Civil war (1642-1648) and the English Bourgeois Revolution

2. The Eglish Enlightment. The birth of the English novel, its development. Defoe, Swift
Historical background:
18th c. GB grew into a strong capitalist country: 1. Intensive industrial development (the appearance of mills and manufactures) 2. Industrial revolution (new machinery) 3. The English bourgeoisie became part of the ruling class - the 2nd half of the 17th c. - 18th century was marked by British colonial expansion. 3. The British government become the ruling government all over the British Isles and developed contacts outside Britain. 4. The power of the king was nominal, it belonged to the Parliament ("Tories”, “Whigs”) 5. The development of culture and science; but still many people were ignorant, so one of the most important problems – education.
EARLY ENLIGHTMENT (1688-1740) 1. Flourishing of journalism 2. The main trend - classicism 3. The main genres - drama, poem, essay, pamphlet
The enlighteners defended the interests of the common people - the criticism was aimed against social inequality, religious hypocrisy, the immorality of the aristocracy. The central philosophical problem – the problem of man and his nature. The main trends:- classicism; -realism, -sentimentalism;- pre-romanticism. Genres: - realistic didactic novel;- adventure novel; - satirical novel; - family novel

2 groups of enlighteners:

I. moderates, who spoke in defense of the existing order and thought that a few reforms were enough to improve the situation in the country (Daniel Defoe (1661-1731); Joseph Addison(1672-1719); Alexander Pope (1688-1744); Laurence Sterne (1713-1768)
II. radicals, who wanted more democracy in the running of the country and defended the interest of the exploited masses( Jonathan Swift (1667-1745); Henry Fielding(1707-1754);
Daniel Defoe is considered to be the father of the English realistic novel. He wrote mainly adventure, picaresque (плутовские) novels. Born into a middle class family, received an excellent education, worked as a spy, hosier, journalist, political pamphleteer, businessman. Jonathan Swift is a famous satirist. Born in Dublin, was educated at Trinity College and graduated without honours, became Sir William Temple’s secretary, at Moor Park Swift read and studied much and in 1692 he took his Master of Arts Degree at Oxford University - in 1699 Sir Temple died, and Swift had to search for a new job, clergeman - in 1710 Swift joined the Tory party, in 1745 he died and was buried with simplicity