美国文学史第二部分材料（复习+预习） - 图文

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Handouts for American Literature (II) Part II. The Literature of Reason and Revolution

I. Background

1776-83 American War of Independence (lead by Washington and Lafayette) 1776 Publication of Declaration of Independence 1789 George Washington, 1st president 1812-1815 Second War of Independence

A. Enlightenment Movement: The bourgeois Enlightenment:

-- originated in France from the struggle of the progressive bourgeoisie against feudalism.

-- The 18th century is known as the Age of Reason, because writers and philosophers at this time emphasized the role of reason or rational thought.

-- If people exercised their reason to bring about scientific advances and better government, society eventually would reach an ideal state.

-- The American Enlighteners were opposed to the old colonial order and religious obscurantism, set themselves the task of disseminating knowledge among the people and advocating revolutionary ideas, participated in the War of Independence. 1. Two characteristics of the Enlightenment

a. set a high value on inquiry, reason and scientific development

b. believed in the attainment of progress by men himself, by education and by the development of science and technology

2. Two functions of the Enlightenment: a. to free Americans from Puritanism

b. to make them strive for the independence and democratic nation

B. The American Revolution:

1. Two reasons of the War of Independence

a. sense of independence as a nation (p.14, “state” in lieu of “colony”) b. economically and politically ruled by England (p.15, para.2) 2. rights and power division after the war a. primarily in each states

b. a few in the century government (foreign affairs, army, currency, etc.)

II. Literature

Literature served as a weapon for the colonized people to rise against the colonists for independence.

subject matter—politics (political documents and polemical tracts as literature of a practical nature, urging social or political reform) theme—revolution and independence

style—clarity and precision, but largely patterned on the writing of 18th century Englishmen form---journalism, pamphlets

A. Political writings 1. Thomas Paine— a. Common Sense

b. The American Crisis: including 16 pamphlets, written at the black time (Dec. 1776) of the War of Independence to encourage the people, restored the morale and inspired the success of the army; belongs to enlightenment documents, that man relies on reason and optimism, devotion to his cause and his fellowmen. c. Rights of Man, The Age of Reason

2. Thomas Jefferson—3rd president, a noble humanist, read a lot about law, philosophy, government, architecture, education, science, agriculture, mechanics; applied his understanding of rational science, English law and liberty, and French liberalism to a conception of democracy for the natural rights of man: freedom of speech, thought, association, press, worship, education, and enterprise. His thought and personality had a great influence on his countrymen.

The Declaration of Independence: drafted with Adams, Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livingston, revised 86 times by the committee, finished July 4, 1776, while the war had begun on June 11. A clear and logical statement of why Americans wanted their independence, announced the birth of a nation and set forth a philosophy of human freedom which has become one of the important basis of the Western world (human rights, freedom, equality, etc), famous for its eloquence.

B. Benjamin Franklin—

-- One of the founding fathers, 1st typical American, 1st great man of letters, The initiator of the Enlightenment in America, a Yankee Puritan and a great example of 18th century enlightenment. -- Showed the Enlightenment spirit (science and reason) as is best and optimistic.

-- A universal genius, a man of versatile energy and new ideas, the self-made man, “the most famous private citizen alive” in his time.

-- Brilliant, industrious and versatile and played many different and important roles (printer, humanist, scientist, diplomatist, statesman, stylist).

-- Very successful, the best realization of American Dream (one can be successful if he has done his best) and secular ideals of American Enlightenment. 1. Poor Richard’s Almanac—a successful attempt at non-theological literature in 18th century America. A lot of useful proverbs and sayings which embody universal truths or praise the virtues of thrift and industry; Great influence upon and widely quoted in the Colonies and some European countries. eg. “God helps them that help themselves”, “Laziness travels so slowly that poverty soon overtakes him”, “Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship”; “Experience keeps a dear school but a fool will learn in no other”; “Diligence is the mother of good luck”; “Honesty is the best policy”.

2. The Autobiography: addressed to his son, a classic, an account of how he made full use of reason to achieve a great deal in life. An inspiring account of a poor boy’s rise to a high position. Man can improve himself and make himself successful. Offers his life story as a positive lesson for others, especially the young men, to live a useful life; a how-to-do-it book on the art of self-improvement; reflects the author’s determination in self-study, creation, research and struggle, and embodies his firm resolution to fight for the progressive cause; pervaded with a pragmatic philosophy and the teaching of ethical principles. style---simple, informal, expressive, humorous, graceful and clear with a wit

C. Poetry: Philip Freneau—Father of American Poetry (p.45), Poet of the American Revolution, most outstanding writer of the post-Revolutionary period, one of America’s first great nationalist poets; imagination and feeling for nature had tremendous impact on later generations.

1. Political poem: patriotic, ornate style. “The British Prison Ship”, “On the Emigration to American”, “To the Memory of the Brave Americans”

2. Natural lyrics: more famous, natural, simple and concrete diction; about indigenous wild life and other native American subjects

“The Wild Honey Suckle”: beauty lies in the sounds of the words and the effects created through changes in rhythm; expressed a keen awareness of the loveliness and transience of nature and human life. “The Indian Burying Ground”: “To a Caty-Did”

themes---death and transience

Questions for discussion:

1. what’s the form of the poem?

2. What is depicted in the first two stanzas? 3. What about the next two stanzas?

4. Is there any change of tones in the poem?

5. Why was the wild honey suckle was chosen as the central image? 6. What do you think is the theme of the poem?

For references only:

1. What’s the form of the poem?

? A natural lyric, written in regular 6-line iambic tetrameter stanzas, rhyming ababcc; the last two lines

in each stanza are indented

2. What is depicted in the first two stanzas?

? In the first two stanzas, more attention to the environment of the flower than to the appearance of the

flower per se.

? He commented on the secluded nature of the place where the honey suckle grew, drawing a

conclusion that it was due to Nature’s protectiveness that the flower was able to lead a peaceful life free from men’s disturbance and destruction.

3. What about the next two stanzas?

? Chang of the tone from silent admiration and appreciation to lamentation over the “future doom” of

the flower ---

? Even Nature was unable to save the flower from its death. Actually no flower, or no living being, can

escape. Not even the flowers that used to bloom in Eden. ? Thus from the flower in nature，the poet started to ponder over the fate of man.

? Nature: kindly nourished and protected the honey suckle in spring and summer destroy ruthlessly the flower with its autumn and winter weapons. 4. Is there any change of tones in the poem?

? Chang of beats in the third line of stanza 3 and the use of the dash They died---nor were those flowers more gay,

? But as we progress into the last stanza, when a more mature view of life and death is adopted, the

rhythms are restored to the original regularity as the tone assumes a tempered serenity grown out of experience.

? The tone of this poem is both sentimental and optimistic.

5. Why was the wild honey suckle chosen as the central image?

? honeysuckle, instead of rose or daffodil became the object of depiction;

? “wild”: convey the fresh perception of the natural scenes on the new continent.

? The flowers, similar to the early Puritan settlers, used to believe they were the selects of God to be

arranged on the abundant land, but now have to wake up from fantasy and be more respectful to natural law.

6. What do you think is the theme of the poem? ? Time is constant but the time of a life is short; ? any favor is relative but change is absolute; ? with or without the awareness, nature develops;

? flowers were born, blossomed and declined to repose, and human beings would exist in exactly the

same way.

? A philosophical meditation by the description of the fate of a trivial wild plant. ? Keen awareness of the loveliness and transience of nature. ? Implication: life and death are inevitable law of nature.

? A more grand topic about life in general discussed through a flower. The wild honey suckle is, in the

poet’s eye, no longer a common flower.

Preview：

Part III The Literature of Romanticism 1. Romanticism

2. Compulsory reading:

a. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow: Page 62 to page 66 the first paragraph (tied up in a cotton

handkerchief) b. To a Waterfowl: Page 108 to Page 109 (the whole poem) 致水鸟 c. Walden: the first paragraph of Page 156; 瓦尔登湖

the last paragraph of Page 158-161

d. To Helen: Page 112 to Page 113 (the whole poem) 致海伦

e. The Fall of the House of Usher: the 1st paragraph on Page 119-120

The 2nd paragraph on Page 123

The 1st paragraph on Page 137 to the end of the story