Literature during the Enlightenment greatly increased, not only the reading of religious texts, but also the science and mathematical texts of the time. People had started to decrease their reading of religious texts, and had moved onto the science and logic books. They had started reading the books of Montesquieu, Descartes, Pascal, Voltaire, Diderot, and other philosophers. The books on art had greatly increased as well. However, this constant want of these books had caused many books to be printed abroad and smuggled back into the country for "under-the-cloak" sale. Books were also starting to be written in different languages, that somewhat showed a sign that the country was moving towards racial tolerance. This book trade became very illegal, as books were starting to contain inappropriate and profane content. These books caused women to use their sexual charms to gain power over the weak rulers and high officials, which corrupted the process of the government. The population of readers had greatly increased, increasing the educated public in France, which is what some scholars called the reading revolution. The old times had sacred texts, full of authority, inspring reverence and teaching earthly duty and obedience to God. Reading used to be the father slowly reading the text aloud and the audience savored each word. However, now, reading became individual and silent. Do you think that this caused a sort of decline in sociality and unity? Do you think the profane books were the actual cause of the corrupt government? Did the books contribute to the knowledge of the women in their
salons? Was the reading revolution a positive or a negative?
