Here are the questions groups came up with in class today, with a few very minor edits. I've randomized the order. And, more important, I've decided that there should be another step before people decide which question they want to spend some time with. When I was transcribing these questions, it became clear to me that there should be another step in this process. It's important that someone -- ideally a number of people, perhaps even almost all of us -- want to know what the answer is. It strikes me that some of these questions, how ever answerable they may be, may not be questions that very many people want answered right now, in this course where our aim is to develop and deepen our understanding of the Restoration and Eighteenth century and its literature -- especially its nonfiction literature. Perhaps, really, some are questions nobody wants an answer to (I wrote a bit about this in the inkshed at the beginning of class).

1. What were some motives for the use of satire?
2. How did small, independent religious societies affect the culture of the time?
3. Is there a correlation between increased literacy rates and new types of literature (i.e. the novel)?
4. Did English literature have an influence on American literature of the time?
5. Did literature from the previous centuries have an influence on 18th century literature?
6. How did people access literature?
7. What do academics / critics agree are common themes in 18th century literature written by women?
8. What are a few essays written by 18th century authors, which critics / academics mostly (or typically) agree are part of the English Literature canon?
9. How did Swift's religious views influence or become prevalent in his works?
10. How and why did the trend of political pamphlets emerge? (What do critics say about this, and do they agree on a particular date, reason or involved individuals?)
11. Are there any critics / academics / writers who address the topic of censorship imposed by the monarchy?
12. What reaction did 18th century audiences have to the satirical works coming out at the time?
13. What do scholars say about the merge of secular / scientific and traditional / religious influences on Newton's work?
14. How did authorities respond to Newton's combining of theology and science in his work? Was he threatened in similar ways to Galileo? Or were his ideas well received?
15. Would an aristocrat or [member of the] upper class be punished for crimes? If so, would the law be more lenient as opposed to the poor?
16. Based on the literacy rate of the period and access to published works, how does the literature of the period represent the culture?
17. What were the early projects of the Royal Society of London, and what there the impacts of the project afterwards? Are there any lasting impacts today?
18. What do serious scholars say about "graveyard poetry"?
19. What do serious scholars say about eighteenth century philosophy
20. What role did drug culture play in 18th century literature?
21. How was the novel viewed by society when it was introduced?
22. What were some major scientific breakthroughs of the period?
23. Who is Anthony Burgess and why is he important among 20th century critics?
24. What is the conventional way to write poetry?
25. What were the relations between the monarch and the 18th century?
26. What specifically is the "graveyard poet"?
27. Where do critics feel the gothic novel falls within the general history of English literature?
28. Who is the most popular satirical writer of the 18th century and why?
29. How did scientific advancements affect the people's faith and religion?
30. Why was Alexander Pope one of the most famous writers of the time?
31. Is there a difference between the male writers and the female writers during the 18th century? Was their subject matter different?
32. What prompted the switch from the 17th century poetry of love and pastoral poems to the 18th century satirical writings?

Do this (along with your nomination for useful exploratory reports, but in a separate email) before you go away for Thanksgiving.  As a subject for the email, use QUESTIONS.

We'll make some choices, and begin work, after the holiday. In the meantime, as I said, have a good one.