Most of the texts written during the period leading up to the American Revolution were persuasive and rhetorical in form and style. The texts written just after the Revolution tended to celebrate the ideals that made the new nation different and special. See if you can connect these foundational documents and early examples of truly "American" literature to their subject matter, themes, or style.
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Thomas Paine's pamphlet
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written in the everyday, conversational language of the times, to reach a wider range of American readers
written in a lofty style that would appeal only to the most educated and wealthy colonists
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Paine and his colleagues knew that they would need the support of all the colonists to go to war with England, not just the wealthier, more educated ones.
Paine and his colleagues knew that they would need the support of all the colonists to go to war with England, not just the wealthier, more educated ones.
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Patrick Henry's 1775 speech to the Virginia Assembly
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uses a neutral, measured tone to argue that the colonies should seriously consider declaring independence from England
uses rhetorical questions and strongly nuanced language to persuade the assembly that treason against England is the only option
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Henry's "give me liberty or give me death" is considered one of the most fiery and inflammatory speeches in history.
Henry's "give me liberty or give me death" is considered one of the most fiery and inflammatory speeches in history.
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George Washington's letters to Patrick Henry
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written in a conversational tone, using words chosen to excite and inspire his reader
written in a very formal tone, relying more on implicit meanings than direct requests
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Washington knew Patrick Henry well enough to suggest actions without directly asking for them—he knew that Henry would "get" what he meant and respond accordingly. On the other hand, Washington was aware that his letters might become public record at some point, and his relationship with Henry, a powerful politician, should seem respectful and professional to later readers.
Washington knew Patrick Henry well enough to suggest actions without directly asking for them—he knew that Henry would "get" what he meant and respond accordingly. On the other hand, Washington was aware that his letters might become public record at some point, and his relationship with Henry, a powerful politician, should seem respectful and professional to later readers.
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Thomas Jefferson's first draft of the Declaration of Independence
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included a paragraph condemning the practice of slavery
included a paragraph justifying the practice of slavery
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This paragraph was removed from the final draft of the document because its writers feared that political leaders from Southern states would not sign the Declaration if the anti-slavery clause was left in.
This paragraph was removed from the final draft of the document because its writers feared that political leaders from Southern states would not sign the Declaration if the anti-slavery clause was left in.
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Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography
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provides a prototype, or first example, of a story about living "the American Dream"
provides a prototype, or first example, of a true frontier adventure
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The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin details Franklin's early life in a large working-class family that could not afford to educate its children. Nonetheless, Franklin became very successful and influential through hard work and ambition, and his autobiography describes how.
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin details Franklin's early life in a large working-class family that could not afford to educate its children. Nonetheless, Franklin became very successful and influential through hard work and ambition, and his autobiography describes how.
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Phillis Wheatley's poems
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written in the informal dialect often used by slaves at the time—with references to African folklore
written in a formal, elevated style—with references to classical Greek literature and mythology
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Although Wheatley had never even heard English until she was kidnapped in Africa at the age of 8 or 9, she quickly learned the language well enough to read and write it. She used existing colonial and British poems as models for her own poems, so her poetry reflects that form and style.
Although Wheatley had never even heard English until she was kidnapped in Africa at the age of 8 or 9, she quickly learned the language well enough to read and write it. She used existing colonial and British poems as models for her own poems, so her poetry reflects that form and style.
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