Neoclassicism

Mid to Late 1700s

Literature of this time period reflects a change in the social structure from one which was largely influenced by Protestant theology to one which is centered on a respect for the common man and a move toward democracy.

Featured author for this period...

Benjamin Franklin

- Benjamin Franklin- connect Bartleby.com and e-texts of some of Franklin's best known works.
- The Electric Ben Franklin: The Quotable Franklin- a wicked fun site from USHistory.org
- Ben Franklin: In His Own Words- great resource from the Library of Congress
- Prentice Hall Literature: The American Experience - Selected Textbook Resources:
  - - Excerpt from Autobiography: “The Autobiography” -p. 142
    - Excerpt from Nonfiction: “Poor Richard’s Almanac” -p. 148
    - Speech: “Speech in the Convention” -p. 207

Audio Book/MP3

Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin- Read the full text of Franklin's autobiography with this link to the online (or downloadable if you prefer) e-text from Project Gutenberg.

Even more to explore...

Abigail Adams

- Women's Words of Wisdom: Thoughts Over Time- Click on the portrait of Abigail Adams to learn what she has to say.
- First Lady Biography: Abigail Adams - from the National First Ladies' Library
- Prentice Hall Literature: The American Experience - Selected Textbook Resources:
  - - Letter: “Letter to Her Daughter from the New White House” -p. 216

Michel-Guillaume Jean de Crèvecoeur

- Prentice Hall Literature: The American Experience - Selected Textbook Resources:
  - - Excerpt from Letter/Epistle: “Letters from an American Farmer” -p. 220

Olaudah Equiano

- Olaudah Equiano - biographical information from Washington State University
- Africans in America: Olaudah Equiano- interesting information from PBS
- Prentice Hall Literature: The American Experience - Selected Textbook Resources:
  - - Excerpt from Autobiography: “The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano” -p. 160

Patrick Henry

Colonial Williamsburg: Patrick Henry- interactive and filled with lots of interesting information.
Prentice Hall Literature: The American Experience - Selected Textbook Resources:
- - Speech: “Speech in the Virginia Convention” -p. 202

Thomas Jefferson

- Thomas Jefferson on Politics and Government - - from the Library of the University of Virginia.
- The Declaration of Independence is available as "literature for your eyes and ears" through LoudLit.org!
- Prentice Hall Literature: The American Experience - Selected Textbook Resources:
  - - Primary Source: The Declaration of Independence - p. 170
    - Historic Memorandum: "Commission of Meriwether Lewis" -p.293

Meriwether Lewis

- New Perspectives on the West: Meriwether Lewis-interesting biographical information from PBS
- Prentice Hall Literature: The American Experience - Selected Textbook Resources:
  - - Nonfiction: "Crossing the Great Divide" -p. 298

Thomas Paine

- Prentice Hall Literature: The American Experience - Selected Textbook Resources:
  - - Excerpt from Essay: “The Crisis, Number 1” -p.174

Phillis Wheatley

- Columbia - click here and see a painting of the goddess Columbia as referenced in Wheatley's poem "To His Excellency, General Washington".
- Prentice Hall Literature: The American Experience - Selected Textbook Resources:
  - - Poem: “An Hymn to the Evening” -p. 182
    - Poem: “To His Excellency, General Washington” -p. 184

There's so much to learn about Phillis Wheatley! If you're looking for a good research topic, check out this video and this poem: "To the Right Honorable William, Earl of Dartmouth".

Overall "Text to World" & "Text to Text" Connections for this Literary Period

- American Memory Timeline - from the Learning Page at The Library of Congress, this link will help you connect American history to American literature.