An Introduction to American Literature A (Brief) Journey Through the Time Periods

The Purpose This is an overview of the MAJOR literary movements and time periods to prepare you for your EOC English SOL. This is an overview of the MAJOR literary movements and time periods to prepare you for your EOC English SOL.

PURITANISM (1600s to Mid 1700s) The Puritans wanted to “purify” the Church of England. Left England in 1620, under harsh persecution. Came to the New World to create a Utopian colony where they could be free to practice their beliefs.

Themes Focus on: Focus on: Religion Religion Spirituality Spirituality GOD GOD NO SEPERATION between NO SEPERATION between Church, Government, Literature, or Society Church, Government, Literature, or Society

THEMES (cont.) Life (and literature) was based on the belief of “predestination” Life (and literature) was based on the belief of “predestination” God has already decided who was saved and who was damned. The kicker: no one on earth knew. God has already decided who was saved and who was damned. The kicker: no one on earth knew. We are all born evil and must strive for goodness. We are all born evil and must strive for goodness. Forced to live a “righteous” life just in case. Forced to live a “righteous” life just in case. Pre-Democratic American values. Pre-Democratic American values.

AUTHORS Anne Bradstreet (poetry) Anne Bradstreet (poetry) “To My Dear and Loving Husband” “Upon the Burning…” Jonathon Edwards (sermons) Jonathon Edwards (sermons) “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”

REVOLUTIONARY (Mid to Late 1700s) Shift in government: Democratic NOT Religious. Shift in government: Democratic NOT Religious. Shift to scientific thinking and experiments. Shift to scientific thinking and experiments. REBELLION! Striving for independence from Britain. REBELLION! Striving for independence from Britain.

Why Fight? England kept troops in America after the French and Indian War (early 1700s) without reimbursement from the crown. England kept troops in America after the French and Indian War (early 1700s) without reimbursement from the crown. “No taxation without fair representations” fell on King George III’s deaf ears. “No taxation without fair representations” fell on King George III’s deaf ears.

AUTHORS Patrick Henry Patrick Henry “The Speech to VA Convention” “The Speech to VA Convention” Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson “The Dec. of Independence” “The Dec. of Independence” Benjamin Franklin Benjamin Franklin Autobiography Autobiography Phyllis Wheatley Phyllis Wheatley First published African- American poet First published African- American poet

TRANSCENDENTALISM (Early to Mid 1800s) Louisiana Purchase (Westward Expansion). Louisiana Purchase (Westward Expansion). Rebellion against Puritan beliefs. Rebellion against Puritan beliefs. Belief in democracy and freedom. Belief in democracy and freedom. Ended with the Civil War. Ended with the Civil War.

THEMES Nature is Truth. Nature is God and God is Nature. Be self-reliant and stand up for what you believe.

AUTHORS Ralph Waldo Emerson Ralph Waldo Emerson The “Father of Transcendentalism” Wrote “Self-Reliance” Henry David Thoreau Henry David Thoreau “Civil Disobedience” Walden

ROMANTICS (Early to Mid 1800s) Rebelled against Puritanism and Revolutionary sensibilities. Rebelled against Puritanism and Revolutionary sensibilities. Wanted to examine the relationship between man/nature and man/emotions. Wanted to examine the relationship between man/nature and man/emotions.

ROMANTICS Themes Same philosophy as the Transcendentalists. Same philosophy as the Transcendentalists. Fascination with the supernatural. Fascination with the supernatural. Has a dark side – The American Gothic movement. Has a dark side – The American Gothic movement.

Authors Edgar Allen Poe “The Raven” William Cullen Bryant “Thanatopsis” Emily Dickinson “Because I Could Not Stop for Death” Walt Whitman “O Captain, My Captain”

Realism/Naturalism (Mid to Late 1800s) Attempt to mirror “real life” Attempt to mirror “real life” Writing reflects careful observations of life Writing reflects careful observations of life Life is depicted as gritty and truthful…no fluff Life is depicted as gritty and truthful…no fluff Study of how we are affected by our environment Study of how we are affected by our environment

Realism/Naturalism Themes Emphasis on human instinct. Emphasis on human instinct. Highly developed settings to re-create a specific time and place in history. Highly developed settings to re-create a specific time and place in history. Focus on middle and lower classes Focus on middle and lower classes

Realism/Naturalism Authors Mark Twain Mark Twain Huck Finn, “Life on the Mississippi” Huck Finn, “Life on the Mississippi” Stephen Crane Stephen Crane Red Badge of Courage, “The Mystery of Heroism” Red Badge of Courage, “The Mystery of Heroism” Kate Chopin Kate Chopin “Desire’s Baby” “Desire’s Baby”

MODERNISM (Early 1900s to WWI) Experimentation with literary styles (esp. poetry) A search for love and emotional connections Destruction of order (the end of the world with WWI)

Authors Ernest Hemingway Ernest Hemingway The Old Man and the Sea The Old Man and the Sea F. Scott Fitzgerald F. Scott Fitzgerald The Great Gatsby The Great Gatsby T.S. Eliot T.S. Eliot “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” Richard Wright Richard Wright Native Son Native Son

HARLEM RENAISSANCE (Early 1900s) African-American Literary Movement African-American Literary Movement Harlem, New York served as “Mecca” for artists Harlem, New York served as “Mecca” for artists Assertion of racial pride and contributions to American culture (Jazz, poetry, art, etc). Assertion of racial pride and contributions to American culture (Jazz, poetry, art, etc).

Authors Langston Hughes Langston Hughes “I, Too”, “Theme for English B”, “Harlem” “I, Too”, “Theme for English B”, “Harlem” Countee Cullen Countee Cullen “Any Human to Another” “Any Human to Another” Zora Neale Hurston Zora Neale Hurston Their Eyes Were Watching God Their Eyes Were Watching God

POST-MODERNISM (WWII – Present) Reflection of optimism and sorrow of war Reflection of optimism and sorrow of war Idealism vs. Pessimism Idealism vs. Pessimism Looking to the Future – SciFi Looking to the Future – SciFi Lack of classical literary forms Lack of classical literary forms

Authors Sylvia Plath Sylvia Plath Ariel (A Collection of Poems) Ariel (A Collection of Poems) Nikki Giovanni Nikki Giovanni Various poetry collections Various poetry collections John Steinbeck John Steinbeck Of Mice and Men Of Mice and Men J.D. Salinger J.D. Salinger Catcher in the Rye Catcher in the Rye