美国文学Enlightenment

Enlightenment



Significance: accelerating social progress; freeing people from the limitations set by prevailing Puritanism; making spiritual preparation for American Revolution Influence on literature In form: imitating English classical writers In content: utilitarian tendency (for political or educational purpose) Representatives: Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson etc.
Chapter Two
Revolutionary Period (1775-1783)
―The Age of Reason‖ ―American Enlightenment‖


In the 18th century, people believed in man‘s own nature and the power of human reason. With Franklin as its spokesman, the 18th century America experienced an age of reason. Words had never been so useful and so important in human history. People wrote a lot of political writings. Numerous pamphlets and printings were published. These works agitated revolutionary people not only in America but also around the world.
Jeffersonian Democracy


faith in the individual and common man, dislike an overly strong government, and emphasis on the importance of education and on agrarianism and land ownership as they brought responsibility and true judgment. Politically, he is considered the father of the democratic spirit in his country. The society he thought of as ideal was one where landowning farmers could live under as little government as possible. Style: dignity, flexibility, clarity, command of generalization

--- We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. ---
The Declaration of Independence In CONGRESS, July 4,1776


The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America. When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another,
Political Career



He served his country as Minister to France(1784-1789), Secretary of State(1789-1793), Vice President(1791-1801) and third President(1801-1809).
Thomas Paine 1737-1809(1)




Propagandist, pamphleteer, a master of persuasion who understands the power of language to move a man to action. Main works: Common Sense The American Crisis The rights of man The Age of Reason




Philosophical and intellectual movement. Originated in Europe The 18th-century American Enlightenment was a movement marked by an emphasis on rationality rather than tradition, scientific inquiry instead of unquestioning religious dogma, and representative government in place of monarchy. Enlightenment thinkers and writers were devoted to the ideals of justice, liberty, and equality as the natural rights of man. The colonists who would form a new nation were firm believers in the power of reason; they were ambitious, inquisitive, optimistic, practical, politically astute, and self-reliant.

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, ---That whenever any form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government…
Historical Introduction (2)



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Spiritual life of the colonies—Enlightenment. Resources: Newton‘s theory; deism; French philosophy (Rousseau, Voltaire) Basic principles: stressing education; stressing Reason (Order) ; employing Reason to reconsider the traditions and social realities; concerns for civil rights, such as equality and social justice


It is a statement of American principles and a review of the Causes of the quarrel with Britain, presented the American view to the world with classic dignity. It instilled among the common people a sense of their own importance and inspired struggle for personal freedom, self government and a dignified place in society.

and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature‘s God entitle them, a decent Respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
The Declaration of Independence

The essay, adopted July 4, 1776, not only announced the birth of a new nation, but also set forth a philosophy of human freedom which served as unimportant force in the western world.
Thomas Jefferson 1743-1826


Enlightener, planter, aristocrat, lawyer, a symbol of American democracy. Man of many talents: scientist, inventor, musician, linguist, architect, diplomat and writer.
Part II. Historical Introduction(1)


Industrial Revolution（1750-1830）: spurred the economy in American colonies. Independence War: the industrial growth led to intense strain with Britain. The British government tried to suppress their growth economically, and ruled them from abroad politically and levied heavy tax on them. these aroused bitter resentment in colonies. Constant conflicts resulted in American revolutionary war.
2. Philip Freneau (1752-1832)



“Poet of the American Revolution” “Father of American Poetry” “Pioneer of the New Romanticism” “A gifted and versatile lyric poet”