4. Lesson 3 The Reading Module

Read the text: Enlightenment

The 17^th and 18^th centuries are known in the history of European culture as the period of the Enlightenment. The Enlightenment defended the interests of common people – craftsmen, tradesmen, peasants. The central problem of the Enlightenment ideology was that of man and his nature. The Enlighteners believed in reason as well as in man’s inborn goodness. They also believed in the powerful educational value of art. The most prominent representative of Enlightenment in England of the 17^th century was John Milton (1608-1677). After the rise of Puritanism in England, Milton set out to write “Paradise Lost”, his great epic poem about loss and recovery. “Paradise Lost” is designed, as the first lines of the poem announce, “to justify the ways of God to men”. Milton underlines the tragic paradox of the human condition and comments on the dual nature of Free Will, which is both Good and Evil. In the 18^th century the English Enlighteners were not unanimous in their views. Some of them spoke in defense of the existing order, considering that a few reforms were enough to improve it. These were Daniel Defoe, Alexander Pope and Samuel Richardson.

The other group included the writers who openly protested against the social order. They defended the interests of common people. They were: Jonathan Swift, Henry Fielding, Oliver Goldsmith, Richard Sheridan and Robert Burns.

Alexander Pope (1688-1744) dominated the early years of the century with his astringent satire and high moral. His first publication in 1709 was a book of verse “Pastorals”. Pope developed mock-heroic verse in the “Rape of the Lock” and “The Dunciad”. Both of these great poems were satires. “The Essay on Man” was written in epistle form and was followed by “Moral Essays” and “Essay on Criticism”. In “Essay on Criticism” Pope discusses Art, Nature and rallies poets to “follow nature” by insisting that the role of art is to imitate nature and not to follow fashions. Pope expressed his ideas in a wonderfully quotable verse. After Shakespeare he is the most quoted of English poets.

These and many other quotations from Pope have found the way into common speech:

• A little learning is a dangerous thing

• And fools rush in where angels fear to tread

• The proper study of mankind is man

• To err is human, to forgive is divine

Daniel Defoe (1661-1731) is regarded as founder of realistic novel in English and European literature. He was the earliest literary journalist in England. He wrote political pamphlets on any subject and every event. He was a man of active and original mind, an independent and courageous thinker who dealt with social questions. After producing political pamphlets Defoe turned to writing novels. His First book of fiction was “Robinson Crusoe.” The novel glorifies energy and practicalness. It is a praise to human labour and the triumph of man over nature. The book is still considered one of the masterpieces of English prose. It is read by both children and grown ups throughout the world. Robinson Crusoe was a success, and its success encouraged Defoe. There followed a series of other novels: “Captain Singleton”, “Moll Flanders”, “Colonel Jacque”, “Roxana”, “Captain George”, the output was astonishing.

His popular book “A Tour through the Whole of Great Britain” is still used to-day by scholars and historians who wish to study the 18^th century. Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) was he greatest of the prose satirists of the age of the Enlightenment. His bitter satire was aimed at the policy of the English bourgeoisie towards Ireland. That’s why Irish people considered Swift their champion in the struggle for the welfare and freedom of their country.

Robert Burns (1719-1796) is a Scottish bard whose poetry was inspired by his deep love for his motherland, for its history and folklore. His beautiful poem “My heart’s in the Highlands” full of vivid colorful description, is a hymn to the beauty of Scotland’s nature and its glorious past.

Burns was a remarkable lyric poet. His lyrical poems are known for their beauty, truthfulness, freshness, depth of feeling and their lovely melody. Among his best lyrics is “Oh, My Love is like a Red, Red Rose.”

Burn’s wit, humour, contempt for falsehood and hypocrisy are best revealed in his epigrams- short four line satirical verses.

The name of Burns is very dear to all English-speaking nations because the source of his poetry was the folklore and the songs of his people whose true son he was.

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