Analysis of the Puritan age and Restoration age

Analysis of the Puritan age and Restoration Ages:


Puritan Age (1625-1660)

 

The Puritan Age


               The Puritan Age in English literature was a time when religious beliefs heavily influenced writing. This period was marked by conflicts over faith and morality, leading to a focus on personal spirituality and moral lessons.

Key Features:

1. Religious Themes:

           Writers often focused on themes of sin, redemption, and the individual's relationship with God. One of the most famous works from this time is John Bunyan's "The Pilgrim's Progress", which tells the story of a character named Christian on his journey to find salvation.

             “I saw in my dream, and behold, a man named Christian was carrying a burden on his back.” 

             This line symbolizes the struggle with sin and the quest for forgiveness.


2. Simple Writing Style:

               Puritan writers preferred a clear and straightforward style. They aimed to communicate moral lessons without using complicated language. 

                 "Anne Bradstreet" and "Edward Taylor" are other notable writers who expressed their faith in simple yet powerful terms.


3. Themes of Predestination and Grace:

                   Many works discussed the ideas of predestination (the belief that God decides who will be saved) and grace (the free gift of God’s favour). These themes were central to Puritan beliefs and often shaped the literature of the time.


4. Types of Literature:

                    Puritan literature included sermons, poems, and religious pamphlets. These works often used allegory (stories with hidden meanings) to teach moral lessons.


 Restoration Age (1660-1700)

The Restoration age


                   The Restoration Age began with the return of King Charles II to the throne in 1660. This period was marked by a shift toward more secular (non-religious) themes and an emphasis on wit and social satire.


Key Features:


1. Satire and Social Critique:

                  Writers used humour and satire to comment on politics and society. John Dryden's "Absalom and Achitophel" is a notable example, using biblical characters to reflect on contemporary political issues.

                “In a word, the people of Israel were... in the hands of Absalom.” 

                This line shows how satire was used to discuss serious topics in a clever way.


2. New Literary Forms:

                   The Restoration saw the rise of new types of literature, especially comedies that explored the behaviours of the upper classes. 

                    John Vanbrugh's "The Relapse" is a comedy that highlights the complexities of love and society, filled with witty dialogue and social observations.


3. Heroic Couplet:

                  Dryden popularised the heroic couplet, a form of poetry consisting of two rhymed lines of iambic pentameter (a rhythmic pattern). His poem "The Hind and the Panther" uses this form to discuss themes of religion and conflict, with the Hind symbolising the Catholic Church and the Panther representing Anglicans.  

      “The Hind seeks refuge, while the Panther represents the Anglicans.”

    This poem captures the religious tensions of the time.


4. Development of Prose:

                 Restoration writers also contributed to the development of prose, emphasizing clarity and straightforwardness. This helped set the stage for modern prose styles.


Conclusion

                  The shift from the Puritan Age to the Restoration Age represents a significant change in English literature. The Puritans focused on morality and religious themes, while Restoration writers embraced satire and social commentary. 


                These periods highlight how literature reflects societal values and changes over time. By examining the religious focus of the Puritan Age and the witty, critical approach of the Restoration Age, we can see the evolving nature of English literature and culture.

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