Revolutionary Period in American Literature

Influential Factors Movement marked by emphasis on rationality, scientific inquiry and representative government. Common thought that America and her people were destined for greatness because of the triumph of American independence. With the exception of outstanding political writing, however, few works of note appeared during or soon after the Revolution…. Because we were a brand new country. Cultural revolutions cannot be successfully imposed, but must grow from shared experience. American cultural independence would have to be earned over the next 50 years before the first generation of American writers could be produced.

Challenges America’s literary independence was slowed because: There was a lingering identification with England – colonial writers of the revolutionary generation had been born English, so they associated and related to British customs / ideas. The challenges of building a new nation attracted talented and educated people to politics, law and diplomacy – writing did not pay. Difficult economic and political conditions hampered publishing: until 1825, most American authors paid printers to publish their work.

Challenges (cont.) There was the lack of an audience – European authors were well-known and preferred, so American writers struggled to gain an audience. There was an absence of adequate copyright laws. Piracy, which was allowed in the copyright law of 1790, reached its highest point in 1815, corresponding with the lowest point of American writing.

Political Pamphlets Most popular form of political literature of the day. Over 2,000 pamphlets were published during the Revolution. Filled the role of drama, as they were often read aloud in public to excite audiences. Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” sold over 100,000 copies in the first 3 months of its publication.

Authors Thomas Jefferson: Declaration of Independence Thomas Paine: Age of Reason; “Common Sense”; “Crisis Papers” Ben Franklin: The Autobiography, Poor Richard’s Almanack Patrick Henry: “Speech at Virginia Convention” Hector St. John de Crevecoeur: Letters from an American Farmer Noah Webster: American Dictionary Phyllis Wheatley: “To S.M., A Young African Painter, on Seeing His Works” ; “On Being Brought from Africa to America”