American Literary Movements A Project American Literary Movements

Literary Movements A literary movement is defined as trends within a certain time period in which literature was unified by certain ideas and influences.

In groups of 2-3 You will assigned a literary movement from American Literature. You will read/research various aspects of that movement. You will create a vivid poster with the information you have found. You will present the poster to the class. You will also turn in a short reflective writing.

Grading 50%- Group grade 50%- Individual grade Poster Presentation Reflection Teacher Observation

Movements Pre-Colonial Colonial Age of Reason American Romanticism Transcendentalism Realism Modernism The Harlem Renaissance Post-Modernism

What do you need to find? For each literary movement, you will need to find: Years in which it took place (some literary movements overlap on the timeline). Major themes and motifs explored during this movement. (5 or 6 need to be identified) Political or social issues that may have influenced the literature at this time. (2 or 3 major issues need to be identified) Common genres in which authors would write during this time. (2 to 5 need to be identified) Notable authors and texts from the movement. (5 or 6 need to be identified – make sure you give some info about the authors, not just their names and texts.)

Your poster Think about where it is going to be. Design your poster according to your time period. Borders Color scheme Images

Your Presentation All group members must speak an equal share. Do not just read the poster. Present the information (that means you actually have to know it). Do not turn your back to the audience.

Rubric Group ___/50 Poster ___/40 Presentation ___/10   Individual ___/50 Presentation ___/25 Reflection ___/25

Taking notes For each literary movement, you will take notes of the following items: Name of the literary movement Dates 5-6 major themes 2-3 political or social issues These notes will be put in your notebook.

Pre-1500 Pre-Colonial

Pre-Colonial Major themes and motifs: Political and Social Issues Nature Creation and Religion Family Balance Political and Social Issues Cultural diversity War between tribes

Pre-Colonial Genres Authors Oral literature- songs/poetry Trickster tales Creation myths Authors Sioux Iroquois Winnebago

1650-1750 Colonial

Colonial Major Themes and Motifs Political and Social Issues Christian Utopia Errand into the Wilderness Be a city on a hill Political and Social Issues First American colonies established Salem Witch Trials

Colonial Genres Authors Sermons Diaries Personal Narratives Captivity Narratives Authors William Bradford Anne Bradstreet Jonathan Edwards Edward Taylor

1750-1800 Age of Reason

Age of Reason Major themes and motifs Political and Social Issues Human beings can arrive at truth using deductive reasoning. Political and Social Issues Revolutionary War Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights created

Age of Reason Genres Authors Speeches Autobiographies Pamphlets Poetry Benjamin Franklin Patrick Henry Thomas Paine Phyllis Wheatley

1830’s-1860’s Transcendentalism

Transcendentalism Major themes and motifs Political and Social Issues Nature Individualism Self-reliance Man’s natural goodness Political and Social Issues Abolition Industrialism Religion

Transcendentalism Genres Authors Speeches Essays Poetry Ralph Waldo Emerson Margaret Fuller Henry David Thoreau

1860-1910 Realism

Realism Major themes and motifs Political and Social Issues Complex characters and realistic plots and settings Naturalism Regionalism Social class Political and Social Issues Industrial Revolution New scientific discoveries Post-Civil War Reconstruction Women’s and Civil Rights

Realism Genres Authors Short story Novel Journalism Stephen Crain Henry James Mark Twain

1914-1945 Modernism

Modernism Themes and motifs Political and Social Issues Modern life (cosmopolitan and rural) Popular culture Debating tradition Fragmentation Political and Social Issues World Wars The Great Depression Women’s Rights

Modernism Genres Authors Fiction Poetry Drama T. S. Eliot William Faulkner Ernest Hemingway James Joyce Tennessee Williams

1945-Present Post-modernism

Post-modernism Major themes and motifs Political and Social Issues Contemporary life Humor Erasing boundaries Avoiding traditional forms Political and Social Issues Cold War Introduction of suburban life Post-industrialism

Post-modernism Genres Authors Novel Drama Joseph Heller Thomas Pynchon Kurt Vonnegut

Reflection Write one paragraph where you detail What part you played in the project. If any of your group members did not do their part. What you learned from the project or how you felt about starting an English class with a project instead of a piece of literature.