Rationalism Era

What info is in almanacs?

calendars, weather forecasts, and astronomical data

who was Poor Richard

An imaginary astrologer, who had a critical wife named Bridget

What is an aphorism?

a brief statement that expresses some truth about life

In "Speech at the Virginia Convention" by Patrick Henry, how does Henry begin his passionate speech?

by acknowledging and respecting the previous speakers, a rhetorical technique to build common ground before he states his strong disagreement.

In "Speech at the Virginia Convention" by Patrick Henry, what are arguments in support of arming militia?

asserted that conflict was inevitable given the British military presence, that divine justice would support the colonists, and that the militia represented the natural strength of a free government. He also said that the only other way to stop the violence was submitting to the British Tyranny.

in "Speech at the Virginia Convention", what flaw in opponents is implied?

Patrick Henry implies that his opponents suffer from a dangerous combination of self-deception and willful ignorance. He characterizes them as being blind to the harsh reality of British oppression and naively clinging to a false hope for peace.

In "To His Excellency, General Washington" by Phillis Wheatley, what is most personified?

The United States, personified as Columbia, is the most personified element in Phillis Wheatley's poem, depicted as a divine and heroic female figure who embodies freedom and strength.

What is most alluded to in "To his excellency, General Washington"?

the American Revolution as a just and divinely-sanctioned struggle for freedom against British tyranny.

Overall tone of poem and letter "To His Excellency, General Washington"

admiration, patriotism, and formal respect

who is the author of "Indian Burying Ground"

Philip Freneau

NA literary elements present in "Indian Burying Ground"

personification of nature, symbolism, and supernatural beliefs

Conclusion about Native American beliefs in "Indian Burying Ground"

the poem contrasts the Native American belief in an active afterlife with the European view of death as an eternal sleep, highlighting a deep spiritual connection to the land and ancestors.

What is the role of reason in "Indian Burying Ground"

to be humbled by the power of imagination and spirituality

What is the role of reason in "Indian Burying Ground"

to be humbled by the power of imagination and spirituality

Adverb vs Adjective

Adjectives modify nouns and pronouns, while adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs

fortuitous

(adj.) accidental, occurring by a happy chance

fledgling

an inexperienced person, beginner; a young bird about to leave the nest; inexperienced, budding

irrelevant

not to the point, not applicable or pertinent

upheaval

a violent or sudden change or disruption to something

commemorate

honor the memory of

expansive

communicative, and prone to talking in a sociable manner

fossilizing

the slowing or ceasing of the language-learning process in most adults

Hartford Wits

A group of Connecticut writers, active around the period of the American Revolution.

Renaissance Man

a person with many talents or areas of knowledge.

heroic couplet

a couplet consisting of two rhymed lines of iambic pentamenter and written in an elevated style

Broadsides

Single printed news sheets sold to the public

Neoclassicism

the revival of a classical style or treatment in art, literature, architecture, or music.

magna carta

a document constituting a fundamental guarantee of rights and privileges.

deism

A popular Enlightenment era belief that there is a God, but that God isn't involved in people's lives or in revealing truths to prophets.

gothic

represents a literary and cultural reaction against rationalism by exploring themes of the supernatural, irrational, and psychological

anaphora

the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses

rationalism

A belief or theory that opinions and actions should be based on reason and knowledge rather than on religious belief or emotional response

Benjamin Franklin

American enlightenment figure who was a scientist and inventor

Phyllis Wheatley

(1753-1784); a slave girl brought to Boston at age eight and never formally educated; she was taken to England when, at twenty years of age, she published a book of verse and later wrote other polished poems that revealed the influence of Alexander Pope

Philip Freneau

Poet of the American Revolution

Thomas Paine

American Revolutionary leader and pamphleteer (born in England) who supported the American colonist's fight for independence and supported the French Revolution (1737-1809)

Thomas Jefferson

Author of the Declaration of Independence

Patrick henry

a leader of the American Revolution and a famous orator who spoke out against British rule of the American colonies (1736-1799)

John Locke

English philosopher who advocated the idea of a "social contract" in which government powers are derived from the consent of the governed and in which the government serves the people; also said people have natural rights to life, liberty and property.

George the third

King of England during the American Revolution

Beliefs of Enlightenment era?

reason, individualism, skepticisim of tradition, authority

Least effective founding US document?

Articles of Confederation

Obstacles that early US professional authors faced

censorship, political retaliation, audience and distribution challenges

Most prevalent type of writing in the Revolutionary era

nonfiction, essays, poems, novels

France's role in Revolutionary War

providing essential financial aid, military, supplies, troops, and naval support.