美國文學(xué)富蘭克林Franklin概要1

1、The Literature of Reason and Revolution(1765-1800)I. Background -The Enlightenment Movement -The War of Independence (1775-1783)II. Features of Literature III. Benjamin Franklin and the selection 1. The Enlightenment Movement 啟蒙運動Originated in Europe in the 17th centuryDefinition: The 18th-century A

2、merican Enlightenment was a movement marked by an emphasis on rationality rather than tradition, scientific inquiry instead of unquestioning religious dogma, and representative government in place of monarchy. Enlightenment thinkers and writers were devoted to the ideals of justice, liberty, and equ

3、ality as the natural rights of man. BackgroundResources: Newtons theory; deism自然神教派，宗教與啟蒙精神相結(jié)合的產(chǎn)物; French philosophy (Rousseau, Voltaire) Basic principles: stress education; stress Reason (Order) ; employ Reason to reconsider the traditions and social realities; concern for civil rights, such as equ

4、ality and social justiceLaw of Universal GravitationThe belief that there is a God Who made the world but doesnot influence human livesMan is good by nature; democracy and a strongcentral governmentSignificance: accelerating social progress; freeing people from the limitations set by prevailing Puri

5、tanism; making spiritual preparation for American Revolution2. American RevolutionConflicts between America and BritainPolitically: state instead of colony; taxes, no representative in ParliamentEconomically: Br. prevented Am. Economic development Results of the conflicts:The American War of Indepen

6、dence lasted 8 years from 1775-1783The formation of a Federative bourgeois democratic republic - the United States of AmericaThe following statements have become world-famous since then: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator w

7、ith certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. - The Declaration of Independence我們認為下面這些真理是不言而喻的：造物者創(chuàng)造了平等的個人，并賦予他們假設(shè)干不可剝奪的權(quán)利，其中包括生命權(quán)、自由權(quán)和追求幸福的權(quán)利。Call for Americas independence in literature “America must be as independent as she is in politics, as fa

8、mous for the arts as for arms - In 1783, Noah Webster Literature in this periodFeatures: The men of letters were preoccupied with rationality and showed a profound love for the order and beauty of classical art.In form, it was largely patterned on the writing of the 18th century English writers. It

9、was derived from and dependent on the English literal style which was characterized by clarity, precision and order.In content, it was characterized by its utilitarian tendency.Leading writers and their works:Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790): Poor Richards Almanac; Autobiography Thomas Paine (1737-1809

10、): Comon Sense Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826): Declaration of Independence William Hill Brown(1765-1793): The Power of SympathyPhilip Freneau (1752-1832): romantic poems1. Status: one of the greatest founding fathers of the American Nationa rare genius in human history Jack of all trades: essayist, au

11、tobiographical writer, printer, scientist, postmaster, almanac maker, orator, statesman, philosopher, political economist, ambassador, almost everything Benjamin Franklin(1706-1790)A symbol of America in the Age of Enlightenment.He brought the colonial era to a close. A man defining American thinkin

12、g.An embodiment of American Dream2. LifeSuccessful businessman Born in a poor candle makers family in Boston and had no regular education; At 12, apprenticed to his elder brother, a printer; At 16, began to publish essays under the pseudonym “Silence Do good .At 17, he ran away to Philadelphia to ma

13、ke his own fortune and became a successful printer and publisher. Wealthy at 42, devoted rest of life to science, literature, diplomacy.Franklins Contributions to SocietyHe founded:Americas first circulating libraryThe college of Pennsylvania, the first one established upon the ideal of secular educ

14、ationPostmaster of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia hospital, the first colonial hospital Pennsylvania militia Franklins Contributions to Science“the new Prometheus who had stolen fire from heaven Discovery about electricity-he proved that lightning is electrical in nature.-he first discovered the positive

15、and negative electrical charge. Discovery of the Gulf Stream- he discovered it as a river of warm water and mapped it as flowing north to Europe.Effective street lightingThe Franklin stoveBifocal glasses Efficient heating devices Franklins Contributions to the U.S.A statesman, diplomat, negotiator H

16、e conducted the difficult negotiations with France that brought financial and military support for America in the war.He was the only American to sign the four documents that created the United States: The Declaration of Independence, The Treaty of Alliance with France, The Treaty of Peace with Engl

17、and, The ConstitutionFranklins Contributions to Literature The Autobiography ?自傳? Poor Richards Almanac ?格言歷書?Died on April 17,1790, at the age of 84.Grave of Benjamin Franklin, Philadelphia Franklin on the hundred dollar billBenjamin Franklin on U.S. Postageissue of 1861issue of 1903issue of 19183.

18、 Works(1) Poor Richards AlmanacIt was a yearly almanac published by Franklin, who adopted the pseudonym of “Poor Richard. The publication appeared continuously from 1732 to 1758. It was a best seller form many year.A book that is published every year giving information for that yearThe book containe

19、d the calendar, weather, poems, and astronomical and astrological information that a typical almanac of the period would contain.It chiefly remembered, however, for being a repository (寶庫) of Franklins aphorisms (格言) and proverbs, many of which live on in American English.Eat to live，not live to eat

20、.Lost time is never found again.A penny saved is a penny earned.God help those who help themselves.Out of sight, out of mind.Beauty is only skin deep.Honesty is the best policy.Early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.You may delay, but time will not.At 20 years of age

21、the will reigns, at 30 the wit, at 40 the judgment. Rags-to-riches storyThe 1st self-help bookThe 1st American secular autobiographyThe 1st account of the American Dreamtold by a man who experienced it (2) The AutobiographyStructure: The book consists of four parts, written at different times (1771,

22、 1784, 1788 and 1790 respectively). Franklin was 65 when he began to write. Part One: letters to his sonWhy he wrote it;His family and his childhood;Apprenticeship;Attempts at becoming an independent printer.Part two: Give attention to the causes of his success- the 13 virtues.1 節(jié)制 Temperance2 少言 Si

23、lence3 秩序 Order4 決心 Resolution5 節(jié)儉 Frugality6 勤儉 Industry7 坦誠 Sincerity8 公正 Justice9 中庸 Moderation10 整潔 Cleanliness11 心態(tài) Tranquility12 節(jié)欲 Chastity13 謙遜 HumilityPart three: reveals how he uses his principles of conduct to perform his roles as a scientist, philanthropist and a politician. Part four: e

24、xplains the events of his London visit and important happening of 1757.The selection:Reading and discussion:Part One, first sectionWhy did Franklin write his Autobiography? (P3)What is Franklins attitude towards God?(P3) The Autobiography opens with a salutation to Franklins son. Franklin says that

25、because his son may wish to know about his life, he is taking his one week vacation in the English countryside to record his past. Franklin says that he has enjoyed his life and would like to repeat it, although he would like to correct some small errors if the opportunity arose. But since Franklin

26、cannot repeat life, he can instead recollect it. He thanks God for allowing him to live a good life.Ben, at the age of 12, signed a contract to work for James for the next eight years. Part One, second sectionWhat made Franklin decide to leave the brotherto whom he had been apprenticed? (P4)How did

27、he arrive in Philadelphia? (P5-7) When James was jailed for political reasons, Ben had the chance to take over the paper briefly and did a good job. After another fight with James, however, Ben suddenly broke his contract and quit his job, and secretly leaves home and traveled to New York City. He f

28、inds no work there , but learns that he could get a job in Philadelphia. His journey to Philadelphia is eventful as he gets caught in a storm, during which he saved the life of a drunken Dutchman, who nearly drowned. The boat dropped him off near Burlington, about 18 miles from Philadelphia. He fina

29、lly arrived in the city on October 6, 1723 in the Market Street Wharf. Wandering around, Franklin stumbled into a Quaker meeting貴格會教派的祈禱會near the market. Style:What features do you find in the style of theselection? It is in the pattern of simplicity, directness, and concision. The most salient 顯著的f

30、eatures are such as the plainness of its style, the homeliness of imagery, the simplicity of structure, diction, syntax, and expression. Homework: Edgar Allan Poe&The Cast of AmontilladoDied on April 17,1790, at the age of 84.Grave of Benjamin Franklin, Philadelphia Benjamin and Deborah Franklin At

31、the aged 22, Franklin wrote what he hoped wouldbe his own epitaph:The Body of B. Franklin Printer; Like the Cover of an old Book, Its Contents torn out, And stript of its Lettering and Gilding, Lies here, Food for Worms. But the Work shall not be wholly lost: For it will, as he believd, appear once

32、more, In a new & more perfect Edition, Corrected and Amended By the Author.To help myself live without fault, I made a list of what I considered the 13 virtues. These virtues are: 1 節(jié)制 TemperanceEat not to dullness and drink not to elevation.2 少言 SilenceSpeak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoid trifling conversation.3 秩序 OrderLet all your things have their places. Let each part of you