Revolutionary Revolutionary LiteratureLiterature

Thomas Paine & Edmund Thomas Paine & Edmund BurkeBurke

Thomas PaineThomas Paine

1737-18091737-1809 One of the most One of the most

successful successful persuasive writers of persuasive writers of all timesall times

Common SenseCommon Sense– Jan. 1776Jan. 1776– Government is a Government is a

“social contract” with “social contract” with people to protect people to protect their “natural rights”their “natural rights”

Thomas PaineThomas Paine The American CrisisThe American Crisis

– Written between 1776 – 1783Written between 1776 – 1783– 13 part essay13 part essay– ““These are the times that try men’s souls. The These are the times that try men’s souls. The

summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now deserves the country; but he that stands it now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.”conflict, the more glorious the triumph.”

Edmund Burke Edmund Burke 1729? – 17971729? – 1797 BritishBritish A Chief founder of A Chief founder of

conservatismconservatism Supportive of American Supportive of American

RevolutionRevolution– Saw it as a struggle for Saw it as a struggle for

existing English libertiesexisting English liberties Strongly opposed to French Strongly opposed to French

RevolutionRevolution– ““One of the greatest One of the greatest

calamities that has ever calamities that has ever fallen upon mankind”fallen upon mankind”

– And its leaders were And its leaders were “harpies” sprung from “harpies” sprung from night and hellnight and hell

Edmund BurkeEdmund Burke

Wrote Wrote Reflections on the Revolution Reflections on the Revolution in Francein France

Three major points he shoots down:Three major points he shoots down:1.1. To answer “the people have the right To answer “the people have the right

to choose their own governors”to choose their own governors”

2.2. The “right of cashiering their governors The “right of cashiering their governors for misconduct”for misconduct”

3.3. The “right to form a government for The “right to form a government for ourselves”ourselves”

Edmund BurkeEdmund Burke Writes, “Our political system is placed in a Writes, “Our political system is placed in a

just correspondence and symmetry with just correspondence and symmetry with the order of the world, and with the mode the order of the world, and with the mode of existence decreed to a permanent body of existence decreed to a permanent body composed of transitory parts; wherein, by composed of transitory parts; wherein, by the dispensation of a stupendous wisdom, the dispensation of a stupendous wisdom, moulding together the great mysterious moulding together the great mysterious incorporation of the human race, the incorporation of the human race, the whole, at one time, is never old, or middle-whole, at one time, is never old, or middle-aged, or young, but in a condition of aged, or young, but in a condition of unchangeable constancy, moves on unchangeable constancy, moves on through the varied tenour of perpetual through the varied tenour of perpetual decay, fall, renovation, and progression. decay, fall, renovation, and progression.

Paine’s reactionPaine’s reaction

Responds to Burke with Responds to Burke with The Rights of The Rights of ManMan– A textbook for revolutionsA textbook for revolutions– ““I am not contending for nor against any I am not contending for nor against any

form of Government, here or elsewhere. form of Government, here or elsewhere. That which a whole Nation chooses to do, it That which a whole Nation chooses to do, it has a right to do”has a right to do”

– Draws a distinction between men and Draws a distinction between men and principlesprinciples

– The rights of the living are more important The rights of the living are more important than laws made by dead men. than laws made by dead men.

The The least least you need to know you need to know about American Enlightenment about American Enlightenment

AuthorsAuthors Thomas Paine wrote:Thomas Paine wrote:

– Common Sense Common Sense before the warbefore the war Urged American colonists to support a warUrged American colonists to support a war

– The American CrisisThe American Crisis Wrote to lift morale of soldiers during the war.Wrote to lift morale of soldiers during the war.

Edmund Burke wrote:Edmund Burke wrote:– Reflections on the Revolution in FranceReflections on the Revolution in France

Believed revolutions should evolve more slowlyBelieved revolutions should evolve more slowly

Thomas Paine wrote:Thomas Paine wrote:– The Rights of ManThe Rights of Man in response to Burke in response to Burke

See ya, EnlightenmentSee ya, Enlightenment Read William Wordsworth “Lines Composed a Few Miles above Read William Wordsworth “Lines Composed a Few Miles above

Tintern Abbey”Tintern Abbey” Some reading poetry reminders:Some reading poetry reminders:

1.1. Helps to read aloud (although tough in our classroom!)Helps to read aloud (although tough in our classroom!)2.2. Interact with the textInteract with the text

– AnnotateAnnotate3.3. Who is the speaker?Who is the speaker?

– Is he/she addressing a specific personIs he/she addressing a specific person4.4. Does the poem have a setting?Does the poem have a setting?5.5. Is the theme directly or indirectly stated?Is the theme directly or indirectly stated?6.6. From what point of view is the speaker describing specific From what point of view is the speaker describing specific

events?events?7.7. Look for patternsLook for patterns

– Word choice, figurative language, etcWord choice, figurative language, etc– StructureStructure– Sound and meter.Sound and meter.

8.8. What is your overall response?What is your overall response?

Reading a poem Reading a poem academicallyacademically

1.1. Look at the Look at the poem’s titlepoem’s title

2.2. Read the poem Read the poem straight straight throughthrough

3.3. Use writing to Use writing to thinkthink

4.4. Look for Look for patterns.patterns.

5.5. Identify the Identify the narrator (or narrator (or speaker)speaker)

6.6. Read the poem Read the poem againagain

7.7. Find the crucial Find the crucial moments.moments.

8.8. Consider form Consider form and function.and function.

9.9. Look at the Look at the language of the language of the poem.poem.

10.10. Go deeper or Go deeper or call it quits.call it quits.