1. A Gathering of Voices Literature of Early America Beginnings to 1800
Unit 1
A Gathering of Voices
Literature of Early America
Beginnings to 1800

2. Snapshot of the Period
In 1492 (Columbus) America was populated by several hundred Native American tribes
Used Bering Land Bridge from Asia
Spoke several different languages
Referred to as “Indians” by Europeans
By 1699 European colonies were spread along east coast and some as far west as New Mexico.
In 1776, 13 colonies declared independence

3. Peoples of North America
The map on page 3 shows Native American tribe locations and influx of settlers
Spanish – Florida, California, Texas
French – Maine and Gulf of Mexico
Dutch – New York and Delaware
English – Virginia, New England, Pennsylvania

4. Historical Beginnings
First Americans – unknown arrival (possibly years ago.
Rich cultural presence
Oral literature – myths, legends, songs
First settlers learned agriculture and woodworking from natives
Corn, squash, canoes
First settlers probably wouldn’t have survived without help of natives

5. Pilgrims, Puritans, and Planters
1620 – Mayflower lands in Plymouth, Massachusetts
Reformers who tried to purify Church of England
Initially referred to as Puritans, but were called Pilgrims in the New World
1720 – Puritanism had declined, but Great Awakening brings new converts (only hard work and self-reliance though)
Southern Colonies – different crops, climate, and religion
Plantations
1619 – slaves first brought to Virginia

6. Creating a Nation
Europeans wanted to create a “city upon a hill” – an ideal community founded on moral and religious values
What would they think of modern times?
Colonists were assisted by the Native Americans and created small farms and plantations
The Enlightenment shocked Puritan beliefs – idea that people are basically good and can use reason to create a better society

7. New World Natural Environment
Place of Wonder
Long shores and sandy beaches with vast forests
Mountain ranges and fertile valleys
Lots of plants, fish, birds, and animals
At one with the place
Native Americans believed people belonged to the land
Lands, waters, and animals were a part of the community

8. Colonists’ attitudes Dream vs. Reality Independent place and people
Dream was to create a theocracy (community governed by religious principles)
Reality was starving, cold, disease, and animals
Independent place and people
18th C. Europeans had firm foothold in America
Built towns, roads, and churches
Worried less about survival and more about self-government

9. American Literature Native American – myths and legends
People communicate with land, animals, and nature
People and nature are in harmony
Nature – in particular forests and wild places
Played a large role in both physical and symbolic
Place and Nation – living here turned Europeans into Americans

10. American literature
Theme – central idea, message, or insight that a literary word reveals
Wilderness – insights into the nature and meaning of the wilderness
Community – central message that America was a unique combination of community and independence
Individualism – self-reliance and individualism are fundamental American values

11. Roles of American writers
Oral poet and historian – Native American – vital role in society (related history and honored heroes)
Preacher and lawmaker – wanted to articulate the will of God (made audiences tremble with fear)
Autobiographer – wanted to make reader question what should be learned and why something happened

12. Part 3 - Types of speeches
Political – focuses on an issue relating to government or politics
Address – formal speech that is prepared for a special occasion
Sermon – speech usually based on a scriptural text and is intended to provide religious instruction

13. Persuasive techniques
Persuasion – speech or writing that tries to get the audience to think or act in a certain way
Persuasive techniques
Logical appeal – builds a well-reasoned argument based on evidence, such as facts, statistics, or expert testimony
Emotional appeal – attempts to arouse the audience’s feelings, often by using loaded words that convey strong connotations
Ethical appeal – directed at the audience’s sense of morality or values

14. Rhetorical devices
Rhetorical devices – patterns of words and ideas that create emphasis and stir the audience’s emotions
Repetition – restating an idea using the same words
Restatement – expressing the same idea using different words
Parallelism – repeating a grammatical structure
Antithesis – using strongly contrasting words, images, or ideas
Rhetorical questions – asking questions for effect, not to get answers