📚American Literature – Before 1800 Unit 8 – American Revolution in Literature

Key Historical Context

• American Revolution (1765-1783) was a political upheaval and war for independence from British rule
• Catalyzed by growing tensions over taxation without representation (Stamp Act, Tea Act)
• Significant events include Boston Tea Party (1773), battles of Lexington and Concord (1775), and signing of the Declaration of Independence (1776)
• Involved key figures such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin
• Resulted in the formation of the United States as a sovereign nation
  • Established a democratic system of government outlined in the Constitution (1787)
  • Bill of Rights (1791) guaranteed individual liberties and limited federal power
• Influenced by Enlightenment ideals of natural rights, self-governance, and social contract theory (John Locke, Montesquieu)

Major Literary Themes

• Liberty and freedom as fundamental human rights worth fighting for
• Resistance against tyranny and oppression, particularly from distant colonial powers
• Patriotism and the sacrifices made for love of country
  • Valorization of revolutionary heroes and their noble cause
  • Portrayal of British as cruel, despotic antagonists
• Importance of individual virtue, morality, and civic responsibility in a republican society
• Power of rhetoric and persuasion in shaping public opinion and inspiring action
• Tensions between unity and diversity in the formation of a new national identity
• Aspirations for a more egalitarian and democratic society, though often limited in practice (slavery, women's rights)

Notable Authors and Works

• Thomas Paine - "Common Sense" (1776), "The American Crisis" (1776-1783)
• Thomas Jefferson - "The Declaration of Independence" (1776), "Notes on the State of Virginia" (1785)
• Phillis Wheatley - "Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral" (1773), "To His Excellency General Washington" (1775)
• Benjamin Franklin - "Poor Richard's Almanack" (1732-1758), "The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin" (1791)
• John Adams and Abigail Adams - letters exchanged throughout the revolutionary period
• Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay - "The Federalist Papers" (1787-1788)
• Mercy Otis Warren - "The Group" (1775), "History of the Rise, Progress, and Termination of the American Revolution" (1805)
• J. Hector St. John de Crèvecœur - "Letters from an American Farmer" (1782)

Literary Styles and Genres

• Political pamphlets and broadsides to sway public opinion and rally support
  • Use of plain, accessible language to reach a wide audience
  • Appeals to emotion, logic, and shared values
• Speeches and orations delivered to inspire and unite colonists
  • Emphasis on oratorical skills and rhetorical devices (repetition, metaphor, allusion)
• Personal letters and diaries offering intimate glimpses into the lives and thoughts of key figures
• Poetry celebrating patriotic themes and commemorating important events
  • Use of neoclassical forms and conventions (heroic couplets, elegies)
• Early novels and narratives exploring the American experience and character
• Historical and biographical works documenting the revolution and its leaders

Revolutionary Ideas in Text

• Assertion of natural rights and the social contract as the basis for legitimate government
• Rejection of absolute monarchy and hereditary rule in favor of representative democracy
• Emphasis on consent of the governed and the right of the people to alter or abolish oppressive governments
• Promotion of republican virtues such as courage, integrity, frugality, and public service
• Advocacy for freedom of religion, speech, and the press as essential liberties
• Critique of British colonial policies as infringements upon the rights of English subjects
  • Opposition to taxation without representation and lack of self-governance
  • Condemnation of standing armies and quartering of troops in peacetime
• Call for unity and collaboration among the colonies in the face of a common threat
• Vision of America as a new "empire of liberty" with a unique destiny and moral purpose

Impact on American Identity

• Forged a sense of shared purpose and national pride among the diverse colonies
• Established foundational American values of liberty, equality, and self-determination
  • Enshrined in key documents like the Declaration of Independence and Constitution
  • Became central to American political culture and national mythology
• Promoted an ideal of the rugged, self-reliant American character embodied by the yeoman farmer and frontiersman
• Encouraged a spirit of innovation, ingenuity, and enterprising ambition as distinctly American traits
• Fostered a belief in America as a beacon of freedom and opportunity for the world
  • Notion of the United States as an exceptional nation with a special role in history
• Grappled with the contradictions between revolutionary ideals and realities of slavery, indigenous dispossession, and limited suffrage
• Laid the groundwork for enduring debates over the meaning and fulfillment of America's founding principles

Critical Analysis Techniques

• Close reading of primary sources to identify key themes, arguments, and rhetorical strategies
  • Attention to word choice, tone, and figurative language
  • Consideration of intended audience and historical context
• Comparative analysis of multiple texts to trace evolving ideas and perspectives
  • Examination of how different authors respond to and build upon each other's work
  • Identification of points of convergence and divergence
• Exploration of the relationship between literature and politics during the revolutionary era
  • Analysis of how texts reflect and shape contemporary debates and events
  • Consideration of the role of print culture in mobilizing public opinion
• Application of critical lenses such as post-colonialism, feminism, and new historicism
  • Interrogation of power dynamics and marginalized voices within texts
  • Situating works within broader cultural and intellectual currents of the time
• Evaluation of the literary merits and enduring significance of revolutionary-era writings
  • Assessment of their contributions to the development of distinctly American literary traditions
  • Consideration of their place within the larger canon of English-language literature

Legacy and Modern Relevance

• Established a tradition of political activism and dissent as a patriotic duty
  • Continues to inspire protest movements and struggles for social justice
  • Invoked by groups across the political spectrum to legitimize their causes
• Enshrined a national origin story and set of shared myths that shape American identity
  • Valorization of the Founding Fathers and the noble fight for independence
  • Annual celebrations and rituals such as the Fourth of July and Presidents' Day
• Contributed to the development of a distinctly American literary voice and canon
  • Influence on subsequent generations of writers, from the Transcendentalists to the Beats
  • Established genres and archetypes that continue to resonate (e.g., the self-made man, the frontier hero)
• Provides a lens for examining the ongoing struggles to realize America's founding ideals
  • Persistent debates over issues such as states' rights, individual liberties, and the role of government
  • Tensions between the rhetoric of equality and the realities of systemic oppression and marginalization
• Offers insights into the complex and contested nature of American nationalism and exceptionalism
  • Highlights the ways in which national identity is constructed and perpetuated through literature and culture
  • Raises questions about the gaps between America's self-image and its actions on the world stage
• Serves as a reminder of the power of words and ideas to shape the course of history
  • Underscores the importance of an engaged and literate citizenry in maintaining a healthy democracy
  • Encourages critical reflection on the ways in which we interpret and remember the past