of the Lock.
Deism	Belief that God created the universe but doesn’t intervene in it. Rational religion—God as watchmaker.
John Locke	Enlightenment philosopher who argued for natural rights (life, liberty, property) and that government power comes from consent of the governed.
Tabula Rasa	Locke’s theory that the human mind starts as a blank slate, shaped entirely by experience.
Denis Diderot	Philosopher and chief editor of the Encyclopédie, which spread Enlightenment ideas across Europe.
Immanuel Kant	Enlightenment thinker who said: “Dare to Know.” Believed reason is the basis of morality and people must think independently.
Sir Isaac Newton	Scientist who revolutionized physics with laws of motion and gravity. Symbol of reason and empirical observation.
“Dare to Know”	Kant’s rallying cry for the Enlightenment: think for yourself, break free from ignorance.
Decorum	Literary principle of matching style to subject—high subjects need elevated language, low subjects get plain speech.
Didactic Literature	Literature meant to teach a moral or lesson. Example: A Modest Proposal.
“A Modest Proposal”	Swift’s savage satire suggesting poor Irish sell their babies as food to the rich. Critiques British exploitation.
Jonathan Swift	Satirist, author of Gulliver’s Travels and A Modest Proposal. Master of Juvenalian satire.
The Proposal	Swift’s fake plan to solve poverty by eating babies—dark critique of British policies toward Ireland.
Objects of Attack	British exploitation of Ireland, heartless economic policies, dehumanization of the poor.
Advantages of Proposal	Solves hunger, reduces overpopulation, provides income—presented in cold economic logic to mock heartless politicians.
Analogy with Livestock	Treats babies like farm animals for sale—exposes the brutal commodification of human life.
“The Lady’s Dressing Room”	Swift’s poem satirizing the artificiality and hidden grossness behind feminine beauty.
Celia	Represents idealized womanhood (before the truth is revealed). Symbolizes illusions men have about women.
Strephon	Represents disillusioned man who discovers women’s dirty secrets. Symbolizes misplaced romanticism.
Candide	Satirical novel by Voltaire mocking optimism and blind faith. Follows Candide’s ridiculous misfortunes.
Voltaire	Philosopher and writer—used satire to attack injustice and religious intolerance. Author of Candide.
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz	Philosopher who claimed we live in “the best of all possible worlds.” Voltaire roasts him in Candide.
Great Chain of Being	Belief that all life has a hierarchical order set by God (God→Angels→Humans→Animals→Plants).
Optimism	Philosophy that everything happens for the best. Mercilessly mocked in Candide.
Baron of Thunder-ten-tronckh	Represents outdated aristocracy and foolish nobles clinging to status.
Cunegonde	Symbolizes romantic idealism and objectified beauty.
Pangloss	Absurd embodiment of blind optimism—parody of Leibniz.
The Seven Years War	Global conflict (1756-1763) with brutal violence—shatters optimism in Candide.
James the Anabaptist	Represents compassion and practical goodness—killed despite his kindness.
Lisbon Earthquake	Real disaster (1755) that shattered belief in divine justice and optimism.
auto-da-fé	Religious execution ceremony—satirized in Candide.
The Old Woman	Survivor of endless tragedies—symbolizes resilience and bitter realism.
Don Issachar	Greedy stereotype—part of Voltaire’s critique of prejudice.
Cacambo	Candide’s practical, savvy servant—symbol of common sense.
Martin	Pessimist philosopher—contrast to Pangloss’ optimism.
Eldorado	Utopian land representing unattainable perfection.
Paquette	Represents human cost of sexual exploitation.
Friar Giroflee	Hypocritical religious figure—satire of corrupt clergy.
Senator Pococurante	Rich guy who hates everything—symbol of dissatisfaction despite wealth.
Tartuffe	Molière’s play about religious hypocrisy.
Molière	French playwright, master of comedy and satire.
Comedie Francaise	National theater of France, premiering many of Molière’s works.
Catholic Church	Target of Tartuffe, especially religious hypocrisy.
Mme. Pernelle	Symbolizes blind trust in religious authority.
Orgon	Represents gullibility and blind faith.
Dorine	Sharp-tongued maid—voice of reason.
Cleante	Rational thinker—Enlightenment ideal.
Elmire	Clever wife—exposes Tartuffe.
Damis	Hot-headed son—comic exaggeration.
Marianne	Dutiful daughter—represents arranged marriage pressures.
Valere	Represents true love over status.

English World lit 1