literature of early america beginnings to 1800. “i come again to greet and thank the league; i...
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“I come again to greet and thank the League;I come again to greet and thank the kindered;I come again to great and thank the warriors;I come again to greet and thank the women.My forefathers – what they established – My forefathers – hearken to them!”
-Iroquois Hymn
The First AmericansAs a best guess, the first Americans, Indians,
arrived 12,000-70,000 years ago. The Native Americans had oral literature –
myths, legends, and songs.European colonists reached America in the late
1500s.Early settlers (St. Augustine, Florida, 1565 and
Jamestown, Virginia, 1607) relied heavily on lessons learned from Native Americans for survival.
Historical Background
Puritans, PilgrimsThe Mayflower reaches Plymouth,
Massachusetts in 1620.Puritans, now called Pilgrims, wanted to
escape the Church of England by building their own “city upon a hill.”
Puritans took pride in hard work, self-discipline, and predetermination - Created theocratic societies.
Puritanism slowly declined before the Great Awakening in 1720.
Historical Background (cont.)
PlantersA division sets in between the northern
settlements and the southern settlements.The southern colonists are called planters
because of their climate, crops, social organization, and religion.
Historical Background (cont.)
The Age of ReasonThe Enlightenment – time period of new
scientific development by philosophers in Europe
The ideas of the enlightenment leads to the American Revolution.
“Social Contract” forms basis of government.Push away from religion
Historical Background (cont.)
The Birth of a NationTaxes imposed by Britain cause Americans to
consider succesion.1775 – the First Continental Congress sends
“the shot heard ‘round the world.”6 years of war followed leading to Britain
surrendering at Yorktown in 1781.Constitution and Bill of Rights unites the
states.
Historical Background (cont.)
What is the relationship between literature and place?
What makes American literature American?How does literature shape or reflect society?
Essential Questions
What was the New World’s natural environment?Place of wonder
Nature of the Americas was vastly different from anything Europeans have experienced.
It was not Europe.At one with the place
Native Americans thought people belonged to the land – land and water gave life.
Nature was not to be feared or overcome, but honored as the source of life.
What is the relationship between literature and place?
What were the colonists’ attitudes toward the New World environment?Land belonged to peopleDream vs. Reality
Dream = TheocracyReality = Avoid harsh death
Independent Place and People“We live in an independent place, so why aren’t we
an independent people?”Place taught Americans how to be Americans
What is the relationship between literature and place? (cont.)
How did attitudes toward nature show up in literature?“Errand into the Wilderness”
Religious p.o.v. – combat evil in an “uncivilized” place.
Forest = wildPlace and Nation
“In Europe they were as many useless plants… they withered and were mowed down by want, hunger, and war; but now by the power of transplantation, like all other plants they have taken root and flourished.” – Jean de Crevecoeur
What is the relationship between literature and place? (cont.)
What is a theme, and how does it find expression in literature?Theme – the central idea, message, or insight
that a literary work reveals.What were early American themes?
WildernessCommunityIndividualism
What makes American literature American?
What is uniquely American about those themes?The Place
New World = Garden of Eden/EnemyThe Past
America did not have a history of literature like Europe did.
The VisionNew, new, newNew kind of nation
What makes American literature American? (cont.)
What social and political forces affected early American literature?Puritanism
Self examination and spiritual insightThe Enlightenment
Debate and clear thinkingThe Declaration of Independence = rational
argument for independence.Native Americans/African Americans
How does literature shape or reflect society?
What were the major roles of early American writers?Writer as Oral Poet and HistorianWriter as Preacher and LawmakerWriter as Autobiographer
“Why should you be interested in my life? What did I learn from it? What can you learn from it?”
How does literature shape or reflect society? (cont.)
1492 – Columbus lands in the Bahamas 1499 – 20,000 die in London Plague 1508 – Michelangelo begins painting ceiling of Sistine Chapel 1519 – Chocolate introduced to Europe 1565 – First permanent U.S. settlement founded; St. Augustine 1588 – The Spanish Armada is defeated by England 1595 - Shakespeare completes A Midsummer Night’s Dream 1609 – Galileo builds first telescope 1620 – Pilgrims land at Plymouth 1642 – Civil War begins in England 1692 – Salem With Trials 1755 – Dictionary of the English Language 1773 – Boston Tea Party 1776 – Declaration of Independence 1789 – George Washington elected first President of the United States
Put Time in Perspective
Part 1: Meeting of CulturesThe Earth on Turtle’s Back, When Grizzlies Walked
Upright, and The Navajo Origin LegendOf Plymouth Plantation (The Iroquois Constitution)
Part 2: The Puritan InfluenceTo My Dear and Loving HusbandHuswiferySinners in the Hands of an Angry God
Part 3: A Nation is BornThe Declaration of Independence and The American CrisisThe Autobiography and Poor Richard’s Almanack (Speech in the Virginia Convention) (To His Excellency, General Washington)
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