American Literature up to this point (from 1470-1800) :
2 American Literature up to this point (from 1470-1800) Native American poetry and legends
Puritans – narratives that looked inward and involved religious beliefs
Age of Reason – rise of political /public writing: documents, almanacs, pamphlets
Few poets and essayists
Modern short-story has not yet been invented
No American novel or drama of any significance Only a small amount of American Literature has accumulated
18th Century (1700s) :
3 18th Century (1700s) Age of Reason or The Enlightenment
Valued reason over faith
Unlike the Puritans, writers did not worry about the hereafter
Valued the power of reason and science
Assumed that people are good not evil
Revolutionary Period :
4 Revolutionary Period Characterized by the ideas and writings of Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Thomas Paine
In contrast to the Puritans’ writing: (private letters, essays and sermons), much of what was produced during this time was public writing: pamphlets, newspapers, almanacs, speeches
Focus on persuasive writing, intended to convince citizens to join revolutionary causes
Politics :
5 Politics Journalists and printers provided a forum for the expression of ideas.
Most of the writing was political – responses to the strained relationship with Great Britain and trying to break free to form a new government
The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution to placate (soothe) those who feared granting the government too much power.
Important Literature :
6 Important Literature Thomas Paine ‘s Common Sense – a pamphlet that swayed public opinion in favor of independence (1776)
Thomas Jefferson ‘s The Declaration of Independence – one of the most influential political statements ever made (1776)
Patrick Henry ‘s speech against the Stamp Act – “Give me liberty or give me death.”