Beginnings to 1750Beginnings to 1750

Historical BackgroundHistorical Background

The beginning of the American literary The beginning of the American literary heritage can be traced back to the first heritage can be traced back to the first written works of the colonists at Jamestown written works of the colonists at Jamestown and the extensive oral literature of Native and the extensive oral literature of Native Americans.Americans.

Native AmericansNative Americans

Now believed to have come from Asia across the Now believed to have come from Asia across the Bering StraitBering Strait

Different phases of migration account for the Different phases of migration account for the different linguistic and cultural groups different linguistic and cultural groups

Lived in the Americas for thousand of years before Lived in the Americas for thousand of years before Europeans arrivedEuropeans arrived

They introduced the colonists to maize, beans, They introduced the colonists to maize, beans, squash, maple sugar, snowshoes, toboggans, and squash, maple sugar, snowshoes, toboggans, and birch bark canoes.birch bark canoes.

They provided instruction in agriculture and They provided instruction in agriculture and woodcraftwoodcraft

Pilgrims and PuritansPilgrims and Puritans Puritans, religious reformers, came on the Puritans, religious reformers, came on the

Mayflower Mayflower in 1620in 1620 Because they were not able to “purify” the Church Because they were not able to “purify” the Church

of England, they leftof England, they left They did not like its ceremonies, stained glass They did not like its ceremonies, stained glass

windows, etc. windows, etc. The Church of England was inseparable form the The Church of England was inseparable form the

country’s governmentcountry’s government They were referred to as Separatists or PilgrimsThey were referred to as Separatists or Pilgrims They landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and They landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and

survived largely because of help from Native survived largely because of help from Native AmericansAmericans

The Massachusetts Bay Colony eventually The Massachusetts Bay Colony eventually merged with themmerged with them

John Winthrop was governor of the colonyJohn Winthrop was governor of the colony MBC was also founded by religious MBC was also founded by religious

reformers, but these did not withdraw from reformers, but these did not withdraw from the Church of England.the Church of England.

Their intention was to reform the church Their intention was to reform the church from within through forming a “city on the from within through forming a “city on the hill”hill”

This was to be a community guided in all This was to be a community guided in all aspects by God, a theocracyaspects by God, a theocracy

Puritans were to serve as a model for all other Puritans were to serve as a model for all other people to see how exemplary livespeople to see how exemplary lives

Religion affected every aspect of Puritan life, Religion affected every aspect of Puritan life, although they were not always as stern and although they were not always as stern and otherworldly as they are sometimes thoughtotherworldly as they are sometimes thought

Their writings reveal an occasional sense of Their writings reveal an occasional sense of humor, and the hardships of daily life forced them humor, and the hardships of daily life forced them to be practicalto be practical

They were radical in their desire to demand They were radical in their desire to demand fundamental changes in the Church of Englandfundamental changes in the Church of England

They were conservative in their literal They were conservative in their literal interpretation of the Bible and insisting on rigid interpretation of the Bible and insisting on rigid standards for full church membershipstandards for full church membership

They believed in predestination – John They believed in predestination – John Calvin’s doctrine that God had already Calvin’s doctrine that God had already decided who will achieve salvation and who decided who will achieve salvation and who will notwill not

Through the “Puritan ethic”, one could Through the “Puritan ethic”, one could accomplish good only through continual accomplish good only through continual hard work and self-disciplinehard work and self-discipline

They believed that human exist for the glory They believed that human exist for the glory of God and that the Bible is the sole of God and that the Bible is the sole expression of God’s will.expression of God’s will.

Puritans Puritans – single-minded visionaries convinced of the rightness of single-minded visionaries convinced of the rightness of

their beliefstheir beliefs– practical and businesslikepractical and businesslike– Christian worship and church organization should be Christian worship and church organization should be

simplified to resemble Biblical modelssimplified to resemble Biblical models– religion was a personal experiencereligion was a personal experience– no one needed clergy or government to intercede for no one needed clergy or government to intercede for

him with Godhim with God– everyday world and spiritual world were closely everyday world and spiritual world were closely

intertwinedintertwined– a spiritual compact between God and man paved the a spiritual compact between God and man paved the

way for American constitutional democracyway for American constitutional democracy– emphasized education so that people could read and emphasized education so that people could read and

understand the Bible and follow religious debatesunderstand the Bible and follow religious debates

Four Puritan qualitiesFour Puritan qualities– valued self-reliancevalued self-reliance– industriousnessindustriousness– temperancetemperance– simplicitysimplicity

In the early 1700’s, Puritanism was in In the early 1700’s, Puritanism was in decline throughout New England, as more decline throughout New England, as more liberal Protestant congregations attracted liberal Protestant congregations attracted followersfollowers

The Great Awakening, a series of religious The Great Awakening, a series of religious revivals 1720, was led by ministers revivals 1720, was led by ministers Jonathan Edwards an George Whitefield Jonathan Edwards an George Whitefield began to change the colonistsbegan to change the colonists

In spite of this, Puritan ideals of hard work, In spite of this, Puritan ideals of hard work, frugality, self-improvement, and self- frugality, self-improvement, and self- reliance are still regarded as basic American reliance are still regarded as basic American virtuesvirtues

Southern PlantersSouthern Planters

Southern colonies differed from New England in Southern colonies differed from New England in climate, crops, social organization, and religionclimate, crops, social organization, and religion

Rather than small farms, there were large Rather than small farms, there were large plantations, housing as many as a thousand plantations, housing as many as a thousand peoplepeople

Slaves worked on the plantationsSlaves worked on the plantations The first black slaves were brought to Virginia in The first black slaves were brought to Virginia in

1619, a year before the Pilgrims landed at 1619, a year before the Pilgrims landed at PlymouthPlymouth

Slavery existed in every colony, including Slavery existed in every colony, including MassachusettsMassachusetts

Plantation owners thought of themselves as Plantation owners thought of themselves as aristocratsaristocrats

Like Puritans, the first generation of owners Like Puritans, the first generation of owners were ambitious, energetic, self-disciplined, were ambitious, energetic, self-disciplined, and resourcefuland resourceful

By 1750, Puritanism was declining By 1750, Puritanism was declining everywhere, and the plantation system in everywhere, and the plantation system in the south was reaching its peakthe south was reaching its peak

The Earliest American LiteratureThe Earliest American Literature

Native American’s oral traditionNative American’s oral tradition Puritans and their preoccupation with sin Puritans and their preoccupation with sin

and salvationand salvation Enslaved and free African AmericansEnslaved and free African Americans Southern planters with their busy social livesSouthern planters with their busy social lives Colonists also read literature from EnglandColonists also read literature from England

Native American TraditionNative American Tradition

Originally viewed as folkloreOriginally viewed as folklore Song lyrics, hero tales, migration legends, Song lyrics, hero tales, migration legends,

and accounts of the creation were studied and accounts of the creation were studied for content rather than literary qualitiesfor content rather than literary qualities

Oral tradition often changes work over timeOral tradition often changes work over time Oratory was a valued skill among Native Oratory was a valued skill among Native

AmericansAmericans Well-known orators were Logan and Red Well-known orators were Logan and Red

JacketJacket

One common characteristic in the many One common characteristic in the many myths, legends, and folk tales, is the deep myths, legends, and folk tales, is the deep respect for naturerespect for nature

Tribal language influenced AmericaTribal language influenced America– road signsroad signs– citiescities– countiescounties– statesstates

Explorers’ AccountsExplorers’ Accounts

Columbus recorded his experience in the New Columbus recorded his experience in the New World in a journalWorld in a journal

Spaniard Alvar Numez Cabeza de Vaca landed Spaniard Alvar Numez Cabeza de Vaca landed with an expedition on the west coast of Florida. He with an expedition on the west coast of Florida. He explored the Texas area for eight years and never explored the Texas area for eight years and never returned. He narrative of his journeys through returned. He narrative of his journeys through Texas is a gripping adventure story and an Texas is a gripping adventure story and an account of the indigenous people. Plants and account of the indigenous people. Plants and animals new to Europeans were also described.animals new to Europeans were also described.

Lopez de Cardenas was the first European to see Lopez de Cardenas was the first European to see and describe the Grand Canyonand describe the Grand Canyon

Slave NarrativeSlave Narrative

Olaudah Equiano came to America as a Olaudah Equiano came to America as a slaveslave

He later purchased his freedom, settling in He later purchased his freedom, settling in New England and working to abolish slaveryNew England and working to abolish slavery

He wrote a narrative about his life and He wrote a narrative about his life and slaves journeying to Americaslaves journeying to America

““In Adam’s Fall/We Sinned All”In Adam’s Fall/We Sinned All” Puritans typically wrote theological studies, Puritans typically wrote theological studies,

hymns, histories, biographies, and hymns, histories, biographies, and autobiographiesautobiographies

Their purpose was to provide spiritual insight and Their purpose was to provide spiritual insight and instructioninstruction

Puritans also wrote journals for themselvesPuritans also wrote journals for themselves In their journals, they often examined aspects of In their journals, they often examined aspects of

their livestheir lives Diaries were considered the most common forms Diaries were considered the most common forms

of expressions in society because they directly of expressions in society because they directly expressed the working of God. They kept a close expressed the working of God. They kept a close watch on both the inner and outer events of their watch on both the inner and outer events of their lives and wrote about these events in diaries and lives and wrote about these events in diaries and histories.histories.

Puritans considered fiction and drama as sinfulPuritans considered fiction and drama as sinful Poetry was written by Puritans as a vehicle of Poetry was written by Puritans as a vehicle of

spiritual enlightenmentspiritual enlightenment The message rather than the literary form was The message rather than the literary form was

importantimportant The Puritans believed in education and reading The Puritans believed in education and reading

the Bible. In 1636 they founded Harvard, with the the Bible. In 1636 they founded Harvard, with the intention of training Puritan ministers.intention of training Puritan ministers.

Puritans set up printing presses in the coloniesPuritans set up printing presses in the colonies In 1647, free public schools were established In 1647, free public schools were established

Anne Bradstreet and Edward Taylor were Anne Bradstreet and Edward Taylor were two Puritan poetstwo Puritan poets

Anne Bradstreet was one of the first Anne Bradstreet was one of the first American poets. She wrote during the American poets. She wrote during the 1600’s in a very moving and personal voice 1600’s in a very moving and personal voice about family and spiritual crises.about family and spiritual crises.

Edward Taylor wrote with great intensity and Edward Taylor wrote with great intensity and very emotional poemsvery emotional poems

The New England PrimerThe New England Primer was one of the first was one of the first reading book in the colonies. It contained reading book in the colonies. It contained instruction in spelling and reading, religious instruction in spelling and reading, religious teachings and the concept of original sin, such as teachings and the concept of original sin, such as “in Adam’s fall/we sinned all.” It was the standard “in Adam’s fall/we sinned all.” It was the standard text from which most colonial children learned to text from which most colonial children learned to read. Moral instruction, letters of the alphabet, and read. Moral instruction, letters of the alphabet, and inspirational couplets were all a part of the book.inspirational couplets were all a part of the book.

The Bay Psalm BookThe Bay Psalm Book was a standard Puritan was a standard Puritan hymnal. It was one of the first books printed in the hymnal. It was one of the first books printed in the colonies. It is often considered a good example of colonies. It is often considered a good example of bad poetry. Only eleven copies remain. It was bad poetry. Only eleven copies remain. It was written by Richard s, Thomas Weld, and John written by Richard s, Thomas Weld, and John Eliot.Eliot.

Mather FamilyMather Family– Richard Mather was a prominent preacherRichard Mather was a prominent preacher– Increase Mather, Richard’s youngest son, Increase Mather, Richard’s youngest son,

served for many years as pastor of the North served for many years as pastor of the North Church in Boston. He was the author of some Church in Boston. He was the author of some 150 books. 150 books. Conscience Concerning Evil Spirits Conscience Concerning Evil Spirits was a discourse on the Salem witchcraft trials. was a discourse on the Salem witchcraft trials. The trials were hysteria, resulting in the hanging The trials were hysteria, resulting in the hanging of 19 people.of 19 people.

– Cotton Mather, Increase’s eldest son, wrote Cotton Mather, Increase’s eldest son, wrote over 400 books. During the witchcraft trials, he over 400 books. During the witchcraft trials, he helped stir up the hysteria. He was a zealous helped stir up the hysteria. He was a zealous minister that argued that the epidemic of minister that argued that the epidemic of witchcraft proved beyond a doubt that New witchcraft proved beyond a doubt that New England was a holy place, since the Devil was England was a holy place, since the Devil was so interested in it. He demanded that all witched so interested in it. He demanded that all witched be rooted out and severely punished. He was be rooted out and severely punished. He was also a scientific man, interested in natural also a scientific man, interested in natural science. He found that inoculation could save science. He found that inoculation could save lives from smallpox and urged it on Puritans. It lives from smallpox and urged it on Puritans. It worked. He wrote the first scholarly essay on worked. He wrote the first scholarly essay on medicine in America. He saw sin as the cause medicine in America. He saw sin as the cause of diseases but sought cures for disease. of diseases but sought cures for disease. Controversy was a part of his life. Mather’s Controversy was a part of his life. Mather’s house was once bombed. house was once bombed.

Cotton Mather was one of the most learned Cotton Mather was one of the most learned men of his time, a power in the state, and a men of his time, a power in the state, and a notable author.notable author.

His writing style was simple (his actual His writing style was simple (his actual writing was not!): the more information a writing was not!): the more information a work contains, the better its stylework contains, the better its style

Puritan writing style was plain. It had clarity Puritan writing style was plain. It had clarity of expression and no complicated figures of of expression and no complicated figures of speech. the statements were clear. Ornate speech. the statements were clear. Ornate writing was a sign of vanity and not God’s writing was a sign of vanity and not God’s will.will.

Southern WritersSouthern Writers

John Smith wrote John Smith wrote The General History of The General History of VirginiaVirginia to describe his experiences for to describe his experiences for EuropeansEuropeans

Southern planters provided insight into this Southern planters provided insight into this time periodtime period

Southerners did not oppose fiction or dramaSoutherners did not oppose fiction or drama The first theater opened in Williamsburg, The first theater opened in Williamsburg,

Virginia in 1716Virginia in 1716

William Byrd lived at Westover, a plantation on the William Byrd lived at Westover, a plantation on the James RiverJames River

He was commissioned to survey the boundary line He was commissioned to survey the boundary line between Virginia and North Carolina in 1728. As between Virginia and North Carolina in 1728. As he worked, he kept a journal of his experiences. It he worked, he kept a journal of his experiences. It served as the basis of his book, served as the basis of his book, The History of the The History of the Dividing LineDividing Line..

The book was published after his deathThe book was published after his death It was a masterpiece, filled with humor. It gained It was a masterpiece, filled with humor. It gained

him recognition as one of the finest writers in the him recognition as one of the finest writers in the pre-Revolutionary South.pre-Revolutionary South.

DifferencesDifferences

Northern literature was to improve spiritual lifeNorthern literature was to improve spiritual life Northern colonies viewed religion as affecting Northern colonies viewed religion as affecting

every aspect of Puritan life. Frugality, self-every aspect of Puritan life. Frugality, self-reliance, hard work, self-discipline were all reliance, hard work, self-discipline were all characteristics of Northerners. characteristics of Northerners.

Settlements were small, with only a few that were Settlements were small, with only a few that were large. The houses were close and the farms were large. The houses were close and the farms were small.small.

They met in meeting houses in the center of townThey met in meeting houses in the center of town They had very harsh winters They had very harsh winters

Southern literature was to entertain, to educate, Southern literature was to entertain, to educate, and to communicateand to communicate

Southerners had large plantations and very large-Southerners had large plantations and very large-scale agriculture enterprises and were a center of scale agriculture enterprises and were a center of commerce.commerce.

Many people worked on the plantations, often Many people worked on the plantations, often slaves. slaves.

Plantation systems kept people apart.Plantation systems kept people apart. Large parties lasted weeks and were common in Large parties lasted weeks and were common in

order to see one another.order to see one another. Church of England was prominent in the South.Church of England was prominent in the South. Southerners were ambitious, energetic, self-Southerners were ambitious, energetic, self-

disciplined, and resourceful.disciplined, and resourceful. They had an elegant social life, and they They had an elegant social life, and they

appreciated cultureappreciated culture