New World/Colonial Literature

The World was flat, and yet all cultures are round. With the collision of the Old World and the New in the 15th century, European cultures relived a brutal and new heroic age, leading to the collapse of all ancient BC cultures.  Whether it is seen as a time of man's greatness and vision to expand the world, or merely a dynamo effect and reminder of Imperial dominance, the resulting Literature, in response to the vastly globalizing world, .    of the  of by its sheer force on the European imagination, as allude to so wonderfully by 19th Century English and American Romantic poets, John Keats and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, or through the non-fiction approaches (historical sources) of the Explorers, as well as from varying fictional authors.

Abbott's "Hernando Cortez" [engravings, margin annotations]
Shakespeare's "The Tempest"
Keat's "On First Looking into Chapman's Homer"
Longfellow's "Keats" and "Shakespeare", "Hiawatha"

Benjamin Franklin: Conductor of America's Renaissance

Benjamin Franklin: Conductor of America's Renaissance

Perhaps it was Franklin's application of pragmatism, humor, and self-reliance that keeps him from the butchery of recent historical perspectives (criticism) on our founding fathers. Singled out as a humble, yet ingenious whit, unfortunately Franklin's variety of achievements often get overshadowed by the moralistic and idiosyncratic dilemmas of his esteemed peers.

Access and read Franklin's Autobiography from the link below and complete the following Outside Reading activities:

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
1. Blog Post: Franklin's Beginnings
Directions: Compose a detailed discussion of Franklin's narrative accounts of his life up to the age of 17. (Chapters 1-2)
due Sunday 8/26/12

2.Blog Post: Franklin's Early Adventures
In Chapters 3-6, Franklin takes us through his early experiences in New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and England.
Directions: Compose a detailed discussion of Franklin's prospects and employment in the printing trade throughout these chapters, as well as aspects of his private affairs during the same period.

due Sunday 9/2/12

3. Blog Post: Franklin's Return & Maturity
Directions: After Reading from chapters 7-10, compose a detailed account of Franklin's re-introduction to American society as well as his literary and moral development.  

due Sunday 9/9/12

4. Blog Post: Franklin's Civic and Revolutionary Status
Directions: After reading from chapters 11-17, compose a detailed account of Franklin's involvement in the civic and revolutionary developments of America.
due Sunday 9/16/12