Philip Freneau’s literary reactions to the American revolution: A study of selected poems

This research explores Philip Frenaeau’s literary reactions to the American Revolution by examining five of his poems. These are: “To the Americans,” “On the American Frigate Alliance,” “A Political Litany,” “George, The Third’s Soliloquy,” and “An Ancient Prophecy”. All poems contain ideas, which are closely related to the American Revolution. It is expected that these poems reflect Freneau's support of the American Revolution and reveal his rejection of British Monarchy in America. There are two main ideas expressed in the poems selected in this study: the American spirit toward the revolution and satires directed to Great Britain. The ideas related to the American Revolution in the poems are greatly influenced by the social condition of the American Revolution and Freneau’s involvement in it. The expressions toward the American Revolution in these poems refer to those of the American society that strongly wishes to live in an independent nation.

Key words: American Revolution, freedom, literary reactions, Philip Freneau.