Age of Reason

1750-1800

Background

Mid-1760’s and mid-1770’s attitudes toward Great Britain changed

King George III and Parliament imposed new regulations

Outrage in America grew

Timeline

After the French & Indian War, taxes were raised to cover war costs

1765 Stamp Act 1767 Townshend Acts 1770 Boston Massacre 1774 First Continental Congress 1775 “shots heard around the world” 1800 America elected T. Jefferson

Age of Reason

Also called the “Enlightenment” Spurred on by scientists (Galileo and Sir

Isaac Newton), philosophers (Voltaire), and political theorists (John Locke)

Valued reason over faith

Cultural Scene

Theaters were built New colleges established Singers and artists abounded

Literature of the Period

Mostly public writing Many newspapers and magazines

established Almanacs were popular Fixed on politics

Anaphora Anaphora is emphasizing words by repeating them at

beginning clauses.

Never shall I forget that night, the first night in camp, which has turned my life into one long night, seven times cursed and seven times sealed. Never shall I forget that smoke. Never shall I forget the little faces of the children, whose bodies I saw turned into wreaths of smoke beneath a silent blue sky. Never shall I forget those flames which consumed my faith forever. Never shall I forget that nocturnal silence which deprived me, for all eternity, of the desire to live. Never shall I forget those moments which murdered my God and my soul and turned my dreams to dust. Never shall I forget these things, even if I am condemned to live as long as God Himself. Never. — Elie Wiesel, Night

Aphorism

It is a short, concise statement expressing a wise or clever observation or a general truth.

Lost time is never found again. Ben Franklin

That which does not destroy us makes us stronger. Nietzsche

Parallelism

Parallelism is the use of repeated sentences or phrases within a piece of literature.

Famous Works

Ben Franklin From The Autobiography From Poor Richard’s Almanac

Thomas Jefferson The Declaration of Independence

Thomas Paine From The Crisis, Number 1

Patrick Henry Speech in the Virginia Convention