Literary movements: puritanism & age of reason 1620-1800

Historical Context 1620 Mayflower lands at Plymouth 1630 Great Migration of Puritans to New England 1690 Slavery exists in all English Colonies in North America 1721 Smallpox epidemic hits Boston 1740-45 Great Awakening 1763 French and Indian War ends 1773 Boston Tea Party 1775-1781 Revolutionary War 1776 Declaration of Independence is adopted 1793 Invention of cotton gin 1796 Development of smallpox vaccine 1800 Washington, D.C. is named the capital

Worldview The early Colonial era (1620-1750) is sometimes dubbed the “Age of Faith.” Religious authority and tradition as means of knowing truth Puritanism was a strong shaping force of the early American worldview. Puritans believed: Humans are inherently sinful. Salvation belongs to God’s elect, who are saved by grace. A person should be hardworking, modest, and simple. “Puritan Work Ethic” Society should be modeled after the Bible.

worldview The time period from roughly 1750-1800 is known as the “Age of Reason,” or Enlightenment, a movement that began in Europe with the development of rationalism by scientists and philosophers. Rationalism: the belief that human beings can arrive at truth by using reason, rather than by relying on the authority of the past, on religious faith, or on intuition. Rationalists believed in the perfectibility of humans through the use of reason (optimistic view of human nature). Deism: the belief that God created the world but does not interfere with its workings. God = clockmaker (Sir Isaac Newton)

Common Elements of the Literature Characteristics of Puritan literature: Nonfiction Authors modeled their writings after the Bible. Authors used their writings to explore God’s workings in their inner and outer lives. Diaries and histories were the most common forms of expression. Puritans favored a “plain style” of writing. Characteristics of Age of Reason literature: Literature was often intended to serve practical or political ends. This is considered the age of pamphlets.

Famous Authors William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation (1620-47) Mary Rowlandson, A Narrative of Captivity (1682) William Byrd, The History of the Dividing Line (1728) Jonathan Edwards, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” (1741) Olaudah Equiano, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano (1789) Benjamin Franklin: Autobiography (1791), Poor Richard’s Almanac Patrick Henry: “Speech to the Virginia Convention” (1775) Thomas Paine: The Crisis, No.1 (1776); Common Sense (1776) Thomas Jefferson: The Declaration of Independence (1776)

“Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” About the Author: Jonathan Edwards A “fire-and-brimstone” Puritan preacher, known for his extremism Involved in starting the Great Awakening in the 1730s “The Last Puritan”—Stood between Puritan America and modern America

“Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” This is a sermon that Edwards delivered at a church service in Connecticut in 1741. Edwards’ audience was members of his congregation who had not been “born again,” or who had not accepted Christ as their Savior. Literary Concepts: Imagery is language that appeals to the senses. Figures of speech are words or phrases that compare one thing to another, unlike thing. The most common figures of speech are metaphors, similes, and personification.

“Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” Discussion and Review According to Edwards, what keeps sinners out of hell? According to Edwards, how can sinners obtain salvation? What is the overall tone of the sermon? How do the images of Jesus Christ opening the doors and the sinners flocking to him for mercy (second to the last paragraph on p. 111) affect the mood of the sermon? Why do you think Edwards uses the image of God’s hands to describe God’s power? What makes this an effective image? Judging from his sermon, what underlying philosophical beliefs does Edwards hold? What underlying assumptions does he have about the nature of both humans and Gods? Edwards uses fear to motivate his congregation. In your opinion, is this an appropriate tactic? Can you think of situations in which fear has been or could be used in a positive way to motivate a person? Negative?

From the autobiography Benjamin Franklin Born in Boston, one of 17 children Later settled in Philadelphia “Jack of all trades” A printer by trade A diplomat—represented Philadelphia in London; later represented the U.S. in negotiations with France A Founding Father—helped draft the Declaration of Independence and was a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1787 Popular throughout the world because of his wit and charm The ultimate self-made American A man of practicality

From the autobiography Context of the Work Franklin’s own account of his journey to success and toward perfection A classic rags-to-riches story; shows the triumph of the self-made American “The unquestioned masterpiece of the American Age of Reason” (Elements of Literature) Literary Focus In an autobiography, the writer tells the story of his or her own life.

From the autobiography Review: “Leaving Boston” / “Arrival in Philadelphia” Why did Franklin choose to leave Boston? Trace Franklin’s journey from Boston to Philadelphia. Transportation? Accommodations? What do the details of Franklin’s journey suggest about his character? Franklin has no money and is very hungry. Why does he insist on paying for his passage on the boat? What does Franklin’s trip to the bakery suggest about travel and currency in the eighteenth century? Franklin appears on the streets of Philadelphia in tattered clothes, with his pockets stuffed with stockings, a roll under each arm, and his mouth full of the roll he is eating. This description has become very famous. Why do you think it appeals to people?

From the autobiography Review: “Arriving at Moral Perfection” Describe Franklin’s plan for achieving perfection. What metaphor does Franklin use to compare the process of eliminating the black dots on his virtue chart? Franklin writes about “arriving at moral perfection” just as he had earlier written about his arrival in Philadelphia. What does this similarity of language reveal about Franklin’s philosophical assumptions? How would a Puritan (such as Jonathan Edwards) respond to Franklin’s plan for moral success? Which of Franklin’s virtues do you think is most important? Least important? Why?

From poor richard’s almanac Context of the Work Almanacs calculated the tides and phases of the moon, forecast the weather for the next year, and even provided astrological advice.” Poor Richard was the fictional narrator of the almanac. He was an astrologer with a critical wife named Bridget. Many of his sayings are taken from other languages, other cultures, and other writers. Literary Focus An aphorism is a short, witty saying that offers a significant truth about life.

From poor richard’s almanac Review Would Poor Richard agree or disagree with the following statements? Support your answer with reference to specific aphorisms. Even close friends need some privacy from each other. Live for tomorrow. May all your wishes come true. There is dignity in hard work. A mind is a terrible thing to waste. Which of his sayings is your favorite, and why? Can you identify any common thread linking these aphorisms together? What character qualities does Poor Richard encourage?

“speech to the virginia convention” About the Author: Patrick Henry A lawyer who served as a representative in the Virginia House of Burgesses Two famous speeches “Treason” speech opposing the Stamp Act “Speech to the Virginia Convention” (“Give me liberty, or give me death”) encouraging the colonists to arm themselves against the British Said to have plunged an ivory letter opener toward his chest while crying, “Give me liberty, or give me death!”

“Speech to the virginia convention” Context of the Work Delivered March 23, 1775 to the Virginia House of Burgesses Henry delivered this speech following several speeches from the Loyalist side. The Convention then voted to take up arms against the British. No manuscript exists; the speech was pieced together by Henry’s biographer, William Wirt. Literary Focus Logical appeals are meant to appeal to the audience’s mind; consist of reasons and evidence. Emotional appeals are meant to appeal to the audience’s feelings; often presented with strong, connotative language.

“Speech to the virginia convention” Review What does Henry believe is at the heart of the debate? Identify metaphors used by Henry in the third and fourth paragraphs. How do these metaphors contribute to his purpose? In the fifth paragraph, Henry makes use of rhetorical questions. How do they make Henry’s speech more persuasive? What does Henry foresee happening if the country does not fight the British? Because his audience was familiar with the Bible and classical mythology, Henry knew certain allusions would produce certain effects. Find two allusions in Henry’s speech. How would each allusion relate to the conflicts in Virginia in 1775? What elements of Henry’s style—word choice, figurative language, rhetorical questions—are most effective in his speech?

“Speech to the virginia convention” Review What does Henry believe is at the heart of the debate? Identify metaphors used by Henry in the third and fourth paragraphs. How do these metaphors contribute to his purpose? In the fifth paragraph, Henry makes use of rhetorical questions. How do they make Henry’s speech more persuasive? What does Henry foresee happening if the country does not fight the British? Because his audience was familiar with the Bible and classical mythology, Henry knew certain allusions would produce certain effects. Find two allusions in Henry’s speech. How would each allusion relate to the conflicts in Virginia in 1775? What elements of Henry’s style—word choice, figurative language, rhetorical questions—are most effective in his speech?

“Speech to the virginia convention” Review How does Henry appeal to ethos in the first paragraph? What does Henry believe is at the heart of the debate? Examine the six underlined arguments, and determine whether they primarily appeal to logic or emotion. What pattern do you see in his use of the two types of appeals, and why might Henry have used this approach? Because his audience was familiar with the Bible and classical mythology, Henry knew certain allusions would produce certain effects. Find two allusions in Henry’s speech. How would each allusion relate to the conflicts in Virginia in 1775? Henry makes heavy use of rhetorical questions. How do they make Henry’s speech more persuasive? Which of Henry’s rhetorical strategies—types of appeals, word choice, figurative language, rhetorical questions—are most effective in his speech?

“Speech to the virginia convention” Review How does Henry appeal to ethos in the first paragraph? What does Henry believe is at the heart of the debate? Examine the six underlined arguments, and determine whether they primarily appeal to logic or emotion. What pattern do you see in his use of the two types of appeals, and why might Henry have used this approach? Because his audience was familiar with the Bible and classical mythology, Henry knew certain allusions would produce certain effects. Find two allusions in Henry’s speech. How would each allusion relate to the conflicts in Virginia in 1775? Henry makes heavy use of rhetorical questions. How do they make Henry’s speech more persuasive? Which of Henry’s rhetorical strategies—types of appeals, word choice, figurative language, rhetorical questions—are most effective in his speech?

From the crisis, no. 1 About the Author: Thomas Paine A radical revolutionary—supported American independence and the French Revolution; encouraged the overthrow of the British King Famous Works: Common Sense: pamphlet in favor of American independence The Rights of Man: a document calling the British to overthrow their king The Age of Reason: a critique of institutional religion; “laid out the principles of deism” (EOL)

From the crisis, no. 1 Context of the Work Written in 1776 to urge exhausted, discouraged Continental troops to keep up the fight against the British One in a series of sixteen pamphlets Read to Washington’s troops in December 1776 before their attack on Trenton, New Jersey Literary Focus An analogy is a comparison made between two things to show how they are alike. An anecdote is a brief story told to illustrate a point or serve as an example of something.