Enlightenment Era

Definition

The Enlightenment Era was an intellectual and philosophical movement that emerged in the late 17th and 18th centuries, emphasizing reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority. This period significantly influenced the development of early forms of prose fiction, as writers began to explore themes of rational thought, social critique, and the human experience, moving away from purely religious or fantastical narratives.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Enlightenment Era is often referred to as the 'Age of Reason' due to its emphasis on logic and rationality as the basis for understanding the world.
2. Key figures of the Enlightenment include philosophers such as Voltaire, Immanuel Kant, and John Locke, who challenged existing norms and advocated for human rights and equality.
3. The literature produced during this time began to focus on the individual's role in society, leading to the development of new genres like the novel, which allowed for deeper character exploration.
4. The Enlightenment influenced revolutions across the globe, including the American Revolution and the French Revolution, promoting ideas of liberty and democracy.
5. This era also saw the rise of salons—gatherings where intellectuals discussed ideas—which played a crucial role in spreading Enlightenment thinking through literature and philosophy.

Review Questions

• How did the principles of the Enlightenment Era influence the development of early prose fiction?
  • The Enlightenment Era introduced themes of reason and individualism that reshaped early prose fiction by encouraging writers to focus on human experiences and social issues rather than solely on religious or fantastical elements. This shift allowed authors to critique society and explore moral dilemmas through their characters. As a result, prose fiction became a medium for questioning authority and addressing contemporary issues, reflecting the changing attitudes of the time.
• In what ways did key Enlightenment thinkers challenge traditional narratives found in literature prior to this era?
  • Enlightenment thinkers like Voltaire and Rousseau challenged traditional narratives by advocating for reason over superstition and promoting individual rights over collective tradition. Their works questioned long-held beliefs about governance, religion, and morality. This critical approach encouraged writers to use prose fiction as a platform for exploring new ideas about freedom, equality, and human nature, paving the way for a more modern approach to storytelling.
• Evaluate how the literary contributions from the Enlightenment Era shaped future literary movements or genres.
  • The literary contributions from the Enlightenment Era laid the groundwork for future movements such as Romanticism and Realism by emphasizing individual experience and emotional depth. The focus on character development and social critique in prose fiction set new standards for storytelling that prioritized personal perspectives. As authors sought to depict reality more authentically, they drew inspiration from Enlightenment ideals about human rights and societal progress, ultimately influencing how literature would evolve in response to social changes throughout history.

Related terms

Rationalism: A philosophical belief that reason and logic are the primary sources of knowledge and truth, often associated with thinkers like René Descartes.

Social Contract: A theory in political philosophy that posits individuals consent, either explicitly or implicitly, to surrender some freedoms in exchange for protection of their remaining rights, often linked to Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

Humanism:

An intellectual movement that focuses on human values, individual potential, and the importance of human agency, which became prominent during the Renaissance and influenced Enlightenment thought.