Catholicism and Puritanism are important elements of the Christian religion. For about 19 % of today’s world population (about 995 million people) Catholicism still plays a major role in their lifes and also Puritan effects can still be observed by looking for instance at the society of the United States of America. But what are the main elements of these religious movements? Chapter 1 is supposed to give a general introduction into the topic. In order to do so Catholicism and Puritanism are separately examined. Chapter 2.1 and 2.2 therefore take a closer look at historical developments, main content elements, standpoints and attitudes of these two religious groups. Since this is a literary studies paper it is going to examine a literary work. In 1796 Matthew Lewis published his first book called “The Monk”. The 19 year old author created it in only ten weeks. The book became extremely popular which made Lewis very well known, often under the name “Monk” Lewis.
Chapter 2.3 “The historical and intellectual background in England at the publication of ‘The Monk’ describes the situation in late 18th century England before starting to analyse the text in chapter 3. This seems adequate since it is supposed to provide the reader with background knowledge and help him to understand the intense public reaction towards the publication of the book and also helps to understand contemporary views and issues that preoccupied many people of the time. Thereby general historical facts are neglected. Chapter 2.3 rather takes a closer look at the English society and its attitudes towards moral, religion and reason at the end of the 18th century and tries to find out topic relevant particularities. As can also be concluded by the title “The Monk”, it is religion which plays an important role in Matthew Lewis’ book. But what is his attitude towards religion, especially towards Catholicism, and how does he present it literary, i.e. which metaphors and comparisons does he make use of? Are there hidden or unconcealed assaults on Christianity and if so, what is being criticised? Chapter 3.1 preoccupies with these questions.
Table of Contents
1) Introduction
2) Catholicism, Puritanism and the Historical Background of late 18th century England
2.1 Catholicism
2.2 Puritanism
2.3 The historical and intellectual background in England at the publication of “The Monk”
3) “The Monk” and Religion
3.1 Catholicism: Superstition and Hypocrisy?
3.2 The role of the bible in “The Monk” and the reaction of critics
4) Conclusion
5) Bibliography
Research Objectives and Themes
This academic paper explores the critical representation of Catholicism and religion in Matthew Lewis's novel "The Monk," situated against the historical and intellectual backdrop of 18th-century England. It aims to analyze how the author employs literary devices to critique religious hypocrisy, the influence of superstition, and the perceived dangers of the Bible as a guide for moral development.
- The historical tension between Catholicism and Puritanism in late 18th-century England.
- Literary analysis of "The Monk" as an anti-religious and anti-Catholic critique.
- The characterization of ecclesiastical figures, specifically the protagonist Ambrosio.
- Contemporary public and critical reaction to the novel's controversial depiction of the Bible.
- The role of moral and religious revival in shaping literary discourse of the time.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 Catholicism: Superstition and Hypocrisy?
Matthew Lewis publication of “The Monk” in 1796 was, as already mentioned in the preceding chapter, a great success but nevertheless it was also harshly criticised. “Most of the adverse criticism was aimed at the novel’s lewdness and blasphemy.” By looking at the beginning of novel it becomes clear what is meant by that.
The novel’s opening setting is in Madrid, the capital of a strictly Catholic country. “Scarcely had the Abbey-Bell tolled for five minutes. And already was the Church of the Capuchins thronged with Auditors. Do not encourage the idea that the Crowd was assembled either from motives of piety or thirst of information. But very few were influenced by those reasons; and in a city where superstition reigns with such despotic sway as in Madrid, to seek for true devotion would be a fruitless attempt.”
Lewis doesn’t even try to conceal his criticism of what is going on. He says without misunderstanding that most of the people in the church were not there because they wanted to listen to the sermon which is why you are supposed to attend a service. Some lines later the author describes the motives of the audience of going to Church: For instance for the men to see the women (so it is in some cases even sexual motives that spur peoples religiousness), for some it is simply because they had nothing better to do.
At the bottom of the same page Lewis writes that the sermon might even have been omitted without the audience being disappointed and even without perceiving the omission. The description of that scene seems to contain ironic comedy on the one hand but also cynicism on the other.
Summary of Chapters
1) Introduction: This chapter introduces the religious landscape of the era and outlines the scope of the paper, focusing on the analysis of Matthew Lewis's "The Monk" within its historical context.
2) Catholicism, Puritanism and the Historical Background of late 18th century England: This chapter examines the historical developments and ideological foundations of Catholicism and Puritanism, as well as the prevailing socio-political atmosphere in 18th-century England.
3) “The Monk” and Religion: This chapter provides a detailed analysis of how the novel critiques the Catholic Church through themes of hypocrisy and superstition, while also investigating the controversial depiction of the Bible and the resulting contemporary criticism.
4) Conclusion: The conclusion synthesizes the findings, arguing that the novel's anti-Catholic stance and its questioning of religious foundations reflect the tensions of a society in search of orientation during a period of economic and political instability.
5) Bibliography: This section lists the primary literary sources and academic references consulted for the research.
Keywords
Gothic Novels, Matthew Lewis, The Monk, Catholicism, Puritanism, Religious Hypocrisy, 18th Century England, Blasphemy, Superstition, Moral Standards, Literary Criticism, Bible Scene, Ambrosio, Secularisation, Christian Ethics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic work?
The paper focuses on the religious themes in Matthew Lewis's "The Monk," specifically analyzing the author's critical stance toward Catholicism and the Church's influence during the late 18th century.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The central themes include the critique of religious hypocrisy, the role of superstition as a tool of control, the conflict between moral values and sexual desire, and the social reaction to blasphemous literature.
What is the central research question of the study?
The study investigates how Matthew Lewis utilizes his novel to present a critical, often anti-religious view of Catholicism, and how this representation reflects the contemporary intellectual and religious anxieties of his era.
Which scientific methods are applied in this paper?
The paper utilizes historical contextualization and literary textual analysis to examine metaphors, character portrayals, and the reception history of the novel among 18th-century critics.
What does the main body of the paper cover?
The main body covers the historical context of Catholicism and Puritanism, an analysis of religious themes in "The Monk," the portrayal of the protagonist Ambrosio, and the controversy surrounding the "Bible scene."
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Key terms include Gothic Novels, Catholicism, Puritanism, Religious Hypocrisy, 18th-century England, and the reception of "The Monk."
Why was the "Bible scene" in the novel particularly significant?
The "Bible scene" was significant because it portrayed the holy book as potentially dangerous or improper for young women, which led to accusations of blasphemy and legal repercussions for the author.
How does the author characterize the protagonist, Ambrosio?
Ambrosio is characterized as the embodiment of hypocrisy, presenting a saintly exterior to the public while internally harboring sinful vanity, pride, and illicit sexual desires.
- Quote paper
- Joachim von Meien (Author), 2005, Catholicism and Protestantism - two ways of looking at the world?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/41195
