Flashcards on 18th-Century British Literature and the Enlightenment
18th-Century British Literature and the Enlightenment: A Guide
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18th-century British literature
17 cards
Card 1
Question: Who was Jonathan Swift and what literary technique is he known for using to criticize society and politics?
Answer: Jonathan Swift was one of the greatest English satirists, using satire—humor, irony, and exaggeration—to criticize society, politics, and human stupid
Card 2
Question: What is the satirical meaning behind Gulliver's Travels?
Answer: Although it appears as an adventure story, Gulliver's Travels is actually a political and social satire criticizing politics, corruption, irrational b
Card 3
Question: Name some features of Swift's writing style.
Answer: Ironic, intelligent, critical, and sometimes pessimistic.
Card 4
Question: What shocking proposal does 'A Modest Proposal' make and what is its purpose?
Answer: 'A Modest Proposal' ironically suggests that poor Irish people should sell their children as food; its purpose is to shock readers and criticize Briti
Card 5
Question: What broader importance does 'A Modest Proposal' demonstrate about literature?
Answer: It shows that literature can be used to criticize society, politics, and human behavior.
Card 6
Question: What were the dominant emphases of poetry during the Enlightenment?
Answer: Order, reason, and balance, with writers inspired by classical literature.
Card 7
Question: What is Neoclassicism and what did it emphasize?
Answer: Neoclassicism is a return to classical rules, emphasizing harmony and discipline; it became important in 19th-century poetry.
Card 8
Question: Which literary qualities link Daniel Defoe and Jonathan Swift?
Answer: Realism, satire and irony, adventure elements, political criticism, focus on individual experience, and a sometimes pessimistic view of humanity.
Card 9
Question: How did 18th-century literature contribute to the development of the modern novel?
Answer: The period helped develop realistic prose and political satire and elevated prose (especially the novel) as an important literary form in English.
Card 10
Question: What were the main characteristics of literature during the Age of Enlightenment/Age of Reason in Britain?
Answer: Focus on reason, realism, satire, social criticism; realism and moral lessons; interest in ordinary people; prose became more important than poetry.