“[In America] individuals of all nations are melted into a new race of men, whose labors... will one day cause great changes in the world.” ~ Michel – Guillaume Jean de Crevecoeur Encounters and Foundations to 1800

Native Cultures Thrive in America American Indians had been living in this area for thousands of years before the first European settlers set foot on this continent about 500 years ago. “Columbus did not discover a new world; he established contact between two worlds, both already old.” - J. H. Parry The Spanish Seaborne Empire First interactions between both groups involved trading: Europeans wanted survival skills and the Indians wanted European textiles, firearms, and steel tools. In the early years, the Indians vastly outnumbered the Europeans. However, the settlers exposed the Indians to diseases that the Indians had no immunity to, such as smallpox. Those who survived the epidemics were to be forced off of their land by the colonists who no longer depended on them for guidance and survival.

Native American Literature: The Oral Tradition Western literature has its roots firmly planted in the oral tradition (The Odyssey, Beowulf) but never gave Native American literature much respect – it wasn’t even recognized that American Indians had a literature until the late 1800’s. Part of the problem scholars had was translating the texts from hundreds of different languages – a task best done by Native Americans themselves (N. Scott Momaday, Louise Erdrich, Simon J. Ortiz)

Important Generalizations about Native American Oral Traditions Use stories to teach moral lessons and convey practical info about the natural world Reflects a view of the natural world that is more inclusive than the one typically seen in Western lit – the Native American universe is not dominated by humans Animals and humans are often interchangeable in myths and folk tales (origin myths may even feature animals as the instruments of creation) All Native American cultures show a keen awareness of the power of metaphor Speech or oratory – often relying on striking similes drawn from nature – is a highly developed and respected literary form. American Indian worldview is not a progressive straight line, but of an endless circle (seasons, birth, death, rebirth, repeated ceremonies year after year). The sun still rises in the same sky!

The Puritans Settle in New England “For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill, the eyes of all people are upon us. So that if we shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken, and so cause Him to withdraw His present help from us, we shall be made a story and a byword through the world...” -John Winthrop, from a sermon delivered aboard the Arabella on the way to New England, spring 1630

American Narrative Tradition Travel Narratives: first European explorers undertook long, difficult journeys with a variety of goals. These narratives document the experiences of the first Europeans to cross the North American continent (Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca – La Relacion) Tales of Life in North America: described the vast possibilities of life in the Americas and encouraged new settlers to realize their goals – advertisements! (Capt. John Smith – General History of Virginia, New England, and the Summer Isles) Captivity Stories: chronicle the tales of settlers who were kidnapped by Native Americans. These became one of the most widely produced forms of entertainment in North America. Unfortunately, contributed to the decline of relations between the settlers and the Indians. (Mary Rowlandson – A Narrative of the Captivity) Slave Narratives: Autobiographical account of the life of an enslaved person (The Interesting Life of Olaudah Equiano) *Major difference between these narratives and pre-Civil War narratives?

Puritan History Puritan ethic of thrift, hard work, and self-sufficiency contributed to the success of capitalism in the New World The founding of a new society in North America was a business venture as well as a spiritual one – Puritans believed that wealth was a sign of God’s favor, so they strove to attain it Spiritual covenant was a useful model for social organization – The Mayflower Compact prepared the groundwork for American constitutional democracy Political views were sometimes uncompromisingly harsh (1692 Salem witch trials – 20 people executed)

The Great Awakening Period of religious revival and revitalization that swept through the American colonies in the early 1700s (similar movement in England, Scotland, and Germany influenced this) People thought that being religious meant trusting the heart and not the head and relying on the Bible for explanation and not human logic. Characterized by preachers who gave fiery, heartfelt sermons to their parishioners (Jonathan Edwards “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” was one of the key figures)

Puritan Literature Bible provided the model Puritans saw direct connections between Biblical events and events in their own lives Favored a plain style of writing and avoided complicated figures of speech The most common forms of writing – diaries and histories – were believed to reflect the workings of God (reveal the path from sin to God’s grace, reflected intense piety and strict self- discipline, urged people to awaken and seek spiritual salvation

The Rise of Rationalism “O ye that love mankind! Ye that dare oppose, not only the tyranny but the tyrant, stand forth!” - Thomas Paine

The Enlightenment In England, the political and social turmoil of the seventeenth century cause many people to question the divine right of monarchs. Supporters of the Enlightenment believed that humans can discover the truth by using reason rather than relying solely on religious faith or intuition Disagreed with Puritan beliefs of revelation, divine providence, and final judgment (deism)

Political Writing Helped unite people in the cause for independence Early American leaders spread their ideals by sponsoring publication of their own words and making them widely available to the Colonists Thomas Paine’s 47 pg pamphlet Common Sense (Jan. 1776) is considered to be the most important written work justifying American independence – it helped turn the tide of public opinion Paine’s series of pamphlets The American Crisis urged Americans not to give up the fight for independence Political rhetoric in the halls of government: Patrick Henry (March 1775 “Give me liberty or give me death” speech) and Thomas Jefferson (Declaration of Independence) Persuasive techniques: Emotional appeal Logical appeal

Other Literature of the Times Don’t forget the ladies! Abigal Adams and her letters to her husband (asked for better treatment of women in the new nation – obviously John didn’t listen!) Phillis Wheatley, once enslaved, wrote poetry about freedom and independence for all people Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography (popular form of Puritan writing, but without the religious justification) “Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of husbands. Remember all men would be tyrants if they could.” -Abigail Adams