Augustan Age

The Journalism

18th century: there was a gradual constant growth in literacy

The Tatler

Founded by the Irish Richard Steele(1672-1729)

From April 1709 to January 1711:
It featured both news and essays on topical matters

The Spectator

Founded by Steele with Joseph Addison (1672-1719)

The topics treated were extremely varied including relations between social classes, politics and fashion.

It was born and the printed word began to become a powerful instrument in society

The Novel

The Novel became the dominant genre among the growing reading public

Sir Thomas More's Utopia was one of the greatest influences in 'fictionalising travel' and thus providing impetus to the groth of the novel

Liteary heroes proved not only their courage but also their skills amd their faith in a whole system of value

Daniel Defoe

His novels are fundamental to understand 18th century ways of thinking

Western culture and system of the english middle class

Jonathan Swift

Gulliver's Travels suggested to the British public that people are hardly ever the best judges of thier owm culture

Samuel Richardson

Pamela or Virtue Rewarded:
Tells the story of a female heroine whose aventures were meant to give moral advice to women

Novels therefore became also a powerful instrument to monitor and control social behaviour