The secret to understanding American Literature Every literary period is a reaction to the period that came before it 16201750 New colonists attempted to establish their government and protest European ways ID: 684261
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Slide1
Rise to Rationalism
Revolutionary LiteratureSlide2
The secret to understanding American Literature:
Every literary period is
a reaction to the
period that came before it.Slide3
1620-1750
New colonists attempted to establish their government and protest European ways
Influenced by Puritan way of life and religion
Hard work, simple life, and ChristianityMan is inherently evil
Amateur
writers (ordinary people)
They wrote about what they knew best: their own life Types of Writing:Diaries/journals, personal narratives, sermonsRepresentative Authors:William Bradford, Jonathan Edwards, Mary Rowlandson
Recap: Colonial LiteratureSlide4
An intellectual movement in the mid 1600s that began in Europe
Led to an American Revolution
Emphasized reason, science, and observation.
People believed that reason and science could be applied to society.
A shift from a God-centered way of life to a man-centered view of life.
The changing of an era:
The EnlightenmentSlide5
How did it change?
Colonial Lit/Puritanism
Revolutionary Lit/Rationalism
God controls the universe in mysterious ways
God created the laws of nature
Man is inherently evil and damned,
the elect were “saved”
Man is inherently good and our environment influences us
Humans are perfectible
Humans
are, and will always be, imperfect
The holy Bible contains all truth
We should seek further truth/knowledgeSlide6
1750-1815
Writers focused on justifying the American Revolutionary War
Emphasis on reason as opposed to faith alone; rise of science, philosophy, theologyShift to a print-based culture—literacy is seen as a sign of social status.
Instructive in values, ornate writing style, highly political/patrioticRepresentative Authors:
Benjamin Franklin
, Patrick Henry, Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson
Recap: Revolutionary LitSlide7
Trivia Question
Who is on the
$100 bill?Slide8
It’s all about the
Benjamins
!
Benjamin FranklinSlide9
1706-1790
Born in Boston, MA
One of the Founding Fathers of the United States
Had many professions including:Leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat…and many more.
Benjamin Franklin: BackgroundSlide10
By
the time he was 16, Ben was not only printing, but writing parts of his brother’s newspaper.
Used pseudonym “Silence
Dogood”Moved to Philadelphia to open his own print shop when he was 17
Worked
as a printer from his teens until he was 42
Ben Franklin: The printerSlide11
Lightning rod
Bifocals
The Franklin stoveA carriage odometer
Glass armonicaFirst fire department/insurance company Daylight savings time
He made many discoveries about electricity.
The famous kite experiment that proved lightning was static electricity.
Listen to kids tell the story
Franklin: The scientistSlide12
Played an important role in drafting the Declaration of Independence
Enlisted French support during Revolutionary War
Negotiated peace with Britain
Considered “father of his nation” before George Washington earned the title
Ben Franklin: The politicianSlide13
As an old man Ben Franklin wrote his life story to serve as an example for younger people and to offer advice.
He titled it
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
1st section written in 1771 when he was 65Eventually wrote three more sections and still did not finish
Only accounted his life up to 1759
Ben Franklin: The writerSlide14
Like his life story, aphorisms in
Poor Richard’s
Almanack
help to paint a portrait of Franklin’s attitude and the world he lived in.Aphorisms–
short sayings with a message
“An apple a day keeps
the doctor away.”“There’s no one that is deceived but he that trusts”
Ben Franklin: The WriterSlide15
Get out your notebook, a piece of paper, and something to write with– you have an open-note quiz.
It’s two questions.
JuniorsSlide16
Yesterday we talked about the differences between colonial literature and revolutionary literature and the change from puritanism to rationalism.
Using your notes and what we talked about yesterday, explain to me (in a well-developed paragraph)
WHY
the change occurred. Also, explain a couple of the differences between puritanism and rationalism.
QuizSlide17
A speech! What?
Aphorism Project/SpeechSlide18
You will be assigned one of Benjamin Franklin’s aphorisms from
Poor Richard’s
Almanack
. You will prepare a speech of no less than one minute
to present to the class.
Your speech should explain:
The meaning of the aphorismProvide examples and details that bring the aphorism to life for the classYou are encouraged to be creative in your approach to the assignment and presentation for the classYou may use a note card during the presentation
Aphorism Assignment/SpeechSlide19
Checklist to exceed standard (25 points each)
The presentation lasts the full minute, without repetition and/or stall tactics
The aphorism is explained correctly and completely
Your speech is organized will with a beginning, middle, and end.
The qualities of the delivery are impressive, including pacing, eye-contact, and volume.
Checklist/RubricSlide20
Yes, you get the opportunity to write this… again.
Laws of life essaySlide21
Writing an AUTOBIOGRAPHY
It’s your turn to write your own autobiography.Slide22
Purpose
You will use a +/- chart to pre-write an autobiography.
This is worth a 100 point test grade.Slide23
Ms. Polson’s Brainstorm
Negative (-)
Aunt diagnosed with cancer and died shortly after
Moved away from best friend
Grandmother passed away
Attack on World Trade Center
Father lost his jobMother diagnosed with crippling diseaseReally bad car accidentHad to go to CSU
HS boyfriend broke up with meCould not find a job out of collegeCousin diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease
Positive (+)
Moved to Henry County
First
p
art-time job
Accepted to two dream schools: UGA and FSU
Graduated from high school
Studied in London
Met my boyfriend
Adopted Roxy
Won many awards in college
Graduated from college
magna cum laude
Got a job as a long-term subSlide24
-/+ Chart
1989
2012
1995-Aunt diagnosed with cancer and died shortly after
1998- Moved to Henry County
2001- Attack on WTC. Father lost job.
2005- Mother diagnosed with crippling disease
2007- Had to go to college close to home
2009-Studied in London.
Met current boyfriend.
2009-HS boyfriend broke up with me.
2012- Graduated College.
Long-term sub position.
2006- First part-time job. Chick-
fil
-A
2012- could not find a job out of college.
Cousin diagnosed with ALS.
2010-11- Won academic awards
2007- Graduated HS.
Accepted to UGA, CSU, and FSU.Slide25
Understand the FULL meaning of the WHOLE aphorism.
Look up words that are unfamiliar.
Relate the aphorism back to an important virtue, either one of Franklin’s virtues or a modern day virtue. Explain how the aphorism applies to that virtue.
Use specific examples to illustrate the meaning of the aphorism, such as personal examples or current events.
Be lively and engaging in your presentation,
which demands practice before class!
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