c. Plays decisive role at the constitutional Convention.
He is the only American to sign the four documents that created America, so it is not an exaggeration to say that he is the maker of America.
The Declaration of Independence
The treaty of alliance with France
The treaty of peace with England
Constitution
2. Scientific contribution
Franklin stove   bifocal glasses famous kite experiment, proved electricity is also a form of electricity.  Lightning Rod
Under his leadership, the first volunteer fire department was established
Helped to found Pennsylvania
3. Literary contribution
The Poor Richard’s Almanac (格言历书)
An almanac is a book which contains essential information, a calendar, astronomical data, and weather forecast. Many almanac contain practical word and proverbs.
For almost a quarter of the century, Franklin kept publishing an almanac, and managed to put in a great many proverbs, These proverbs became well known quickly, and were often quoted in conversation. Many are maintained to present day.
Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.
God helps them that help themselves.
Lost time is never found again.
Fish and visitors stink in three days.
Autobiography(自传)
A. First of all, it’s a puritan document.
It’s puritan because it is a record of self-examination and self- improvement. By setting 13 virtues, he made an effort to fight against tempting vices and improve his person.
Temperance, silence order(reason) resolution frugality industry sincerity justice avoid extremes cleanliness tranquility chastity humility
B. Spokesman for the new order of 18th C enlightenment.
1. He maintains that man is basically good and free, by nature endowed by God with certain rights of liberty and pursuit of happiness.
2. He expresses confident belief that new world of America was a land of opportunity, which might be met through hard work and wise management. Thus through telling a success story of self-reliance, the book celebrates the fulfillment of the American dream.
3. One typical virtue listed is to acquire “order”. It is a dominant notion of the Age of Enlightenment.

Thomas Paine (潘恩) (1737-1809)
Born into a poor tailor’s family, left school at 13. in 1774, he got acquainted with Franklin, and was talked into emigrating to America.
 He became a leading figure later in the American Revolution.
Common Sense(常识)
It is a highly influential pamphlet. He expressed that man by nature is equal, and urged the colonies to declare independence. (p19)
It is this piece of writing that made him famous.
American Crisis  (美国危机)patriotic pamphlet)
It came out at one of the darkest moment of the revolution. Washington’s troops had just suffered the worst defeat in the war, and were in the process of retreating. Soldiers were expressed. He wrote the first on a military drumhead.
There are the times that try men’s soul
The harder the conflict, the more glories the triumph
If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my children may have peace.
Washington had it read to his soldiers, the words encouraged then greatly, filled them with hope and confidence. Several days later, on the Eve of Christmas, a group of soldiers, led by Washington made a sudden attack on British army. And defeated it. It became the turning point of the revolution.
The Age of Reason
The Rights of Man
In these two pieces of writing, he tried to defend French Revolution, and spread the ideals of French Revolution

Philip Freneau (1752-1832)(弗瑞偌)
He was the most significant poet of the 18th C
1. used his poetic talents to serve his nation struggling for independence.
2. wrote verses for the righteous rights of his people’
3. exposed British savageries
4. a soldier at the same time. He joined the war, and was once captain of a warship. He was captured twice.
The Rising Glory of America (美洲光辉的升起)
1. exposed British savageries in America
2. calls for intellectual and literary independence.
He showed his negative attitude toward the imitativeness in literature., maintained that writers should see life around directly, appreciate the natural scene on the new continent and the native Indian civilization.
The Wild Honey Suckle.(野金银花)
In his late period, his poems turned to the description with images. A flower becomes a symbol of beauty, which is not easily noticeable, and can last only a short time. He compared short life to a fleeting flower.
Chapter Three American Romanticism
（The most important period in the history of American literature. It stretches from the end of the 18th C throughout the outbreak of the Civil War.）
I.Romanticism in England
  1.It prevailed in England during the period (1798-1832). There are two schools of Romanticists:
    (1) passive or escapist  These writers protested against capitalist development by turning to the feudal past, turning to nature for protection. (Wordsworth, Coleridge, Southey)
    (2) active. They held out an ideal of a future society free from oppression and exploitation. (Byron, Shelly, Keats)
  2. Their writings are filled with strong-willed heroes, terrible events, tragic situation, powerful conflicting passion and exotic events. Sometimes they resort to symbolic methods, and pay great attention to spiritual and emotional life of man. Nature often personified, also plays an important role. The creative imagination occupied the center of romantic views of arts.
II. American Romanticism
1. Social Background
(1) political: After American Revolution, America developed into a political, economic and cultural independence. Democracy and equality became the ideals of the new nation. Complete changes came about in the political life of the country.
(2) Economic: Industrialism spread widely and fast. A large number of immigrants arrived. All these produced an economic boom.
 Both the change in political and the economic development brought about a sense of optimism and hope.
2. Characteristics
 (1). Derivative or imitative. Some of the American Romantic writings were modeled on English and European works. The Romantic Movement proved to be a decisive influence. Without it, the rise of Romanticism would have been impossible. Romanticism writers such as Scott, Coleridge, Wordsworth, Byron all made a stimulating impact on American literature.
 (2). Independent. From the very beginning, American Romanticism had distinct features of its own. It originated from a mixture of factors which were altogether American rather than anything else. American Romanticism was in essence the expression of a real new experience. E.g., the American national experience of pioneering into the west is a rich fund of material for American writers. It is these Romanticism writers that created an indigenous American literature.
 (3). Puritan influence over American Romanticism was clearly noticeable. E.g., the author tended more to moralize than writers in England.
III. Famous writers
Washington Irving (1783-18590)  ( 欧文 )
Washington was known as
                          The father of American literature
                          The best of American short story writer
Life story
Born into a wealthy New York family, the youngest of the 11 children.