Precolonial and colonial America Exploration to 1752

Exploration and Settlement The earliest “American” literature was not written down. The earliest “American” literature was not written down. The native American people had an oral tradition The native American people had an oral tradition Their “literature” was an integral part of their religious practice Their “literature” was an integral part of their religious practice They used the elements of nature as metaphor to explain the origin of the world and the natural phenomena in their lives. They used the elements of nature as metaphor to explain the origin of the world and the natural phenomena in their lives.

Types of Myths Creation Creation Origin Origin

Myth is… The traditional stories of a people which collectively constitute their folk history and that of their gods and heroes. The mythology of a people is a record of its beliefs and culture.

Oral tradition is The stories and songs of the people are handed down by the elders of the tribe to the younger generation. In this way the traditions and rituals of the tribe are preserved. The stories and songs of the people are handed down by the elders of the tribe to the younger generation. In this way the traditions and rituals of the tribe are preserved. Few of the Native American tribes deveoped a written language. The oral tradition makes the literature a product of the whole people rather than one author. Few of the Native American tribes deveoped a written language. The oral tradition makes the literature a product of the whole people rather than one author.

In the oral tradition, certain devices are a part of the structure or formula for preserving the literature: repetition, specific rhythmic patterns, using certain words as stock images to appeal to the listeners imagination. In the oral tradition, certain devices are a part of the structure or formula for preserving the literature: repetition, specific rhythmic patterns, using certain words as stock images to appeal to the listeners imagination. We also see in these legends the use of anthropomorphism We also see in these legends the use of anthropomorphism

Colonial Literature There are 3 groups of writers identified with this period of American literature: There are 3 groups of writers identified with this period of American literature: The explorers and soldiers who first landed in the new world The explorers and soldiers who first landed in the new world The soldiers and adventurers who settled Virginia as a part of a commercial venture The soldiers and adventurers who settled Virginia as a part of a commercial venture The Puritans The Puritans

The Explorers It consists mainly of letters, journals, accounts of their adventures and discoveries It consists mainly of letters, journals, accounts of their adventures and discoveries Much of the original writing is not in English Much of the original writing is not in English These works reflect the experiences and inspiration which shaped the American character and its institutions. Much of the writing expresses the central conflict of all American literature: anticipation of the ideal of freedom versus the reality of life in America. These works reflect the experiences and inspiration which shaped the American character and its institutions. Much of the writing expresses the central conflict of all American literature: anticipation of the ideal of freedom versus the reality of life in America.

La Relacion Literary elements: Literary elements: Narrator tells the story Narrator tells the story Point of view is the attitude or perspective from which the story is told Point of view is the attitude or perspective from which the story is told First person First person Third person limited Third person limited Third person omniscient Third person omniscient Bias is the “mental inclination toward an opinion or position.” Bias is the “mental inclination toward an opinion or position.”

The Cavaliers The soldiers and adventurers who came to Virginia in 1607 were part of a commercial venture. Their goal was to make a profit. The soldiers and adventurers who came to Virginia in 1607 were part of a commercial venture. Their goal was to make a profit. The eventual development of the plantation system and the concept of the “gentleman planter” is characteristic of this group. The eventual development of the plantation system and the concept of the “gentleman planter” is characteristic of this group. Writers tend to present a materialistic and essentially British point of view. Writers tend to present a materialistic and essentially British point of view.

John Smith “The General History” “The General History” The forms of discourse The forms of discourse Smith’s view of America Smith’s view of America His portrayal of himself His portrayal of himself His view of violence as a part of the routine of life His view of violence as a part of the routine of life Powhatan and Pocahontas Powhatan and Pocahontas

The Puritans Called Separatists: they came to America to escape religious persecution. Called Separatists: they came to America to escape religious persecution. The 3 characteristics of the Puritan way of life are: grace, plainness, and divine mission. The 3 characteristics of the Puritan way of life are: grace, plainness, and divine mission. There are 3 types of writing associated with these people (who landed at Plymouth in 1620) : poetry, journals (diaries), and spiritual autobiography. There are 3 types of writing associated with these people (who landed at Plymouth in 1620) : poetry, journals (diaries), and spiritual autobiography.

Puritan Influence in America 5 key beliefs: 5 key beliefs: That being moral and being religious are the same thing That being moral and being religious are the same thing That ministers should be well-educated That ministers should be well-educated That there is dignity in work and that people who are poor must be lazy That there is dignity in work and that people who are poor must be lazy That the conscience of the individual is the ultimate judge of right and wrong That the conscience of the individual is the ultimate judge of right and wrong That America has a mission to lead the rest of the world That America has a mission to lead the rest of the world

William Bradford 2 nd governor of Plymouth 2 nd governor of Plymouth “Of Plymouth Plantation” is the story of the first 25 years in the settling of the colony “Of Plymouth Plantation” is the story of the first 25 years in the settling of the colony Begun about 1630 but not published until 1856 Begun about 1630 but not published until 1856 A providential view of history A providential view of history Written in the “plain style.” Written in the “plain style.”

Bradford’s book presents a vision of America “dedicated to and sustained by God.” At the end of the 270 pages, the tone of the author changes from hopefulness to disappointment. After leaving Europe because of the corruption there, the Pilgrims themselves begin to fall into the same immoral way of life. After surviving hardship, danger, and exploitation many people begin moving away from Plymouth.

“In his disappointment, Bradford once again proves typical. He would not be the last American writer to feel that the divinely guided nation had fallen short of its promise.” Adventures in American Literature “In his disappointment, Bradford once again proves typical. He would not be the last American writer to feel that the divinely guided nation had fallen short of its promise.” Adventures in American Literature

The Poetry Purpose: for Puritans writing poetry was a way of expressing their spiritual lives and also a means of instruction. Purpose: for Puritans writing poetry was a way of expressing their spiritual lives and also a means of instruction. Subjects: the poetry expressed everyday concerns of the people and the transitory nature of their lives and existence. Subjects: the poetry expressed everyday concerns of the people and the transitory nature of their lives and existence. Types of poetry: poems of providential mercy or disaster; elegy or epitaph; personal narrative. Types of poetry: poems of providential mercy or disaster; elegy or epitaph; personal narrative.

The Poets Anne Bradstreet ( ) was born in England and came with her husband and parents to Massachusetts sometime after Anne Bradstreet ( ) was born in England and came with her husband and parents to Massachusetts sometime after Bradstreet’s poetry was a private exercise intended to be read only by her family Bradstreet’s poetry was a private exercise intended to be read only by her family She wrote about her love for her husband and family and about her personal relationship with God She wrote about her love for her husband and family and about her personal relationship with God

The 10 th Muse Lately Sprung Up In America Published in1650 Published in1650 Poetry is in the Elizabethan literary tradition that includes Spenser and Sidney Poetry is in the Elizabethan literary tradition that includes Spenser and Sidney Her early work is imitative and conventional in both form and content and is largely unremarkable Her early work is imitative and conventional in both form and content and is largely unremarkable She has, however, won critical acceptance in the 20th century for her later poetry, which is less imitative and often deeply personal. She has, however, won critical acceptance in the 20th century for her later poetry, which is less imitative and often deeply personal.

Edward Taylor His poetry expresses the abstract ideas of theology by using familiar symbols His poetry expresses the abstract ideas of theology by using familiar symbols With Bradstreet, Taylor is considered one of the great poets of American colonial literature. With Bradstreet, Taylor is considered one of the great poets of American colonial literature. He borrows from the metaphysical poetry of 17 th century England. He borrows from the metaphysical poetry of 17 th century England.

What is Metaphysical Poetry This is a poetic style identified with John Donne, George Herbert and others. In this kind of poetry, the author writes about the contradictions (or problems) of life. The poetry includes the psychological analysis of the emotions of love and religion. Sometimes the images used by the poet are unusual. Themes of this poetry include: death, love, and religious devotion. This is a poetic style identified with John Donne, George Herbert and others. In this kind of poetry, the author writes about the contradictions (or problems) of life. The poetry includes the psychological analysis of the emotions of love and religion. Sometimes the images used by the poet are unusual. Themes of this poetry include: death, love, and religious devotion.

Huswifery A metaphysical conceit: it is a comparison between cloth-making and God’s granting of grace to the individual. A conceit is an extended comparison or metaphor between two very different things. A metaphysical conceit: it is a comparison between cloth-making and God’s granting of grace to the individual. A conceit is an extended comparison or metaphor between two very different things. Taylor’s poetry has an ornate style that uses comparisons of the most intense religious experience with very homely and easily identified detail. Taylor’s poetry has an ornate style that uses comparisons of the most intense religious experience with very homely and easily identified detail.

The Great Awakening From about , there was a revival of Puritan fervor which was brought on by the appearance of great preachers like Jonathan Edwards. This revival of spirit lasted about 20 years and as the preachers influence waned so did the fervor. From about , there was a revival of Puritan fervor which was brought on by the appearance of great preachers like Jonathan Edwards. This revival of spirit lasted about 20 years and as the preachers influence waned so did the fervor. Puritanism as a political and social force in America lasted about 100 years Puritanism as a political and social force in America lasted about 100 years

Causes of Puritan Decline The deaths of the original Puritan leaders The deaths of the original Puritan leaders The growth of immigration of groups that were not associated with the Puritan church The growth of immigration of groups that were not associated with the Puritan church The scandal of the Salem Witch Trials (1692) The scandal of the Salem Witch Trials (1692)

Jonathan Edwards Persuasive form of discourse Persuasive form of discourse Authority Authority Audience Audience Persuasive devices Persuasive devices Allusion Allusion Repetition Repetition Concrete images Concrete images Parallel Construction Parallel Construction

Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God This is a classic statement of the Puritan belief in hell and man’s complete dependence on God This is a classic statement of the Puritan belief in hell and man’s complete dependence on God Since his audience reads the Bible, he establishes his authority to speak by using Scripture to illustrate his point Since his audience reads the Bible, he establishes his authority to speak by using Scripture to illustrate his point