American literature of the 19th and the 20th centuries. Romantism in American fiction. The process of development of American literature, of formation of American literary tradition.

The periods of romantism:

• 1819-1837: the 1^st American economic crisis, when several aspects of American life failed and there appeared some difficults in am. Life. The writers began to criticize their country appeared the writers.

• 1837-1865: the 2^nd American economic crisis. 1861-1865 – the civil war in America (the north won)

The peculiarities of American Romantism:

1. As compared to European Rom-m. strong English literary: the influence of famous English romantic writers in American literature was extremely strong: W. Wartsford, College, W. Scott, Byron… American writers considered engl. Writers to be their own.

2. The beginning of romantism in America in 1819. 1790 – Romantism in Europe. The tradition of duration of American romantism: up to the end of the century, European romantism: 40-50 (1790-1830) if we speak about Walt Wittman (1892), Dikenson.

3. The rational tradition (рационализм) in American romantism, it was extremely strong. European romantic writers protested against Rationalism. In American literature problems of rationalism and irrationalism, were connected age of reason (эпоха просвещения). Rational irrationalist.

4. American regionalism: au the American romantic writers wrote in their fiction about their own regions. In NY region there were the people from Holland, New England (boston –the capital) – English puritans, Washington irving: he spoke about the state of NY, E. Po – the south: Virginia.

The American age of reason (просвещение).

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790): well known philosopher, an universal man:

• The great scientist in the fields of physics: invented a lot of machines;

• A well-known diplomat;

• 1 of the authors of American Constitution;

• The writer pamphlets;

• He was connected with the 1^st newspaper in America

• The founder of the 1^st American public library

• He lived in Pennsylvania

• The founder of the 1^st public hospital in Philadelpha

• The founder of the 1^st am. Fireteam

He studied himself. The main idea of his life was to prove that any person could make his career by his knowledge and hands, by himself. The work of his life “autobiography” gives advice to his little son: how to get wealth and to be rich. He made his 13 virtues (добродетель) which help people to be rich and to make a brill. career.

1. Temporous: воздержание, умеренность eat not to dullness (скука) and drink not to elevation. Ешь и пей в меру.

2. Silence – молчание. Speak not but what may benefit others yourself. Говори только о том, что может принести пользу тебе и др. avoid trifling conversations

3. Order: порядок. All your things have their places. Let, each of your business have its time

4. Resolution: решение, решительность. Resolve to perform what you ought and perform without fail what is resolved. Решительно выполняй до конца, что ты начал.

5. Frugality: экономность, бережливость. Make no expense, but to do good to others, urself. Waste nothing.

6. Industry – трудолюбие. Loose no time. Be always employed in sth useful. Cut off an unpec. Actions.

7. Sincerity. Искренность. Use no hurtful deceit. Не причиняй боль обманом. Think innocently and justly. If you speak, speak accordingly.

8. Justice: правосудие. Wrong none by doing injuries. Никого не обижай. Or omitting the benefits that are your duty.

9. Moderation. Avoid extremes for bare.

10. Cleanliness. Tolerate no uncleanness in body, clothes. Habitation.

11. Tranquility. Спокойствие. Be not disturbed at trifles, at accident common, unavailable.

12. Chastity. Целомудрие. Rarely use. Venire but for health, off spring. Never to dullness, weakness, the injury of your own peace, reputation.

13. Humility. Смирение. Imitate Yesus – Socrates.

Drive your business. let not that drive you.

If you love life, don’t squander time.

God helps them that help themselves.

The sleeping fox catches no poultry.

There will be sleeping enough in the grave.

Time be of all things the most precious.

Wasting time must be the greatest prodigality (грех)

Lost time never found again.

Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.

He that lives upon hope will die tasty.

There are no games without pains.

If you would have a faithful servant and that you like, serve yourself.

Today is worth 2 tomorrows.

Diligence is the mother of good luck.

Women and wine, game and deceit make the wealth small and the wants great.

Wise man learn by the others harms, fools. Scarcely by their own, as poor Richard says.