Democratic Origins
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Unit Outline: Democratic Origins

I. Introductory Article: "Literature of Democratic Origins"

II. Lecture notes on Literature of Democratic Origins

III. Thomas Paine's Pamphlet: Common Sense & Study Questions

IV. Patrick Henry's Speech to the Virginia Convention & Study Questions

V. Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography (selections), Aphorisms from Poor Richards Almanak, Study Questions & Virtually Virtuous Project

VII. Verse of Wheatley and Freneau & Study Questions

VIII. Short Fiction by Irving: "Legends of Sleepy Hollow," "Rip Van Winkle," and Study Questions

IX. Important Terms and Concepts


Important Terms and Concepts

Imitation of English Authors

Lack of American Literature

Piracy of Books

Enlightenment

Beginnings of Romanticism

American Gothic Novel Invented

The Political Pamphlet

Neoclassicism

Epic

Mock Epic

Satire

State of American Verse

First Successful Short Story Writer: Irving

First Successful Novel Writer: Cooper

Phyllis Wheatley’s Poetry

Women & Minority Writers