Evolution of Western Lit

8 Pages 1924 Words

writing had little potential. This rigid structure was testimony to the very organized composition of the French society. The play, Tartuffe, does not involve the theme of nature. Nature is imperfect and volatile, two ideas that are not liked by the French monarchy. A major theme in Tartuffe is the idea of “the natural”. The author feels men and women should be able to make their own choices in life. This philosophy is derived from the enlightenment, which spoke of “natural law.” Moliere spoke of the “natural law” as the source of truth and manifested in human society. In Tartuffe, Orgon has demanded that his daughter be married to Tartuffe. Moliere finds this flawed, and makes a point that women must be allows to marry whomever they choose. Optimism has been shown in the character of Orgon, the father that puts all of his trust in Tartuffe. What may be called optimism seems more like ignorance. The rest of the cast are the pessimists, not trusting Tartuffe while seeing his true intent. Throug!
h these characters Moliere is able to attack the religious hypocrisy. In the finale of Tartuffe, Moliere uses a common literary technique during the Neo-classical period called, “Deux Ex Machina.” A French term in which all the character's problems are solved by some miracle. The king made the intervention. Although it is very unrealistic it was a way of praising the monarch.
In the novel, Candide, Voltaire uses many literary techniques and concepts to prove his point. Candide is a humorous satire, criticizing the optimism adopted by the philosophers of the Age of Enlightenment. In the story, Candide is taug...