POETRY A NEW NATION In establishing American independence

POETRY

A NEW NATION “In establishing American independence the pen and the press had merit equal to that of the sword. ” -The History of the American Revolution (1789)

� 18 th century = The enlightenment �Enlightenment values reason over faith �Reason and science will further human progress

Writings during this period �Newspapers were everywhere �Magazines were coming into being �These publications provided a means of expression for many writers �Much writing was devoted to relations between Britain and the colonies

Change in times �By the 1760’s, colonists were no longer satisfied with remaining under the yoke of the Britain. �Enlightenment thinking influences revolutionary ideas. �Greatest American patriots were enlightenment thinkers (Franklin, Paine, Jefferson)

Prelude to Revolution � French and Indian War �Taxing by parliament �Boston massacre, Boston teas party

Revolution �American literature changes with the times. Politics begins to take over for religion as the number one subject of the day.

Libera Nos, Domine. —Deliver us, O Lord, not only from British dependence, but also From a junto that labour with absolute power, Whose schemes disappointed have made them look sour, From the lords of the council, who fight against freedom, Who still follow on where delusion shall lead them. From the group at St. James’s, who slight our petitions, And fools that are waiting for further submissions— From a nation whose manners are rough and severe, From scoundrels and rascals, —do keep us all clear. From pirates sent out by command of the king To murder and plunder, but never to swing. From Wallace and Greaves, and Vipers and Roses, Whom, if heaven pleases, we’ll give bloody noses.

From the valiant Dunmore, with his crew of banditti, Who plunder Virginians at Williamsburg city, From hot-headed Montague, mighty to swear, The little fat man with his pretty white hair. From bishops in Britain, who butchers are grown, From slaves that would die for a smile from the throne, From assemblies that vote against Congress proceedings, (Who now see the fruit of their stupid misleadings. ) From Tryon the mighty, who flies from our city, And swelled with importance disdains the committee: (But since he is pleased to proclaim us his foes, What the devil care we where the devil he goes. )

From the caitiff, lord North, who would bind us in chains, From a royal king Log, with his tooth-full of brains, Who dreams, and is certain (when taking a nap) He has conquered our lands, as they lay on his map. From a kingdom that bullies, and hectors, and swears, We send up to heaven our wishes and prayers That we, disunited, may freemen be still, And Britain go on—to be damned if she will.

Writing Exercise We are going to write one paragraph contrasting themes from the puritan period to themes of the American Revolution. Contrast Definition: the state of being strikingly different from something else, typically something in juxtaposition or close association.

A Paragraph Our paragraph will include a thesis statement (which I will give you today) and 5 -6 sentences Thesis Statement: Is a single sentence that presents your argument to the reader. For example: Ballpark hot dogs are the most delicious hot dogs

DO NOT CONFUSE A THESIS STATEMENT WITH A TOPIC SENTENCE Topic Sentence: A sentence that states the main idea of a passage or paragraph For example: Hot dogs are a source of nutrition.

Our thesis statement Religion was much more prominent in Puritan poetry compared to poetry from the Revolutionary War period. Sentence 2: Give me and example of how religion was prominent in Puritan poetry from “To my Dear and Loving Husband” Sentence 3: Example from “Huswifery”

Sentence 4: Example of how politics, not religion, was inprominent in “A Political Litany” Sentence 5: Conclusion restating the main points of your paragraph.

Cite 1 source We will cite Phillip Freneau together but it will be up to you as to where in sentence 4 you insert the quote. The quote we will use is “From pirates sent out by command of the king To murder and plunder, but never to swing” (Freneau 9 -10).

Religion was much more prominent in Puritan poetry compared to poetry from the Revolutionary War period. It is clear from the numerous examples to heaven in Bradstreet’s poem that she was a religious person. Taylor uses the simple act of cloth spinning to show Puritan devotion to God in all things that they do. Freneau’s writing during the Revolution is more political, which is shown from the quote “From pirates sent out by command of the king To murder and plunder, but never to swing” (Freneau 9 -10). Bradstreet and Taylor show that Puritan themes centered around God and religion while Freneau’s poem has to do with political events.

For you to do Write your own paragraph: Religion was much more prominent in Puritan poetry compared to poetry from the Revolutionary War period. Sentence 2: Give me and example of how religion was prominent in Puritan poetry from “To my Dear and Loving Husband”. Sentence 3: Example from “Huswifery”. Sentence 4: Example of how politics, not religion, was inprominent in “A Political Litany”. The quote we will use is “From pirates sent out by command of the king To murder and plunder, but never to swing” (Freneau 9 -10). Conclusion.