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Neoclassical Period(1688-1798),Historical background Major writers Literature terms,The Neoclassical Period,- the period in English literature between the return of Stuarts to the English throne in 1660 and the full assertion of Romanticism which came with the publication of Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth in 1978.,Historical background,1. Its a turbulent period: a. Great political and social events were the Restoration of King Charles II in 1660. b. the Great Plague （大瘟疫,指1665年流行于伦敦的鼠疫） of 1665 which took 70000 lives in London alone. c. the Great London Fire which destroyed a large part of the city, leaving two-thirds of the population homeless.,d. the Glorious Revolution in which King James II was replaced by his protestant daughter Mary and her Dutch husband William, duke of Orange, in 1689. There was constant strife between the monarch and the parliament, between the two big partiesthe Tories and Whigsover the control of the parliament and government, between opposing religious sects such as the Roman Catholicism, the Anglican Church （英国国教等于Church of England） and the Dissenters(异议者|不奉国教者|不同意者), between the ruling class and the laboring poor, etc. In short, it was an age full of conflicts and divergence (disagreement )of values.,e. the constitutional monarchy(君主立宪制度) came into being as a compromise between the bourgeoisie and the aristocrats - the monarch was deprived of ruling power, Parliament had more say The Tory(保守托利党) and the Whig（自由辉格党）,2. Abroad: The eighteenth century saw the fast development of England as a nation, a vast expansion of British colonies in North America, India, the West Indies, and a continuous increase of colonial wealth and trade provided England with a market for which the small-scale hand production methods of the home industry were hardly adequate. Towards the middle of the eighteenth century, England had become the first powerful capitalist country in the world. The British bourgeois or middle class also grew rapidly. It was the major force of the Revolution and was mainly composed of city people.,3. literature character: the Enlightenment Movement brought about a revival of interest in the old classical works. This tendency is known as neoclassicism(新古典主义). According to the neoclassicists, all forms of literature were to be modeled after the classical works of the ancient Greek and Roman writers.(Homer, Virgil, Horace, Ovid, etc.) They believed that the artistic ideals should be order, logic, restrained emotion and accuracy, and that literature should be judged in terms of its service to humanity. This belief led them to seek proportion, unity, harmony and grace in literary expressions, in an effort to delight, instruct and correct human beings, primarily as social animals. Thus a polite，urbane ( :bein adj. 彬彬有礼的，温文尔雅的；都市化的), witty, and intellectual art developed. 艺术理想应当是顺序，罗技，克制的情绪和精确度。寻求在文学表达上的均衡，统一，和谐和优雅，并使得人类作为社会动物获得愉悦，指导和矫正。,Neoclassicists had some fixed laws and rules for almost every genre of literature.,Prose should be precise, direct, smooth and flexible. Drama should be written in the Heroic Couplets.,Poetry should be lyrical, epical (英勇的；叙事诗的；有重大历史意义的), didactic, satiric or dramatic, and each class should be guided by its own principles.,1. Definitions of literary terms,The neoclassical period is the one in English literature between the return of the Stuarts to the English throne in 1660 and the full assertion（主张） of Romanticism which came with the publication of Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge（柯勒律治）in 1798.新古典文学时期是英国文学史上斯图亚特王朝在1660年登上英国王位之后和华兹华斯和柯勒律治出版了抒情歌谣集后的浪漫主义主张。 1.1) The Enlightenment Movement：The 18th-century England is known as the Age of Enlightenment or the Age of Reason（启蒙运动）. The Enlightenment Movement was a progressive intellectual movement which flourished in France and swept through the whole Western Europe at the time. The movement was a furtherance （促进）of the Renaissance of the 15th and 16th centuries. Its purpose was to enlighten the whole world with the light of modem philosophical and artistic ideas. The enlighteners celebrated reason or rationality（合理性）, equality （平等）and science. They called for a reference（证明人） to order, reason and rules and advocated universal education. Famous among the great enlighteners in England were those great writers like John Dryden约翰德莱敦, Alexande pope亚历山大.蒲柏, Joseph Addison约瑟夫艾迪生and Sir Richard Steele理查德斯梯尔(this two are pioneers of familiar essays), Jonathan Swift乔纳森斯威夫特, Daniel Defoe 丹尼尔.笛福, Richard Brinsley Sheridan谢雷登, Henry Fielding亨利费尔丁and Samuel Johnson塞缪尔约翰逊.18世纪的英格兰是众所周知的启蒙时期或者启蒙运动。启蒙运动是进步的智慧运动，在法国爆发，蔓延至那个时期的整个时期。这个运动是15和16世纪文艺复兴运动的促进。它的作用是用哲学和艺术思想来启蒙整个世界。启蒙者庆祝理智或者合理性，平等和科学。他们为顺序，理智和规则，宣传广泛的教育召集证明人。在英国这些伟大的启蒙者间，是约翰德莱敦，亚历山大.蒲柏，约瑟夫艾迪生，理查德斯梯尔，乔纳森斯威夫特，丹尼尔.笛福，谢雷登，亨利费尔丁，塞缪尔约翰逊,2) Neoclassicism: In the field of literature, the Enlightenment Movement brought about a revival of interest in the old classical works. This tendency is known as neoclassicism. According to the neoclassicists, all forms of literature were to be modeled after the classical works of the ancient Greek and Roman writers (Homer, Virgil维吉尔, and so on) and those of the contemporary French ones. They believed that the artistic ideals should be order, logic, restrained （忍耐的）emotion and accuracy, and that literature should be judged in terms of its service to humanity. This belief led them to seek proportion均衡, unity统一, harmony和谐 and grace优雅 in literary expressions, in an effort to delight, instruct and correct human beings, primarily （最初）as social animals. Thus, a polite, urbane文雅, witty（机智）, and intellectual art developed.在文学领域，启蒙运动带来了古典文学作品的复兴的兴趣。倾向是众所周知的新古典主义。根据新古典主义者，所有的文学形式是以古希腊和罗马作家为范本（荷马，维吉尔等等）和那些同一时代的法国作家。他们相信艺术理想应当是顺序，罗技，忍耐的情绪和精确度。信仰将它们导向想寻找在文学表达上的均衡，统一，和谐和优雅，在使人类愉悦，指导和矫正的努力中，最初是作为社会动物。因此，一个礼貌，文雅，智慧和机智被发展。,3) The heroic couplet：It means a pair of lines of a type once common in English poetry, which rhyme and are written with five beats each.它意味着英语诗歌中的普通典型的对句，韵律，每五个一组为一个节拍。 4) The Realistic Novel: The middle of the 18th century was, however, predominated （控制）by a newly rising literary form, the modern English novel, which, contrary to the traditional romance of aristocrats传统的贵族骑士文学, gives a realistic presentation of life of the common English people. This-the most significant phenomenon in the history of the development of English literature in the eighteenth century - is a natural product of the Industrial Revolution and a symbol of the growing importance and strength of the English middle class, Among the pioneers were Daniel Defoe 丹尼尔.笛福,Samuel Richardson塞缪尔约翰逊, Henry Fielding亨利费尔丁, Laurence Sterne劳伦斯斯特恩, Tobias Creorge Smollott托比亚斯斯摩莱特, and Oliver Goldsmith奥立佛高尔斯密. 然而，18世纪由新产生的文学形式控制了中世纪的英国小说，与传统的贵族其实文学相反，对普通英国人的生活一个现实的展现。在在英国文学的发展上，18世纪最重要的现象-是英国中产阶级的力量，在这些先锋中是丹尼尔.笛福,塞缪尔约翰逊，亨利费尔丁,劳伦斯斯特恩,托比亚斯斯摩莱特,奥立佛高尔斯密。,2. Characteristics of Neoclassical Literature,According to the neoclassicists, all forms of literature were to be modeled after the classical works of the ancient Greek and Roman writers (Homer, Virgil, Horace贺拉斯, Ovid奥维德, etc,)and those of the contemporary French ones. Neoclassicists had some fixed laws and rules for almost every genre类型of literature. Prose should be precise, direct, smooth and flexible. Poetry should be lyrical, epical, didactic（说教的）, satiric or dramatic, and each class should be guided by its own principles. Drama should be written in the Heroic Couplets (iambic pentameter抑扬格五音步 rhymed in two lines); the three unities of time, space and action should be strictly observed; regularity in construction should be adhered to and type characters rather than （胜于）individuals should be represented.根据新古典主义者，所有的文学形式是以古希腊和罗马作家为范本（荷马，维吉尔，贺瑞斯，奥维德等等）和同时代的法国作家。新古典主义者将法律和规则固定于每一个文学类型。散文是恰当的，正确的，平滑的和灵活的。诗歌应当是抒情的，史诗的，说教的，讽刺的或者是戏剧的，每一个阶级应当由他自己的原则所指导。戏剧应当写在英雄的对句中（每两行诗节抑扬格五音步的旋律）；三个时代，空间和行为的联合应当严格地被发现；结构规则应当粘附在上面，典型形式胜于个体将被展现。,The neoclassical emphasis upon reason, intellect, wit and form was rebelled against or challenged by the sentimentalists（感伤主义者）, and was, in due time, gradually replaced by Romanticism. The neoclassical period witnessed the flourish of English poetry in the classical style from Restoration to about the second half of the century. Much attention was given to the wit, form and art of poetry. Mock epic, romance, satire and epigram（讽刺短诗） were popular forms adopted by poets of the time. Besides the elegant poetic structure and diction（措辞）, the neoclassical poetry was also noted for its seriousness and earnestness in tone and constant didacticism.,4. Some special features:,a. Political writings : the rise of the political parties and their rivalry win more votes patrons feudal lords financially or politically Writing became an independent job. Hardly a writer of the time was free from political bias(偏见). Swift Defoe b. Newspapers and journal a new mass media the middle class the predominant genre of the writing essayists, enlighten or educate the youth c. Coffeehouses informal meeting gossip oddities (怪癖) of personal character,d. the new morality: enjoy peace and prosperity at home against the fanaticism(狂热) of the Puritans Reason is the analytical and critical faculty(capability) of the human mind. In France reason a weapon to denounce the feudal class and to enlighten the people by stating that the Church and the feudal rule were against reason. In England, justify the existing the status the most reasonable and just system of mankind， consolidate its rule.,5.the characteristics of neo-classicism,a. People emphasized reason rather than emotion, form rather than content. Repress to use precise and elegant methods of expression b. As reason was stressed, most of the writings of the age were didactic(说教)and satirical. c. As elegance, correctness, appropriateness and restraint were preferred, the poet found closed couplet the only possible verse form for serious work. d. It is almost exclusively a “town” poetry, catering to the interests of the “society” in great cities. e. It is entirely wanting in all those elements that related with the “romantic”. Hostile chivalrous extravagance, visionary (梦想) idealism , and strong religious faith.,6. The main writers:,I. Alexander pope 1. His life a scathing attack on dullness Pastorals田园诗集 Translated Homers Iliad and Odyseey,3. Popes literally outlook,As a representative of the Enlightenment, Pope was one of the first to introduce rationalism（理性主义，唯理论） to England. He was the greatest poet of his time. He strongly advocated neoclassicism, emphasizing that literary works should be judged by classical rules of order, reason, logic, restrained emotion, good taste regularity in construction should be adhered to, ,4. Characteristics of his works,Defoe was a very good story-teller. He had a gift for organizing minute （ adj.1极小的; 极少的2极详细的; 准确的, 精确的）details in such a vivid way that his stories could be both credible The Examiner Gullivers Travels(his greatest satiric work) 格列佛游记(A Voyage to Lilliput/Brobdingnag/Laputa/Houyhnhnms 小人国/大人国/拉普他/智马国游记) A Modest Proposal(more powerful) 一个温和的建议; The Drapiers Letters布商的书信; A Tale of A Tub一个木桶的故事;,2. Swifts humanist view,Swift was a man of great moral integrity(节操；气节) The Tragedy of Tragedies The Historical Register for the Year历史记事长篇小说： Novels: The History of the Adventures of Joseph Andrews and of his friend Mr. Abraham Adams约瑟安德鲁传Written in Imitation of the Manner of Cervantes Pamela “Comic epic in prose” The History of Tom Jones,a Foundling汤姆琼斯 Don Quixote in England堂吉诃德在英国 The Life of Mr Jonathan Wild the Great大伟人江奈生魏尔德传;,2. His major works,1) Joseph Andrews In this novel, Joseph supposedly the young handsome the book quickly turns into a great novel of the open road, a comic epic in prose, whose subject is the true ridiculous in human nature, as exposed in all its variety as Joseph & the amiable quixotic parson journey homeward through the heart of England. The dominating qualities of the novel are its excellent character-portrayal, timely entrances & exits, robustness of tone &hilarious, hearty humor.,2) The History of Jonathan Wild the Great,Its a satiric biography that harks back to Fieldings early plays. It takes the life of a notorious real-life thief as a theme for demonstrating the petty division between a great rogue & a great politician such as Sir Robert Walpole, the Prime Minister. The ironical praises for the very qualities of the unscrupulous self-aggrandizement of wild point out the way the Prime Minister had achieved his greatness. The Great Man, properly considered, is no letter than a great gangster.,3. His achievement in English novel,Fielding has been regarded by some as Father of the English Novel, for his contribution to the establishment of the form of the modern novel. Of all the eighteenth-century novelists he was the first to set out, both in theory & practice, to write specifically a comic epic in prose, the first to give the modern novel its structure & style.,Before him, the relating of a story in a novel was either in the epistolary form (a series of letters), as in Richardsons Pamela, or the picaresque form (adventurous wanderings) through the mouth of the principal character, as in Defoes Robinson Crusoe, but Fielding adopted the third-person narration, in which the author becomes the all-knowing God. He thinks the thought of all his characters, so he is able-to present not only their external behaviors but also the internal workings of their minds. In planning his stories, he tries to retain the grand epical form of the classical works but at the same time keeps faithful to his realistic presentation of common life as it is.,4. Characteristics of his language,His language is easy, unlabored & familiar, but extremely vivid & vigorous. His sentences are always distinguished by logic & rhythm, & his structure carefully planned towards an inevitable ending. His works are also noted for lively, dramatic dialogues & other theatrical devices such as suspense, coincidence & unexpectedness.,5. Selected Reading An Excerpt from chapter VIII, Book Four of Tom Jones.,Tom Jones, generally considered Fieldings masterpiece, brings its author the name of the Pose Homer. The panoramic view it provides of the 18th century English country & city life with different places & about 40 characters is unsurpassed. The language is one of clarity & suppleness. And last of all, the plot construction is excellent. Its 18 books of epic form are divided into 3 sections, 6 books each, clearly marked out by the change of scenes: in the country, on the high way & in London. By this, Fielding has indeed achieved his goal of writing a comic epic in prose.,It is a good example of “comic epic in prose”. Fielding describes the fight between Molly and the villagers and her fistfight with Goody Brown in the grand style of the Homeric epic. He first of all calls on the Muses to assist him in recounting the fight as if it were of great historical importance. Like Homer who would list names of gods involved in the battle, he lists the names of the villagers. He treats Molly as a great hero at battle, an “Amazonian heroine”. Besides, he uses a mock-epic tone and seems very solemn about what he is describing. He uses formal words and refined language. Finally, he makes use of different figures of speech, particularly, irony and hyperbole.,V. Samuel Johnson,1. His life & literary careerSamuel Johnson, English writer, critic, & lexicographer, born in Richfield, England, Sept. 18.1709, and died in London. England, Dec, 13,1784.Samuel Johnson, commonly called Dr. Johnson, was one of the greatest figures of 18th-century English literature. He was an energetic & versatile writer. He had a hand in all the different branches of literary activities. He was a poet, dramatist, prose romancer, biographer, essayist, critic, lexicographer & publicist.,2. His major works,Main works: The Vanity of Human Wishes A romance: The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia A tragedy: Irene Hundred essays: The Rambler and The Idler Lives of the Poets A Dictionary of the English Language英语大词典 To the Right Honorable The Earl of Chesterfield 致切斯特菲尔德勋爵的信,3. His neoclassical literary outlook &style,Samuel Johnson was the last great neoclassicist enlightener in the late 18th century. He was very much concerned with the theme of the vanity bear this theme. He tried to warn men against this folly & he must let himself be guided by old principles. Like Pope, he was particularly fond of moralizing & didacticism.,Samuel Johnsons language is characteristically general, often Latinate & though he tends to use learned words, they are always accurately used Reading his works gives the reader the impression that he is talking with a very learned man.,4. His contribution to English language-A Dictionary of the English Language,In 1746, a group of booksellers commissioned Johnson to prepare a dictionary. Published in 1755, A dictionary of the English Language was the first real attempt at a systematic & interestingly written survey of English usage & the first dictionary to quote from poets & other writers to illustrate definitions. On the whole, the work showed great scholarship, although it contained humor & reflected a number of Johnsons prejudices.,5. Selected Reading,To the Right Honorable the Earl of chesterfield The letter is written in a refined & very polite language, with a bitter undertone of defiance & anger. The seemingly peaceful retrospection, reasoning & questioning express, to the best satiric effect, the authors strong indignation at the lords fame-fishing & his firm resolution not to be reconciled to the hypocritical lord. It expresses explicitly the authors assertion of his independence, signifying the opening of a new era in the development of literature.,
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