American Literature through Time

To find out more about a particular literature time period, click a link in the table below .

Rationalism/ Age of Enlightenment

1750-1800

Content:
national mission and American character
democratic utopia
use of reason
history is an act of individual and national self-assertion

Genre/Style:
political pamphlets
travel writing
highly ornate writing style
fiction employs generic plots and characters
fiction often tells the story of how an innocent young woman is tested by a seductive
male


Effect:
patriotism grows
instills pride
creates common agreement about issues
shows differences between Americans and Europeans

Historical Context:
tells readers how to interpret what they are reading to encourage Revolutionary War
support
instructive in values

	Ask a Question: This has NOT already been asked.		Leave a Comment: Name: Are you Human? (Not a Spam Bot)
Q&A: Question: (5/18/2010) What Kind of food did they eat at that time? Question: (5/4/2010) How does the literature of the time period of Rationalism reflect what is going on in Britain during that time? Answer: (5/29/2010) many "American" authors are still British by education motivation Question: (5/3/2010) what are some philosophical impacts rationalism has Question: (4/26/2010) what was 5 important events that happened in 1750? Question: (4/23/2010) who was an Rationalism author Answer: (4/23/2010) Benjamin Franklin, Abigail Adams, Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson Question: (2/18/2010) How did the enlightenment affect Rationalism Question: (1/18/2010) What's the history behind this? Question: (12/14/2009) What is an American to a realist? Answer: (12/22/2009) A rationalist is a realist in the sense that he is not an idealist like the writers of the transcendental period. The rationalists saw themselves as patriots, servants of the people, and had a deep sense of pride in their country. A realist sees the reality that one must work hard to achieve the American Dream, and yet does not become cynical in the pursuit of it. Question: (9/17/2009) Tell me some major figures in the rationalism era. thanks you :) Answer: (12/22/2009) Benjamin Franklin, Autobiography. This work laid the foundation for the self-made individual, the pursuit of the American Dream. Answer: (12/16/2009) Patrick Henry~ Speech to the Virginia Convention Answer: (10/17/2009) Thomas Paine -Common Sense Pamphlet Question: (9/17/2009) who were the major figures in the rationalism? Answer: (11/3/2009) thomas jefferson ...More Questions/Answers...		Comments: idk its me (2/18/2010) How did the enlightenment affect the natural law Erika (2/1/2010) If the history of this is very summarize then why is it that I can't seem to find the information that I am looking for. I was just currious and didn't want to bother the whole "Ask a Question" part cause my question is not as important. af (11/5/2009) There are no authors or works listed for the Amer lit period as there are for the British Lit period bernard (5/24/2009) who are some authors of the time period?