2.Revolutionary Period.pptVIP

Part Two Revolutionary Period (1775-1783) Background: Enlightenment ◆ Originated in Europe in the 17th century ◆ Resources: Newton’s theory; deism; French philosophy (Rousseau, Voltaire) ◆ Basic principles: stressing education; stressing Reason (Order) (The age has been called Age of Reason.); employing Reason to reconsider the traditions and social realities; concerns for civil rights, such as equality and social justice ◆ Significance: accelerating social progress; freeing people from the limitations set by prevailing Puritanism; making spiritual preparation for American Revolution ◆ Representatives: Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson etc. ◆ Influence on literature In form: imitating English classical（古典主义）writers In content: utilitarian tendency (for political or educational purpose) Leading writers and their works Political prose: Thomas Paine(1737-1809): Common Sense (1776) Poetry: Philip Freneau (1752-1832) “The Wild Honey Suckle” Novel: either frivolous of didactic; imitative Charles Brockden Brown (1771-1810): Wieland Theater: began to emerge, but not of high quality; Royall Tyler: The Contrast 1. Thomas Paine (1737-1809): One of the most continual, unswerving fight for the rights of man; He wrote a number of works and helped to inspire 2 greatest revolutions; His Works His chief contribution to American revolution was a series of 16 pamphlets entitled American Crisis and signed “Common Sense”. In Common Sense he boldly advocated a “Declaration for Independence”. He also participated in French revolution and wrote “The Rights of Man” and “The Age of Reason.” Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826): ● Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826): ◆ His thought and personality have influenced his countrymen more deeply, and remained effectively alive, than those of any other American ◆ For him, government, a necessary evil, found sanction only in the common consent of a social contract, its purpose was the benefit of the individu