The Enlightenment period was a big shift for French literature. It changed themes and styles in ways that we still see today. Let’s break down what happened during this time:

1. Rational Thought

• Using Reason: During the Enlightenment, writers started to value logic and reason more than feelings. This was different from the emotional writing in the Romantic period. You can see this in the works of authors like Voltaire and Diderot, who focused on clear thinking and discussion.

2. Critique of Society

• Questioning Society: Writers began to challenge the rules of their time. Authors like Rousseau criticized social norms and how society was set up. This opened the door for future movements that dealt with social issues and led to Realism.

3. Individualism

• Personal Freedom: There was a new focus on individual rights. Characters in stories became deeper and more complex. They struggled with their own desires and what society expected from them. This theme would later show up in Romantic literature.

4. Genre Expansion

• New Story Styles: This period brought about new types of writing, like the novel. A good example is “Candide,” which used satire to make fun of society’s problems. This was a shift to more varied storytelling.

In short, the Enlightenment period changed French literature from strict forms to a more open and critical way of writing, with a focus on the individual. This evolution is what makes studying French literary movements so interesting!