Forging a New Nation
Literary Movement:
Age of Reason
1750-1800
Historical Context
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1763 French and Indian War ends
1773 Boston Tea Party
1775-1781 Revolutionary War
1776 Declaration of Independence is adopted
1793 Invention of cotton gin
1796 Development of smallpox vaccine
1800 Washington, D.C. is named the capital
Worldview
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The eighteenth century in America is known as the Age
of Enlightenment/Reasoning, a movement that began in
Europe with the development of rationalism by
scientists, religious rationalists and political
philosophers.
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[Sir Isaac Newton (God as a clockmaker), René Descartes ( “I
think, therefore I am.”), Voltaire (anti-institutional religion) ]
Focused on reasoning rather than church doctrine
Cultivated a sense of American patriotism
Concerned with relations with England
Worldview
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Rationalism: the belief that human beings can arrive at
truth by using reason, rather than by relying on the
authority of the past, on religious faith, or on intuition.
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Rationalists believed in the perfectibility of humans through the
use of reason (optimistic view of human nature).
Deism: the belief that God created the world but does
not interfere with its workings.
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God = clockmaker (Sir Isaac Newton)
Common Elements of the Literature
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Most literature from this time period is
rooted in reality.
Literature was often intended to serve
practical or political ends.
This is considered the age of pamphlets.
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Pamphlets, essay, journal articles, newspapers,
and the political documents
Famous Authors
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Patrick Henry: “Speech to the Virginia Convention”
Thomas Paine: The Crisis, No.1; Common Sense
Thomas Jefferson: The Declaration of Independence
Benjamin Franklin: Autobiography, Poor Richard’s Almanac
“Speech to the Virginia Convention”
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About the Author: Patrick Henry
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A lawyer who served as a representative in the Virginia
House of Burgesses
Two famous speeches
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“Treason” speech opposing the Stamp Act
“Speech to the Virginia Convention” (“Give me liberty, or
give me death”) speech encouraging the colonists to arm
themselves against the British
Said to have plunged an ivory letter opener toward his
chest while crying, “Give me liberty, or give me death!”
“Speech to the Virginia Convention”
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Context of the Work
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Reaction to Stamp Act 1765 (later repealed)
Delivered March 23, 1775 to the Virginia House of
Burgesses
Henry delivered this speech following several speeches
from the Loyalist side.
The Convention then voted to take up arms against the
British.
No manuscript exists; the speech was pieced together by
Henry’s biographer, William Wirt.
“Speech to the Virginia Convention”
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Literary Focus
Logical appeals are meant to appeal to the
audience’s mind; consist of reasons and
evidence. (Logos)
 Emotional appeals are meant to appeal to the
audience’s feelings; often presented with
strong, connotative language. (Pathos)
America owes its independence in part to
talented speakers like Henry for influencing
colonists to resist British rule
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“Speech to the Virginia Convention”
Review
1.
What does Henry believe is at the heart of the debate?
1.
Liberty and freedom
Identify metaphors used by Henry in the third and fourth
paragraphs. How do these metaphors contribute to his purpose?
2.
2.
Henry compares the British thread to a coming storm. He compares the fight
of the Colonists against the British to the wars of the ancient Israelites.
In the fifth paragraph, Henry makes use of rhetorical questions.
How do they make Henry’s speech more persuasive?
3.
3.
The series of questions occurs near the middle of the paragraph. It is
rhetorically more effective to let the audience members draw their own
conclusions. Provided they answer the questions in a certain way, Henry will
be able to count on their support, since their answers are their own opinions.
What does Henry foresee happening if the country does not fight
the British?
4.
4.
They will become slaves to the British.
“Speech to the Virginia Convention”
Because his audience was familiar with the Bible and classical
mythology, Henry knew certain allusions would produce certain effects.
Find two allusions in Henry’s speech. How would each allusion relate to
the conflicts in Virginia in 1775?
4.
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“We are apt to … listen to the song of that siren, till she transforms us into
beasts” (Odyssey, Books 10 and 12). Henry’s point is that illusory hopes are like
the sirens and the beautiful Circe in Homer’s Odyssey, who were attractive on
the surface but destructive in reality. Henry urges his listeners not to surrender
their freedom in exchange for false hopes of peace. This allusion, like Henry’s
others, might have equal relevance to some situations today.
“Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and
having ears, hear not the things which so nearly concern their temporal
salvation?” (Ezekiel 12:2). The allusion to the Bible is a graceful, but pointed,
way for Henry to remind his listeners that they must not be like the heedless
people whom the prophet upbraided in ancient Israel.
“Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss” (Luke 22:47-48). The allusion
is to the disloyal apostle Judas. Henry warms his listeners not to heed the
apparently mild British reaction to the Colonists’ petition against the new
taxation laws.
“Speech to the Virginia Convention”
5.
What elements of Henry’s style—word choice, figurative language,
rhetorical questions—are most effective in his speech?
5.
Allusion, Metaphor, Rhetorical Questions, Imagery, Repetition
Persuasive Speaking Skills
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Oratory- skilled, eloquent public speaking
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Charged words
Rhetorical questions
Restatement
Repetition
Parallelism
Persuasive Speaking Skills
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Charged words are words with strong
connotations beyond their literal meaning that
are likely to produce an emotional response.
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Tyranny (evokes a feeling of fear, suggests living in
a state of terror)
Liberty (suggests an ideal life characterized by
freedom)
Justice (can be associated with freedom and
equality)
Honor (evokes a sense of morality and dignity)
Persuasive Speaking Skills
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Rhetorical question/questions are the
questions the speaker asks the audience.
However, the audience internalizes the answer.
Nothing is answered orally.
Restatement is stating the same idea in
different words
Repetition is repeating the exact same words
over again
Persuasive Speaking Skills
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Parallelism refers to the repeated use of
phrases, clauses, or sentences that are similar
in structure or meaning. Writers use this
technique to emphasize important ideas, create
rhythm, and make their writing more forceful
and direct.
Persuasive Speaking Skills
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Understanding Parallelism
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Faulty Parallelism
“For my own part, what ever anguish of spirit it
my cost, I am willing to know the whole truth: to
know the worst and I will provide for it.”
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Effective Parallelism
“For my own part, whatever anguish of spirit it
may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to
know the worst, and to provide for it.
Identifying Parallel Structure
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Directions: Write the sentence and CIRCLE the
parallel elements in each of the following
sentences.
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Are we disposed to be of the number of those
who having eyes see not, and having ears hear
not?
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Ask yourself how this gracious reception of our
petition comports with those warlike
preparations which cover our waters and darken
our land.
Identifying Parallel Structure
(continued)
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They are meant for us; they can be meant for no
other.
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Our petitions have been slighted; our
remonstrances have produced additional violence
and insult; our supplications have been
disregarded.
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If we wish to be free, if we mean to preserve
inviolate those inestimable privileges. . .,if we mean
not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which
we have been so long engaged…,we must fight!
Revising Sentences for Parallel
Structure
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Directions: Rewrite the following sentences so
that all elements are parallel.
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Patrick Henry stirred the colonists to action
through emotional appeals to patriotism, by
threatening loss of freedom, and by logically
arguing about Britain’s goals.
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Compromise, arguing, and making petitions are
not workable solutions to Henry.
Constructed Response
 Why
does Patrick Henry begin
his speech with this statement:
“With all due respect, I have a
different opinion”?
Within “Speech to the Virginia Convention” by
Patrick Henry find the following
examples of oratory characteristics:
 Charged
words (3)
 Rhetorical questions (2)
 Parallelism (1)
 Repetition (1)
 Restatement (1)
The Crisis, No. 1
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About the Author: Thomas Paine
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A radical revolutionary—supported American
independence and the French Revolution; encouraged the
overthrow of the British King
Famous Works:
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Common Sense: pamphlets in favor of American
independence (The Crisis No. 1)
The Rights of Man: a document calling the British to
overthrow their king
The Age of Reason: a critique of institutional religion; “laid
out the principles of deism”
The Crisis, No. 1
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About the Author: Thomas Paine
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Born in England in 1736
After meeting Benjamin Franklin in London, he moved to America.
From August 1776-January 1777 he was a soldier in Washington’s
army.
Wrote The Crisis, Number 1 while at the front.
Left America after the revolution and went to France and became a
citizen
Voted against the execution of Louis XVI and almost guillotined
because officials in Washington would not claim him as an American
citizen.
Gained his freedom from an American minister who claimed he was an
American.
The Crisis, No. 1
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Context of the Work
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Written in 1776 to urge exhausted, discouraged Continental troops to keep
up the fight against the British “the mother country”
One in a series of sixteen pamphlets
Read to Washington’s troops at the military campgrounds in December
1776 before their attack on Trenton, New Jersey
Literary Focus
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An analogy is a comparison made between two things to show how
they are alike.
An anecdote is a brief story told to illustrate a point or serve as an
example of something.
A writer’s style is the distinctive way that he or she uses language.
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Components: sentence structure, diction, use of figurative language (such
as tone and alliteration) and imagery
The Autobiography and Poor Richard’s Almanac:
About the Author
Benjamin Franklin
 Born in Boston, one of 17 children
 Later settled in Philadelphia
 “Jack of all trades”
 A printer by trade
 A diplomat—represented Philadelphia
in London; later represented the U.S.
in negotiations with France
 A Founding Father—helped draft the
Declaration of Independence and was
a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1787
 Popular throughout the world because of his wit and charm
 The ultimate self-made American
 A man of practicality
The Autobiography
Context of the Work
 Franklin’s own account of his journey to success and toward
perfection
 A classic rags-to-riches story; shows the triumph of the selfmade American
 “The unquestioned masterpiece of the American Age of
Reason” (Elements of Literature)
Literary Focus
 In an autobiography, the writer tells the story of his or her
own life.
The Autobiography
Review: “Leaving Boston” / “Arrival in Philadelphia”
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Why did Franklin choose to leave Boston?
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Trace Franklin’s journey from Boston to Philadelphia.
Transportation? Accommodations?
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What do the details of Franklin’s journey suggest about his
character?
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Franklin has no money and is very hungry. Why does he insist
on paying for his passage on the boat?
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What does Franklin’s trip to the bakery suggest about travel and
currency in the eighteenth century?
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Franklin appears on the streets of Philadelphia in tattered clothes,
with his pockets stuffed with stockings, a roll under each arm, and
his mouth full of the roll he is eating. This description has
become very famous. Why do you think it appeals to people?
The Autobiography
Review: “Arriving at Moral Perfection”
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Describe Franklin’s plan for achieving perfection.
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What metaphor does Franklin use to compare the process
of eliminating the black dots on his virtue chart?
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Franklin writes about “arriving at moral perfection” just as
he had earlier written about his arrival in Philadelphia.
What does this similarity of language reveal about
Franklin’s philosophical assumptions?
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How would a Puritan (such as Jonathan Edwards) respond
to Franklin’s plan for moral success?
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Which of Franklin’s virtues do you think is most important?
Least important? Why?
Poor Richard’s Almanac
Context of the Work
 Almanacs calculated the tides and phases of the moon,
forecast the weather for the next year, and even provided
astrological advice.”
 Poor Richard was the fictional narrator of the almanac. He
was an astrologer with a critical wife named Bridget.
 Many of his sayings are taken from other languages, other
cultures, and other writers.
Literary Focus
 An aphorism is a short, witty saying that offers a significant
truth about life.
Poor Richard’s Almanac
Review
1.
Would Poor Richard agree or disagree with the following
statements? Support your answer with reference to
specific aphorisms.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
2.
3.
Even close friends need some privacy from each other.
Live for tomorrow.
May all your wishes come true.
There is dignity in hard work.
A mind is a terrible thing to waste.
Which of his sayings is your favorite, and why?
Can you identify any common thread linking these
aphorisms together? What character qualities does Poor
Richard encourage?