CHAPTER IX. EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY LITERATURE
(1700-1800)tions (5 vols.), and Garnett’s English Prose from Elizabeth to
Victoria are useful for supplementary reading. All important
works should be read entire, in one of the following inexpen-
sive editions, published for school use. (For titles and pub-
lishers, see General Bibliography at end of this book.)
BIBLIOGRAPHY.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
- Describe briefly the social development of the eighteenth
century. What effect did this have on literature? What ac-
counts for the prevalence of prose? What influence did the
first newspapers exert on life and literature? How do the
readers of this age compare with those of the Age of Eliza-
beth? - How do you explain the fact that satire was largely used
in both prose and poetry? Name the principal satires of the
age. What is the chief object of satire? of literature? How do
the two objects conflict? - What is the meaning of the term "classicism," as ap-
plied to the literature of this age? Did the classicism of John-
son, for instance, have any relation to classic literature in its
true sense? Why is this period called the Augustan Age?
Why was Shakespeare not regarded by this age as a classi-
cal writer?
4.Pope. In what respect is Pope a unique writer? Tell briefly
the story of his life. What are his principal works? How does
he reflect the critical spirit of his age? What are the chief
characteristics of his poetry? What do you find to copy in
(^185) For titles and publishers of general reference works, andof inexpensive
texts, see General Bibliography at end of this book.