THE ENLIGHTENMENT IN THE ENGLISH LITERATURE

The history of England in the second half of the 17th century and during all the 18th century was marked by the British colonial expansion and the struggle for the leading role in commerce. The writers of this age protested against the survivals of feudalism in which they saw the main evils of the time. The characteristic features of the Enlight­enment were much the same all over Europe.

- A deep hatred of feudalism

- A love of freedom and systematic education for all

- A concern about common people and the peasants in particular.

This period saw the remarkable rise in literature. People wrote on many subjects and made great contribution in the fields of philosophy, history, natural sciences and a new science of the political economy. A new literary form, such as literary prose, appeared. The period of the Enlightenment in the English literature is presented by Daniel De­foe, Jonathan Swift, Robert Burns.