Revolutionary Literature Thomas Paine & Edmund Burke

Thomas Paine One of the most successful persuasive writers of all times One of the most successful persuasive writers of all times Common Sense Common Sense –Jan –Government is a “social contract” with people to protect their “natural rights”

Thomas Paine The American Crisis The American Crisis –Written between 1776 – 1783 –13 part essay –“These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.”

Edmund Burke 1729? – ? – 1797 British British A Chief founder of conservatism A Chief founder of conservatism Supportive of American Revolution Supportive of American Revolution –Saw it as a struggle for existing English liberties Strongly opposed to French Revolution Strongly opposed to French Revolution –“One of the greatest calamities that has ever fallen upon mankind” –And its leaders were “harpies” sprung from night and hell

Edmund Burke Wrote Reflections on the Revolution in France Wrote Reflections on the Revolution in France Three major points he shoots down: Three major points he shoots down: 1.To answer “the people have the right to choose their own governors” 2.The “right of cashiering their governors for misconduct” 3.The “right to form a government for ourselves”

Edmund Burke Writes, “Our political system is placed in a just correspondence and symmetry with the order of the world, and with the mode of existence decreed to a permanent body composed of transitory parts; wherein, by the dispensation of a stupendous wisdom, moulding together the great mysterious incorporation of the human race, the whole, at one time, is never old, or middle-aged, or young, but in a condition of unchangeable constancy, moves on through the varied tenour of perpetual decay, fall, renovation, and progression. Writes, “Our political system is placed in a just correspondence and symmetry with the order of the world, and with the mode of existence decreed to a permanent body composed of transitory parts; wherein, by the dispensation of a stupendous wisdom, moulding together the great mysterious incorporation of the human race, the whole, at one time, is never old, or middle-aged, or young, but in a condition of unchangeable constancy, moves on through the varied tenour of perpetual decay, fall, renovation, and progression.

Paine’s reaction Responds to Burke with The Rights of Man Responds to Burke with The Rights of Man –A textbook for revolutions –“I am not contending for nor against any form of Government, here or elsewhere. That which a whole Nation chooses to do, it has a right to do” –Draws a distinction between men and principles –The rights of the living are more important than laws made by dead men.

The least you need to know about American Enlightenment Authors Thomas Paine wrote: Thomas Paine wrote: –Common Sense before the war  Urged American colonists to support a war –The American Crisis  Wrote to lift morale of soldiers during the war. Edmund Burke wrote: Edmund Burke wrote: – Reflections on the Revolution in France  Believed revolutions should evolve more slowly Thomas Paine wrote: Thomas Paine wrote: –The Rights of Man in response to Burke

See ya, Enlightenment Read William Wordsworth “Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey” Read William Wordsworth “Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey” Some reading poetry reminders: Some reading poetry reminders: 1.Helps to read aloud (although tough in our classroom!) 2.Interact with the text –Annotate 3.Who is the speaker? –Is he/she addressing a specific person 4.Does the poem have a setting? 5.Is the theme directly or indirectly stated? 6.From what point of view is the speaker describing specific events? 7.Look for patterns –Word choice, figurative language, etc –Structure –Sound and meter. 8.What is your overall response?

Reading a poem academically 1. Look at the poem’s title 2. Read the poem straight through 3. Use writing to think 4. Look for patterns. 5. Identify the narrator (or speaker) 6. Read the poem again 7. Find the crucial moments. 8. Consider form and function. 9. Look at the language of the poem. 10. Go deeper or call it quits.