美国文学U1
How to interpret a literary text
The Rose Family—Robert Frபைடு நூலகம்st
The rose is a rose, And was always a rose. But the theory now goes That the apple’s a rose, And the pear is, and so’s The plum, I suppose. The dear only know What will next prove a rose. You, of course, are a rose— But were always a rose.
美国文学（一） American Literature I
Methodology: New Criticism, mainly; with other approaches
How to write a comment [ an essay] on poetry? Step I: finding out who is speaking.
The Road Not Taken
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that, the passing there Had worn them really about the same,
美国文学史chapter 1
• In 1729, he owned his own printing shop and published the newspaper Pennsylvania Gazette.
• In 1730, he married Deborah Read. • By 1748, at the age of 42, he had acquired
• In 1785, he returned to Philadelphia and served two terms as governor of the State of Pennsylvania.
• His identity includes: printer, postmaster, writer, essayist, scientist, orator, statement, political economist, ambassador, patriot and businessman.
Chapter 1 Literature of Colonial America
His Life • He was born on October 5, 1703. His father was a minister.
His mother, daughter of a minister too, seems to have been a woman of unusual mental gifts and independence of character. Jonathan, their only son, was the fifth of eleven children. • He entered Yale College in 1716, at just
美国文学史Introduction Unit 1
I Questions:
1. What do you know about America (early history)?
1) Peop Now Americans are mainly immigrants mostly from Europe, esp. from England and a portion of people from all over the world. 2) Early history: America was first discovered by Columbus in 1492 .
4. Aims (Why did Puritans come to America?)
to reform the Church of England
to have an entirely new church
to escape religious persecution
II Colonial Writers
国文学史所反映的美利坚民族的文化史、思想史和认识史，
也涉及到美国的政治、经济和种族等方面。 • 文学主要是指作家和作品、重要文学思潮和流派；历史则涉 及美国自建国至20世纪末所发生的一些对文学产生重大影响 的事件，我们将文学置入历史文化的框架中进行研究、讨论。 • 课程按照文学编年史展开。课堂讲授、自主学习、网络资源 平台活动参与、分组讨论四位一体，每课给思考题。培养学 生独立查阅资料、研究分析、思考理解、欣赏批判的能力。
Introduction
History and Anthology
of American Literature
Outline
• 本课程在专业培养目标中的定位 与课程目标
• 知识模块顺序及对应的学时 • 课程的重点、难点及解决办法
美国文学
美国文学选读第三版课后习题答案陶洁(部分)Unit 1 Benjamin FranklinQuestions1.Why did Franklin write his Autobiography?Franklin says that because his son may wish to know about his life, he is taking his one week vacation in the English countryside to record his past. He also says that he has enjoyed his life and would like to repeat it2.What made Franklin decide to leave the brother to whom he had been apprenticed?His brother was passionate, and had often beaten him. The aversion to arbitrary power that has stuck to him through his whole life .After a brush with the law, Franklin left his brother.3.How did he arrive in Philadephia?First he set out in a boat for Amboy, the boat dropped him off about 50 miles from Burlington, the next day he reached Burlington on foot, in Burlington he found a boat which was going towards Philadelphia, he arrived there about eight or nine o’clock, on the Sunday morning and landed at the Market Street wharf.4.What features do you find in the style of the above selection?It is the pattern of Puritan simplicity, directness, and concision(言简意赅). The narrative is lucid(易懂的), the structure is simple, the imagery is homely(朴素的).Unit 2 Edgar Allen PoeQuestions1.Who is the narrator? What wrong does he want to redress?Montresor.Fortunato,one of wine experts insulted him, so he wanted to murder him.2.What is the pretext he uses to lure Fortunato to his wine cellar?He baits Fortunato by telling him he has obtained what he believes to be a cask of Amontillado a rare and valuable sherry wine.Fortunato is anxious to determine whether or not it is truly Amontillado, so he goes to the vault with Montresor.3.What happens to Fortunato in the end?He was walled up alive behind bricks in a wine cellar.4.Describe briefly how Poe characterizes Montresor and Fortunato as contrasts?Poe uses color imagery to characterize them. Montresor face is covered in a black silk mask, In contrast, Fortunato dresses the motley-colored costume of the court fool, who gets literally and tragically fooled by Montresor's masked motives.The color schemes here represent the irony of Fortunato's death sentence.Through the acts, words, and thoughts of Fortunato,we know He is greedy, he was lured into the dark and somber vaults just because a cask of Amontillado.This is also due to his bad habit of bibulosity(酗酒）. He lost himself on hearing the wine.At the same time, he was cheated by his enemy, which reflected his ignorance.When he heard the pretended compliment from Montresor, he became very boastful and arrogant.He was easily confused by the superficial phenomena and failed to watch out for others. He couldn’t tolerate that others were stronger than him.For example, Montresor always stimulated him with Luchresi who was good at connoisseur（鉴赏）in wine. Under the impulse of vanity, he fell into Montreso r’s terrible trap.In fact, he was careless and foolish and didn’t find that the danger was approaching him.He looked down upon Montresor and others.He didn’t realize his foolishness until the death was coming.Talking from the appearance, Monstresor was a well-educated and ―kind‖ businessman.He enjoyed the honor and respect in the city. But in fact, he was an evil and awful person.His inner feelings were so cruel that they even made people tremble.Under his rich appearance was the dirty soul and despicable character.We couldn’t see any glorious virtues in his mind. Instead, his heart was cold and dark.It was the revenge that threw Montresor into the deep evil valley.unit 4 Nathaniel HawthorneQuestions :1.Why is the prison the setting of Chapter 1 ?No matter how optimistic the founders of new colonies may be, they are quick to establish a prison and a cemetery in their ―Utopia,‖ for they know that misbehavior, evil, and death are unavoidable.This belief fits into the larger Puritan doctrine, which puts heavy emphasis on the idea of original sin—the notion that all people are born sinners because of the initial transgressions of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. he is therefore using the prison building to represent the crime and the punishment which are aspect of civilized lifeWhat is the implication of the description of the roses?The rosebush symbolizes the ability of nature to endure and outlast man's activities.The narrator suggests that roses offer a reminder of Nature's kindness to the condemned; for his tale, he says, it will provide either a ―sweet moral blossom‖ or else some relief in the face of unrelenting sorrow and gloom.2.Describe the appearance of Hester Prynne and the attitude of the people towards her.The second paragraph on page 30.The crowd in front of the jail is a mixture of men and women, all maintaining severe looks of disapproval. Several of the women begin to discuss Hester Prynne, and they soon vow that Hester would not have received such a light sentence for her crime if they had been the judges.One woman, the ugliest of the group, goes so far as to advocate death for Hester.3.What has happened to Hester?As a young woman, Hester married an elderly scholar, Chillingworth, who sent her ahead to America to live.While waiting for him, she had an affair with a Puritan minister named Dimmesdale, after which she gave birth to Pearl.The scarlet letter is her punishment for her sin and her secrecy.Why does she make the embroidery of the letter A so elaborate?It seems to declare that she is proud, rather than ashamed, of her sin.In reality, however, Hester simply accepts the ―sin‖ and its symbol as part of herself, just as she accepts her child.And although she can hardly believe her present ―realities,‖ she takes them as they are rather thanresisting them or trying to atone for them.How does this tell us about her character?Throughout The Scarlet Letter Hester is portrayed as an intelligent, capable. It is the extraordinary circumstances shaping her that make her such an important figure.Unit5 Herman MelvilleQuestions1.What are the stories Ismael tells about Moby Dick?Ishmael compares the legend of Moby Dick to his experience of the whale.He notes that sperm whale attacks have increased recently and that superstitious sailors have come to regard these attacks as having an intelligent, even supernatural origin.In particular, wild rumors about Moby Dick circulate among whalemen, suggesting that he can be in more than one place at the same time and that he is immortal. Ishmael remarks that even the wildest of rumors usually contains some truth.Whales, for instance, have been known to travel with remarkable speed from the Atlantic to the Pacific; thus, it is possible for a whale to be caught in the Pacific with the harpoons of a Greenland ship in it. Moby Dick, who has defied capture numerous times, exhibits an ―intelligent malignity‖（狠毒）in his attacks on men2.Why does Ahab react so violently against the white whale?First, he lost one of his legs because of the white whale.Second,He considers Moby Dick the embodiment of evil in the world, and he pursues the White Whale，because he believes it his inescapable fate to destroy this evil.Ishmael suggests that Ahab is ―crazy‖and call him ―a raving lunatic.‖ Do you agree with him? Why or why not?Ishmael describes Ahab as mad in his narration, and it does indeed seem mad to try to fight the forces of nature or God.3.What narrative features can you find in the selected chapter?In the selected charpter, Melville employed the technique of multiple view of his narrative to portray Moby Dick to achieve the effect of ambiguity and let readers judge the meaning.Unit 6 Henry David ThoreauQuestions1.Where indeed did Thoreau live, both at a physical level and at a spiritual level?He lived in a cabin on Walden Pond, which belonged to Emerson’s property.2.Had Thoreau ever bought a farm? Why did he enjoy the act of buying?No, he hadn’t.He avoided purchasing a farm because it would inevitably tie him down financially and complicate his life. Thoreau didn’t see the acquisition of wealth as the goal for human existence, he saw the goal of lif e to bean exploration of the mind and of the magnificent world around us.He regarded the places as an existence free of obligations and full of leisure.3.Is it significant that Thoreau mentioned the Fourth of July as the day on which he began to stay in the woods? Why?Yes, it is.Because The Fourth of July is known as Independence Day,the birthday ot the United States.Here Thoreau uses the day to express his beginning of regeneration at Walden.It also means a symbol of his conquest of being.4.How could you answer the question Thoreau asked at the end of this selection?Unit 7 19th Century American Poets1. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow(1) I Shot an Arrow…1. Why did the speaker lose sight of his arrow and song?The arrow flies too swiftly and too far away to be seen by the speaker; whereas the song is naturally invisible.2. In what circumstances did he find them again?He finds them unexpectedly years later from the trunk of a tree and the heart of a friend.3. What do arrow and song stand for in this poem?The images of arrow and song here may stand for friendship.(2) A Psalm of Life1. What kind of person is the speaker of this poem?The speaker is a man of action, always optimistic and cheerful, trying to achieve as much as possible in the short span of life.2. According to the poem, how should our lives be led to overcome the fact that each day brings us nearer to death?We should work harder and live happier.3. Interpret the metaphor of "Footprints on the sand of time" (line 28).The metaphor refers to human deeds in real life.2. Walt Whitman(1)One's Self I Sing1. What is the significance of singing about one's self?It is an exaltation of the individual spirit, which is typical of American people.2. What is the difference between physiology and physiognomy?Physiology is a science that deals with the functions and life process of human beings, whereas physiognomy refers to an art of judging character from contours of face itself or the appearance of a person.3. What does Whitman mean by the term of "the Modern Man"?He means that a man should be free from any prejudice and pride, totally different from the traditional one, that is full of bias.(3) O Captain! My Captain!1. Why is the word "Captain" capitalized throughout the poem?In this poem the word ―Captain‖ specially refers to Abraham Lincoln, president of the United States. 2. What overall metaphor does the poet employ in this poem?Life is a journey.3. Why do people on the shores exult and bells ring, while the speaker remains so sad?They welcome the ship returning from its hard trip, whereas the speaker is sad because the captain fails to receive his own honor.3.Emily Dickinson(1) To Make a Prairie …1. What things are needed to "make" a prairie? In what sense can one really do it?Some grass and insects and small animals. People can make a prairie with their imagination.2. How can "revery alone" create a prairie?The prairie stays in one's mind.(2) Success Is Counted Sweetest1. Why is success "counted sweetest by those who ne'er succeed"?Those who have tasted the bitterness of failure would have a keener desire for success.2. Who are "the purple host"?The so-called successful people in the world.3. Who is "he" in the last stanza?Anyone who is pursuing his success.(3) I'm Nobody!1. Who are the "pair of us" and "they" in this poem? The "pair of us" refers to the speaker in the poem and the reader, and "they" refers to the public, especially those in power.2. What does "an admiring bog" really mean?" (line 28).It Implies the vain and empty common people, who are always admiring and pursuing the celebrities.3. What is the theme of this poem?The real admirable life is a secluded and common one.4. Do you want to be "nobody" or "somebody"? Explain your reasons.Different persons would have different answers to this question. Personally, I prefer to be nobody. Unit 8 Mark TwainQuestions1: Why do you think Mr.Wheeler is so eager to tell these stories?From Mr.Wheeler’s behaviors and contents of his narration we can know he is so eager to tell these stories.First, when "I" asked him to tell "me" something about W.Smiley, he ― backed me into a corner and blockaded me with his chair, and then s at down and reeled off the narrative‖. And during the process of telling his stories, he never paid any attention to others'response to his story and just went on telling what amused him. At last when the listener felt boring and wanted to leave, Mr.Wheeler even didn't notice it and still asked him to sit there listening to him.Question2: Does his audience share his enthusiasm in telling the stories? No. the audience does not show any interest in Mr.Wheeler’ stories. In fact, the narrator was very feveris h about his stories, but ,in the eyes of the listener,the stories were very boring and had nothing to do with his preoccupation. As an educated man, the listener couldn't understand the way of laborers for joy, and he would never bother himself to understa nd it. So after the long time of Mr.Wheeler’ solo narration and when the audience got a chance, he fled away.Question3: Do you think the narrator and his listener ever suspect the presence of humor? Why? How do you interpret their interactions? The narrator and his listener never noticed or suspected the presence of humor.During the intercourse,the narrator went vigorously on his monotonous narrative "wihout a little smiling" talking about the animals and the things like ,while the listener felt rather puzzled or bothered by his stories.It seemed to be kind of coarse things. So the two different scenes go on separately without a intersection.And their interaction was a complete failure according toour common sense about communication.But it in this sense produced the effect of humor which can be tasted by our readers due to the skills adopted by Mark Twain .Unit 14 F·Scott Fitzgerald1.Do you think Gatsby deserves to be called “the great”? Why?（1）I think it is too complicated to simply say Gatsby deserves to be ―great‖or not.For one thing, Gatsby was ambitious, hardworking, generous and passionate. He was so extremely loyal to his love and Daisy that he could do anything to get Daisy back: he did shady business to earn money and social position; he threw luxurious parties just to draw Daisy’s attention; he could take the blame for a death that he did not cause.（2）In this respect, he is much ―greater‖than his contemporaries. For another thing, Gatsby never realized that Daisy wasn’t the girl he loved anymore. Gatsby was so innocent that he staked everything on his dreams, not realizing that his dreams are unworthy of him. He wasn’t sober enough to be great.2.Does “the green light”Gatsby believed in exist in reality? Why or why not ?（1）I think ―the green light‖does not exist in reality. Because the green light which situated at the end of Daisy’s East Egg dock and barely vis ible from West Egg lawn represents Gatsby’s unattainable dream. Although the color itself can be seen as hope a nd bright future, Gatsby’s quest for Daisy back is doomed to be impossible. Daisy lived in ―a material world without being real, where poor ghost s, breathing dream like air‖.（2）After five years when Gatsby met Daisy again, the miracle Daisy had lost her original glory. Therefore, there is no delaying that Gatsby’s dream would not come true. In the novel, the green light not only represents that innocent Gatsby looked forward to the future, but also means his longing for the history –his happy past with Daisy. The distinction between ideal and reality was huge. As if American dream between golden past and golden future always suffered from the realistic betrayal and crush.3.What does Gatsby’s Schedule reveal about him and how does it relate to the American Dream?（1）The schedule is a reflection of Gatsby’s determination and ambition. It reveals that he is hard on himself in pursuit of his goal—to be an upper-class man.（2）On one hand, we can know that he is persistent in pursuing his American Dream-- to attain wealth and happiness through his struggle. On the other hand, he is too idealistic and naive.（3）He tries his best to make money and learns everything required to be an upper-class man so that he can get access to his beloved girl.Money is important，but there are other barriers difficult to penetrate. The girl he loves is as vulgar and superficial as others in her circle, she is unable to meets Gatsby’s romantic fantasy. So his dream is destined to shatter, which indicates the disillusion of American Dream.4.When you read the line ―He (the man with owl-eyed glasses) took off his glasses and wiped them again, outside and in ,‖ what images does it create in your mind, given the novel’s numerous references to the strikingly strange scene of the spectacled eyes?（1）From this line , superficially, owl-eyes is a person with thick and blurry glasses who can not see clearly all the things in the world. However, we know he is actually an owl-wise observer and sees more clearly than anyone else in the novel. Owl-Eyes, except Nick, is the only friend to appear at the rain-soaked burial of Gatsby, when others are unwilling to come. He feels sympathy for Gatsby’s tragedy.（2）After reading this line, I cannot help thinking of the Dr.Eckleburg billboard with its huge yellow spectacles in this novel. In many rainy days, Dr. Eckleburg’s eyes are also dimmed and seem blind. But in fact this is a pair of "all-seeing" eyes. The Owl-Eyed Man is similar to Dr. Eckleburg, sadly looking at the people’s life and idealism of this time. B oth of them symbolize an uninvolved spectator god. They watch all the activities of the humans. Owl-eyes is the avatar of the sightless Dr. Eckleburg.Unit 16 Ernest Hemingway1. How do you interpret the irony of the title after reading the story?（1）The title ―A Clean Well-Lighted Place‖refers to the caféin the text. The caféwas very clean and well- lighted. From the literary meaning, we may feel this place was very warm and comfortable, was a place where people need warmth wanted to go. So the old man, who was rich but deaf and lonely came here to find warmth and avoided nada. It was the only place he could go and could find some comfort.（2）However, the younger waiter was very selfish. As his wife was waiting him on the bed, he wanted to go home early. Therefore, he refused to offer the old man another cup of wine by the excuse that the business was finished. In fact, there was still an hour from closing time. The younger thought an hour was more important to him than to the old man. The old man needed to leave the only place where he could get far away from nada/ nothing. This café should be warm but the younger waiter forced the lonely and deaf to leave without any sympathy. This is the irony of the title.2. Do you think youth and confidence can help one withstand the metaphorical dark？Why or why not? （1）I don’t think so.In our opinion, the metaphorical dark means nada，nothing in one’s inner heart. In the article, the younger waiter had both youth and confidence; however, he never made full use of them. As we can see, he didn’t understand the old man’s suicide and excessive drinking, and failed to see his tomorrow through the old man’s present situation.（2）What’s more, he had no idea that youth is not permanent, which cannot guarantee love and work. From above, there is no denying that he didn’t realize his nada. Therefore, his youth and confidence never contributed to withstanding his metaphorical dark.（3）I think that, nowadays, youth and confidence do can help to withstand the metaphorical dark, for one can bravely face the reality and overcome the nada with youth and confidence. But they only serve as two main factors. In fact, we need some other factors such as courage, dignity and so on if we want to withstand the metaphorical dark successfully.3.The older waiter said to the younger waiter:“We are of two different kinds.”In what way do you think they are different?（1）I think they are different from each other in the following four aspects：In the beginning, they are in different ages.The older waiter was in his middle age; while the other was much younger.（2）Then, they have different attitudes towards the old man. From the article, we know the older waiter had suffered a lot. He had maintained a clean and well-lighted place in his heart, and he could understand the old man and show sympathy to him. However, the young man was very selfish. He wanted to go home early so that he finished the business one hour earlier and forced the old man to leave. He showed hatred rather than sympathy to the old man.（3）Next, they have different attitudes towards life. The older waiter had a deep sense of life. He was brave and wanted to fight again nada. Besides, he cared about others. The younger one was totally different; he has a shadow understanding of life. He satisfied with his present love and work, he only care about himself and was reluctant to take others into consideration. He even never thought of his future.（4）Finally, they have different attitudes towards nada. The older waiter had realized that it is impossible to avoid nada in one’s whole life. The only thing he can do is to keep a kind of clearness in his own mind. So he was willing to work late for the lonely old man and was pleased to help those who are suffering nada. But out of youth and confidence, he failed to overcome nada. On the contrary, the younger waiter had the two most important factors for withstanding nada; however, he didn’t realize the nada in his heart at all. Then his youth and confidence became useless.Unit 17 20th -Century American Poets1. Ezra Pound In A Station of the Metro1. Why does the poet call the faces of pedestrians "apparition"?These pedestrians are all walking in a hurry amidst the drizzling rain.2. What do "petals" and "bough" stand for? Petals refer to the faces while the bough stands for the floating crowd.2. Wallace Stevens Anecdote of the Jar1. What does the jar in poem symbolize? Why does the speaker place it on top of a hill? The jar here symbolizes a certain perspective on looking at this world. If the perspective of the viewing is creative and unique, it will change the conventional order of the old world. When a new perspective comes out, it will certainly hold attention from the rest.2. The jar is "round" and "of a port in air," meaning that it has a stately importance. What effect does it have on surroundings when placed on the ground? Maybe the round jar assumes the air of a domineering figure, which helps to form a certain order out of the disordered surrounding.3. How did the wilderness of Tennessee characterized? What words or phrases does the poet use to describe it? Tennessee seems to a place full of life and energy. ―Slovenly,‖ ―sprawl‖ and ―wild‖ are some of the words used to describe the place. (See Anecdote of the Jar )4.Robert Frost(1)Fire and Ice1. What are the symbolic meanings of fire in this poem? Fire symbolizes natural disaster, human passion, as well as war.2. Why does the speaker say that ice is also great for destruction? Explain what ice stands for here. Ice, oppose to fire, is also a dreadful natural disaster in this world, and ice is always related to indifference, coldness, hatred, and the other negative sentiments of human beings.3. What is your opinion about fire and ice? Which one is more destructive? Both fire and ice can destroy this beautiful world if they are beyond control of human beings. Therefore we should be open-minded and reduce our prejudice and pride so as to keep this world in peace.(2)Stopping By Woods On a Snowy Evening1. In your opinion, what was the reason that made the speaker stop by the woods on a snowy evening? The poet was deeply attracted by the natural beauty of the scene at that very moment.2. Why did the horse give the harness bell a shake? The horse grew impatient by stopping in the middle of the dark, cold woods at midnight. It was eager to go home.3. Why couldn't the speaker stay longer by the woods to appreciate its mysterious beauty? He realized that it was late at night and he would have to hurry home to get some food and sleep, because the next morning he would have a lot of work to do.4. What is the effect of repetition in the last two lines? The refrain-like repetition in the last two lines reminds the reader a simple fact of life: whatever happens, one must go forward in the journey of his or her life.(3) The Road Not Taken1. What is the speaker's initial response to the divergence of the two roads? The speaker is at a loss which road he should choose, and he feels sorry that he cannot explore both roads at the same time.2. Describe the similarities and differences of these two roads. Which one does the speaker take? Two roads are similar except one of them is more ―grassy,‖ which implies that it is less traveled by pe ople. The speaker prefers the less traveled one, because he likes adventure.3. What might the two roads stand for in the speaker's mind? One road stands for the traditional one and the other is unconventional one and full of challenges and difficulties. To follow other people's footsteps or to open a new road for himself is really not an easy decision for us to make in our lives.Unit22 Allen GinsbergAll through the poem, the speaker is addressing to Walt Whitman. Is this poem about Walt Whitman or about modern America?-----from Allen Ginsberg A Supermarket in CaliforniaThe author in this poem wanted to emphasis his theme about showing his respect to the passed age and showing his worry about the corrupt in the part of spirit and society. As we all know, Walt Whitman’s poetry was a revolution in American literature can be seen in the first publication of Leaves of Grass in 1855. His poetry is ―free verse‖ in that the lack of meter and rhyme is known as his major technical innovation. Allen Ginsberg had a highly praise on him. As the movement of Beat Generation, Allen Ginsberg used poetry as weapon to express his own understanding of Beat---beatific and beat down.In this poem, the author wrote the sentence ―shopping for images‖. What he wanted t o buy is the things which were listed by Walt Whitman many years ago. What is in the supermarket? The fresh fruits on the shelf fit the needs of customers and the families. We across a strange statement: shopping for images. How can we shop for images? What he refers to us is still the pure image---―dreaming of your enumerations‖. The things on the shelf are the images of languages in Walt Whitman’s poetry. The language in Walt Whitman’s poetry and the spirit in his poetry are the things which Allen Ginsber g dreamed of. A young America which is full of energy is worth being praised. Allen Ginsberg found the song of himself, the song full of courage and the echo of the real world among Walt Whitman’s work. The meaning of age in this poem is that the nation or the race opens the age which belongs to them and。
American Literature Unit 1,Unit 2美国文学
Unit 1.Benjamin Franklin:The AutobiographyKey Words: American, Franklin, The AutobiographyIntroduction to the Author:Benjamin Franklin (1706—1790) was born in the family of a small merchant in Boston. He went to school at the age of eight, but when he was ten, he quit his study and worked in his father’s grocery. At 12, he b ecame an apprentice in the printing house of his elder brother. Since his childhood he loved reading and writing. He worked in the daytime and taught himself atnight. Through self-study, he mastered several foreign languages and read many literary and philosophical books from European countries. At 17, Franklin went to Philadelphia and began his career as a printer. When he was 24, he had his own printing house and became an editor of a newspaper. His newspaper grew quickly to a circulation of 10000---by far the greatest of any publication in America at that time .From 1732 to 1758, he wrote and published his famous Poor Richard’s Almanac, an annual collection of proverbs. It soon became the most popular book of its kind, largely because of Franklin’s shrewd humor, and first spread his reputation. While still a young man, he founded the Junto, a club for informal discussion of scientific, economic and political ideas. In Philadelphia,Franklin established America’s first circulating library. Later he founded the college that was to become the University of Pennsylvania. His scientific achievements won international acclaim. His energy and versatility were remarkable. his many inventions, besides the lightning rod, included the Franklin stove, bifocal glasses, a miniature printing press, and even a strange musical instrument called as “armonica”. He contributed to the theories of electricity and first applied the terms “positive” and “negative” to electrical charges. Successful in business, renowned in science, this most modern-spirited man of early Americans also served his nation brilliantly. He developed and improved the postal system, making it run at a profit after years of losses. As a representative of the Colonies, he triedin vain to counsel the British toward policies that would let America grow and flourish in association with England. When this aim became hopeless, he supported the cause of independence, served in the Continental Congress, and aided Jefferson in writing the Declaration of Independence. He conducted the difficult negotiations with France that brought financial and military support for America in the war. In 1787 he was a delegate to the convention that wrote the Constitution.Franklin was the first major writer in American literature. He had a definite gift for writing. As an author he had power of expression, simplicity, a subtle humor. He was also sarcastic. His best writing is found in his own Autobiography. His Poor Richard’s Almanac is still well known, and isperhaps the most quoted of all his writings. His Collected Works contain writings from his periodical publications, odd essays and publications.Introduction to The Autobiography : Franklin began to write his autobiography in 1771 when he was 65 years old. Due to his busy political activities and many other affairs, he could not finish it until 1790, only a few weeks before his death. The autobiography gives vivid accounts of his family, his childhood and his youth, his self-study and his work, his main experiences before 1757, his achievements in politics ,economy and science. His recalling lasts until 1757 when he was 51 years old.The Autobiography is considered as a classic in all autobiographies. Itcrystallizes the great spirit of Franklin----an American puritan and a great model in the Period of Enlightenment in the 18 century. In his narration about his meaningful and colorful life experiences, we can find his philosophy of practicalism and his teachings of morality. His narration is vivid and refreshing, his tone is optimistic and humorous.Excerpt (I) From The Autobiography From a Child I was fond of Reading, and all the little Money that came into my Hands was ever laid out in Books. Pleas’d with the Pilgrim’s Progress,my first collection was of John Bunyan’s1 work, in separate little V olumes. I afterwards sold them to enable me to buy R.. Burton’s2Historical Collections;they were small Chapmen’s Books3 and cheap, 40 or 50in all, My Father’s little Libra ry consisted chiefly of Books in polemic Divinity , most of which I read ,and have since often regretted, that at a time when I had such a Thirst for knowledge ,more proper Books had not fallen in my way , since it was now resolve’d I should not be a Clergyman .Plutarch’s Lives4there was ,in which I read abundantly, and I still think that time spent to great Advantage. There was also a book of Defoe’s5called an Essay on Projects and another of Dr. Mather’s6call’d Essays to Do Good,which perhaps gave me a turn of thinking that had an Influence on some of the principle future Events of my life.This Bookish Inclination at length determin’d my Father to make me a printer,tho’ had already one son , ( James ) of that Profession .In 1717my Brother James return’d from England with a Press and Letters7 to set up his Bu siness in Boston , I lik’d it much better than that of my Father, but still had a hanking for the sea. To prevent the apprehended Effect of such a Inclination , my Father was impatient to have me bound8to my Brother . I stood out some time , but at last was persuaded and signed the Indentures9, when I was yet but 12 Years old. I was to serve as an Apprentice till I was 21 Years of Age , only I was to be al low’d Journeyman’s Wages10during the last Year. In a little time I made great Proficiency in the Business ,and became an useful Hand to my Brother.I now had Access to better Books. An Acquaintance with the Apprentices of booksellers, enable me to sometimes to borrow a small one , which I was careful to return soon and clean. OftenI sat up in my room reading the greatest Part of Night, when the Book was borrowed in the Evening and to be return’d early in the Morning lest it should be miss’d or wanted. And after some time an ingenious Tradesman11 who had a pretty Collection of Books, and who frequented our Printing House, took Notice of me, invited me to his Library, and very kindly lent me such Books as I chose to read. I now took a Fancy to Poetry ,and made some little Pieces. My Brother, thinking it might turn to account encourge’d me , and put me on composing two occasional Ballads. One was called the light house tragedy, and contain’d an Account of the drowning of Capt. Worthilake with his Two Daughters; the other was a Sailor Song on the Taking of Teach or Blackbeard the Pirate12. They were wretched Stuff, in the Grubstreet BalladStile13, and when they were printed he sent me about the Town to sell them . The first sold wonderfully , the Event being recent , having made a great Noise. This flatter’d my Vanity. But my Father discou rag’d me , by ridiculing my Performances , and telling me Verse-makers were generally Beggars; so I escap’d being a poet , most probably a very bad one . But as Prose Writing has been of great Use to me in the Course of my life; and was a principal Means of my Advancement, I shall tell you how in such a Situation I acquir’d what little Ability I have in that way.There was another bookish Lad in the Town, John Collins by Name, with whom I was intimately acquainted. We sometimes disputed , and very fond we were of Arguments. And very desirousof confuting one another. Which disputatious Turn, by the way , is apt to become a very bad Habit, making people often extremely disagreeable in Company, by the Contradiction that is necessary to bring it into practice, and thence, besides souring and spoiling the Conversation, is productive of Disgusts and perhaps Enmities where you may have occasion for Friendship. I had caught it by readin g my Father’s Books of Dispute about Religion. Persons of good Sense, I have since observ’d, seldom fall into it, except lawyers, university Men and Men of all sorts that have been bred at Edinborough14.A Question was once somehow or other started between Collins and me. Of the Propriety of education the Female Sex in learning, and their Abilities for Study. He was of Opinion that it was improper ; and that they were naturallyunequal to it. I took the contrary Side. Perhaps a little for Dispute sake . He was naturally more eloquent, had a ready Plenty of Words, and sometimes as I thought bore me down more by his Fluency than by the Strength of his Reasons. As we parted without settling the Point, and were not to see one another again for some time, I sat down to put my Arguments in Writing, which I copied fair and sent to him. He answer’d and I reply’d . Three or four Letters of a Side had pass’d, when my Father happen’d to find my Papers, and read them.. Without entering into the Discussion, he took occasion to tell me about the Manner of my Writing, observe’d that tho’ I had the Advantage of my Antagonist in correct Spelling and pointing ( which I ow’d to the Printing House ) I fell far short in elegance of Expression, in Method andin Perspicuity, of wh ich he convinc’d me by several Instances. I saw the Justice of his Remarks, and thence grew more attentive to the Manner in Writing, and determin’d to endeavour at Improvement.Notes:1.J ohn Bunyan (1628- 1688) published Pilgrim’s Progress in 1678; his works were enormously popular and available in cheap one-shilling editions.2.B urton was a pseudonym for Nathaniel Crouch (1632 ?-1725 ? ), a popularizer of British history.3.P eddlers’ books, hence inexpensive.4.P lutarch ( A. D. 46 ?—120 ? ), Greek biographer who wrote Parallel Lives of noted Greek and Roman figures.5.D aniel Defoe’s Essay on Projects (1697 ) proposed remedies for economic improvement.6.C otton Mather published: An Essay upon the Good in 1710.7.T ype.8.A pprenticed.9.A contract binding him to work for his brother for nine years. James Franklin (1697- 1735 ) had learned the printer’s trade in England.10.I was to be …,be paid for each day’s work, having served his apprenticeship.11.“Mr.Matthew Adams” (Franklin’s note ). “Pretty”: exceptionally fine. 12.George Worthylake, lighthouse keeper on Beacon Island, Boston Harbor, and his wife and daughter were drowned on November 3, 1718; the pirate Blackbeard was killed off the Carolina coast on November 22,1718.13.Grub Street in London was inhabited by poor literary hacks whocapitalized on poems of topical interest.14.Scottish Presbyterians were noted for their argumentative nature.Comprehension and Appreciation:Franklin is a great statesman, a great scientist and a great writer. How could he become so great ?His autobiography gives us a good answer to this question. As we know, the hardships in one’s childhood is very valuable wealth for him. Franklin’s family was not rich, and he had to work when he was a ten-year-old boy. But in such unfavorable conditions he kept on reading and studying, and never stopped. As a result, he became so versatile and achieved so much in many fields. In this part we see how Franklin was reading different books. He spent “all the little Money” that cam e in his hand on books. He “had suc h a Thirst for knowledge”, that he borrowed books from theapprentices of booksellers and “sat up …reading the greatest Part of the Night”. Then Franklin tells us how he argued with another bookish lad on the question of educating the Female Sex, and how they continued their argument by writing letters to each other, which greatly improved his prose writing.The style of the autobiography shows Franklin’s gift for writing. As an author he had power of expression, simplicity, a subtle humor. For example, when he tells us about his Ballads, he says, “They were wretched Stuff…”, “so I escaped being a Poet, most probably a very bad one.” These statements seem simple, but they are full of implications, especially the two words “stuff” and “escaped” are very me aningful; “stuff’ shows the bad quality of his early ballads, while “escaped” implies his relief that it was lucky for him that he had not become a bad poet. Here we really appreciate his subtle humor.Comprehensive Questions:1 In what kind of family was Franklin born ?2.How much schooling did he have ?3.How long should he work in his brother’s printing house ?4.Why did he sit up late in his room ?5.What is Franklin’s most important work ?6.Why is The Autobiography considered a classic of its kind ?7.What are the characteristics of the style of The Autobiography ?8.Why does Franklin say the desire to confute others is a bad habit ?9.What was Frankl in’s opinion about educating the female sex ?10 How did Franklin’s father help him in his prose writing ?Answers:1.F ranklin was born in a family of a grocer .2.H e had only two years’ schooling.3.H e was supposed to work in his brother’sprinting house for nine years.4.B ecause he had to finish reading the books he borrowed from the apprentices of booksellers so that he could return them in the morning.5.T he most important work of Franklin is The Autobiography.6.B ecause it shows the strong will and noble spirit of a great man; it also has very strong artistic charm.7.T he characteristics of the style of the work are power of expression, simplicity and a subtle humor.8.B ecause it makes people often disagreeable in company, sours and spoils the conversation and causes disgusts and enmities.9.H e thought educating the Female Sex was not improper.10.His father took occasion to tell him about the manner of his writing and pointed out the weak points in his writing .Reference book:History and Anthology of American Literature 吴伟仁编外语教学与研究出版社(End)Unit 2. Benjamin Franklin: The Autobiography (II)Excerpt (II) from The AutobiographyI had begun in 1733 to study Languages. I soon made myself so much a Master of the French as to be able to read the Books with Ease. I then undertook the Italian. An Acquaintance who was also learning it, us’d often to tempt me to play Chess with him. Finding this took up too much of the Time I had to spare for Study, I at length refus’d to play any more unless on this condition, that the Victor in every game, should have a Right to impose a Task, either in Parts of theGrammar to be got by heart, or in Translation, etc., which Tasks the Vanq uish’d was to perform upon Hono r before our next Meeting. As we play’d pretty equally we thus beat one another into that language. I afterwards with a little Pains-tasking acquir’d as much of the Spanish as to red their Books also.I have already men tion’d that I had only one Year’s Instruction in a Latin School, and that when very young, after which I neglected that Language entirely. But when I had attained an Acquaintance with the French, Italian and Spanish , I was surpris’d to find, on looking over a Latin Testament1, that I understood so much of that Language than I had imagined; which encouraged me to apply myself again to the Study of it, and I met with the more success, as those preceding Languages had greatly smooth’d my Way. From these Circumstances I have thought, that there is some Inconsistency inour common Mode of Teaching Languages. We are told that it is proper to begin first with Latin, and having acquir’d that it will be more easy to attain those modern Languages which are deriv’d from it; and yet we do not begin with the Greek in order more easily to acquire the Latin. It is true, that if you can clamber2and get to the Top of a stair-Case without using the Steps, you will more easily gain them in descending; but certainly if you begin with the lowest you will with more Ease ascend to the Top. And I would therefore offer it to the Consideration of those who superintend the Educating of our Youth, whether, since many of those who begin with the Latin, quit the same after spending some Years, without having made any great Proficiency, and what they have learnt becomes almost useless, so that their time has been lost, it would not have been better to have begun them with French, Proceeding to the Italian etc., fortho’ after spending the same time they should quit the Study of Languages, and never arrive at the Latin, they would however have acquir’d another Tongue or two that being in modern Use might be serviceable to them in common Life.After ten years Absence from Boston, and having become more easy in my Circumstances, I made a Journey thither to visit my Relations, which I could not sooner well afford, In returning I call’d at Newport, to see my Brother then settled there with his Printing-House. Our former Differences were forgotten, and our Meeting was very cordial and affectionate. He was fast declining in his health, and requested of me that in case of his Death which he apprehended not far distant, I would take home his Son, then 10 years of Age, and bring him up to the Printing Business. This I accordingly perform’d, sending him a few Years to School before I took him into theOffice .His Mother carry’d on the Business till he was grown up, when I assisted him with an Assortment of new Types, those of his Father being in a Manner worn out. Thus it was that I made my Brother ample Amends for the Service I had dep riv’d him of by leaving him so early.In 1736 I lost one of my Sons, a fine Boy of 4 Years old, by the Small Pox taken in the common way, I long regretted bitterly and still regret that I had not given it him by Inoculation. This I mention for the Sake of Parents, who omit that Operation on the Supposition that they should never forgive themselves if a Child died under it; my Example showing that the Regret may be the same either way, and that therefore the safer should be chosen.Our Club, the Junto, was found so useful, and afforded such Satisfaction to the Members, that several were desirous of introducing their Friends, which could notwell be done without exceeding what we had settled as a convenient Number, viz. Twelve. We had from the Beginning made it a Rule to keep our Institution a Secret, which was pretty well observ’d.The Intention was, to avoid Applications of improper Persons for Admittance, some of whom perhaps we might find it difficult to refuse. I was one of those who were against any Addition to our Number, but instead of it made in Writing a Proposal, that every Member separately should endeavor to form a subordinate Club, with the same Rules respecting Queries4, etc. and without informing them of the Connexion with the Junto. The Advantages propos’d were the Improvement of so many more young Citizens by the Use of our Institutions; Our better Acquaintance with the general Sentiments of the Inhabitants on any Occasion, as the Junto Member might propose what Queries we should desire, and was to report to Junto that pass’d in hisseparate Club; the Promotion of our particular Interests in Business by more extensive Recommendations; and the increase of our Influence in public Affairs and our Power of doing good by spreading thro’ the severa l Clubs the Sentiments of the Junto. The Project was approv’d, and every Member undertook to form his Club: but they did not all succeed. Five or six only were completed, which were call’d by different Names, as the Vine, the Union, the Band, etc. They were useful to themselves, and afforded us a good deal of Amusement, Information, and Instruction, besides answering in some considerable Degree our Views of influencing the public Opinion on particular Occasions, of which I shall give some Instances in course of time as they happened.Notes:1.A New Testament in Latin.2. Climb with difficulty; scramble.3. Francis Folber Franklin, who died from small pox before he had been inoculated .Franklin did not have him inoculated because Francis was recovering from an intestinal disorder.Comprehension and Appreciation:In this excerpt we can read about how Franklin learned foreign languages and how he founded the Junto, a club for informal discussion of scientific, economic and political ideas. In the first fact what impresses us is the interesting agreement between Franklin and the acquaintance of his---- combining learning a foreign language with chess playing, which fully shows Franklin’s determination and perseverance in study .No wonder he could learn so many foreign languages so soon and so efficiently. In the second fact, we can find Franklin’soutstanding ability in organization and leadership.When he talks about the death of his son, we see another valuable quality in him. He “long regretted bitterly” for his mistake. But he mentions his bitterness “for the Sake of Parents”.Here we can’t help being touched by his sincere concern for the others, for all the people.Some sentences and expressions are good examples of the author’s mastery of English language and his strong and subtle sense of humor. “I soon made myself so much a Master of the French as to be able to read the Books with Ease.” What is implied in “so much a Master” is not self-conceit but confidence and humor. “As we play’d pretty equally we thus beat one another into that Language.” This sentence means both of them were making rapid progress in their language learning by fighting each other in chess playing.Comprehensive Questions:1.H ow many foreign languages did Franklin learn or mention in this part ?2.W hat was the unique way Franklin suggested for learning foreign languages ?3.W hat fact shows Franklin’s love for his brother ?4.W hy did Franklin talk about the death of one of his sons ?5.H ow many people were there in Franklin’s Junto ?6.W hat should we learn from Franklin according to this excerpt ?Answers:1.F rench, Italian, Spanish, Latin, Greek.2.T he victor in every game should have a right to impose a task about language learning.3.H e took very good care of the son of his brother after his b rother’s death.4.H e mentioned his own bitterness in order to remind the other parents of the same danger.5.T welve.6.W e should learn from Franklin many noble qualities such as kindness, honesty, selflessness.Reference book :History and Anthology of American Literature .吴伟仁编，外语教学与研究出版社(End)。
1.美国文学Unit1Franklin
Leading writers and their works
Thomas Jefferson(1743-1826): The Declaration of Independence (1776) Thomas Paine(1737-1809): Common Sense (1776) Benjamin Franklin: Autobiography Philip Freneau: “The Wild Honey Suckle” 《野金银花》
History: American Revolution
Conflicts between America and Britain
over settlements, government, taxes
Economically:
Br. prevented Am. Economic development Export raw materials, import finished goods
Enlightenment
the Age of Reason and Revolution the Age of Rationality 18th Century Literature the Age of American Enlightenment
(1) Originated in Europe in the 17th century
The Declaration of Independence
The following statements have become worldfamous since then: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. 我们认为下面这些真理是不言而喻的：造物者创造了 平等的个人，并赋予他们若干不可剥夺的权利，其中 包括生命权、自由权和追求幸福的权利。
美国文学选读 第一二册 重难点
History And Anthology of American Literature (VolumeⅠ)美国文学史及选读1PartⅠThe Literature of Colonial America殖民主义时期的文学1.17世纪早期English and European explorers开始登陆美洲。
在他们之前100多年Caribbean Islands, Mexicoand other Parts of South America已被the Spanish占领。
2.17th早期English settlements in Virginia and Massachusetts(弗吉尼亚和马萨诸塞)开始了美国历史3.美国最早殖民者(earliest settlers)included Dutch ,Swedes ,Germans ,Freunch ,Spaniards ,Italians andPortugueses (荷兰人，瑞典人，德国人，法国人，西班牙人，意大利人及葡萄牙人等)。
4.美国早期文学主要为the narratives and journals of these settlements采用in diaries and in journals(日记和日志)，他们写关于the land with dense forests and deep-blue lakes and rich soil.5.第一批美国永久居民：the first permanent English settlement in North America was established atJamestown,Virginia in 1607(北美弗吉尼亚詹姆斯顿)。
6.船长约翰·史密斯Captain John Smith他的作品(reports of exploration)17th早期出版，被认为是美国第一部真正意义上的文学作品in the early 1600s,have been described as the first distinctly American literature written in English.他讲述了filled with themes, myths, images, scenes, character and events,吸引了朝圣者和清教徒前往lure the Pilgrims and the Puritans.7.美国第一位作家：1608年Captain John Smith写了封信《自殖民地第一次在弗吉尼亚垦荒以来发生的各种事件的真实介绍》“A True Relation of Such Occurrences and Accidents of Note as Hath Happened in Virginia Since the First Planting of That Colony”.8.他的第二本书1612年《弗吉尼亚地图，附：一个乡村的描述》“A Map of Vir ginia: with a Description of theCountry”.9.他一共出版了八本书，其中有关于新英格兰的历史及描述。
英美文学欣赏最新版教学课件美国文学Unit 1 Ralph Waldo Emerson
英美文学欣赏（第四版）
Unit 6 Henry James • The Portrait of a Lady (Chapter XLII) Unit 7 O. Henry • The Gift of the Magi • The Cop and the Anthem Unit 8 Robert Frost • Into My Own • The Road Not Taken • Fire and Ice • Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening • A Minor Bird Unit 9 F. Scott Fitzgerald • The Great Gatsby (Chapter III) Unit 10 Ernest Hemingway • The Old Man and the Sea (Excerpt)
英美文学欣赏（第四版）
Philosophy considered, the universe is composed of Nature and the Soul. 从哲学的观点来看，宇宙由自然和灵魂构成。 （注解：这是爱默生的超验主义思想名言。）
英美文学欣赏（第四版）
To go into solitude, a man needs to retire as much from his chamber as from society. I am not solitary whilst I read and write, though nobody is with me.
但可惜的是，“很少有成年人能看 见自然”，而“大多数人看不见太 阳”。因为在爱默森看来，太阳只照亮成年人的眼睛，却能照亮儿童的 心灵。
英美文学欣赏（第四版）
Standing on the bare ground,—my head bathed by the blithe air, and uplifted into infinite space, —all mean egotism vanishes. I become a transparent eye-ball; I am nothing; I see all; the currents of the Universal Being circulates through me; I am part or particle of God.
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The Reformation in Europe→ most of the founding fathers were puritans → the American Puritanism became one of the most enduring shaping influences
what is American Puritanism?
Periods of American Literature
1607—1775 the Colonial Period 1765—1790 the Revolutionary Age 1775—1865 the early national period and the Romantic Period 1865—1914 the Realistic Period 1900—1914 the Naturalistic period 1914—1939 the Modern period 1939--the contemporary period
characteristics
Full
of Symbolic meanings polemical, or didactic
Utilitarian, The The
Hale Waihona Puke style: fresh, simple, and direct
rhetoric is plain and honest, not without a touch of nobility traceable to the direct influence of the Bible
The 18th century
Two basic patterns of thought in American
The influence of the deism. (God as the maker of the clock) →The age of enlightenment, reason, order the persistent Calvinist beliefs → the “Great Awakening ”
The Colonial Period
From the founding of the first settlement at Jamestown, Virginia, to the outbreak of the American Revolution
Historical background
The literary scene in Colonial American
Humble origins: histories, travel accounts, diaries, letters, sermons, biographies, autobiographies, commonplace books, and poems to record their experiences and express their views and feelings. Literature of discovery, of puritan expansion, and of God William Bradford(1590-1657) Of Plymouth Plantation John Smith(1580-1631) A Description of New England Anne Bradstreet(1612-1672 “the Tenth Muse”) Puritan Poet :Edward Taylor (1642-1729)
opportunists. They felt they were exiles under the grace of God to establish a paradise in the new world, yet the harsh reality forced them to build a way of life that stressed hard work, thrift, piety, and sobriety.
The 18th Century
“For three generations the prevailing American character was compact in one type, the man of action who was also the man of God. Not until the eighteenth century did the rift appear… it appeared in the two philosophers, Jonathan Edwards and Benjamin Franklin who fixed the poles of our national life…. Jonathan Edwards displayed the infinite inflexibility of the upper levels of the American mind… typically Franklin the finite flexibility of its lower levels” Van Wyck Brooks: American’s Coming of Age 1915 American Puritanism is a two-faceted tradition of religious idealism and level common sense. Edwards represented the former aspect, while Franklin the latter
How does it influence American literature?
American Puritanism
A code of values, a philosophy of life , or a set of tenets of The American puritans They were idealists believing that their chief business to see that man lived and thought and acted in a way which tended to the glory of God. They accepted the doctrine of predestination, original sin and total depravity, and limited atonement (or the salvation of a selected few) through irresistible grace of God. On the other hand, they were practical idealists, or doctrinaire
The Autobiography
the simple yet fascinating record of a man rising to wealth and fame from a state of poverty and obscurity, the faithful account of the career of American’s first self-made man. a Puritan document, a record of self-examination and selfimprovement. A convincing illustration of the puritan ethic that in order to get on in the world, one has to be industrious, frugal, and prudent. An eloquent explanation of his philosophy: moderation, order, man’s basically good and free nature, man’s capability of improvement, man’s inalienable rights. Celebrates the fulfillment of the American dream through the spirit of self-reliance.
The style
Pattern of puritan simplicity, directness, and concision. Plainness of style Homeliness of imagery Simplicity of diction Lucidity of the narrative
Edwards and Franklin represent the paradox of Puritan materialism and immateriality.
Benjamin Franklin and his Autobiography
Born in 1706 into a poor candle-maker’s family--- “poor and obscure”, little formal education. Independent printer and publisher, essayist, scientist, orator, statesman, philosopher, political economist, ambassador, parlor man,---- “Jack of all trades” Since early 1750s, public career began. The only American to sign the four documents that created the US----The Declaration of Independence, the treaty of alliance with France, the treaty of peace with England, and the constitution. Master of each and mastered by none--- the type and genius of his land-------Herman Melville thus described him.