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Unit 1 – The Revolutionary Period

Unit 1 – The Revolutionary Period. “The Age of Reason”. The Age of Reason aka The Revolutionary Period. This first period in American Literature is very different than some of the others we will study It began in the 1700’s But how is it different? What do I mean it’s different?.

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Unit 1 – The Revolutionary Period

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  1. Unit 1 – The Revolutionary Period “The Age of Reason”

  2. The Age of ReasonakaThe Revolutionary Period • This first period in American Literature is very different than some of the others we will study • It began in the 1700’s • But how is it different? What do I mean it’s different?

  3. “Age of Reason” vs. Modern Literature The age of reason Modern literature • Focuses on reason and fact • Contains feeling, but mostly anger or repression • Mostly non fiction and highly related to events and politics • Only CERTAIN lit. focuses on fact • Dramatic, fictional, mostly entertaining (fiction) • Modern that most people read is fiction.

  4. Focus on reason or logic • By the end of the 1700s, the Puritan influence on America began to wane (decrease). • People had come from all over Europe to the American colonies. • Were the colonists happy, overall, with the • situation they were in? ► DISCUSS

  5. What was life like in the colonies? Life was hard! The colonists Had to work for everything they had. Angry at England – they wanted out from under British rule & influence All of these factors (and more) would influence the literature and art that came from the Revolutionary period.

  6. So…. • How did the hard life and the trials and troubles of the American Revolution affect the literature that was produced?

  7. Characteristics of Revolutionary Literature • Writers tried to avoid the more formal voice that British literature had. • American Literature of the period often mocks England and British politics and ideals • Political & Persuasive writing to encourage support for the war, America, and “the cause” • Meant to instill a sense of pride in America and show reader that the nation NEEDED to get out from under Great Britain!

  8. How do events of a given time influence what is written? To answer this question, you should know that the most important pieces of literature during the “Age of Reason” were political documents, speeches, and pamphlets (short, concise works that usually argue for or against a political cause.) Non-fiction (such as the forms mentioned above) was far more influential than fiction. What are some works that fit this description? List as many as you can.

  9. Our List:

  10. Exit ticket: choose two questions below to answer. Be sure to number your questions! 1. List three characteristics of the Age of Reason. 2. Name two authors that represent the Age of Reason. 3. Why were political documents so important during the Age of Reason? 4. How did the American Revolution impact the literature of the period?

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