《美国文学史》Chapter 2 The literature of Reason and revolution

Chapter I The literature of Reason and revolution 2021/2/21

2021/2/21 1 Chapter Ⅱ The Literature of Reason and Revolution

1. Historical Background s Politics dominated the revolutionary phase of American writing .o The crisis in American life carried by the Revolution made artists self-conscious about American subjects o The spiritual life in the colonies during that period was molded by the bourgeois Enlightenment 2021221

2021/2/21 2 1. Historical Background ❖ Politics dominated the revolutionary phase of American writing. ❖ The crisis in American life carried by the Revolution made artists self-conscious about American subjects. ❖ The spiritual life in the colonies during that period was molded by the bourgeois Enlightenment

2 Benjamin Franklin(1706-1790) 2021/221

2021/2/21 3 2. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790):

Benjamin Franklin o American politician, scientist, inventor, and educator so He was a typical example of the so-called American Dream He helped draft the " Declaration of Independence . o He conducted the difficult negotiation with France that brought financial and military support for America in the war .o He founded the college that was to become the University of Pennsylvania 2021/221

2021/2/21 4 Benjamin Franklin ❖ American politician, scientist, inventor, and educator. ❖ He was a typical example of the so-called American Dream. He helped draft the “Declaration of Independence”. ❖ He conducted the difficult negotiation with France that brought financial and military support for America in the war. ❖ He founded the college that was to become the University of Pennsylvania

Franklin: The Autobiography: The common theme underlying his writings is that industriousness and discretion are rewarded 2021/221

2021/2/21 5 Franklin: The Autobiography: ❖ The common theme underlying his writings is that industriousness and discretion are rewarded

3. Thomas Paine(1737-1809 令 Paine was“ Great Commoner of man kind”.He was born England At the age of 37, franklin met him in London and recognized his peculiar talents in their American perspective o He wrote many political pamphlets during the Revolutionary period .o Some important works by Paine: American Crisis Common Sense, Rights of Man 2021221

2021/2/21 6 3. Thomas Paine (1737-1809): ❖ Paine was “Great Commoner of Mankind”. He was born England. ❖ At the age of 37, Franklin met him in London and recognized his peculiar talents in their American perspective. ❖ He wrote many political pamphlets during the Revolutionary period. ❖ Some important works by Paine: American Crisis, Common Sense, Rights of Man

Paine: The American Crisis Historians tell us that paine wrote the american crisis on or about November 20, 1776, on a military drumhead, which served as his desk o The British government is compared to a house thief who causes destruction of life and property and who must be stopped In short, The American Crisis is Enlightenment, deist document o Man relies on reason and indomitable optimism. The American struggling for victory must rely on his devotion to his cause and to his fellow man first and foremost 2021/221

2021/2/21 7 Paine: The American Crisis: ❖ Historians tell us that Paine wrote The American Crisis on or about November 20, 1776, on a military drumhead, which served as his desk. ❖ The British government is compared to a house thief who causes destruction of life and property and who must be stopped. ❖ In short, The American Crisis is Enlightenment, Deist document. ❖ Man relies on reason and indomitable optimism. The American struggling for victory must rely on his devotion to his cause and to his fellow man, first and foremost

4. Thomas Jefferson(1743-1826) Life: .o He was the 3rd president of the U.S(1801-1809) o During his two terms, he authorized the Louisiana Purchase . o After he left the presidency he was primarily interested in the University of virginia. His designs for his home, Monticello, and for the virginia state capitol and part of Washington D. C. stimulated the classical revival in U.s architecture. His papers are being published in a projected 60-volume edition(1950-) 2021221 8

2021/2/21 8 4. Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) ❖ Life: ❖ He was the 3rd president of the U.S. (1801-1809). ❖ During his two terms, he authorized the Louisiana Purchase. ❖ After he left the presidency he was primarily interested in the University of Virginia. His designs for his home, Monticello, and for the Virginia state capitol and part of Washington, D. C. stimulated the classical revival in U.S. architecture. His papers are being published in a projected 60-volume edition (1950- )

efferson:“ Declaration of Independence”: o Jefferson,'s great monument in literature and political theory. o Formal proclamation of the 13 colonies announcing their separation from Great Britain was adopted July 4, 1776. The actual writing was done by Jefferson, although corrections were made by Franklin, Adams, and the congress at large o The document was signed on Aug 2 by 56 colonial representatives 2021221 9

2021/2/21 9 Jefferson: “Declaration of Independence”: ❖ Jefferson’s great monument in literature and political theory. ❖ Formal proclamation of the 13 colonies, announcing their separation from Great Britain, was adopted July 4, 1776. The actual writing was done by Jefferson, although corrections were made by Franklin, Adams, and the Congress at large. ❖ The document was signed on Aug. 2 by 56 colonial representatives

The document is based on the natural-rights theory of government, derived from Locke and 18th-century French philosophers, and proclaims that the function of government is to guarantee the inalienable rights with which men are endowed These include "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness . The declaration contended that, since George Ill had wilfully violated these rights, revolution was justifiable and necessary 2021221 10

2021/2/21 10 ❖ The document is based on the natural-rights theory of government, derived from Locke and 18th-century French philosophers, and proclaims that the function of government is to guarantee the inalienable rights with which men are endowed. These include “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” ❖ The declaration contended that, since George III had willfully violated these rights, revolution was justifiable and necessary