Literature of Early America The Beginning to 1800 A Gathering of Voices Literature of Early America The Beginning to 1800

The First Americans No one knows when Native Americans first came to the U.S. Spanish first settled St. Augustine, FL in 1565 British and other European settlers arrived in Jamestown, VA in 1607

Puritans Religious reformers known as Pilgrims landed in Plymouth, MA in 1620 Try to create a “city on a hill” – a perfect new community Puritanism declined, but in 1720 there was a spiritual revival called The Great Awakening

South vs. New England Differences in climate Large farms in the south – small farms in New England Different crops Social organization

The Age of Reason and Birth of a Nation Began in Europe in the mid 1700s Focus was to reform society using reason, challenge ideas grounded in tradition and faith, and advance knowledge through the scientific method Influenced the Founding Fathers The colonists rebellion led to the American Revolution 1775- 1781 We Won – The world was changed forever!

What is the relationship between place and literature? Nature was wild, vast, and different than Europe It was awe inspiring Natives believed the people belonged to the land Colonists believed the land belonged to the people Colonists dreamed of a perfect country; the reality was that it was hard to stay alive. Taming the wilderness left Americans with the idea of independence and self-reliance

Attitude Toward Nature in Literature Natives revered it; saw it as the source of life Colonists saw the wilderness as wild, dark, scary and evil 2nd generation immigrants saw it as a land of plenty. Different and better than Europe

What makes American Lit. American? Early American themes Wilderness Community Individualism What makes these themes uniquely American? Place – a new wonderful, horrible continent Past – New country with only a short history of sermons, pamphlets, and newspapers Vision – Americans were a new breed of people self-reliant, youthful, optimistic

Social and Political Influences Puritanism - Importance of family, religion, education, and the idea that America was special The Enlightenment – The power of reason Treatment of Native Americans and Africans