TOWARDS SOCIAL CRITICISM

TOWARDS SOCIAL CRITICISM

At the end of the 18th century the new ideals of independence and equality created by urgent social

and political problems, influenced the theories of the Enlightenment.

EDMUND BURKE (1729-l797) represented a voice of protest against the revolution as a means of

reform. Later , in 1790, he wrote - REFLECTION ON THE REVOLUTION IN FRANCE- where

he held that institutions were to be reformed tooking into consideration the inheritance of the past.

Against his theories, THOMAS PAINE, published - THE RIGHTS OF MAN- where, in support of

the French Revolution, he advocated republicanism, the abolition of slavery and the emancipation

of women. Later, for his criticism of monarchical rule led the British government to indict him for

treason. Another important critic was WILLIAM GODWIN. His work -ENQUIRY

CONCERNING POLITICAL JUSTICE - where he criticized the existing society, exercised a great

influence on the romantic poets, from Blake to Shelley.

Godwin's wife , MARY WOLLSTONECRAFTT wrote many works, among which the most

important is - A VINDICATION OF RIGHTS OF WOMEN, where she advocated the ideals of

freedom and equality with regard to the condition of women.