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Who wrote the modest proposal? When was it written? What was it and what was its purpose?

The modest proposal was written and published by Jonathan Swift in 1729. The modest proposal was written as a satire with the purpose to make people aware of how poor people suffered, living under rich people´s conditions. The satire shows how individuals; mothers and fathers, sacrifices everything they have, even their own children, to survive.

Why is the 18th century called the Age of Reason or the Age of Enlightenment?

The Enlightment was a time made of development and new ideas. Among people there wasn't only an increasing interest of technology and science, there was also an development of new ideas. Also, the thinkers of the Enlightment inspired people to re-think old ideas and truths. The reason why it’s called the Enlightment is clear, people starts to think in new patterns and ways.

What social developments were the result of the ideas of the Enlightenment?

One of the social developments the idea of re-thinking truths led to was the American Revolution in 1775. People didn´t accpets so called “facts” without questioning them. Also the middle-class gained strenght and they demanded political power. This was the start of democratic thinking which also led to the glorious Revolution, which took place in Great Britain in 1688.

How did the literature change during the 18th century? What were the reasons for these changes?

When the middle-class started to gain strength in the society they started to influence it to. Talking about literature the middle-class in general influenced it but in particular you walk about women at this time. Women had both the money and the time to spend on literature which led to women writing about people in the same situation as themselves.

What are some typical features in the 18th century novel? Is Robinson Crusoe a typical 18th century novel?

The literature at this time developed in order to satisfy this audience. The novels were easy to read and about people in their own situation. This was one of the reasons why the novel became so popular at this time. The Robinson Crusoe is a typical 18th century novel. It´s easy to read and also, it’s about a simple person in his everyday life.

What is your impression of Robinson Crusoe (content, language etc.)?

Daniel Defoe, the author of the novel Robinson Crusoe is using a detailed language when telling the story about the shipwrecked man. I think using a detailed language is an important element getting a novel significant. In my opinion the novel is about more than a shipwrecked man though. I think what Defoe wanted to tell his audience was that everything is possible. No matter where you are in life at the moment there’s always a way out. This man spent 28 years on an inhabited island; name a thing you can’t do.

What is a satire? Is Gulliver’s travels a satire?

A satire is some kind of work. It doesn’t matter if it’s literature like an essay or a play... It’s made to ridicule in order to show how ridiculous something is and this can be made in any shape. In Gulliver’s travels, which is a satire, the author is criticizing the contemporary conditions in Europe and England.

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1. Read the text about The Enlightenment and answer all the questions.

2. Watch the short film below and after that find out;
a) Who wrote A Modest Proposal?
b) When was it written?
c) What was it and what was its purpose?