Cultural influence

Definition

Cultural influence refers to the impact that ideas, practices, values, and art from one culture can have on another. It plays a significant role in shaping societal norms, behaviors, and perceptions across different communities. In the context of early 18th-century England, cultural influence was particularly evident in the rise of periodicals that reflected and shaped public opinion, leading to changes in social customs and intellectual discourse.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The rise of periodicals like 'The Tatler' and 'The Spectator' marked a significant shift in how information was shared and discussed among the public, fostering a culture of literacy and critical thinking.
2. 'The Tatler' and 'The Spectator' targeted a growing middle class, influencing their tastes, opinions, and manners through essays that blended entertainment with moral instruction.
3. Addison and Steele used their periodicals to address contemporary social issues such as gender roles, class distinctions, and the importance of manners, effectively shaping public discourse.
4. The concept of cultural influence during this period also included the borrowing of ideas from classical sources, which helped inform English literature and social thought.
5. Through satire and wit, these periodicals encouraged readers to reflect on their own behaviors and societal norms, thus creating a ripple effect in cultural attitudes and practices.

Review Questions

• How did periodicals like 'The Tatler' and 'The Spectator' serve as vehicles for cultural influence in early 18th-century England?
  • 'The Tatler' and 'The Spectator' played crucial roles as vehicles for cultural influence by providing a platform for discussing contemporary issues while entertaining readers. These publications reached a broad audience, particularly among the growing middle class, shaping their views on social conduct, politics, and personal relationships. Through essays that combined wit with moral lessons, Addison and Steele encouraged readers to engage with ideas that would ultimately redefine societal norms.
• Discuss the relationship between cultural influence and the emergence of the public sphere during the time of Addison and Steele's writings.
  • Cultural influence was tightly interwoven with the emergence of the public sphere during Addison and Steele's time. Their periodicals facilitated discussions among readers about pressing social issues, thereby creating a space for collective opinion formation. This public sphere allowed individuals to engage in dialogue about culture, politics, and morality, which not only reflected but also shaped public consciousness in early 18th-century England. The interactions sparked by these publications contributed to an increasingly informed citizenry willing to critique societal norms.
• Evaluate the long-term impacts of cultural influence exerted by 'The Tatler' and 'The Spectator' on future literary movements and social practices.
  • The cultural influence of 'The Tatler' and 'The Spectator' had lasting impacts on both literary movements and social practices well beyond their initial publication. By popularizing essay writing as a genre, they paved the way for later literary forms that focused on personal reflection and social critique. Moreover, their emphasis on manners and morality helped establish standards for polite society that endured into subsequent generations. This shift toward critical engagement with culture laid foundational principles for later movements such as Romanticism and Victorian literature, where personal experience and social commentary became paramount.

Related terms

Periodical Press: A form of publishing that includes magazines and journals released at regular intervals, which played a key role in disseminating information and shaping public discourse during the Restoration and early 18th century.

Public Sphere: An area in social life where individuals come together to discuss and identify societal problems, thereby influencing political action and cultural norms.

Social Commentary: A form of writing or expression that critiques and reflects on societal issues, often influencing public perception and discussion on various topics.