UNIVERSIDAD AUTÓNOMA DE CHIRIQUÍ

CENTRO REGIONAL UNIVERSITARIO DE CHIRIQUÍ ORIENTE

English school (4th year)

Professor name: José Ortega

Student’s name: ALEZANDER CASTRELLON

ID: 12-716-502

Subject: English Literature Panorama

Theme: Descriptive summary

Descriptive summary
European Literature in the 18th Century
In this period, we can say that European literature of the 18th century refers to
literature (poetry drama and novels). That time of the century was the flourishment’s
of many important literary works I mean a lot of writings which enrich the 18th century.
In addition, in the 18th century was the century of modern novel as literary genre.
Moreover, the best-known writing of this period was Eliza Haywood’s 1724
Fantomina. I can say that subgenres of this time were epistolary novel, the
sentimental novel, histories, the gothic novel, and the libertine novel.
The enlightenment
We want to start saying that in Europe in 18th was the age of enlightenment and
literature which focused on themes of social upheaval, reversals of personal status,
political satire, geographical exploration and the comparison between the supposed
natural state of man and the supposed civilized state of man. At that time Edmund
Kurke was recognized by society. In addition, During the Age of Sensibility, literature
reflected the worldview of the Age of Enlightenment (or Age of Reason) – a rational
and scientific approach to religious, social, political, and economic issues that
promoted a secular view of the world and a general sense of progress and
perfectibility. Led by the philosophers who were inspired by the discoveries of the
previous century (Newton) and the writings of Descartes, Locke and Bacon.
Moreover, at the end of the 19th century Ann Radcliffe would be the pioneer of the
Gothic Novel. Her novel, The Castles of Athlin and Dunbayne in 1789, sets the tone
for most of her work, which tended to involve innocent, but heroic young women who
find themselves in gloomy, mysterious castles ruled by even more mysterious barons
with dark pasts. The Romance of the Forest would follow and her most famous novel,
The Mysteries of Udolpho, is considered the ultimate Gothic Novel of the late 18th
century. Finally, Increased emphasis on instinct and feeling, rather than judgment
and restraint. A growing sympathy for the Middle Ages during the Age of Sensibility
sparked an interest in medieval ballads and folk literature.