The document discusses the contributions of Alexander Pope and Daniel Defoe to neo-classical literature. Pope is highlighted for his mastery of poetry, encapsulated in works like 'Essay on Criticism' and 'The Rape of the Lock', while Defoe is recognized as a founder of the English novel through notable works such as 'Robinson Crusoe'. Both authors are noted for their lasting impact on English literature and their roles in advancing literary forms in the 18th century.

1. Prepared by- Kavisha Alagiya, Ruchi Joshi, Asha Dhedhi,
Rupa Bambhniya, Komal Jadav.
Neo-classical Literature
Alexander Pope
Daniel Defoe
-Group Task assigned by Vaidehi Ma’am

2. Alexander Pope
Pope is the second-most
frequently quoted writer
after William
Shakespeare.
Pope found that ‘the life
of a wit is a warfare on
earth’.
He lived by, as well as
for, his art - a tribute both
to its new status and to
his determination.
 Pope had the humanist’s faith
in the educative role of poetry,
and prized neoclassical clarity,
concision and elegance.

3. Biography
The link of the video on Pope’s life and works is mentioned in description box.

5. Essay on Criticism
• Written in heroic couplets but we hardly
considers it as a poem
• Considered as store house of critical maxims
• “To err is human, to forgive divine.”
• “For fool rush in where angles fear
to teach”
Founds way into common speech without thinking of author

6. Rape of the Lock
The Rape of the Lock was
published in two cantos
in 1712. Rape (Lat.
raptus) means ‘taking
away by force’,
‘abduction’.
The Rape of the Lock
combines the wit of the
Essay on Criticism with
the beauty of the
Pastorals.

7. Essay on Man
 Most quoted of all Pope’s work
 Consists of numerous literary ornaments without any
very solid structure of thought to rest upon
“And, spite of pride, in erring reason’s spite,
One truth is clear, whatever is, is right.”
Purpose: “vindicate the ways of God to
Man”

8. The Dunciad
 The Dunciad is written in heroic
couplet, meaning every two lines rhyme
(the 'couplet') and every line has ten
syllables.
 It is a satire of hack artists.
 The Dunciad, which was published in
1728. Its title is a pun on the ancient
poems The Iliad by Homer, and The
Aeniad by Virgil.

9. Daniel Defoe(founder of English Novel)

10. Early Life
 Born between 1659 – 1661
 Death : 24 April 1731, because of leathargy
 Daniel Foe (original name)
 He was an English Trader, writer, journalist, pamphleteer and
spy
 He also a pioneer of Business journalism and Economic
journalism
 He had been seen as earliest proponents of English Novel
and helped to popularize the form in Britain with others such
as Aphra Behn and Samuel Richardson

11.  In 1665, 70,000 were killed by the great Plague of London
 In 1666, The Great fire of London hit Defoe’s neighborhood
hard and left only three house standing
 At the age of 13 ,his mother passed away
 In 1703 ,he witnessed The Great Storm, took lives of Eight
thousand people

12. Writing Career
 Defoe was prolific and versatile writer
 Wrote more than 500 Books, Pamphlets and Journals
 Defoe began writing anonymously in the 1680s.
 Mostly wrote Political Essays
 Defoe’s first success came in form a satire “The True - Born
Englishman” (1701)

13. To be continued….
 Defoe changed his name from “Foe” to Defoe in 1703
 His topics like Politics, Crime, Religion, Marriage, Psychology
and Supernatural
 For him it is said….
“Jack of All Trades”
 His continued purpose is Educating people and Uplifting the
Common people

14. Notable Works
 “Robinson Crusoe” (1719)
 “Journals of the Plague Year” (1722)
 “Memoirs of a Cavalier” (1720)
Picaresque Novels
 “Captain Singleton”
 “Colonel Jack” (1722)
 “Mall Flanders” (1722)
 “Roxana – The Fortunate mistress” (1724)

15. To be continued…
 “The Shortest Way with the Dissenters” - He was put in
the pillory for writing satirical pamphlet; attacking the
treatment of religious dissenters in England.
 “Hymn to the Pillory” – However caused his audience at
the pillory to throw flowers instead of harmful and noxious
objects.

16. Robinson Crusoe
“It is never too late to be wise”
 Set during seventeenth century
 The story has been thought to be based on the life of Alexander
Selkirk spend four years on the island Juan Fernandez at Pacific
island.
Captain Singleton
 Portrayal of the redemptive power of one’s love for
another. Quaker William’s love turns captain Singleton
away from the murderous life of a pirate