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The Reading Mania

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196 views14 pages

The Reading Mania

Uploaded by

sarahindia33
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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The Reading Mania

BY: JOHNLEY, NIVED, AMAL


Content
• The Reading Mania and its factors
• People’s thoughts on books
• Print Culture and the French Revolution
The Reading Mania
• Through the 17th and 18th century literacy rates rose to 60-80%.
• This lead to people wanting more books produced.
• Churches set up schools in villages which helped peasants and
artisans to improve their literacy.
• Due to this up rise of books ,Pedlars started selling almanacs
with ballads and folktales.
• In England, Pedlars were called chapmen who sold Chapbooks
meant for the poor too
• In France, were the “Bibliotheque Bleue”, low priced small
books on poor quality paper in blue covers.
Growth of Books
.
• Romances and histories were also printed that were 4-6
pages.
• The Press developed into combining information and
entertainment.
• The Newspapers and journals held information of wars and
trade.
• As the production of books skyrocketed it also helped the
ideas of scientists and philosophers to become more
accessible
• Isaac Newton began to publish his discoveries and was able
to grow a wide circle of influence within like minded
readers.
Questions
• What are main important factors for the rise of Reading Mania?

Answer:
Churches of different denominations set up schools in villages, carrying
literacy to peasants and artisans. By the end of the eighteenth century, in
some parts of Europe literacy rates were as high as 60 to 80 per cent. As
literacy and schools spread in European countries, there was a virtual
reading mania. People wanted books to read and printers produced
books in ever increasing numbers.
‘Tremble, therefore, tyrants of the world!’
• Mid- Eighteenth century people believed that books could
change the world and liberate society from despotism and
tyranny.
• Louise-Sebastien Mercier, a novelist of France said: “The
printing press is the most powerful engine of progress and
public opinion is the force that will sweep despotism away”
• He was convinced that the power of print would bring
enlightenment
• Mercier proclaimed “ Tremble, therefore, tyrants of the
world! Tremble before the virtual writer!”
Questions-2
• Who said “Tremble, therefore, tyrants of the world!” and
why?
Answer:
Louise-Sebastian Mercier said these words, and he said this
as he was convinced of the power of print in bringing
enlightenment and destroying the basis of despotism.
Print Culture and the French Revolution
• Historians have argued that print culture created the
conditions within which French Revolution occurred.
• There are 3 arguments put forwards:
1. Print popularised the ideas of the Enlightenment thinkers.
Their writings provided a critical commentary on
tradition, superstition and despotism. The writings of
Voltaire and Rousseau were read widely; and people saw
the world through new eyes, eyes that were questioning,
critical and rational.
.
2. Print created a new culture of dialogue and debate.
Values, norms and institutions were re-evaluated by a public
that had become aware of the power of reason. Within this
public culture, new ideas of social revolution came into
being.
3. By the 1780s there was an outpouring of literature that
mocked the royalty and criticised their morality and it also
raised questions about the existing social order. Growth of
Cartoons and caricatures against the monarchy was spread
through underground systems which led to the growth of
hostile sentiments against the monarchy.
Questions-3
• Because of Print culture, What changes were observed in
France
a)New culture of dialogue and debate

b)People started criticising Royalty and its morality

c)New ideas of social revolution came into existence

d)All of these
Match the Following

1. Impact of Printing Press a. Fundamental rights promoted during the


Revolution
2. Tremble, therefore, tyrants of the world b. Widely circulated materials that criticized
the monarchy
3. Print Culture and the French Revolution c. A time when literature and books gained
immense popularity
4. Pamphlets and Newspapers d. The spread of revolutionary ideas through
print materials
5. Voltaire and Rousseau e. Slogan used to threaten oppressive rulers
6. The Reading Mania f. Mass production of literature, encouraging
new ideas
7. Freedom of Speech and Press g. Increased due to the availability of books
and reading material
8. Literacy Rate i. Enlightenment thinkers who inspired
revolutionary thoughts
Answer Key:
1-f
2-e
3-d
4-b
5-h
6-c
7-a
8-g
THANK YOU

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