English writers of the enlightenment

Enlightenment and it's impact on English and American literature

Contents:

Introduction 2
CHAPTER I. ENLIGHTENMENT LITERATURE ERA OF ENLIGHTENMENT DEFOE SWIFT 4
1.1 Characteristics of the literature of the Enlightenment 4
1.2 Literature of England 6
CHAPTER II "ENGLISH WRITERS OF THE ENLIGHTENMENT" 12
2.1 Jonathan Swift 12
2.2 Daniel Defoe 19
Conclusion 27
Bibliography 28

Introduction

The British mastered America, English became its language, and literature was rooted in the English literary tradition. Today, American literature is universally recognized as a distinctively national literature.
The earliest writings that appeared during the colonial period are mainly diaries, religious treatises and historical essays. The first such works were published in New England. The very able and well-spoken Captain D. Smith (1579–1631) poured out love for his new homeland in A True Narrative of the Notable Events in Virginia Since the Founding of That Colony (1608), the earliest account of an English settlement in the New World by an eyewitness. But most of all, Smith is remembered for the story of how he was rescued from Indian captivity by the daughter of the leader Pocahontas¹.
In the history of European society, the 18th century is known as the Age of Enlightenment. Enlightenment figures were not only writers, but also philosophers, political thinkers. The literature of the Enlightenment grows out of the classicism of the 17th century, inheriting its rationalism, the idea of ​​the educational function of literature, attention to the interaction of man and society. Compared with the literature of the previous century, a significant democratization of the hero takes place in enlightenment literature, which corresponds to the general direction of enlightenment thought. The direction of enlightenment realism was successfully developed in England. So, the "age of Reason" became the time of creation of outstanding English writers - D. Defoe and J. Swift.
Defoe - the most complete ideologist of the middle bourgeoisie, expresses its desires and the idea that it has about itself and about its place in the state. And Swift caustically ridicules modern English society.
The purpose of the study of this control course work is to reveal and show the features of the works of English writers of the 18th century on the example of the work of Daniel Defoe and Jonathan Swift.
Tasks - to assess the level of development of the literature of this period and trace its stages. Consider the most prominent representatives.
The purpose of the course work: to develop scientific and methodological recommendations about the Enlightenment and its impact on English and American literature².
Course work object: Enlightenment and its impact on English and American literature introduction process.
Subject of course work: Enlightenment and its impact on English and American literature.
Practical importance of course work. The ideas promoted in the course work process serve to prepare lectures on Pedagogical Sciences on the course work, creating manuals, as well as to create methodological recommendations, to be effective in popularizing the work experience.
The structural structure and size of the work of the course work: the work consists of an introduction, 2 chapters, 4 sections, general conclusions and recommendations, a list of used literature.