Term
| On Being Brought From Africa to America |
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Definition
Phyllis Wheatley (dates)
On Being Brought From Africa to America (ca. 1770)
• Genre & Form: heroic couplets
• Summary: "Twas mercy" that she was brought from "Pagan" to Christian land to learn about God. Some view black with "scorn". But "Remember, Christians, Negroes, black as Cain,/May be refin'd, and join th' angelic train."
• Themes: Downplays enslavement by celebrating faith; Tries to bring blacks and whites to equal level; Appeals to white faith; May subtly insult Christians, "Cain" |
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Term
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Definition
Charles Brockden Brown (dates)
Wieland (1798) Colonial/Antebellum
• Genre & Form: gothic, 1st person from Clara
• Characters: Clara, Theodore Wieland (bro), Catherine (wife), Pleyel (C's bro), Carwin (biloquist, voice thrower), the elder Wieland
• Summary: Between French and Indian War and Revolution; background on father and his unique religion, worships in temple, spontaneously combusts; 4 best friends, intellectual discussions, C, T, P start to hear mysterious voice; On 1st meeting, Carwin strongly effects C; C hears voice from closet, fears bro is there to rape and kill; P accuses C of affair w/ Car; T kills Cath and kids and threatens C based on divine voice; T confesses but escapes; tries to kill C, stopped by Car voices, kills self
• Themes: Perception, perspective; Madness; Dangers of religious fanaticism; Community and isolation |
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Term
| Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary R. |
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Definition
Mary Rowlandson (ca. 1637 - ca. 1711)
Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary R.
The Sovereignty and Goodness of God (1682)
• Genre & Form: captivity narrative, prose, 1st person
• Characters: Mary, Rev. Joseph (husband), Sarah (youngest kid), King Phillips (Indian leader), settlers, Indians
• Summary: ~12 weeks; Attack on Lancaster, family and friends murdered, captured, Sarah dies, M and other 2 kids sold as property, relies on bible for comfort and direction, kindness and charity's between captives, see savagery and goodness in white and Indian people, husband helps free her and other captives, 2 kids survive, concludes that trials are of God
• Themes: Puritan perspective, blurry line between savage/civilized, fear of new world
• Relevance: Bestseller in America, influential in England; Inspired (prototype for) genre; Precursor to gothic literature |
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Term
| Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God |
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Definition
Johnathan Edwards (1703-1758)
Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God (1741)
• Genre & Form: Puritan Sermon
• Summary: "There is nothing that keeps wicked men at any moment out of hell but the mere pleasure of God." 1) God may cast wicked men into hell at any time. 2) They deserve hell. 3) Dead at this moment suffer in hell. 4) Hell is in life and after. 5) God allows Satan to seize them at any time. 6) God restrains wicked from corrupting all people. 7) Wicked can die any time. 8) Human care doesn't reflect God's judgement. 9) Must accept Christ for salvation. 10) Some damned, some saved in Christ's grace.
• Themes: Wrathful God, sin, wickedness |
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Term
| Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin |
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Definition
Benjamin Franklin (dates)
Autobiography (written 1771, 1788-1790)
Genre & Form: epistolary (narrative in letters) to his son William
Characters: James (bro, printing house), Deborah (wife)
Summary: B apprentice to James; works as printer (various places); forms Junto (debate club); runs Pennsylvania Gazette; began almanac; invents Franklin stove; helps found fire brigade, police force, university of P, street sweeping and lights, colonial defense; scientific experiments
Themes: Nation building, ideal American, self, independence, Renaissance man, upward mobility, transcontinental life
Relevance: Metaphysics (deistic/scientific, ordered), Ontology (God is watchmaker), Epistemology (scientific approach, diligence, reading, experiments), Ethics (man naturally good), Virtue (temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, humility), God helps those that help themselves |
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