Here's why:
* The Restoration: This period saw the return of Charles II to the throne after the Commonwealth period, which was dominated by Puritan ideals. The restoration of the monarchy brought with it a return to more secular values and a rejection of the strict moral code of the Puritans.
* Shifting Literary Values: Literature during this period reflected the changing social and political landscape. The emphasis moved away from religious themes and towards themes of wit, satire, and social commentary. Playwrights like William Congreve and John Dryden wrote comedies that mocked Puritan values.
* Rise of Rationalism: The Restoration coincided with the rise of Enlightenment ideas, which emphasized reason and empirical observation. This intellectual shift further challenged the authority of Puritan beliefs, which were often based on religious interpretations.
While Puritan influence didn't completely disappear, it significantly lessened after the Restoration. The period marked a turning point in British literature, paving the way for the more secular and rationalistic literary movements of the 18th century.