The Revolutionary Period in American Literature

What two major forces shaped social life in the American colonies during the colonial period?

• Science and philosophy

• Politics and religion

• Literature and education

• Trade and agriculture

What is the Age of Enlightenment primarily associated with?

• A decline in education and religion

• Mysticism and superstition

• The rise of science, reason, and individual rights

• Military revolutions in Europe

Which philosopher greatly influenced Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence?

• George Whitefield

• John Locke

• Jonathan Edwards

• Voltaire

The Great Awakening was a religious movement that aimed to:

• Promote Enlightenment ideals

• Loosen religious rules and practices

• Re-establish religious orthodoxy and emotional preaching

• Create new scientific doctrines

George Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards were known for their:

• Scientific discoveries

• Political leadership

• Religious revivals

• Philosophical writings

How did the audience for literature shift from the Puritan period to the Revolutionary period?

• From public to private

• From national to international

• From personal and religious to public and political

• From political to artistic

What best describes the change in writing style from Puritan to Revolutionary literature?

• From poetic and lyrical to rigid and formulaic

• From narrative storytelling to historical documentation

• From plain and simple to ornate and colorful

• From dramatic fiction to religious allegory

Which of the following most influenced Revolutionary period literature?

• The spread of European monarchies

• The rise of Puritan doctrine

• The Revolutionary War and ideas of individualism

• The Great Awakening exclusively

What core American values began to emerge more clearly in Revolutionary writing?

• Piety and obedience

• Individualism and self-reliance

• Monarchy and hierarchy

• Communalism and cooperation

What is an aphorism?

• A fictional short story with a moral lesson

• A brief, witty statement that expresses a general truth or observation

• A long persuasive essay written during wartime

• A religious poem reflecting on divine judgment