The historical development of censorship is parallel to the evolution of our civilization. If one talks about censorship as a type of social control then one is “overstretching” the concept of the word, as there are a wide variety of social control measures. Thus, breeding can be regarded as censorship or God’s verdict about a forbidden fruit can also be considered as a censorship act. But, since the focal point of this paper is literary censorship, a narrower meaning of the term, such as book censorship, is required. Traditionally, book censorship has been seen as a control over printed expression by authorities, and mostly by the church or government. Alec Craig emphasizes that “it is writing rather than speech that attracts authoritative attention and social pressures because it is so much more enduring and effective; and books have been subject to control of some sort wherever they have been an important medium of communication.” The earliest examples of such regulations can already be found in Ancient Rome and Greece, where the works of Ovid and Socrates were suppressed, or in China, where the writings of Confucius were banned and burned by order of the emperor. However, these censorship measures were not of systematical character, and authorities in the ancient world failed to institutionalize this practice of book suppression. Not until the invention of the printing press and a consequential wide spread adoption in the usage of printing books, especially during the Reformation, was it necessary for the authorities to create a system of sharp control of the written word.
It is widely known that literature is one of the richest sources that contains the knowledge of social consciousness. It portrays the impression of social norms and values as well as modes of thought of a given age. There is also another crucial function of literature, namely it exerts an influence — through its readers — upon the very formation of these norms and values. Annabel Patterson says that “literature is a privileged medium by which matters of serious public concern could be debated.” In order to control this debate, governments have engaged in some methods, including censorial measures. Therefore, suppression of governmental criticism has been and remains its first priority. Apart from political arguments, books can be banned on religious, sexual, or social grounds.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The Culture of Censorship
- Alteration of Social Norms
- State of Art and an Attempt of Term (re)Definition
- Historical Background
- Control of the Printing Press in Tudor England
- Control of the Printing Press in Early Stuart England
- Control of the Printing Press in Late Stuart England
- Regulation of the Printing Press in the 18th century
- Banned Books: the Reformation of Literature
- Books Suppressed on Religious Grounds: The Shortest Way with the Dissenters and the trial of Daniel Defoe
- Books Suppressed on Political Grounds: Drapier's Letters and Hibernian patriot Jonathan Swift
- Books Suppressed on Moral Grounds: The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Henry Fielding
Objectives and Key Themes
This study aims to examine the methods of censorship employed by the English government in the 18th century, contrasting them with earlier methods. It explores the development of censorship as a tool to control written expression after the expiration of the Licensing Act in 1695. The study uses three literary works as case studies to illustrate the motives and methods of literary censorship during this period.- The evolution of censorship in England from the Tudor period to the 18th century.
- The impact of the expiration of the Licensing Act of 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.
- Case studies of works by Daniel Defoe, Jonathan Swift, and Henry Fielding, illustrating censorship's impact.
Chapter Summaries
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.
Keywords
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.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Study of 18th-Century English Literary Censorship
What is the main topic of this study?
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.
What are the key themes explored in the study?
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.
What is the significance of the Licensing Act of 1695?
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.
How did the English government control the printing press before and after 1695?
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.
What categories of books were suppressed in the 18th century?
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.
Which authors and works are examined as case studies?
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.
What is the structure of the study?
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.
What are the key takeaways from the study?
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.
What are the keywords associated with this study?
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.
- Quote paper
- Magistra Anastasia Castillo (Author), 2009, Banned Books: Censorship in Eighteenth-Century England, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/156569
