Literature During the American Revolution

Houston Moore

American Revolution

This was a war fought between England and its American Colonies for the independence of the colonies.

Ultimately the Colonies defeated England and won their independence.

The war caused a change in culture and thus a change in the literature of the time.

American Revolution

This time period produced several famous authors including Benjamin Franklin, Paul Revere, Thomas Paine, etc.

Many of the writings of the time are written from the battlefront or from a perspective of the revolutionary.

Many less famous pieces were written from English loyalists and are equally important to understanding the literature of the time.

American Revolution

Unfortunately many of the writing of the time are lost because they were written on the battlefront and mail was unlikely to be delivered

John Bowater wrote, “You must not sent out of the way when anything is going home and it is at least a thousand to one you do not receive this.”

American Revolution

During this time many of the writings especially at the beginning of the revolution are call-to-arms are very stirring to the soul.

They feature a strong sense of patriotism and of camaraderie among the colonists.

Many of these writings are almost pleading for support and loyalty

American Revolution

"These are the times that try men's soul's. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and women“ –Thomas Paine

This is an excellent example of a call-to-arms

It not only calls on the potential soldiers but for others like wives and children to do what ever they can to further the revolution

Thomas Paine

Paine was an avid patriot and wrote some of the most stirring pieces from the time period

In 1776 he wrote a 79 page pamphlet, Common Sense, a piece in which consisted of “nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense" on the idea of American independence from England.

Thomas Paine

Paine was an active patriot serving in Washington’s army.

His writing was the most influential thing he did.

He wrote the Crisis Papers which spoke out against loyalists and inspired the colonists to continue fighting

Puritan Literature

The Puritans also produced a great deal of literature during this time period.

Plain speech was highly regarded in this genre.

In other words the works of these authors got straight to the point.

The Puritans saw life as a constant moral struggle and attempted to portray this in their writings and represent true life.

Patrick Henry

During the revolution Patrick Henry delivered one of the most important lines of speech to the American cause.

He said, “Give me liberty or give me death.”

He said this while speaking to the Virginia legislature while urging Virginians to arm themselves.

American Revolution

During and shortly after the Revolution few great works emerged from American authors (with the exception of fantastic political writings).

This is likely because most books were reviewed in England which made Americans aware of how dependent they were on the British literary model.

American Revolution

It was difficult for American writers to find a true American identity.

This was particularly difficult due to their overwhelming patriotism but were out of necessity self-conscious which caused many of the writings to in many ways flop.

Works Cited

Alison. "Thomas Paine's Influence on the American Revolution - Sons of the American Revolution, Connecticut." Connecticut Society of the Sons of the American Revolution - CTSSAR. Connecticut Sons of the American Revolution, 2000. Web. 01 Feb. 2012. <http://www.connecticutsar.org/patriots/paine_thomas.htm>.

Campbell, D. "Brief Timeline of American Literature and Events: 1750-1759." Washington State University - Pullman, Washington. Washington State University, 19 Sept. 2007. Web. 01 Feb. 2012. <http://public.wsu.edu/~campbelld/amlit/1751.htm>.

Lombardi, Esther. "The American Revolution: Writings from the War of Independence." Books & Literature Classics. About.com, 2012. Web. 01 Feb. 2012. <http://classiclit.about.com/od/unitedstates/fr/aafpr_amrev.htm>.

VanSpanckeren, Kathryn. "USIA - Outline of American Literature - Contents." Outline of American Literature. United States Information Agency. Web. 01 Feb. 2012. <http://usa.usembassy.de/etexts/oal/oaltoc.htm>.

Verney, Victor. "The Compulsive Reader :: A Haven for Book Lovers." Compulsive Reader. The Compulsive Reader. Web. 01 Feb. 2012. <http://www.compulsivereader.com/html/index.php?name=news>.