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EARLY AMERICAN LITERATURE
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Objectives Literary Movements Native American Oral Tradition
Puritan Literature Enlightenment Literature Characteristics Historical Characteristics Thematic Characteristics Stylistic Characteristics
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A tree Who made thee? We might think differently But we can all agree A tree is a thing of beauty Look closely You will see Look closely You will see LOOK CLOSELY . . .
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Trekking Through The Maze of Life: Nature, the Environment, and the Search for Happiness in American Literature COURSE THEME. . .
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COURSE THEME ENGL 2130, Summer 2018
Texts will focus on one or more of the following: Appreciating nature How one’s environment affects his or her happiness Nature and matters of love, marriage, and family Humans relationship with nature Nature as a source of healing
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AMRICAN LITERATURE TIMELINE
We will Trek through American Literature A seed Early American Literature (Before 1820) Roots take hold Romanticism ( ) Stem sprouts Realism ( ) Stem soars… Modernism ( ) Petals Blossom …Postmodernism (1945 – Present)
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Analyzing Works of American Literature
Read. Read Closely Examine texts from one or more perspectives (critical lenses) Formalist Reader-response Historical/Biographical Gender Eco-critical Social /Psychological
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Analyzing Works of American Literature in ENGL 2130
Which critical lens is commonly used? Formalist Approach Examines how various elements contribute to the theme, or examine one or more literary elements in a text Which critical lenses will we use in ENGL 2130, Summer 2018? Reader-Response Lens Eco-critical Lens
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Reader Response Approach to Literature
Reader-response stresses the role of the reader The reader explains (and defends) his or her personal reaction to the text Questions to consider: What does the text have to do with you personally? How much does the text agree with or clash with your views? Does the text remind you of something you have seen, read, or heard? What can you praise about the text? What problems do you have with it? How well did you enjoy the text (or not) as entertainment or a work of art? What parts of the text stand out? Do you find any parts interesting? Why? Sample Reader-Response Paper
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Eco-critical Approach to Literature
Examines literature and the environment from an interdisciplinary point of view. Questions to Consider: How does nature play a role in this text? How has the concept of nature changed over time? How is the setting related to the environment? How does the presence or absence of nature affect the individuals or characters? Is this an urban environment, rural environment, or the wilderness? Sample Paper
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Writing about American Literature
How will we write about American Literature? 8 Weekly Discussion Assignments Lens: Reader – Response Writing: 1 Article 1 Creative Writing Work (Persona Writing) 6 Reviews of Short Stories Literature Project Annotated Bibliography Assessment 2: On-campus Proctored Assignment Reader-Response Paper
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Native American Oral Tradition
Beginnings to 1700’s Watch Video
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Historical Characteristics
DOCUMENTED AS FIRST INHABITANTS First inhabitants of what is now America Paleo-Indians are considered the first inhabitants Oral tradition as form of communication DIVERSITY Spoke many languages Diverse societies Diverse religious or philosophical beliefs FAMILY LIFE Family life played a key role There were many matriarchal societies Oral stories taught values and traditions FROM ORAL TO WRITTEN Sequoyah introduced first writing system (1809) Stories were translated into written form
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Thematic Characteristics
Respect for Animals High Importance on Community Reverence for Nature
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Stylistic Characteristics
Native American Oral Tradition Dynamic or Constant Change Tale changes depending on who is telling it Emphasizes performance & other physical aspects No author Audience act as the “author” Translation to Written Static or Permanent Record Less performance & other physical aspects Preservation and Documentation Longevity Stories recorded by one or more people Major Forms of Native American Oral Tradition Creation stories, Poems, songs, oratories, and prayers Myths, legends, and trickster tales Repetition Metaphor, Personification, and Symbolism
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Puritan Literature 1600’s
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Historical Characteristics.
Great Migration of 1600s (Puritans Migrated to America) Faced religious persecution in England More religious freedom and less constraints in America Beliefs or values Stressed literacy, education, and morality Predestination, Covenant of Works, and Covenant of Abraham Lived a plain lifestyle, shunned luxuries and materialism Family Life Family life plays a key role Religious beliefs influenced family life Literacy was highly important Hierarchy and Roles of Family Members Clearly defined roles Husbands (authority) figure, Wives (expected to be pious) Children (expected to be obedient)
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Thematic Characteristics.
Religion plays a key role in Puritan writing Literature purpose is to be instructive (daily life, morality, and politics) Bible is the template for writing Literature focuses on daily life, morality, politics Predestination All events have been willed by God Inward reflection Writing focuses on inner values rather than outer world Placed no emphasis on imaginary writing (fiction)
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Stylistic Characteristics.
Extremely plain, simple language "God's altar needs not our polishings.“ (Minister John Cotton) Writing mimics the plain lifestyle of Puritans (shunned overly extravagant writing) Poetry Wrote metaphysical poetry, but points always reflected love of God and obedience to God Used lofty language and extended and often exaggerated metaphors Major Forms of Writing Diaries, Pamphlets. Sermons Narratives, Poetry
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Poet of the Puritan Period
Anne Bradstreet, one of America’s earliest poets PERSONAL LIFE Born in England (1612) Highly Educated Married, had children LITERARY BACKGROUND America’s First Female poet Poetry focuses on domestic life and religion
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Enlightenment Literature
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Historical Characteristics..
Less Emphasis on Puritan’s Spiritual Beliefs) Literature Focuses on Freedom, Independence, Identity, and Politics Known as the “Age of Reason” Key Events America as an independent country Revolutionary War Declaration of Independence
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Thematic Characteristics..
Reason and fact are more important than imagination Primarily non-fiction and related to politics Common good (community) more important than individual Continued Presence of Literature by Native Americans Sequoyah (first writing system) Elias Boudinot (Cherokee Phoenix, the first Native American newspaper) Samson Occom (first Native American to publish his writing in English) S. Alice Callahan (first Native American woman to publish a book) Growing Presence of Literature by African Americans Phyllis Wheatley, Poet, (Spiritually themed, elegiac poetry style) Olaudah Equiano, Writer (Autobiography) Omar Ibn Said, Islamic Scholar and Writer
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Stylistic Characteristics..
Very political and persuasive writing Plain prose style of writing Often used allusion, imagery, metaphor, and usually first person point of view Major Forms Diaries, Pamphlets Sermons, Narratives, Poetry Major Writers Benjamin Franklin, Phillis Wheatley Olaudah Equiano, Patrick Henry Abigail Adams, Samuel Occom
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Poet of the Enlightenment Literary Period
Phyllis Wheatley, one of America’s earliest poets PERSONAL LIFE Born in Senegal (1753) Highly Educated (Greek/Latin) Married, had children LITERARY BACKGROUND First American Female poet of African descent Poetry focuses on domestic life and religion
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