1. America’s First Writers 1607-1750

2. In order to really understand people, you must understand the time in which they lived.

3. Questions you should answer: 1. Why did people explore and then settle America? 2. What 2 groups did the early settlers fall into and what characterizes each group? 3. What were the basic Puritan beliefs? 4. What was the typical Southern gentleman like? 5. What are the differences between the literature of the South and the North?

4. Why did people explore and then settle America?  Religious freedom  Adventure  Financial gain  _____________?

5. What could make you leave your homeland?

6. Should a place of worship be fancy or plain? WHY?

7. Religious freedom, WHY?  King Henry VIII split w/Catholic church and formed the Church of England a.k.a. Anglican Church— WHY?  Some Anglican church people thought the Church was still too much like the Catholic church

8. Puritans—Who are they?  Called themselves “Saints”  Others called them “Separatists”  They thought the Church of England was still too much like Catholic church and needed reforming—no stained glass, fancy robes, etc.  They didn’t like attending the Church of England

9. King James I  Attend Church of England or Jail

10. What would you do?

11. Puritans Left England  Went 1 st to Holland  1620 Headed for New England on Mayflower

12. Mayflower  ½ full of Saints (Pilgrims)  ½ full of “Strangers” non-Pilgrams mainly out for adventure or financial gain.

13. Why care about the Puritans?  Virtually all early American literature significantly influenced by Puritanism  Puritan beliefs still reflected in modern American society

14. Puritan Beliefs  Plainness—simplicity is better than fanciness  Divine Mission—God was calling them to make a heaven on earth in New England  Grace—look for God’s grace in your life

15. Are humans basically good or basically evil?

16. Puritanism: Sin and Guilt 101 1. Total depravity: Through Adam’s fall we sinned all. Every human is born sinful. A.K.A. “original sin.”

17. Is life after death possible? If so, how?

18. Puritanism: Sin and Guilt 101 2. The Doctrine of Election: God freely chooses those He saves and those He damns eternally.

19. Puritanism: Sin and Guilt 101 3. Predestination: Only a few are selected for salvation.

20. Puritanism: Sin and Guilt 101 4. Limited atonement: Jesus died for the chosen only, not for everyone.

21. Puritanism: Sin and Guilt 101 5. Irresistible grace: God’s grace is freely given. It can’t be earned or denied.

22. Puritanism: Sin and Guilt 101  6. Perseverance of the “Saints”: Those elected by God have full power to interpret the will of God. Puritans freely told other how to live their lives.

23. Which of these Puritan beliefs are still prevalent in today’s society?

24. Puritan Writings  Sermons  Religious poems  Religious tracts  Interpretations of God’s doings on earth  Diaries and journals about religious experiences

25. Anne Bradstreet’s Poems 1612-1672

26. Who is Anne Bradstreet?  Devoted –Wife –Mother –Grandmother

27. Who is Anne Bradstreet?  Came to America at age 18 with her husband  Mother of 8

28. Significant Because:  1 st Volume of American Poetry Published in England  One of the 1 st volumes of English poetry written by a woman.

29. Significant Because: (cont)  It won her modest acclaim

30. What is your poetry about?

31. Bradstreet’s Poetry is about:  Love  Home life  Thoughts/feelings about God

32. To My Dear and Loving Husband  Written in iambic couplets  WHAT’S THAT?

33. Iambic Couplet  Couplet- 2 lines that rhyme  Iambic pentameter- unstressed followed by a stressed syllable

34. Edward Taylor’s Poetry 1645?-1729

35. Who is E. Taylor?  Man of Conservative religious beliefs  Teacher in England  Minister in America

36. Who is E. Taylor? (cont.)  Best American poet of 17 th century

37. Unpublished during his lifetime.

38. When was he published?

39. About 200 years after his death. Over 200 of his poems have been found in some old books.

40. His poems are mystical—focused on his religious beliefs.

41. Huswifery  A Conceit—a type of metaphor comparing 2 things in a surprising way

42. Is this a conceit?  Comparing crying to rain falling

43. NO It’s a rather predictable metaphor

44. Is this a conceit?  Comparing crying to traffic flow.

45. YES It’s both unexpected and complex.

46. What 2 things is Taylor comparing in “Huswifery”?

47. A complex comparison between cloth making and God’s grace

48. Which of the 3 basic Puritan beliefs does Taylor focus on in “Huswifery”?

49. GRACE

50. Read “Huswifery” and Answer  What images does Taylor use in the poem?  How can the images be categorized?  Any repetition? If so, what? Why?

51. Read “Huswifery” and Answer  What is the main point of each poem?  How is God portrayed in the poetry?

52. See “Literature and Your Life” on p. 97

53. Jonathan Edwards 1703-1758

54. Who is Jonathan Edwards?  Born in Conneticut  Went to Yale  Married Sarah  Became a preacher in Mass.

55. Who is Jonathan Edwards?  Well known preacher during the “Great Awakening” –revival from 1735-1742  Call to return to conservitive ways of past

56. “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”  More harsh than Edward’s typical sermons.  Excellent example of persuasive writing techniques

57. Persuasive Writing Techniques in “Sinners”  Logical arguments  Appeal to past traditions & authorities *  Emotional appeal*