Week 3: Revolution and the New Nation
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(Return to the English 2326 Syllabus)
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Literature fired the flames of revolution in the 1770's and influenced the development of the American Constitution.  Thomas Jefferson wrote the text for the "Declaration of Independence," and Thomas Paine's essays spurred on the patriots to open hostilities with British troops.  The anomaly of Phillis Wheatley's poetry raised serious questions about the abilities of Africans as she was celebrated in both America and in Europe.  The history of Olaudah Equiano was one of the first in the canon of more than 6,000 slave narratives.
Readings
Benjamin Franklin 
"The Autobiography," pp. 191-221;
"The Way to Wealth," pp. 223-228;

Thomas Paine
"The American Crisis," pp. 251-256.

Thomas Jefferson
"The Declaration of Independence," pp. 259-261.

Olaudah Equiano
"The Interesting Narrative," pp. 272-279.

Phillis Wheatley
"On Being Brought from Africa to America," p. 283, "To His Excellency General Washington," p. 285.

Philip Freneau
"The Wild Honey Suckle," p. 247, "The Indian Burying Ground," p. 247.
The Old North Bridge at Concord, Massachusetts,  where British troops fired on local militia men called the "Minute Men"; the beginning of the American Revolution in April, 1775.
 
 
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Study Guide for Week 3
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Writing Assignment
None
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Online Resources
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This page was last modified on August 27, 2007,
and is maintained by Dr. Geoffrey Grimes.
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