《美国文学》教学课件Literature of the Eighteenth Century.ppt

Literature of the Eighteenth Century I. Background two great revolutions: American Revolution ----the independence of the nation; the Enlightenment Movement----- the age of reason (intellectually shaped the transition of the Nationhood to independence ) The History and the Influence of Enlightenment 1. history The Enlightenment developed in the 17th century, extended its influence to France and Europe ,in the 18th century extended to the colonies of America. 2. Newtonian ideas Newtonian ideas can be seen as a general symbol of world outlook in Enlightenment thinking. The History and the Influence of Enlightenment 2.Newtonian ideas: a. The universe is seen as a mechanism operating by a rational formula or by unchanging laws available to intelligent humans. b.This universe is a harmonious system evidencing a benevolent God. c. Mankind is supposed to have the ability to discover and unfold all “Nature’s Laws.” 3.The Influence of the Newtonian ideas:  A. On the one hand, Newtonian rationalism nurtured a faith in science and the idea of progress, on the other hand, it also helped shape a new image of God, different from that of Puritanism. This God is revealed in nature, not in the Bible. 3.The Influence of the Newtonian ideas:  B. Evil then is understood not as the result of man’s natural depravity but as the consequence of corrupt institutions. Therefore ----so the logic goes----man can be perfected through education. In this religious thinking, all men are created equal. That idea would eventually appear in the Declaration of Independence 3.The Influence of the Newtonian ideas:  C. Americans believed that more reasonable political and social orders should be established. D. Americans also learned to take actions to resist oppressive power and to criticize and reform government. Two basic patterns of thoughts under the influence of enlightenment A. Deism Deism was the religion of enlightenment , a