18th Century Literature

18th Century Literature

The 18th century is a period of great literary works. The styles are different throughout the period, but the unity of the work is still present.

Much of this period focused on public and general themes, until the Pre-

Romantic era when literary works began to focus upon personal expression. 18th century literature can be broken down into three main parts: the Restoration, the Age of Pope, and Pre-Romantics.

The literature of the Restoration period covers a time span from

Charles's recovery of the throne to the years until the expulsion of James II in 1688 or until the death of John Dryden in 1700. The literature of the

Restoration was characterized by wit and elegance influenced by French classical taste. This period pertained to traditional values and "wit". The

Diary of Samuel Pepys written by Samuel Pepys and A Journel of the Plague Years by Daniel Defoe are just a few examples of literary works from the Restoration

Period. The Diary of Samuel Pepys is also an example of journalistic fiction.

In the excerpts from Pepys' diary, he shows the historical background and culture of the 18th century. The reader is able to understand the values and ethics of the time through the description detailed by Samuel Pepys and the reader is also exposed to the life a man in the 1660's. A Journal of the

Plague Year is an example of historical fiction. Defoe uses wide ranges of vivid descripti...