Eng 205 final exam

Describe a few characteristics of Enlightenment literature presented in our course. Illustrate those characteristics with specific detail from either Voltaire's Candide or Gray's "Elegy." Your answer should be one substantive paragraph. The paragraph must have a clear topic sentence, a summary of your main points, and specific detail with appropriate citations. The Enlightenment period of literature had its base roots established in France from the mid-17th century to the end of the 18th century. Literature of this time is especially noted for its impacts throughout Europe and North America, directly influencing the American and French Revolutions. The literature of this time focused greatly on Individualism and the Power of the Mind. A bit of a contrast from earlier time periods that were focused on fate and man or Gods impact on fate. In Voltaire’s Candide, a satirical piece, we see individualism symbolized by the life and journey of the title character, Candide. His tutor Pangloss, influences Candide the theory that this world “is the best of all possible worlds” (Voltaire, 4). Pangloss is telling Candide that everything happens for the best of reasons. Yet as the story progresses, we see the Candide is separated, twice, from his true love and only after reuniting a third time and her physical appearance is no longer appealing, his he able to stay with her, Cunegonde. Candide remains loyal to Cunegonde, keeping a positive frame of mind. In the end, Candide, Cunegonde, Pangloss all settle into a comfortable life on a farm laboring in a garden and not discussing philosophy. Only then, when each is focused on their own individual work are they truly happy. Work Cited Voltaire. Candide and other stories. Trans Person, Roger, Oxford New York Describe a few characteristics of 19th-century literature presented in our course. Illustrate those characteristics with specific detail from either Coreidge's