Literary Movement: Age of Reason

Historical Context ■ 1763 French and Indian War ends ■ 1773 Boston Tea Party ■ 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 Age of Reason is also known as the Enlightenment, a movement that began in Europe with the development of rationalism by scientists and philosophers.

Worldview ■ 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 ■ Most literature from this time period is rooted in reality. ■ Literature was often intended to serve practical or political ends. ■ This is considered the age of pamphlets.

Famous Authors ■ Benjamin Franklin: Autobiography, Poor Richard’s Almanac ■ Patrick Henry: “Speech to the Virginia Convention” ■ Thomas Paine: The Crisis, No.1; Common Sense ■ Thomas Jefferson: The Declaration of Independence

The Autobiography: Before You Read 1. What are your goals for the future? What qualities will you need to be successful at accomplishing these goals? In general, what qualities are most important to be successful? 2. If you really wanted to become morally “perfect,” how would you go about it? What would be your plan of action? Is it possible for a person who is determined to become “perfect” to actually do so?

The Autobiography and Poor Richard’s Almanac: About the Author 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

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.

The Autobiography Review: “Leaving Boston” / “Arrival in Philadelphia” 1.Why did Franklin choose to leave Boston? 2.Trace Franklin’s journey from Boston to Philadelphia. Transportation? Accommodations? 3.What do the details of Franklin’s journey suggest about his character? 4.Franklin has no money and is very hungry. Why does he insist on paying for his passage on the boat? 5.What does Franklin’s trip to the bakery suggest about travel and currency in the eighteenth century? 6.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?

The Autobiography Review: “Arriving at Moral Perfection” 7.Describe Franklin’s plan for achieving perfection. 8.What metaphor does Franklin use to compare the process of eliminating the black dots on his virtue chart? 9.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? 10.How would a Puritan (such as Jonathan Edwards) respond to Franklin’s plan for moral success? 11.Which of Franklin’s virtues do you think is most important? Least important? Why?

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.

Poor Richard’s Almanac Review 1.Would Poor Richard agree or disagree with the following statements? Support your answer with reference to specific aphorisms. a.Even close friends need some privacy from each other. b.Live for tomorrow. c.May all your wishes come true. d.There is dignity in hard work. e.A mind is a terrible thing to waste. 2.Which of his sayings is your favorite, and why? 3.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. ■Ethical appeals establish the character and credibility of the spaker/author.

“Speech to the Virginia Convention” Review 1.What does Henry believe is at the heart of the debate? 2.Identify metaphors used by Henry in the third and fourth paragraphs. How do these metaphors contribute to his purpose? 3.In the fifth paragraph, Henry makes use of rhetorical questions. How do they make Henry’s speech more persuasive? 4.What does Henry foresee happening if the country does not fight the British? 5.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? 6.What elements of Henry’s style—word choice, figurative language, rhetorical questions—are most effective in his speech?

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)

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.