18th Century Voices
The 18th century was filled with both adherence to tradition– the rights of Englishmen and commonwealth ideals, for example– and a sense of change, of individuals and societies shaping themselves to bold new concepts of human aspiration. This second strand was part of something called the Enlightenment. In its most optimistic form, on the eve of the American Revolution, the Enlightenment was characterized by faith in progress and by a belief in humankind’s ability to control its own fate.
Answer each question in separate paragraph
Questions:
1) How did Byrd, Edwards, and Franklin differ in their religious outlooks?
2) What relationships did these men have with slaves, women, and working people?
3) Whom do you think Byrd, Edwards, Equiano, Osborn, and Franklin had in mind as the wrote about their lives?
4) How did the different purposes for writing give their stories different meanings?
ANSWER
DIFFERENCES IN RELIGIOUS OUTLOOKS
Almost all the works of 18th century Englishmen conflicted with state rules based on the violation of the rights of Englishmen. The works of Englishmen also conflicted with matters ranging from religion, social life, and politics. The fundamental and absolute rights of Englishmen were laid down over the centuries in American history. The works of Englishmen during the 18th century aimed at improving the lives of people in society while appealing to all life aspects. They upheld the right of every man to peacefully and quietly worship God as dictated by religion and one’s conscience. Generally, all the works of ancient Englishmen featured faith and the belief in humankind’s ability to dictate and control their fate. The works of Edwards, Byrd, and Franklin differed in religious matters despite the Englishmen having similar aspects and values in questions that concern life in general. They viewed religious matters from different angles, probably because of their diverse backgrounds in matters of upbringing, family, family structure, lifestyles, and the places that they lived in. All these life experiences and environmental factors may have contributed to the differences in their thinking and expression of religious matters.
RELATIONSHIPS WITH SLAVES, WOMEN, AND WORKING PEOPLE
Edwards, Byrd, and Franklin were all famous and highly-honored men in their time. They had many arguments in common but differed in their stands in religious matters. Byrd was born on his father’s plantation in Virginia and raised in Essex. He spent most of his early life in England. Byrd was a good traveler and an extraordinary person. He had powerful friends and studied law. He had a good relationship with women but had no notable relationship with slaves working in large plantations in the country. Byrd, just like Edwards and Franklin, was arrogant, dominant, and inhumane when dealing with slaves and workers. The three men termed African Americans as properties and harshly treated them, playing harsh games with them for entertainment. They saw slaves and workers as property owned by the white people, having grown up watching them working in the large plantations owned by whites.
WHO BYRD, EDWARDS, EQUIANO, OSBORN, AND FRANKLIN HAD IN MIND
As they wrote about their lives, the Englishmen seemed to have the interests of Englishmen in mind, but not the African Americans. They all seemed discriminative of slaves and did not recognize them as fellow men. They only respected fellow white people, treating African Americans as the property of the whites. Their works were conducted with the affairs and concerns of white people in mind. In all their works, they claimed that African Americans were less humans, treating them in a hostile tone. They did not welcome them or console them when mistreated. Byrd was especially heartless towards African Americans.
PURPOSES FOR WRITING
A writer’s purpose for writing can influence their story’s meaning. Byrd wrote to entertain his readers. For instance, he keeps making fun of settlers in his stories. His stories are considered entertainment for readers. Franklin aims to be a model for his readers, writing about his experiences and lessons to provide directions to readers. Edwards sought to persuade his readers to change their ways to live a better life. His stories are instructional rather than entertainment. The differences in the purpose of writing give the stories of these Englishmen different meanings.
