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Over the course of the next year, you are invited to take part in WORDS OF ENLIGHTENMENT: A Discussion Series on Books and Plays of the 18th Century

The first of these discussions will be on Sat, July 6, 10am 11am at the Accademia di Rocca Sorrentina

[ http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Westphalia/79/46/23 ] (map)

The Enlightenment, sometimes referred to as the Age of Reason, was a confluence of ideas and activities that took place throughout the eighteenth century in Western Europe, England, and the American colonies. Scientific rationalism, exemplified by the scientific method, was the hallmark of the era, and it was accompanied by a conviction that the application of reason would guarantee progress in all aspects of human existence. During the same period new printing technologies produced a surge in the amount of reading material available to the general public. Literature was no longer the sole purview of aristocrats and wealthy merchants, and literacy rates rose dramatically during the eighteenth century, as the upwardly mobile citizenry clamored for information, gossip, and entertainment.

Discussions of some of the better known works of prose and drama from the 18th century will take place at the Accademia di Rocca Sorrentina at 10:00 am on the fourth Saturday of the month (excepting the first session)

Virtual copies of the books may be obtained inworld at the Accademia di Rocca Sorrentina (SLURL above) or by contacting Serenek Timeless or Aldo Stern. These are OOC (out of character) discussions -- The wearing of 18th century attire (and human avatars) is NOT required, but certainly is encouraged.

SCHEDULE

PART 1: Who is the savage? -- 18th century novels about survival and the resources we draw upon

July 6 -- Robinson Crusoe (novel, Defoe, English, 1719) , chapters 1 - 10
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/521
Discussion Leader: Kghia Gherardi

July 27 -- Robinson Crusoe, chapters 11 - 20
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/521
Discussion Leader: Kghia Gherardi

August 24 -- History of Tom Jones (novel, Fielding, English, 1749). books I - IX
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/6593
Discussion Leader: lady Bluebird of Orkney

Sept. 28 -- History of Tom Jones, books X - XVIII
Discussion Leader: Lady Bluebird of Orkney

Oct. 26 -- Candide (novel, Voltaire, French, 1759), chapters 1 - 15
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/6593
Discussion leader: Aldo Stern

Nov. 23 -- Candide, chapters 16 - 30
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/19942
Discussion leader: Aldo Stern

PART 2: What is a lady to do? -- Gender and social commentary through comedy on stage

Dec. 28 -- Minna von Barnhelm (play, Lessing, German, 1767)
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2663
Discussion leader: Aldo Stern

Jan. 25 -- She Stoops to Conquer (play, Goldsmith, Irish, 1773)
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/383
Discussion leader: Gloriana Maertens

Feb. 22 -- School for Scandal (play, Sheridan, English, 1777)
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1929
Discussion leader: Sere Timeless

PART 3: The Rogue and his reward -- Varied presentations of the anti-hero

March 22 -- The History of My Life (memoirs, Italian, Casanova, 1798)
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2981/2981-h/2981-h.htm
Discussion leader: Mercury Gandt

April 26 - Don Giovanni (opera libretto, Venetian, Da Ponte, 1787)
http://hdl.handle.net/2027/mdp.39015007852984
Discussion Leader: Leslie Weston

updated by @aldo-stern: 24 Oct 2016 05:48:52AM

Dear Professore,

I am thrilled to see this schedule and to have my reading laid out for the upcoming months!

Grazie ~

Oh how exciting! Putting these on my calendar.

thank you all for your enthusiastic support -- the list we selected was based on suggestions provided by our various friends and previous discussion participants