History of The Neo Classical Age

The Neo-Classical Age

Hello everyone,

this blog task assigned by Prakruti Ma’am. It is based on The History of The Neo-Classical Age.

‘Neoclassicism’ may be termed to refer to a literary movement that somehow found its place in the late 17th and early 18th century. In this phase of time, style and thought were emulated by most as those of the earlier classical Greek and Roman writers. Neoclassical literature meant order, rationality, decorum, and a concentration on universal human nature as ideals were derived from the classical concepts of restraint and structure.

This movement valued clarity, simplicity, and fidelity to forms, especially strict attention to meter, rhyme, and poetic forms like the heroic couplet. Satire and moral themes are widespread, with writers often striving to educate and amuse simultaneously. Some notable figures in the group of writers from this movement are ‘Alexander Pope’, ‘John Dryden’, ‘Jonathan Swift’, and ‘Samuel Johnson’, whose strong wittiness, social criticism, and reasonableness have ensured them undisputed positions as classical figures in English literature.

In other words, Neoclassicism in English literature was a reaction against the perceived excesses of the previous modes of expression in earlier literature and instead searched for a return to disciplined, orderly expression-for quite evident, what existed in the ancients' works, such as the famous works of Homer, Virgil, and Horace.

#Write about the rise of the novel form and its development in the Neoclassical Age.

Before the 18th century, storytelling was dominated by oral traditions, plays, and epic poems. The concept of a “novel” was not well defined, so writers did not prioritize this format.

In English Novel means ‘New’, in Italian it means ‘Novella’, In French it means ’Nou velle’. 

Early forms of prose fiction helped lay the groundwork. Travel narratives, diaries, and letters, for example opened the door to longer narrative forms through which writers could character development, plot complexity, and moral lessons.

Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe, published in 1719, is often counted as one of the first true English novels, mixing elements of adventure with a focus on an individual's character growth and the difficulties of survival. He was, after all, interested in the individual and self-sufficiency  he addressed to middle-class readers and appealed to the Neoclassical ideals of reason and order.

Where Defoe wrote, Samuel Richardson in Pamela (1740) followed with a new epistolary format, or letter-writing form which better developed insight into characters' emotions and inner conflicts than Defoe allowed. Richardson's Pamela was also concerned with moral and social themes, especially issues of class and virtue, so the novel was at one time both entertainment and teaching. Richardson's use of ordinary characters and domestic themes helped to place the novel in the status of a serious literary genre that could deal with the ethical dilemmas and social concerns of the day head-on.

*Predators of english novel:

• “Small tale generally of love.” (Dr. Johnson)

• Clara Reeve(1785)  who clearifide term Novel :Realism distincts, The Progress of The Romance.

• French Influencer who wrote 1st novel in spanish : Honore- De- Urfe- Astreo 

• In 12th Century : Ibn Tufail ‘Hagy Ibn Yagzm’ in arabic philosophers. Ibn was a person who gave the idea of philosophy in a novel. 

• 4 pillars of the novel:- Richardson, Henry Fielding, Smollett, Sterne.

*18th century Factors:

• Penny novels

• Circulating Libraries 

• Coffee House Culture

This are the key figures of development of novel form in 18th century. Novels of this period tended towards self-control, moderation, and conformity with the social norm, according to the Neoclassical ideals of virtue and decorum. They also reflected an era of clarity, structure, and realism in their commitment to a style that was direct and accessible, moving from ornate linguistic developments and elaborate forms toward the simpler, more direct writing of today.

*Characteristics of The Novel form:

1)Realism and Individual Experience:  The novel dropped the inflated, idealised tale of love and romance, and became the realistic background to everyday life. Novels had common characters with problems close to hearts of reality and concentrated on individual experience and emotive growth as well.

2)Moral and Social Commentary: The Neoclassical novel often set out to teach its readers in morals and, therefore, embodied the age's faith in reason, virtue, and social order. Many of them use their storylines to show both the reward for virtuous conduct and the punishment for vice, serving in that way as a type of moral lesson combined with entertainment.

3)Focus on character development: with the novel, it became possible to describe characters in much greater detail than ever before in any literary form. Writing began to focus on complex personalities, elaborate inner lives, and rather comprehensively telling the tale of growth and change within a storyline.

4)Epistolary Form and Psychological Depth: Epistolary novels became so popular that they allowed greater feelings and thoughts about characters. Readers got connected to the characters at a personal level. From that, the novel came to represent not only a developing form of storytelling but the story itself because its psychological depth was, in many ways, exemplary among prose narratives.

Finally, the new novel began to emerge during the Neo-Classical Age, marking a shift in literary taste, inspired by social changes and the increase of Enlightenment influence. In doing so and by concentrating on realistic characters, plot, and moral concerns, novel form seemed to become a powerful tool for exploring individual experiences and shared values.

#Discuss at least one major satirical text (either prose or poetry) belonging to this age. How was this text socio-politically significant for this age?

‘A Tale of a Tub’ is Jonathan Swift's satirical satire, written in 1704. His greatly witty and sharp satire targeted the religious, political, and intellectual society of his day. In the light of a funny and hyperbolic story, he criticizes hypocrisy and corruption that he observed in the society of England. Let's break this down in a simpler way.

1. Religious Criticism

The story tells of three brothers: Peter, Martin, and Jack; these symbolize the three major varieties of Christianity in England: the Catholics (Peter), the Anglicans (Martin), and the Puritans (Jack). Every son gets a coat from his father, which symbolizes their faith. They are, however instructed to keep the coat in its original form. In due time, each son alters his coat according to personal taste, thus indicating that each branch has twisted religion to meet their demands.

Swift utilizes this story to condemn what he perceives to be religious groups acting contrary to the reasons they were instituted for. He points out how people sometimes use religion to justify their actions, although it runs contrary to the very essence of that religion. It was pretty controversial but effectively brought out Swift's optimism in a much more frank, rational approach towards religion.

 2. Political Satire

Swift does not limit his attack to religion; he also strikes in the area of politics. England at this time was again evolving into the two-faction system: the Whigs, who supported Parliament, and the Tories, who favored the monarchy. Swift was more aligned with the Tories, and in utilizing this tale, he shows how politicians manipulate religion and morality to gain power instead of advancing the welfare of people, as much more interested in avarice and ambition.

Brothers' greediness is representation of political leaders whom Swift thought were more concerned with personal interests than to benefit society. Swift is saying that politicians are far too corrupt, selfish, and hypocritical.

3. Denunciation of Philosophical Fashions

Swift also attacks some newer intellectual fashions, especially ones that were beginning to favor "modern" conceits over old-fashioned sense. Science and philosophy had become fashionable; but Swift claims that many writers are more concerned with display than substance.

He scoffs in this work at scholars whose ambitions focus on their own reputation rather than on true insight or pragmatic innovation. He illustrates himself to measure true wisdom by the factors of honesty and common sense more than he allows empty posturing with words.

*Why It Mattered:

‘The Tale of a Tub’ was scandalous for any readers of its times, even for being deemed blasphemous because of its unflinching ridicule of such mammoth institutions as the Church and the State. It marked, though, Swift as one great satirist, showing how humor could be used in weighing up society's wrongs.

Swift's work spoke to the concerns of his age: the way religion was then being misused, the corruption in politics, and the pretentiousness he saw in some intellectual circles. As he joked pointedly, he encouraged the reader to think more on the abuse of authority and to value reason and integrity above hypocrisy and self-interest.

‘A Tale of a Tub’ is important for the reason that it boldly finds faults in the three solid pillars of society: religion, politics, and intellect, in the call to find honesty, morality, and reason.

References :

“Novel | Definition, Characteristics, Types & Examples - Lesson.” Study.com, https://study.com/academy/lesson/novels-definition-characteristics-examples.html . Accessed 12 November 2024.

“Novel Definition & Meaning.” Merriam-Webster, 2 November 2024, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/novel . Accessed 12 November 2024.