What, according to Eagleton, was the literary background of eighteenth-century England?
The Rise of English is a notable literary work by Terry Eagleton. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of The Rise of English.
Answer
What, according to Eagleton, was the literary background of eighteenth-century England? [NU: 2018]
Terry Eagleton (1943–present) is a leading literary critic. In “The Rise of English” (1983), he provides an in-depth explanation of literature. Like other critics, he shows how it connects with society. Eagleton discusses 18th-century England. He says literature had a social role. It shaped morals, values, and class control. Literature was not just for beauty. Let us move to the main discussion.
Literature Meant More Than Poetry: In the 18th century, the term “literature” contained a wide range of meanings. It was not just about poems. It included essays, sermons, and letters. History and moral writing were important too. Fiction was not yet widely respected. The novel was called a low form. Poetry was not the main concern. All serious writing was seen as literature. Eagleton shows that literature was not fixed. Its meaning changed slowly over time. This wide idea of literature supported order. It helped spread upper-class moral ideas.
Literature Reflected Class Taste: Only upper-class writing was called literary. Popular songs, ballads, or plays were ignored. Street culture was not taken seriously. Literature supported elite class values only. This made literature a class-based idea. Eagleton explains that taste was ideological. He says,
“Literature, in the meaning of the word we have inherited, is an ideology.”
So, literature was not innocent or neutral. It carried class views and social control. It promoted politeness, manners, and obedience. Thus, literature silently helped the ruling class.
Literature Taught Manners and Order: After the Civil War, society needed unity. The ruling class feared division and protest. So, literature was used to calm people. It taught rules, taste, and good behavior. Moral writings guided how to live a proper life. Periodicals spread the values of the elite. Coffee houses and journals trained people morally. Eagleton writes,
“English was literally the poor man’s Classics.”
The poor could not read Latin or Greek. English was their only moral guide. It helped to buildUnlock this study guide now