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3361331570dante alighieriwrote "divine comedy" in the vernacular: humanist depiction of heaven, hell and purgatory; portrays historical and contemporary figures (such as the roman poet virgil); criticizes of the church's authority. this author's writings are thought to be the bridge between medieval and renaissance literature. part of the tuscan triumvirate.0
3361331571geoffrey chaucerwrote "the canterbury tales" - tells stories from the perspectives of a variety of people from different social backgrounds. shows humanism through their materialism and worldly interests.1
3361331572petrarchwrote "political dialogues" to politicians of the past, and sensual almost pornographic "love sonnets" considered to be the father of italian humanism he rejected scholasticism of the middle ages and argued for the recovery of classical manuscripts. part of the tuscan triumvirate2
3361331573giovanni boccacciowrote "the decameron;" written in the form of diary entries of people fleeing the black death; very humanist points of view; good descriptions of the disease part of the tuscan triumvirate3
3361331574baldassare castiglionewrote "the book of the courtier;" seeks to train, discipline, and fashion young men into renaissance men (skills include academics, physical training, dance, music and arts)4
3361331575niccoli machiavelliwrote "the prince;" influential political novel written to gain a post in lorenzo the magnificent's court. teaches what it takes to be a good ruler (it is best to be loved and feared, being able to conduct war is of utmost importance, there is a time and place for cruelty and deception, religious belief should not interfere with politics). "the end justifies the means."5
3361331576william shakespearewrote plays (hamlet, macbeth, othello, king lear, the merchant of venice; romeo and juliet, julius caesar).6
3361331577miguel de cervanteswrote "don quixote," set in 16th century spain, satirizes medieval chivalry by following the adventures of a knight who lives in a world of dreams seeking military glory.7
3361331578sir thomas morewrote "utopia" about a fictitious earthy paradise (a pre-cursor to the modern idea of socialism or communism). private property, profit, greed, selfishness, etc. were all avoided. religious freedom existed. utopia (means "no place") stood in stark contrast to england and europe, served as a model to strive toward. from the northern renaissance. one of the christian humanists8
3361331579desiderius erasmuswrote "in praise of folly;" ridicules the ignorance and superstition of his day. he wanted to steer christianity back to following the example of christ. he put emphasis on education for everybody in society, not just wealthy men. from the northern renaissance one of the christian humanists9
3361331580hugo grotiuswrote "the laws of war and peace," became the first great treatise on international law. claimed that no scripture, religious teaching, or tradition should govern politics. condemned by both protestants and catholics.10
3361331581abbe guillaume raynalwrote "philosophical and political history of european colonies," and "commerce in the two indies," described in absolute detail the destruction of native populations by europeans and denounced the slave trade.11
3361331582francis baconwrote "the advancement of learning," predicted that the scientific method would lead to social progress12
3361331583rene descarteswrote "discourse on method," wanted the new science to be established on mathematics, logic and philosophy. "i think, therefore i am."13
3361331584sir isaac newtonwrote "principia mathematica." developed laws of gravity14
3361331585daniel dufoewrote "robinson crusoe" and "moll flanders." robinson crusoe is the story of the adventures of a shipwrecked sailor. crusoe finds a black man, friday; attitude toward him suggests the racism of the day15
3361331586bernard de fontenellwrote "conversations of the plurality of worlds;" attempts to make science witty and entertaining for a broad, non-scientific audience.16
3361331587john miltonwrote "areopagitica" (the most popular defense of freedom of the press ever written) and "paradise lost" (a poem based on the genesis account of the rebellion of satan and fall of man)17
3361331588jean-baptiste poquelin (moliere)wrote "le bourgeois gentilhomme" (the bourgeois gentlemen) and "les precieuses ridicules" (the pretentious young ladies); comedies mocking the hypocrisies within the social classes18
3361331589pierre baylewrote "historical and critical dictionary;" critically examined the religious beliefs and persecutions of the past. He was a skeptic, claiming that nothing can be known for absolute sure. In religion and philosophy, the best we could hope for was open-minded toleration.19
3361331590thomas hobbeswrote "leviathan;" defends absolute monarchy. "social order must be maintained by absolutism in order for people to feel secure."20
3361331591john lockewrote "second treatise on civil government;" anti-absolutist, he denied the divine right of kings. He taught that people are by nature good, reasonable, and cooperative in a state of nature. This work served to justify the Glorious Revolution in England -Essay Concerning Human Understanding- all ideas are derived from experience. The human mind at birth is a blank slate, Tabula Rosa21
3361331592Baron de MontesquieuPersian Letters- social satire, questions and criticizes European customs by looking at them from the perspective of two travelers from Persia, Usbek and Rica -The Spirit of Laws- describes his ideal government, with a separation of powers22
3361331593Francois Marie Arouet (Voltaire)Candide- a thorough critic of the abuses of the clergy and Catholic Church, uses satire to criticize the church as well as absolutism and war. Refers to the church as the "infamous thing."23
3361331594Jean Jacques Rousseauthe Social Contract- general will (the common interests of the people=popular sovereignty), displaces absolutism. -Emile- about education and child-rearing. Girls' education should focus on their future domestic responsibilities, marriage and child rearing. Boys' education should include practical crafts in addition to book learning24
3361331595Denis DiderotEncyclopedia: The Rational Dictionary of the Sciences, the Arts, and the Crafts- an attempt to teach people how to think critically and objectively about all matters, he wanted to "change the general way of thinking."25
3361331596Mary AstellA Serious Proposal to the Ladies- advocated founding a women's college to overcome women's lack of education, Astell questioned why women are content to be for "show" only, not contributing in society.26
3361331597Immanuel Kantin the Different Races of Man- proclaims white superiority- there are four races of humanity, all derived from an original "white" people -Critique of Pure Reason- One of the most important works in Western philosophy, it set the foundations for modern philosophy. True understanding comes from examining the way ideas are formed in the mind.27
3361331598David HumeOf Natural Characters- proclaims white superiority to other races. -The Natural History of Religion- belief in God had forever been based on fear and superstition, instead of reason. A Scottish thinker, also taught the mind consists of a bundle of impressions that originate in sense experience. Anything beyond sense experience (questions about God, etc.) we cannot know. His philosophy therefore is contrary to the Enlightenment's faith in reason.he undermined that attitude28
3361331599Adam SmithAn Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations- "the free pursuit of economic self interest," greed, was good for the economy. Laissez-faire= govt. should leave the economy alone. "Invisible Hand theory."29
3361331600BeaumarchaisThe Marriage of Figaro- a play where a servant gets the better of his noble employer. He claims about the nobility, "What have you done to deserve so many rewards? You went to the trouble of being born, and nothing more." Louis XVI forbade its production.30
3361331601Thomas PaineThe Rights of Man- advocates human rights, attacked the excesses of privilege, attacks the evils of govt against man31
3361331602Edmund BurkeReflections of the Revolution in France- from England, opposes the Fr. Rev. and argues the case for tradition and reform by those already in control (aristocracy). he is definitely a conservative32
3361331603Mary WollstonecraftA Vindication of the Rights of Man- the right of women should be respected. She wrote "I wish to persuade women to endeavor to acquire strength, both of mind and body." She had a high opinion of women's potential, suggesting they should manage businesses and enter politics.33
3361331604Johann Wolfgang von GoetheThe Sorrows of Young Werther- German poet and dramatist. True to the Romantic spirit of emotion, this story is about a young man who is happy with nature and rural life, but commits suicide when the women he loves marries someone else. -Faust- a medieval scholar sells his soul to the devil in return for earthly pleasure and wisdom34
3361331605Victor HugoHunchback of Notre Dame- France's greatest romantic poet and novelist. -Les Miserables- idealizes the masses of underprivileged, preaching their redemption through suffering35
3361331606William Wordsworthtowering figure in English Romanticism. Wrote the poem Daffodils where the romantic spirit of love and nature are present36
3361331607Sir Walter Scottfascinated with the Romantic movement's interest in history, he wrote of bygone ages (Middle Ages and Scotland mainly) and of great historical events.37
3361331608George Gordon, Lord ByronRomantic poet who celebrated emotion. Became fascinated by Greece where he died.38
3361331609Mary ShelleyFrankenstein- an example of the extremes of some romantics39
3361331610Karl Marx and Friedrich EngelsCommunist Manifesto- this laid out the principles of Marxism. Class struggle, future revolution, the working class overthrowing the middle class bourgois is all there40
3361331611Charles DickensOliver Twist, Christmas Carol, Hard Time- wrote novels that came out in monthly installments and were popular, he paid close attention to the adverse effects of industrialization and urbanization41
3361331612Charlotte BronteJane Eyre describes the bleaker side of women's situations42
3361331613George Sand (a women who used this pen name)Shelia, Indiana- This women's individualism was shockingly modern- she dressed like a man and smoked cigars, she wrote over 80 novels about women who prevail in difficult circumstances. Her name became a common expression of disdain for independent women (George-Sandism)43
3361331614Honore de BalzacThe Human Comedy; Pere Goriot- depicts thousands of French characters from all sectors of society44
3361331615Gustave FlaubertMadame Bovary-story of a bored housewife who has numerous affairs and eventually commits suicide. It is a candid picture of women's sexuality, and it was scandalous.45
3361331616Emile ZolaWomen's Paradise- wrote negatively about how industrial society affected individuals. In this work, a shopper abandons appropriate behavior for the frenzy of the new shopping centers.46
3361331617Fyodor DostoevskyCrime and Punishment; The Brothers Karamazov- shows the dark side of "antiheroes," who are usually tormented, even criminal. In Brothers, four brothers work to destroy their father47
3361331618August ComteSystem of Positive Politics- through observation and objective study (like science), people can solve the problems of economic and social changes. This created the idea of "Positivism" or the "Positive Method."48
3361331619John Stuart MillOn Liberty- argued for the improvement of society, widespread reform, and mass education -On the Subjection of Women- The family system is despotic and women's obedience to it is a sham. The book led a growing movement committed to obtaining basic rights for women49
3361331620Charles DarwinOn the Origins of Species- here evolution and survival of the fittest (or natural selection) are taught50
3361331621Sigmund FreudThe Interpretations of Dreams- "father of psychoanalysis," teaches the id, ego, superego as well as many problems faced in adulthood originate in childhood experiences51
3361331622Erich Maria RemarqueAll Quiet on the Western Front- international best seller depicts the life of soldiers during WWI James Joyce, Ulysses- representative of a new method of using a character's thoughts to propel a story called "stream of consciousness," this is a parallel between Joyce's hero who wanders aimlessly through the streets of Dublin, Ireland and the adventures of Homer's Ulysses on his way home from Troy.52
3361331623Oswald SpenglerThe Decline of the West- says WWI was the beginning of the decline of the West53
3361331624Rudyard KiplingJungle Book, The White Man's Burden (justified imperialism), The Man who would be King54
3361331625George Orwell1984- set in the future, where a totalitarian state uses new technology, individuals cannot escape the scrutiny of "big brother." A couple's love affair leads to their arrest55
3361331626Anne FrankDiary of Anne Frank- the story of a teenage girl hidden in Amsterdam, Holland during WWII56
3361331627Boris PasternakDoctor Zhivago- a powerful challenge to communism, written in Russia but published in Italy. The hero rejects the violence and brutality of the Russian Rev. and the Stalinist years. Even as the character is destroyed, he triumphs because of his humanity and Christianity. Pasternak was denounced.57
3361331628Albert CamusThe Stranger, The Plague- as a post-WWII existentialist philosopher, Camus explored the meaning of human existence in a world of evil. Camus' writings show an absence of God and the breakdown of morality. An individual's existence depended on his actions and choices58
3361331629Simone de BeauvoirThe Second Sex- She taught most women had devoted themselves to just having children, and suffered from having no accomplishment. Women were passive, but they should assert themselves59
3361331630Ray BradburyFahrenheit 451- the temperature at which books will burn, condemned censorship of intellectual freedom during the Cold War60
3361331631Ian FlemingCasino Royale- introduced the British intelligence agent named James Bond who fought against communism and other political villains61
3361331632Alexander SolzhenitsynThe Gulag Archipelago- his story of Russian gulags (prison work camps) under Stalin62
3361331633Salman RushdieThe Satanic Verses- as an immigrant from India, this book ignited outrage among Muslims around the world because it appeared to blaspheme the prophet Mohammed. The Ayatollah Khomeini promised monetary reward to anyone who would assassinate the writer.63

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