Concetti Chiave
- The 18th century saw a significant increase in the reading public, driven by the middle class's desire for self-education and improved communication systems.
- Circulating libraries played a crucial role, allowing people to borrow books affordably, which contributed to the rise of prose and journalism.
- Popular coffee-houses became centers for reading newspapers and literary periodicals, fostering a culture of information and discussion.
- The Tatler and The Spectator, written by Joseph Addison and Richard Steele, were prominent periodicals focusing on manners, literature, and moral reflections for a middle-class audience.
- Addison and Steele introduced the Spectator Club, featuring characters like Sir Roger de Coverley, making essays more engaging through conversational storytelling.
The increase of the reading audience
In the 18th century the reading public increased remarkably. This was due to several circumstances, like the wish of the middle class to educate themselves, the improved circulating and communication systems, and the circulating libraries, where it was possible to borrow books at a penny a volume. The growth of the reading public encouraged the flourishing of prose. There was a widespread to be informed, and this led to the boom of journalism. People gathered in the popular coffee-houses to read the newspapers and the litarary periodicals. The best were The Tatler (1709) and The Spectator (1711), both largely written by Joseph Addison and Richard Steele. Manners, litterature, stories, gossip, moral reflections, were the main themes of brief papers addressed to a middle-class audience.
The viewer's club
The two writers realised that the craetion of a group of characters would be well received by the readers, because a conversation was easier and more pleasant to read than an essay. So they created the Spectator Club, where the chief character was an eccentric country squire, Sir Roger de Coverley. In this way the essayist was no longer a detached authority but an armchair companion, talking pleasantly about life.
Domande da interrogazione
- What factors contributed to the increase of the reading public in the 18th century?
- How did coffee-houses contribute to the spread of journalism in the 18th century?
- What innovative approach did Joseph Addison and Richard Steele use in their writings to engage readers?
The reading public grew due to the middle class's desire for education, improved communication systems, and the availability of circulating libraries where books could be borrowed cheaply. This expansion encouraged the rise of prose and journalism.
Coffee-houses became popular gathering spots where people read newspapers and literary periodicals, fostering a culture of being informed. Notable publications like The Tatler and The Spectator were widely read in these venues.
Addison and Steele created the Spectator Club, featuring characters like Sir Roger de Coverley, to make their essays more engaging. This conversational style transformed the essayist from a detached authority into a relatable companion.
Accedi a tutti gli appunti
Tutor AI: studia meglio e in meno tempo
