山东农业大学：《英美文学史》课程教学资源（PPT讲稿）Unit 9 Colonial Period：1700-1800（also known as the Age of Reason, Enlightenment, & Naturalism）

Unit 9 Colonial Period: 1700-1800(also known as the age of reason Enlightenment, Naturalism) ■工. Common beliefs 1. Faith in natural goodness human is born without taint or sin the concept of tabula rasa or blank slate a 2. Perfectibility of a human being-it is possible to improve situations of birth, economy, society, and religion

Unit 9 Colonial Period: 1700-1800 (also known as the Age of Reason, Enlightenment, & Naturalism) ◼ I. Common Beliefs ◼ 1. Faith in natural goodness - a human is born without taint or sin; the concept of tabula rasa or blank slate. ◼ 2. Perfectibility of a human being - it is possible to improve situations of birth, economy, society, and religion

3. The sovereignty of reason -echoes of Rene descartes cogito ergo sum or i think therefore, i am(as the first certitude in resolving universal doubt. 4 Universal benevolence- the attitude of helping everyone 5. Outdated social institutions cause unsociable behavior religious, socia economic, and political institutionS which have not modernized force individuals into unacceptable behavior

◼ 3. The sovereignty of reason - echoes of Rene Descartes' cogito ergo sum or I think, therefore, I am (as the first certitude in resolving universal doubt.) ◼ 4. Universal benevolence - the attitude of helping everyone. ◼ 5. Outdated social institutions cause unsociable behavior - religious, social, economic, and political institutions, which have not modernized, force individuals into unacceptable behavior

II. Functions of the writers of this period 1. A searching inquiry in all aspects of the world around 2. Interest in the classics as well as in the Bible 3. Interest in nature -the absentee landlord phenomenon 4. Interest in science and scientific experiments 5. Optimism - experiments in utopian communities 6. Sense of a person's duty to succeed 7. Constant search of the self -emphasis on individualism in: a. personal religion. b. study of the bible for personal interpretation

◼ II. Functions of the Writers of this Period ◼ 1. A searching inquiry in all aspects of the world around. ◼ 2. Interest in the classics as well as in the Bible. ◼ 3. Interest in nature - the "absentee landlord" phenomenon. ◼ 4. Interest in science and scientific experiments. ◼ 5. Optimism - experiments in utopian communities ◼ 6. Sense of a person's duty to succeed. ◼ 7. Constant search of the self - emphasis on individualism in: a. personal religion. b. study of the Bible for personal interpretation

■工 II Characteristics of the18th Century Dawn of liberalism freedom from restraint; age of revolutions in America and in France(1789); experimentation in science: economic concept of laissez-faire, the presence of the frontier the development of rational religion known as deism: scientific curiosity growth in nationalism growth in materialism; the age of the gifted amateur, and belief progressivism

◼ III. Characteristics of the 18th Century ◼ Dawn of liberalism: freedom from restraint; age of revolutions in America and in France (1789); experimentation in science; economic concept of laissez-faire; the presence of the frontier; the development of rational religion known as deism; scientific curiosity; growth in nationalism; growth in materialism; the age of the gifted amateur; and belief in progressivism

Philip freneau

Philip Freneau

I Freneau as leader of isth Century Naturalism 1 Fresh interest in nature 2. The belief that nature is a revelation of god a 3. Humanitarian sympathy for the humble and oppressed

I. Freneau as Leader of 18th Century Naturalism ◼ 1. Fresh interest in nature. ◼ 2. The belief that nature is a revelation of God. ◼ 3. Humanitarian sympathy for the humble and oppressed

a 4. The faith that people are naturally good a 5. That they lived idyllic and benevolent lives in a primitive past before the advent of civilizatⅰon 6. The radical doctrine that the golden age will dawn again when social institutions are modified since they are responsible for existing evil

◼ 4. The faith that people are naturally good. ◼ 5. That they lived idyllic and benevolent lives in a primitive past before the advent of civilization. ◼ 6. The radical doctrine that the golden age will dawn again when social institutions are modified, since they are responsible for existing evil

Ben franklin

Ben Franklin

I. Major Themes in Franklin's Writi Ing 1. Interest in the individual and society i the creation of an american national identit a 2. Tension between aristocracy and democracy i the awareness of America as distinct in values and interests from those of England 3. Tension between appearance and reality shift from an other worldly to a this worldly viewpoint 4. Tension between romantic idealism and pragmatic rationalism; theory should be tested primarily by experience not logici reason should be tested pragmatically

I. Major Themes in Franklin's Writing ◼ 1. Interest in the individual and society; the creation of an American national identity. ◼ 2. Tension between aristocracy and democracy; the awareness of America as distinct in values and interests from those of England. ◼ 3. Tension between appearance and reality; shift from an other worldly to a this worldly viewpoint. ◼ 4. Tension between romantic idealism and pragmatic rationalism; theory should be tested primarily by experience not logic; reason should be tested pragmatically

II. Omissions in Franklin's Writings 1 Discussion of racial themes 2. Love and emotion between men and women a 3. Discussion of the inspirational use of nature

II. Omissions in Franklin's Writings ◼ 1. Discussion of racial themes. ◼ 2. Love and emotion between men and women. ◼ 3. Discussion of the inspirational use of nature