Question

Which of the following is NOT true about the Enlightenment Age?

• A. Encouraged exploration of the supernatural in literature.
• B. Jonathan Swift and Voltaire are prominent authors of the Age.
• C. The Age paved the way for the rise of the novel.
• D. It is known for many satirical writings.

Hint:

Remember the core conflict: Enlightenment = Reason, while Romanticism = Emotion and Supernatural. This fundamental opposition helps in distinguishing the characteristics of the two periods.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks to identify the statement that incorrectly describes the Enlightenment, a major intellectual and cultural movement of the 17th and 18th centuries.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's evaluate each statement:
\[\begin{array}{rl} \bullet & \text{1. Encouraged exploration of the supernatural in literature. This is not true. The Enlightenment, also known as the Age of Reason, championed logic, reason, and scientific inquiry. It was deeply skeptical of superstition and the supernatural. The exploration of the supernatural, mystery, and intense emotion was a key feature of the subsequent Romantic movement, which was a reaction against the Enlightenment. } \\ \bullet & \text{2. Jonathan Swift and Voltaire are prominent authors of the Age. This is true. Both Swift (Gulliver's Travels) and Voltaire (Candide) were towering figures of the Enlightenment, using satire to critique society and promote reason. } \\ \bullet & \text{3. The Age paved the way for the rise of the novel. This is true. The 18th century saw the emergence and consolidation of the novel as a major literary form with authors like Defoe, Richardson, and Fielding. } \\ \bullet & \text{4. It is known for many satirical writings. This is true. Satire was a dominant and powerful mode of expression during the Enlightenment, used to expose folly and vice. } \\ \end{array}\]

Step 3: Final Answer:
The statement that is not true about the Enlightenment Age is (A).