Am Lit of Reason and Revolutionsv.ppt

The Literature of Reason and Revolution (1763 ~ 1810) Literary history Major writers and their literary works Review questions for this Part II II Literature of Revolution –1(1763 ~ 1810) The historical background pp. 14-15 Literary history: (pp.16-18) 17th C. Am.Lit was primarily religious, 18th C. Am. Lit. was political. Although Am. Lit. did not achieve full maturity in the 18th century, its scope was at least widened. Public Occurrences, 1st Am. newspaper, 1690 1st magazines in 1741 II Literature of Revolution-2 Toward the end of the century, several notable literary personalities emerged amid the tumult of the Am. Revolution. Major writers Benjamin Franklin Thomas Paine Thomas Jefferson Phillip Freneau Benjamin Franklin (1706~1790) His life His achievements His literary works His life 1 one of the most extraordinary human beings the world hasever known the founding father of University of Pennsylvania His life 2 Born into the family of a Boston candle maker in 1706 received some formal education but was principally self-taught apprenticed to his father between the ages of 10 and 12 worked for his half-brother James, as a printer His life 3 moved to Philadelphia, where he obtained employment as a printer in 1723 (1 year only) then sailed to London for 2 more years in 1730 Franklin married Deborah Read His life 4 served as clerk (1736-51) and member (1751-64) of the colonial legislature and as deputy postmaster of Philadelphia (1737-53) and deputy postmaster general of the colonies (1753-74). In addition, he represented Pennsylvania at the Albany Congress (1754), called to unite the colonies during the the French and Indian War His life 5 during the years 1757-62 and 1764-75, Franklin resided in England returned to Philadelphia in May 1775 and immediately became a distinguished member of the Continental Congress in less than a year and a half after his return, the aged statesman set sail once again for Europe, beginning a career as di