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UNIT 1 – THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD
“The Age of Reason”
The Age of Reasonaka
The Revolutionary Period
This first period in American Literature is very different than some of the others we will study
It began in the 1700’s But how is it different? What do I mean
it’s different?
“Age of Reason” vs. Modern Literature
THE AGE OF REASON MODERN LITERATURE
Focuses on reason and fact
Contains feeling, but mostly anger or repression
Mostly non fiction and highly related to events and politics
Only CERTAIN lit. focuses on fact
Dramatic, fictional, mostly entertaining (fiction)
Modern that most people read is fiction.
Focus on reason or logic By the end of the 1700s, the Puritan
influence on America began to wane (decrease).
People had come from all over Europe to the American colonies.
Were the colonists happy, overall, with the
situation they were in?► DISCUSS
What was life like in the colonies?
Life was hard! The colonistsHad to work for everythingthey had.Angry at England – they wanted out from under British rule & influenceAll of these factors (and more) would influence the literature and art that came from the Revolutionary period.
So….
How did the hard life and the trials and troubles of the American Revolution affect the literature that was produced?
Characteristics of Revolutionary Literature
Writers tried to avoid the more formal voice that British literature had.
American Literature of the period often mocks England and British politics and ideals
Political & Persuasive writing to encourage support for the war, America, and “the cause”
Meant to instill a sense of pride in America and show reader that the nation NEEDED to get out from under Great Britain!
How do events of a given time influence what is written?
To answer this question, you should know that themost important pieces of literature during the “Age of Reason” were political documents, speeches,and pamphlets (short, concise works that usuallyargue for or against a political cause.)
Non-fiction (such as the forms mentioned above)was far more influential than fiction.What are some works that fit this description? List as many as you can.
Our List:
Exit ticket: choose two questions below to answer. Be sure to
number your questions!
1. List three characteristics of the Age of Reason.2. Name two authors that represent the Age of Reason.3. Why were political documents so importantduring the Age of Reason?4. How did the American Revolution impact the literature of the period?
