18 th Century Review

1. 18th Century Review Restoration 1660-1800

2. Satire • When you think of the Restoration and 18th Century, think SATIRE. • Remember... It is a literary technique used to make fun of the vices of society… …for the purpose of CHANGE.

3. The rape of the lock by alexander pope • Rape of the Lock is a mock epic • Mock Epic: comic narrative poem, written in dignified language, that parodies the serious epic genre by treating at trivial subject in lofty, grand manner • The comedy comes in the discrepancy between its trivial subject matter and its grandiose treatment • Pope employs the techniques of Homer’s Iliad or Milton’s Paradise Lost • What aspects of Pope’s mock epic most successfully parody the great epics of the past? • Review page 461 with a partner and brainstorm

4. The rape of the lock by alexander pope • Who and what is Pope satirizing? • 18th Century Nobility and their petty quarrels • When you think of this piece, think of a soap opera or celebrity gossip…or even reality TV • The title The Rape of Lock refers to the theft of the lock of Belinda’s hair • The poem is based on a real incident. • The lock in question belonged to a certain rich and fashionable lady named Arabella Fermor • The theft was committed by a certain rich and fashionable man named Robert, Lord Petre • When Robert snipped the lock of hair, he started a quarrel between the two families • Pope made the families laugh and ended their feud…nice job, Pope!

5. The rape of the lock by alexander pope • What are the main events of Pope’s poem in chronological order? • What does Belinda throw at the Baron during their fight? • Snuff (fine-ground tobacco meant for sniffing, not smoking) • What ultimately happens to the lock? • It rises into the stars • Why? • “What mighty contests rise trivial things…” • What does he mean by this? • How does it summarize his point? • What change does he want to evoke?

6. Modest proposal by jonathan swift • What is Swift satirizing with this piece? • English policy in Ireland • Despite famine and homelessness (especially children), money was shipped off to England, not used to held to the Irish • Swift does narrate this piece, but rather as a character. What character does he assume? • Practical economic planner acting for the benefit of England and Ireland • He pretends to be objective, full of common sense, sensitive and kind •  Why does he do this? Why not be himself?

7. Modest proposal by jonathan swift •  In his proposal, he lays out how the landlords will benefit. What does he say they will be able to do? • sell excess children • The narrator claims that he does not have a personal motive behind his proposal. Why is this? • He does not have any children to sell • All joking aside, Swift does offer a serious solution. What is it? What change is hoping to evoke? • Prudent living and buying of Irish products • Sound familiar? Can you think of any current or recent examples of this?

8. Vindication of the rights of women by marywollstonecraft • At the beginning of her introduction, Wollstonecraft claims that women have been harmed. How so? • Society has neglected their education • Wollstonecraft concedes… • Men are physically stronger • Women are wives and mothers • According to Wollstonecraft, the training of women as objects of desire causes • women to lack the necessary mothering skills

9. Vindication of the rights of women by marywollstonecraft • What does Wollstonecraft think is the first task of any human being? • Build his or her own character • Wollstonecraft concludes her introduction by pointing out that in the struggle for social power, the governing force will always be • the intellect • Although her piece is not entirely satirical, she does use satire. What change is hoping evoke? This is an easy one…

10. Education of women by danieldefoe • Daniel Defoe agrees with Mary Wollstonecraft when he says the main obstacle preventing women from higher achievement is the lack of sound education. • To this point, he addresses a logical contradiction in the thinking of men. He points out that men complain of women’s foolishness yet prevent their education. • He also points out that Education is what separates humans from animals. This is a fact he says, “is too evident to need any demonstration.”

11. Education of women by danieldefoe • According to Defoe, the real reason men have denied women the advantages of an education is that men fear the competition from women. • Finally, he addresses what subjects women should be taught. What does he say that is? Anything their wit will allow. • Thank you…Defoe!

12. SATIRE scavenger hunt • What examples of satire did you find in each text? • Share with the person next you. • Decide which example is the best from each text. • Be ready to tell the class. • Read, set, go!