Norton's 18th Century Restoration

Norton I Introduction on the Restoration and 18th Century The cultural life of Britain dominated much of Europe during the 18th century. Though many people continue to live a farmer's life, the majority of people began to seek out new horizons. Many English People began to realize the possibilities business and a consumer society had to offer. London became somewhat of a "microcosm of the world" during the 18th century, and people in surrounding communities modeled much of their perspective off of life in high society England (NAEL, 2003).

The streets were bombarded constantly with sights and sounds indicating a wakeful and noisy emerging cultural basis. Society became a hub of finance, trade, manufacturing, commerce and entertainment. Ships filled up rivers with travelers and goods from all over the world. It became "fashionable" and commonplace for consumers to meet up in clubs and coffeehouses to talk about the latest news and events. During the evenings the city of London came to life, with much to be seen and heard.

The theme of humanity became lost to Britain as the British continued to impose their will on others and increase slavery among its legions. Some British went as far as to argue that slavery was actually a positive industry. Abolitionist sentiment rose during the latter half of the 18th century, as many writers and literary entrepreneurs inspired fervor throughout Great Britain to end slavery (NAEL, 2003). Many people began to acknowledge the contradiction evident in slavery. Societies such as the Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade were founded (NAEL, 2003).

Writers and Artists envisioned and told stories of new worlds during this age of exploration. As new ways of life became evident, tales were woven that told outlandish stories of people mocking Old World civilization and finding new discoveries. Literary trends during the Restoration and 18th century reflected many of the historical currents that rang true during this time. Writers found new hope and creative genius in the discoveries being made in science and around the world. Many trends in literature included tales regarding science vs. traditional philosophy.

Other writers were inspired by the tales and travels of explorers, who "roamed the earth" discovering "hitherto unknown countries and ways of life" (NAEL, 2003). Many writers during the 18th century took to heart the new surge in interest in science, and many found "the new science inspiring" (NAEL, 2003). Science and scientific theory became a theme of sorts for many working in the field of literature.

According to some philosophers and observers, the discoveries multiplying for mankind gave writers "new images to conjure with and new possibilities of fact and fiction to explore" (NAEL, 2003). Writers also took great interest in the historical political undercurrents during the Restoration. Trade and conquests that occurred as a result of exploration to new countries resulted in a new "scourge of racism and colonial exploitation" (NAEL, 2003). The images of slavery and the slave trade became a common theme, and many writers were fueled by themes of racism and colonial exploitation (NAEL, 2003).

During the latter half of the 18th century, many writers became abolitionists at heart, and shared more humanitarian outlooks in their works (NAEL, 2003). They explored the idea that progress and growth also brought suffering, as evidenced by the slave trade (NAEL, 2003). Literature during the time of the 18th century reflected the transformation that occurred in the lives of all the people (NAEL, 2003). The literature produced during this period adapted to changing times and offered readers different and new perspectives, different ways of thinking and different insights regarding human relations (NAEL, 2003).

Many writers expressed a "mutual sympathy" for victims of the slave trade, and lamented the cruelty that occurred in their works (NAEL, 2003). This was evidenced through exchanges between a black writer named Ignatius Sancho and another writer, Laurence Sterne, who passed between each other an acknowledgement of slavery as cruelty and a "libel on human nature" (NAEL, 2003). The time of the Restoration marked a leap in thought that was reflected in many stories written by authors. Gulliver's Travels was written during this time reflects on the interest in.