1. Caragh MEGAN

2. Last part of the 18 th century “age of Johnson” Dr. Samuel Johnson Remains a speaking authority on matters important to men and women Views of humanity Conservative & traditional Criticized the popular belief in progress (the belief that things are getting progressively better) Criticized the assumption that men and women are naturally good If society is reformed, people will do what is right

3. The commanding figure at the end of the eighteenth century was Dr. Samuel Johnson, a man of conservative and traditional beliefs. He questioned the optimistic assumption that the future would be better than the past.

4. Johnson’s Death in 1784 the age of elegance, reason, taste and philosophy was over

5. Literature – Writers were developing new interests Turning to external nature and writing about the effects of nature opposed to their new filthy world Looking to the past (i.e. folk poets) Interested in the life of the poor and simple NON-AGUSTAN IDEALOGIES

6. At the end of the century, as industrialization mushroomed, writers returned to the nature and folk themes for inspiration.