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A Gathering of Voices : beginnings—1750

Explore the beginnings of American literature from the perspectives of Native Americans, Spanish explorers, and English settlers. Learn about the rich cultural traditions, oral storytelling, and religious influences that shaped early American writing.

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A Gathering of Voices : beginnings—1750

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  1. A Gathering of Voices: beginnings—1750 Unit 1 American Beginnings

  2. What are the Roots of American Literature?

  3. Historical Background Native Americans • Had been on continent 30x longer than Europeans • Approximately 25 million lived in North America upon Columbus’ arrival in 1492 • Lifestyle is still mysterious due to lack of written records

  4. Literature of the Period Native Americans • Myths, folktales, songs • Myths vary across tribes, yet one common theme has emerged: deep respect for Mother Nature & creation stories • Oral tradition: story is alive, changing and growing with each retelling

  5. Historical Background Spanish Explorers • Columbus, trying to reach Asia, landed in the Bahamas in 1492 • Age of Spanish exploration throughout North America, Mexico, and South America • Catholic missionaries attempted to convert natives to the faith—often ending in violent death

  6. Historical Background English Settlers • Failed colonies of Roanoke • Jamestown, 1616

  7. Literature of the Period Explorers/Settlers • Personal narratives, journals, official reports, legends, letters, travel logs

  8. Historical Background Pilgrims / Puritans • Religious reformers who wanted to “purify” the Church of England from within • 1620: arrived at Plymouth Rock on the Mayflower • Wanted to establish a “city on the hill,” a community guided in all ways by the Bible • Government = theocracy (God centered)

  9. Literature of the Period Puritans • Writings are dominated by religion • Hymns, theological studies, salvation tracks, histories, biographies • Poetry was written, but focus was on content over form • Laws actually passed that outlawed fiction, plays, and other forms of reading for ‘entertainment’

  10. Historical Background Africans • Brought forcibly by the slave trade Writings • Oral poetry, slave narratives, songs (spirituals) • Basically focused on the theme of slavery and struggle for freedom.

  11. Historical Background • Puritan Theology • Bible = literal word of God; sole expression of God’s will • Human exist to glorify God • Predestination = salvation/damnation already determined • Calvinism = TULIP • 1. Total Depravity - through Adam and Eve's fall, every person is born sinful - concept of Original Sin. 2. Unconditional Election - God "saves" those he wishes - only a few are selected for salvation - concept of predestination. • 3. Limited Atonement - Jesus died for the chosen only, not for everyone. • 4. Irresistible Grace - God's grace is freely given, it cannot be earned or denied. Grace is defined as the saving and transfiguring power of God. • 5. Perseverance of the "saints" - those elected by God have full power to interpret the will of God, and to live uprightly. If anyone rejects grace after feeling its power in his life, he will be going against the will of God - something impossible in Puritanism.

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