Literature and Human Literature and Human DignityDignity

文学与人的尊严

The Declaration of IndepenThe Declaration of Independencedence

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)

Thomas Jefferson’s political career

• Governor of Virginia (1779-1781)

• Third president of US (1801-1809)

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)

• Powerful advocate of liberty （倡导自由）

- “I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny （反对专制） over the mind of man.”

- “The Declaration of Independence”: the most powerful argument for freedom

- Fourth of July: Independence Day

Thomas Jefferson’s Tombstone

HERE WAS BURIED

THOMAS JEFFERSONAUTHOR OF THE

DECLARATION

OF

AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE

OF THE

STATUTE OF VIRGINIA FOR

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

AND FATHER OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA

Jefferson wished to be remembered for only three things:1. drafting the Declaration of Independenc

e《独立宣言》 (1776)2. writing and supporting the Virginia Stat

ute for Religious Freedom 《弗吉尼亚宗教自由法令》 (1786)

3. founding the University of Virginia 弗吉尼亚大学 (1819)

THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

Adopted by Congress on July 4, 1776

Background

• Chiefly drafted by Thomas Jefferson who was a delegate to the Second Continental Congress （第二届大陆会议）

• Passed by the Second Continental Congress with some changes

• Became the fundamental theoretical support of the American War of Independence (Revolutionary War)

REVIEW OF SOME DETAILS

1. What is the purpose of the document?

- To declare independence of the thirteen colonies of America from the Kingdom of Great Britain by providing justifiable reasons.

2. According to Jefferson, which human rights are unalienable?

- Equality, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

3. What accusations does Jefferson make against the British King? In a statement, summarize the complaints against the king.-The British King refuses to establish proper Legislative powers and Judiciary powers to attend to the right needs of the colonies and subsequently has made serious intrusions upon the rights of the colonies. -In a word, by the long-time abuses, injuries and usurpations, the King has established an absolute Tyranny over the thirteen states in the colony.

4. How have the colonists met with “these oppressions”? Why might the King have ignored the colonists’ petitions for redress?- The colonists have petitioned for Redress repeatedly, appealed to the British King for fair treatment, warned their British brethren of their unjustified invasions of their rights and asked them to stop usurpations. But the King has ignored their petitions for redress for the economic benefits Britain could obtain from the colonies.

5. What do the signers of the Declaration of Independence pledge in the final paragraph?

- They pledge their “lives,” “Fortunes,” and “sacred Honor” to support this Declaration.

INTERPRETATION AND DISCUSSION

1. What does the pledge in the final paragraph reveal about the signers’ commitment?

- The pledge reveals that the signers are firmly determined to be independent of the British kingdom.

2. What is the syllogism implied in the Declaration justifying the cause of the Colonies?Major premise: Any form of government that constantly abuses and usurps its people’s rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness ought to be altered or abolished. Minor premise: The British Kingdom has committed many such abuses and usurpations as to reduce the colonies under absolute despotism.Conclusion: It is the right and duty of the colonies to throw off the British Kingdom and to establish a new government to secure their rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

3. What role does God play in the argumentation?

-God is the Creator of the world and all men and entitles men to the right of equality, freedom, life, and the pursuit of happiness. -God is also the Supreme Judge of the world to guard ultimate justice for His people. -But God does not interfere in the specific affairs of the world.

4. What is the relationship between the Laws of Nature and the Laws of the government?

- The Laws of Nature are the basis for the Laws of the government.

Core Reasons for the Declaration

1. 我们认为下面这些真理是不言而喻的 : 人人生而平等，造物者赋予他们若干不可剥夺的权利，其中包括生命权、自由权和追求幸福的权利。

Core Reasons for the Declaration

2. 为了保障这些权利，人类才在他们之间建立政府，而政府之正当权力，是经被治理者的同意而产生的。当任何形式的政府对这些目标具破坏作用时，人民便有权力改变或废除它，以建立一个新的政府 ; 其赖以奠基的原则，其组织权力的方式，务使人民认为唯有这样才最可能获得他们的安全和幸福。

Core Reasons for the Declaration

3. 但是，当追逐同一目标的一连串滥用职权和强取豪夺发生，证明政府企图把人民置於专制统治之下时，那麽人民就有权利，也有义务推翻这个政府，并为他们未来的安全建立新的保障——这就是这些殖民地过去逆来顺受的情况，也是它们现在不得不改变以前政府制度的原因。

Writing style and techniques

Eloquent, Grand, Powerful

• Objective, dignified, balanced, well-structured, rational

• Powerful

Clear structure of syllogism

1. Concise statement of purpose in the beginning;

2. Major premise: philosophical theory for the declaration of independence;

3. Minor premise: lists of facts justifying the declaration;

4. Natural conclusion: clear and solemn declaration of independence

Long sentences

• When, in the course of human events, … separation. (para.2, p.30): 长长的主语修饰语；宾语从句中包含定语从句

• We hold these truths to be self-evident, that …, that …. That … , That… (para.3, p.30-31)：宾语有 4 个同位语从句修饰

• We, therefore, … may of right do. (last para., p.34-35) ：长长的主语修饰语； 4 个宾语从句

• Effect: : to make it sound solemn

Parallelism / repetition

• That 引导的同位语 /宾语从句句式重复• He has … 句式的多次重复列举英王的劣迹• For v-ing … 句式重复强调英王专制行为的性质毫无疑问（因为长期多次发生）

• We have … （倒数第 2 段）

• Effect ： to emphasize

Connotation 隐含意义，言外之意• Suggestions or associations of feeling

beyond the words’ literal meaning• Identify words having strongly negative

connotations in the Declaration. - “abuses,” “injuries,” “usurpations,”

“despotism,” “tyranny,” “tyrant,” “oppressions”

- “He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burned our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.”