Early American Literature

1. Early American Literature

2. A man who was knownas a friend of the Indiansspoke to Red Jacket one dayabout the good treatmentthe Senecas enjoyedfrom their white neighbors. A Friend of the Indians, By Joseph Bruchac

3. Red Jacket walked with himbeside the river, then suggestedthey should sit togetheron a log next to the stream. They both sat down.Then Red Jacket slid closerto the man and said, “Move Over.”

4. The man moved over, but when he didRed Jacket again slid closer.“Move Over,” he said. Three times this happeneduntil the man had reachedthe end of the log near the waterthen, once more, he was told, “Move Over.”

5. “But if I move furtherI shall fall in the water,”the man pleaded,teetering on the edge. Red Jacket replied,“And even so you whitestell us to move on whenno place is left to go.”

6. This period of American literature focuses on a combination of aboriginal literature (the Native Americans) and the literature of the Western explorers like Columbus, La Salle, etc. After the first landing of Western ships on North American soil, explorers such as Columbus noted the richness, friendliness and generosity of the Native Americans. 1500-1820Native American & Explorer Literature

7. Primarily Oral/Songs about N. A. cultures • Myths • Legends • Tales • lyrics Native American Literature

8. Strong use of nature as central images in written and oral literature Strong use of metaphor ( natural images ) Repetition of key ideas Characteristics of N. A. Literature

9. No written literature from over 500 N.A. tribe • Very diverse literature • Variations in the tribes’ oral literature is evident due to a variety of governing systems and religions.

10. A love and respect of nature—as a spiritual and physical mother Nature is alive—has spiritual forces Main characters in the stories may be animals, plants, or totems Emerson’s “over-soul”—closest to the N. A. idea of holiness N. A. Literature Generalizations

11. Man is "connected" to the land When man demonstrates respect for land, he also exhibits respect for himself In Nature there is God. The earth and sky are holy and are to be treated with great respect. To abuse the land is a sacrilege. Themes in N. A. Literature

12. Motifs (recurring theme) • Nature • Symbols • Trees • The Sky • Water ( rain, lakes and oceans )

13. Coyote and the Rolling Rock: http://www.ilhawaii.net/~stony/lore20.html Trickster Tales

14. Numerous examples include lyrics and chants • Creation stories were very popular • The Indian name for America—”Turtle Island” • Songs & Poetry • Repetitive and short • Poem songs and vision songs • Short and appear in dreams or visions Oral Genre

15. Hundreds of Indian words in the English language N. A. Influence Today

16. http://www.sacred-texts.com/nam/walam/index.htm The WalAmOlum

17. When reading these poems, consider the following literary choices: • 1. Pronouns • 2. Figurative Language (Literary Terms) • 3. Main ideas Native American Poetry

18. http://park.zero.ad.jp/yuyujp/Rainbow2.htm Song of the Sky Loom

19. Pleasant it looked, this newly created world. Along the entire length and breadth of the earth, our grandmother, extended the green reflection of her covering and the escaping odors were pleasant to inhale. This Newly Created World,by Winnebago Indian

20. I went to kill the deerDeep in the forest whereThe heart of the mountain beatsFor all who live there.An eagle saw me coming andFlew down to the home of the deerAnd told him thatA hunter came to kill.The deer went with the eagleInto the heart of the mountainSafe from me who did not hearThe heart of the mountain beating. I Went to KILL the Deer,by Taos Pueblo Indian

21. I have killed the deer,I have crushed the grasshopperAnd the plants he feeds upon.I have cut through the heartOf trees growing old and straight.I have taken fish from waterAnd birds from the sky.In my life I have needed deathSo that my life can be.When I die I must give lifeTo what has nourished me.The earth receives my bodyAnd gives it to the plantsAnd to the caterpillarsTo the birdsAnd to the coyotesEach in its own turn so thatThe circle of life is never broken. I Have Killed the Deer,by Taos Pueblo Indian

22. Now I am left on this lonely island to die—No one to hear the sound of my voice.Who will bury me when I die?Who will sing my death-song for me?My false friends leave me here to die alone;Like a wild beast, I am left on this island to die.I wish the wind spirit would carry my cry to my love!My love is as swift as the deer; he would speed through the forest to find me;Now I am left on this lonely island to die.I wish the spirit of air would carry my breath to my love.My love’s canoe, like the sunlight, would shoot through the water to my side,But I am left on this lonely island to die, with no one to pity me but the little birds.My love is brave and strong; but, when he hears my fate, his stout heart will break;And I am on this lonely island to die.Now the night comes on, and all is silent but the owl.He sings a mournful song to his mate, in pity for me.I will try to sleep.I wish the night spirit to hear my song; he will tell my love of my fate; and when I awake, I shall see the one I love.I am on this lonely island to die. Now I Am Left, Algonkin

23. A direct link to Hariot's famous accounts and illustrations of Roanoke Thomas Hariot'sA Briefe and True Report of the New-Found Land of Virginia

24. Norsemen—Leif Erickson came 400 years before 1492 • Columbus—his journal tells of drama, terror of men, and fear • 1st Colonies • 1585 Roanoke on N. C. coast • Colonists disappeared • Blue-eyed croatan Indians • 1607 Jamestown Earliest Explorers

25. Paints American in “glowing colors” • Jamestown’s main records were writings of John Smith • Romantic embellishments • Pochantas Early Written Literature

26. Diaries, letters, travel journals, ships logs, reports to financial backers England was still in control 17th Century American Literature

27. Puritans • Self-made & self educated • Their writing focused on the importance of worshiping God and the spiritual dangers the soul faces on earth Colonial Period

28. Life is a test • Failure leads to eternal damnation and hell fire • Battle between the forces of God and Satan • Felt life was an expression of the divine will Puritans Literary Themes

29. In the early 1600s there was a large immigration to "The New Land" by people fleeing religious persecution. The Puritans, a conservative, superstitious religious group fled England due to heavy persecution at the hands of Charles I and his father, James. Religious colonies were established near or next to commercial land. Their writing predominately reflected their religious views, some of which can still be seen today in American culture. 1500-1820PURITAN LITERATURE

30.  The Bible provided a model for Puritan writing • a conception of each individual life as a journey to salvation • saw direct connections between Biblical events and their own lives. •  Used writing to explore their inner and outer lives for signs of the workings of God. •  Diaries and histories were the most common forms of expression because they directly expressed the workings of God. •  Favored a plain style, similar to that of the Geneva Bible • Stressed clarity of expression and avoided complicated figures of speech. Characteristics of Puritan Writing

31. Pedagogical Strong use of personification, alliteration, repetition and simile/metaphor (conceits) Biblical allusions Concerned with the presence of the devil and sin The existence of diametrically opposed absolutes (God vs. devil, good vs. evil) Characteristics of Puritan Literature circa 1600

32. 1. Total Depravity - through Adam's fall, every human 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. Basic Puritan Beliefs

33. 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.

34. The devil is an active enemy of mankind Confession of sin required to be free Adultery is considered one of the worst sins (lechery- indulgence of sexual desires) Man vs. Self , Man vs. Environment Idealism - both religious and political. Pragmaticism - practicality and purposiveness. Themes

35. 1. To transform a mysterious God - mysterious because he is separate from the world. 2. To make him more relevant to the universe. 3. To glorify God. The Function of Puritan Writers

36. 1. Protestant - against ornateness; reverence for the Bible. 2. Purposiveness - there was a purpose to Puritan writing - described in Part II above. 3. Puritan writing reflected the character and scope of the reading public, which was literate and well-grounded in religion. The Style of Puritan Writing

37. 1. Puritans were basically middle class and fairly well-educated. 2. Virginians were tradesmen and separated from English writing. 3. Puritans were children of the covenant; gave them a drive and a purpose to write. Reasons for Puritan Literary Dominance over the Virginians

38. The Plymouth ColonyFlagship Mayflower arrives - 1620Leader - William BradfordSettlers known as Pilgrim FathersThe Mayflower Compact provides forsocial, religious, and economic freedom,while still maintaining ties to Great Britain.The Separatists - Pilgrims Two Important New England Settlements

39. The Massachusetts Bay ColonyFlagship Arbella arrives - 1630Leader - John WinthropSettlers are mostly PuritansThe Arbella Covenant clearly establishesa religious and theocratic settlement,free of ties to Great Britain.The Congregational Puritans

40. Puritans wanted to remain as part of the English establishment, working for biblical reform from within. Even as they emigrated to New England, they affirmed their “Englishness” and saw the main purpose of their new colony as being that of a biblical witness, a “city on a hill” which would set an example of biblical righteousness in church and state for Old England and the entire world to see. As deeply committed covenant theologians, they emphasized especially strongly the corporate righteousness of their entire community before God. Puritans vs. Pilgrims

41. Pilgrims wanted to achieve “reformation without tarrying,” even if it meant separating from their church and their nation. While they continued to think of themselves ad English, their emphasis was on their new political identity and spiritual identity. Because of their passionate commitment to the necessity of reformation immediate and without compromise, they emphasized especially strongly individual righteousness before God. Puritans vs. Pilgrims

42. What united Massachusetts Bay and Plymouth, what united both Puritans and Pilgrims was far more significant than what distinguished them. All children of the Reformation, they knew that salvation was by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. And they knew this because they took, as their authority, Scripture alone.

43. They all believed that to God alone must be the glory and, in their different ways, they sought to bring every though and every action--religious, political, social--captive to the Lordship of Jesus.

44. First Puritan colonists • Interpreted the bible literally Pilgrims

45. The literature of the pioneers and settlers served at least two functions, entertainment and advertisement. The literature used the popular writing style of the time, the journal, made popular by British writers like Samuel Pepys, Daniel Defoe, and Jonathan Swift to examine the heroic and dangerous adventures of travelers to "The New Land." The literature also served a key interest of business-- to make money. It was desirable for the companies and governments of this period to urge emigration and produced what were essentially advertisements to entice potential colonists. 1500-1820Settler Literature

46. Strong use of rhetorical questions Exploitation of hardships (entertainment) Suppression of hardships (persuasive techniques) Characteristics of Pioneer and Settler Literature circa 1500:

47. Man must endure physical and mental hardships in order to survive Man has a desire to improve his economic, and mental/spiritual condition Themes

48. Mary Rowlandson

49. Mary Rowlandson

50. Mary Rowlandson,A Narrative of the Captivity, Sufferings and Removes of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson... Boston: John Boyle, 1773.