American Literature / Unit 9 AML 0801 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Literature of Reform
Captions available
The idea
Between eighteen thirty and the Civil War, American writing turned to argument: against slavery, against drink, for prison and asylum reform, and for women's rights. The forms were the pamphlet, the newspaper, the lecture, the petition and the narrative of a life, and they were written to change something.
In practice
Writing meant to change a law.
Where people slip
The period's most-read books were arguments.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
- Nothing. This is a starting point.
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