Part II: The Literature of Reason and Revolution

Background Study-- “the Revolution”-- Calvinism Vs. Deism ; -- Puritanism Vs. Secularism-- Jonathan Vs. Benjamin Franklin The great puritan theologian : a secular figure looking to the past Vs. Pointing to the future

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)– A Self-made Man; the First American Story Teller, One of the Giants in American History Printer Scientist Diplomat Moralist Representative of American Dream A Writer who wrotePoor Richard’s Almanac – a book of fold wisdomAutobiography –the first American story; a great American model of selfhood“The Way to Wealth”

A Self-made Man — What did he make? 1932 – wrote Poor Richard’s Almanac in 25 years, the first American best seller, even today 1736- organized the Union Fire Co. 1737- became Philadelphia’s Postmaster 1741- invented the Franklin fireplace(stove) 1743 – proposed the idea for the American Philosophical Society 1747- organized the Pennsylvania Militia 1749- the Philadelphia Academy, later became the university of Pennsylvania

1951- founded Philadelphia Hospital 1952- conducted the famous kite experiment proving that lightning is electricity …Working in several fields at the same time, he was virtual a prodigy, inventing things and making contributions socially, scientifically and politically. But how do we measure him in culture and literature?

The American Prometheus The making of the Yankee, the prudent secular wisdom Preaching the American values (the 13 virtues, the weekly scorecard) Telling the first American successful story, himself being the very original embodiment of the American dream, rising from no one to some one His subtle humor and irony representing the character of American people and American life: easy-going but critical , leading the way later taken by great humorists like Mark Twain

“Science was Franklin’s great passion, the only thing about which Franklin was not ironic.” — Charles Beard (American Historian)

From The Autobiography I believe I have omitted mentioning that, in my first voyage from

Boston, being becalm'd off Block Island, our people set about catching cod, and hauled up a great many. Hitherto I had stuck to my resolution of not eating animal food, and on this occasion consider'd, with my master Tryon, the taking every fish as a kind of unprovoked murder, since none of them had, or ever could do us any injury that might justify the slaughter. All this seemed very reasonable. But I had formerly been a great lover of fish, and, when this came hot out of the frying-pan, it smelt admirably well. I balanced some time between principle and inclination, till I recollected that, when the fish were opened, I saw smaller fish taken out of their stomachs; then thought I, "If you eat one another, I don't see why we mayn't eat you." So I din'd upon cod very heartily, and continued to eat with other people, returning only now and then occasionally to a vegetable diet. So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable creature, since it enables one to find or make a reason for everything one has a mind to do.

From Poor Richard's Almanack God helps them that help themselves. Love your Neighbor; yet don't pull down your Hedge. To err is human, to repent divine; to persist, devilish. You may be too cunning for One, but not for All. The Cat in Gloves catches no Mice. He that falls in love with himself will have no rivals. For want of a Nail the Shoe is lost; for want of a Shoe the Horse is lost; for want of a Horse the Rider is lost.

Philip Freneau (1752-1832) --the First American-born poet In 1752, born in a household frequently visited by well-known writers and painters Became fast friends with James Madison and Brackenridge Began to work for Jefferson and then as a journalist, writing political pamphlets; developed special grudge against Hamilton In 1832, Lived in poverty and died unknown

Literary CareerFamous Works:a. “The British Prisoner Ship” (1781)b. “To the Memory of the Brave Americans ” (1781)c. “The Wild Honey Suckle” (1788)d. “The Indian Burying Ground” (1788)Style: genuine lyric gifts Vs. political pamphleteering creative; satirical; pre-romantic --Born in a time not ripe for poetry, obsessed with the beautiful, transient things of nature, he played a transitional role in the coming of American Romanticism and paved the way for writers like Cooper and Irving.

Extending Question: Identified as the “Poet of American Revolution" in the 1790s, Philip Freneau was later called “the father of American poetry” by his readers who were anxious for a spokesman for a national literary consciousness. Do you agree with his readers?