Friday, June 19, 2009

1700 to 1799: The Rights of Man to "La Marsellaise"

Chronology of World, British and American Literature


Thomas Paine. American. 1791/92. Nonfiction. The Rights of Man. Defends French Revolution against attacks by Edmund Burke. Civil government exists only through contract with the majority to safeguard individual rights. Revolution OK if “natural rights” are interfered with.


Susannah Haswell Rowson. American. 1791/94. Novel. Charlotte Temple. Heroine is lured from her English home; deserted in New York by a British officer who later repents.


Benjamin Franklin. American. 1791/98. Autobiography. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. Covers Franklin’s many interests: philosophy, politics, religion, literature, practical affairs.


Hugh Henry Breckenridge. American. 1792. Satiric Novel. Modern Chivalry. American Don Quixote. Unflattering picture of manners in the early republic. The evil of men seeking office for which they are not qualified.


Claude DeLisle. French. 1792. Hymn. “La Marsellaise.” Hymn of the French Revolution. Made use of by other composers.

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