1、Lecture 2 Review of Puritanism and Benjamin Franklins Autobiography in the “Age of Reason”,Checking Ss understanding of Puritanism Discussion and Analysis: Representative work in the Age of Reason: Autobiography by B. Franklin. Assignments for Week 3,Puritanism,1628 - John Winthrop and followers cam

2、e over from Europe in order to establish a “pure” religious movement, wishing to “purify” the religious practice of church. One of the enduring influences in American thought and American literature.,Basic beliefs,Total Depravity - through Adam and Eves fall, every person is born sinful - concept of

3、 Original Sin. Unconditional Election - God saves those he wishes - only a few are selected for salvation - concept of predestination. Limited Atonement - Jesus died for the chosen only, not for everyone. Irresistible Grace - Gods grace is freely given, it cannot be earned or denied. Grace is define

4、d as the saving and transfiguring power of God.,Basic beliefs,Perseverance of the saints - those elected by God have full power to interpret the will of God, and to live uprightly. If anyone rejects grace after feeling its power in his life, he will be going against the will of God - something impos

5、sible in Puritanism. Gods intentions are present in human action and in natural phenomenon. Failure to understand these intentions are human limitations. The belief that saved believers, those with visible signs of grace, can fall into temptation and become sinners. (To prevent this, believers were

6、expected to do constant soul-searching, be introspective, and pray constantly.),Basic beliefs,Manifest destiny “天定命運(yùn)觀” John Winthrop : . for we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill, the eyes of all people are upon us; . Exhorting his listeners to carry on Gods mission and to set a sh

7、ining example for the rest of the world.,Root of “Manifest Destiny”,16世紀(jì)的歐洲爆發(fā)了一場以新教倫理為導(dǎo)向的宗教改革運(yùn)動(REFORMATION)，其主要的理論體系之一是加爾文的“因信得救”的“預(yù)定論”，即上帝以其絕對的意志進(jìn)行挑選，被選中者就是“上帝的選民”，其他則為棄民。由于人們無法改變早已由上帝預(yù)定的自己的命運(yùn)，所以只能通過自己的行為來確定上帝對自己的恩寵，由此引發(fā)出新教徒在塵世的天職觀。因此，“對熱衷宗教的人來說，世界是他的責(zé)任。他有按其禁欲理想改變世界的義務(wù)?！奔訝栁闹髁x對英國清教徒的宗教觀發(fā)生了很大的影響，并被他

8、們帶到北美大陸。,Leading Puritan writers,William Bradford, Cotton Mather, Anne Bradstreet, Edward Taylor, Jonathon Edwards (Their culture being shaped by religion; with religious freedom as their mission, living in Massachusetts, a theocracy),Major characteristics of Puritan literature,Emphasis on usefulnes

9、s (aiming mostly to serve a didactic purpose: to teach a lesson) Rich use of symbolism as the Puritans as the physical world as a symbol of God (double reality) Attempts at truthful representation of reality Plainness in writing is preferred in order to influence the simple-minded people. Style: fre

10、sh, simple, direct, tinged with a touch of nobility,Influence on thought and culture,Emphasis on hard work A belief in democracy Aspiration for affluence (excellence) Emphasis on the value of education and science A preoccupation with guilt (sin) The belief in progress,Deism,Deism is the recognition

11、 of a universal creative force greater than that demonstrated by mankind, supported by personal observation of laws and designs in nature and the universe, perpetuated and validated by the innate ability of human reason coupled with the rejection of claims made by individuals and organized religions

12、 of having received special divine revelation. For more please see Frequently Asked Questions,Puritanism VS. Deism,Unlike Puritanism that stress original sin and predestination, diets maintain God is the creator of the universe yet He leaves it to run in line with natural law. The best way to worshi

13、p Him is to study the world He creates and to do good deeds to humanity. By nature , it is the religion of enlightenment of the 18 the century, characterized by belief I the power of human reason, with B. Franklin, as its spokesman.,A survey of Autobiography,Written between 1771 and 1790 in four sta

14、ges. Part 1: to his son (then royal governor of New Jersey) about their family heritage, roots, his original religious skepticism, his experience as an apprentice to his brother, and other anecdotes (68 pages, a narration of his life till 1730) Part 2: written in 1784 in Paris (when his son side wit

15、h the British during the War of Independence) An effort urged by his American friend. 14 pages about his efforts to learn virtue by a chat system. Part 3: written in Philadelphia in 1788 (117 pages) His devotion of “public affairs” , military experiences, and his scientific achievements Part 4: in 1

16、790, a few months before death (7.5 pages) the events of Franklins London visit and important happenings of 1757,Reception,Introduced by Woodrow Wilson, repudiated by Thoreau, dissected by Hawthorn and Melville, burlesqued by Edgar Allen Poe, undermined by William Carols Williams, emulated by Henry

17、Adams, derided by D.H. Lawrence, celebrated by Somerset Maugham, savored by Kafka, cited by everyone from P.T. Barnum to Lee Iacocca.,Why is he the first American?,a secular figure: printer/scientist/diplomat/ moralist (contrast to Jonathon Edwards) the most illustrious American of his day a model f

18、or the American character: (Max Webber) self-reliant self-educated unimpressed with wealth and title Optimistic (look to the future/forwardlooking) a sense of humor a great enthusiast of civic virtue/public-spirited a striver, especially early in his career (rags to riches) a great 18th-century mora

19、lists preaching a kind of prudent secular wisdom (13 virtues) establishing a real sense of an American identity,Jonathan Edwards,the last great Puritan in American history: theologian, intellectual, and author of fierce sermons such as Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.,Max Webber,(Max Weber: Fra

20、nklin retained the core sense of modern capitalism: hard work, frugality, the obligation to make the most of ones opportunities, modesty and moderation, especially in consumption.),13 virtues,1. TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation. 2. SILENCE. Speak not but what may benefit other

21、s or yourself; avoid trifling conversation. 3. ORDER. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time. 4. RESOLUTION. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve. 5. FRUGALITY. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e.

22、, waste nothing. 6. INDUSTRY. Lose no time; be always employd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions. 7. SINCERITY. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.,13 virtues,8. JUSTICE. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits th

23、at are your duty. 9. MODERATION. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve. 10. CLEANLINESS. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation. 11. TRANQUILLITY. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable. 12. CHASTITY. Rarely use ve

24、nery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or anothers peace or reputation. 13. HUMILITY. Imitate Jesus and Socrates.,Style,Inconsistencies identifiable (formal style in terms of language but informal organization) (the story ends in 1758, but the author died in 1790). Rich in humor Conciseness Directness Lucidity Homely imagery,Benjamin quotes,God helps them that help themselves. (Poor Richards Almanac, 1757) Remember t