Magisterarbeit, 2009
89 Seiten, Note: 1,7
Introduction: This chapter sets the stage by defining literary censorship, differentiating it from broader social control measures. It highlights literature's role in shaping and reflecting societal norms and values, emphasizing the government's interest in controlling this influence. The chapter introduces the study's central focus: analyzing the evolution of censorship methods in 18th-century England, particularly after the Licensing Act's expiration, and its effects on literary works. This sets the context for analyzing the specific historical and legal frameworks that shaped censorship in the subsequent chapters. The study will employ three major works of literature as specific examples of the impacts of censorship.
The Culture of Censorship: This chapter delves into contemporary discussions surrounding censorship, contrasting them with traditional views. It explores the interplay between evolving social norms and values and the nature of censorship, establishing a framework for understanding the historical context of censorship practices examined later in the study. The chapter emphasizes the dynamic relationship between societal changes and the methods used to regulate expression, laying the groundwork for analyzing the specific historical instances of censorship presented in the following sections.
Historical Background: This chapter traces the history of censorship in England from the Tudor to the late Stuart periods, focusing on the control of the printing press. It builds upon established scholarship on the topic, utilizing works by Siebert, Clegg, and Feather to provide a comprehensive overview of the development of the printing press and the changing mechanisms of control throughout this era. Key events and their impact on censorship are highlighted, providing a detailed foundation for understanding the evolution of censorship practices and its progression towards the 18th-century developments discussed later. The chapter serves as a crucial historical background to understand the later shifts in censorship approaches.
Regulation of the Printing Press in the 18th Century: This chapter examines the significant shift in censorship practices following the expiration of the Licensing Act in 1695. It analyzes the implementation of common law as the primary means of controlling the printing press and public opinion, focusing on seditious, blasphemous, and obscene libels. The chapter highlights the transition from pre-publication censorship to post-publication legal actions as the primary method for suppressing undesirable content, emphasizing the legal framework and its implications for freedom of speech and the literary landscape of the time. This chapter connects the historical background to the practical impact of the removal of pre-publication controls.
Banned Books: the Reformation of Literature: This chapter provides case studies of books suppressed on religious, political, and moral grounds. It examines works by Daniel Defoe, Jonathan Swift, and Henry Fielding to illustrate the diverse motivations and methods behind 18th-century censorship, demonstrating the varied approaches taken by authorities to control the flow of information and public discourse. By offering in-depth analyses of specific works, this chapter provides tangible examples of the theoretical framework developed in previous chapters, tying together the historical and legal contexts with their practical consequences for authors and literature. The chapter concludes with an introduction of the history of the suppression of some of their works.
Censorship, 18th-century England, Licensing Act, common law, seditious libel, religious censorship, political censorship, moral censorship, freedom of speech, Daniel Defoe, Jonathan Swift, Henry Fielding, book history, printing press, social norms.
This study examines the methods of censorship employed by the English government in the 18th century, comparing them to earlier methods. It focuses on the development of censorship as a tool to control written expression after the expiration of the Licensing Act in 1695, using three literary works as case studies to illustrate the motives and methods of literary censorship during this period.
The study explores the evolution of censorship in England from the Tudor period to the 18th century; the impact of the Licensing Act's expiration in 1695 on censorship practices; the use of common law to control the printing press and public opinion in the 18th century; the categorization of banned books based on religious, political, and moral grounds; and case studies of works by Daniel Defoe, Jonathan Swift, and Henry Fielding, illustrating censorship's impact.
The expiration of the Licensing Act of 1695 marked a significant shift in censorship practices. Prior to its expiration, pre-publication censorship was the norm. After 1695, common law became the primary means of controlling the printing press and public opinion, leading to a transition from pre-publication censorship to post-publication legal actions.
Before 1695, the Licensing Act provided a framework for pre-publication censorship. After 1695, the government relied on common law to prosecute seditious, blasphemous, and obscene libels after publication. This shift meant a change from direct control of what was printed to prosecution of already published materials deemed offensive.
Books were suppressed on religious, political, and moral grounds. The study uses examples from each category to illustrate the diverse motivations and methods behind 18th-century censorship.
The study uses works by Daniel Defoe (e.g., "The Shortest Way with the Dissenters"), Jonathan Swift (e.g., "Drapier's Letters"), and Henry Fielding (e.g., "The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling") as case studies to illustrate the impact of censorship.
The study is structured into chapters covering an introduction, the culture of censorship, a historical background of censorship in England, the regulation of the printing press in the 18th century, and case studies of banned books. Each chapter provides a detailed analysis of its respective topic, building upon previous chapters to provide a comprehensive overview.
The study highlights the evolution of censorship methods in 18th-century England, the impact of legal frameworks on freedom of speech, and the diverse motivations behind the suppression of literary works. It provides valuable insights into the relationship between literature, government control, and societal norms.
Censorship, 18th-century England, Licensing Act, common law, seditious libel, religious censorship, political censorship, moral censorship, freedom of speech, Daniel Defoe, Jonathan Swift, Henry Fielding, book history, printing press, social norms.
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