Early Colonial Life and Literature Early American Literature

Early Colonial Life and Literature

Early American Literature: Explorers Early explorers like Christopher Columbus wrote journals and letters. Other explorers like Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca, La Relacion wrote of a failed expedition in Florida, Texas and Mexico. He was one of only 4 survivors of 600 after 8 years. Samuel de Champlain wrote of New England the Iroquois in "Father of the New France"

Early American Literature: Early Settlers Letters, Reports and Chronicles to friends and family back home were common in early settler literature. A Brief and True Report of the New Found Land of Virginia by Thomas Harriot was published in 1588 which gave English readers the first clear account of life in North America.

Early American Literature: Colonists Captain John Smith wrote elaborated accounts of the history of Virginia and New England but attracted settlers to Virginia. William Bradford and John Winthrop, governors of Plymouth and Massachusetts, wrote in a more serious and plain style about New England settlements and God's plan for them in a better society. Not all accounts were positive. Olaudah Equiano described his capture from Africa and the "un-Christian" treatment that he received.

Cultural Influences Many of the settlers in the 1630 s were Puritans were a group of English Protestants who wanted to "purify" the Church of England return to a simpler way of worship. Some fled to America to escape persecution and landed around Boston and Salem. These settlers believed they were chosen by God to create a new order in America. John Winthrop wrote in 1630 that "we must consider that we shall be as a City upon a hill. The eyes of all the people are upon us. " Different from the Pilgrims who settled near Cape Cod.

Cultural Influences Cont. Puritans believed overcoming sin was a daily mission and that the Bible would help them. They believe in a literal interpretation and daily reading of the Bible; therefore, education was important. Harvard University was founded in 1636 to train ministers. Although all humans were sinful, they believed "the elect" would be spared from and "the unregenerate" would be sent to eternal punishment. They believed in predestination. This is the Calvinist belief that everything that happens is already decided by God, especially who will or will not go to heaven. (Handout)

Cultural Influences Cont. Hard work, simplicity and responsibility were morally good and a sign of God working in a person. Financial success, thriving settlements and growing families were a sign of God's approval. They believed that since God and man had covenant, or contract, so should societies. Ex. the Mayflower Compact Since the saintly elect should have great influence in government, it caused them to have undemocratic views. Puritans tended to be inflexible in their religious faith and intolerant of other viewpoints.

Interesting Puritan Ideas Church attendance was mandatory at least twice a week in many places. Those not in attendance could be fined or whipped. Church services could last 2 -4 hours with opening prayer lasing around 1 hour. Men and woman did not sit together and boys were seated together and expected to stay completely silent. The soul had a "mortal feminine half" and "immortal masculine half" Any display of affection, even with your spouse, could result in punishment. Women adulterers had to wear a Scarlet A. Some people were even killed. Public whipping was common for many offenses. Drinking alcohol was allowed. The church was literally the center of many Puritan villages. Puritans lived longer than their counterparts in England. Celebrations were common; children played games;

The Puritan Tradition Reason, Logic, Clarity and Order were important in writing Direct, Much powerful, plain language was prized of American literature follows this style

What do you value most? IMAGINE THAT A REALITY SHOW HAS GIVEN YOU A MILLION DOLLARS. THE CATCH IS THAT YOU HAVE TO GIVE UP AN OBJECT, A PERSON, OR A BELIEF THAT YOU TRULY VALUE. ASSUME THAT YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO MAKE THAT SACRIFICE. WRITE A BRIEF LETTER ABOUT WHY YOU MUST TURN DOWN THE MONEY.

Literary Style: Poetry Plain Style is writing that expresses simplicity and clarity of expression "Puritan favorite" Strong, simple Figurative Language (Metaphor, Personification, Hyperbole and Biblical Allusions) Inverted syntax Word order is reversed to help with meter and rhyme Archaic Language Words that were once common but are now out-of-date

Anne Bradstreet (1612 -1672) Immigrant Teenage Bride Puritan, Educated Married Simon Bradstreet in 1630 Came to Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1632 Husband Father were both governors of the colony They moved three times, but finally to Andover where Anne raised 8 kids, kept house and wrote poetry.

Anne Bradstreet cont. Used Shakespeare (who was still alive when she was born ) and other English poets as inspiration Also used the Bible for inspiration Anne's brother in law published her poems in 1650 in London making her the first published American poet. The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung up in America Muses are the 9 goddesses of the arts in Greek mythology Anne was praised and encouraged even by Puritan minister Cotton Mather.

Edward Taylor Puritan Vivid minister images from nature Everyday Wrote life to help understand the spiritual world "Huswifery" about Housekeeping

What keeps you in line?

Mather and Edwards Cotton Mather and Jonathan Edwards detail in their sermons and histories the sin of the colonists. Cotton Mather also wrote about the Salem Witch trials and scientific works such as the inoculation for smallpox. Jonathan Edwards wrote the first natural history essay about a spider he had observed as a boy. A spider also makes an appearance in his most well known work, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. "

"Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" Born in Connecticut, Jonathan Edwards (1703 -1758) believed that religion should be reason and emotion He is considered by many to be America's greatest religious thinker and a masterful preacher. Edwards began Yale University at 12 years old By the age of 19, Edwards had a spiritual crisis and awakening and was beginning his life as a Puritan minister like his father and grandfather. Within 6 years, he had assumed leadership of his grandfather's parish in Northampton, Massachusetts. Edwards' sermons helped to spark the Great Awakening, a religious revival in New England from 174 -1750.

"Sinners in the Hands" cont. Edwards delivered more than 1200 sermons. This sermon is his most famous and was given during the Great Awakening. He was later let go by his church because of his views on limiting church membership to people who had undergone conversion. He became a missionary in a Native American settlement and later the president of Princeton University.

"Sinners in the Hands" cont. Just like all persuasive writing, this sermon is shaped by the author's purpose, his audience and his context (reason for preaching, his congregation and the time they lived in). These reveal tone (author's attitude toward the subject) throughout the passage. Note the use of Biblical allusions in this passage as well. Emotional appeals are messages designed to persuade an audience by creating strong feelings. They include loaded words and vivid imagery in order to evoke fear, pity or guilt.

Assignment As you listen to the sermon, choose one passage that you find particularly moving/vivid. You will be required to create a visual representation once we are finished reading. Please pay attention to the detail and the specific quote that you are going to use. Make use of the detail/images in your drawing and the quote must be included on the front of your paper.