A Nation is Born: The Age of Reason (1750-

1800)

American LiteratureMs. Oliveira

ComparisonEnlightenment

Reason and science over faith People by nature are good Sought to draw on the new

scientific knowledge of the Renaissance to improve the human condition by improving man's institutions, government

Writing was public writing-newspapers, magazines, almanacs- Political writing most important

Puritans Main concern was the hereafter Man sinning was inevitable Government was a theocracy Theological Studies, hymns,

histories, diaries and histories- purpose was to provide spiritual insight and instruction or self-examination

Age of Reason or The Enlightenment 1750-1789 Writers and thinkers valued reason over faith Provided the philosophical basis of the American Revolution

= a blueprint for the organization of a democratic society. Started in Europe with Voltaire, Galileo, Sir Isaac Newton,

Rousseau, John Locke In America, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Paine and Thomas

Jefferson – Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution

Cultural Identity During this period, America began to

establish a cultural identity of its own Theaters built Colleges established: University of North

Carolina (Chapel Hill) and Blount College (UT)

Painters and music writers emerged

Benjamin Franklin: The Rationalist 1706-1790 One of 17 children 1722 become vegetarian to save

money for books Left school early to work, and by

the age of 24, he was a prosperous merchant, owner of a print shop, and published a newspaper (Silence Dogood-satirize daily life in politics)

Moved to Philly at 17- promoted paved streets, sewer line, street lights

Inventor (42 retired from printing)- lightening rod, bifocals, Franklin stove, odometer

Started Autobiography in 1771 (65 yrs.) added 3 more sections- never completed

Franklin Funnies

Phillis Wheatley 1753?-Born in west Africa;

brought to America when 8 yrs. old

Given her name by owners and converted to Christianity

Native language was not English Owners recognized her

intelligence and taught her Latin and Greek classics, English poetry and Bible

13- first poem published Freed in 1773- last yrs of life filled

with sorrow: 3 children died, husband jailed for debt, lost recognition as poet

Died alone and impoverished in 1784

First writer of African descent to gain a voice in America

Patrick Henry“Give me liberty or give me

death!” 1765-elected to the

Virginia House of Burgesses

Opposed the Stamp Act on all printed paper

1775- Delivered most famous speech t the Virginia Provincial Convention-urged armed resistance to Britain (unlike many others)

Speech had a powerful impact on the audience- revolutionary spirit that led to the Declaration of Independence

Revolutionary Romps