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Facets of the Enlightenment: Studies in English Literature and Its Contexts presents a collection of essays that delve into various aspects of English culture during the eighteenth century. The author emphasizes the complexity of this era, acknowledging its contradictions, self-contradictions, and violent contrasts. The essays aim to offer a balanced view of the period, recognizing both its virtues and shortcomings.

The author reflects on his deep engagement with the Enlightenment era, noting that his interest began in the classroom, both as a student and a teacher. His approach to teaching the Age of Johnson led him to explore not only literature but also social history, intellectual trends, the backgrounds of authors, and other artistic expressions of the time. The collection is driven by a desire to explore the interconnectedness of the arts and literature, challenging simplistic cultural history narratives and questioning the early disappearance of classical ideals.

The essays are varied, some examining the development of trends, others focusing on individual authors or works. While the papers were not written specifically for the classroom, they are rooted in the author's educational experience. Overall, the work expresses a sympathy for the intellectual and moral stance represented by Samuel Johnson, characterized by a positive and dynamic classicism, despite the superficial contradictions of the period.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1968.