introductionBook美国文学期末课件.pptVIP

* American Literature to * Introduction 1. What is literature? Writings that are valued as works of art, esp. fiction, drama and poetry. A body of written works. The name is often applied to those imaginative works of poetry and prose distinguished by the intentions of their authors and the excellence of their execution. Literature may be classified according to a variety of systems, including language, national origin, historical period, genre, and subject matter.  --Encyclopedia Britannica 2006 * 2. Forms (genres) of literature? Poetry, novel (fiction), drama, prose, essay, epic, elegy, short story, journalism, sermon, (auto)biography, travel accounts, novelette, literary criticism, etc. * * Puritanism in America 1) They follow the ideas of the Swiss reformer John Calvin. 2) Doctrines: Predestination Original sin and total depravity (human beings are basically evil.) Limited atonement (or the Salvation of a selected few) * 3) Puritan values (creeds):Hard work, thrift, piety, sobriety, simple tastes.Puritans are more practical, tougher, and to be ever ready for any misfortune and tragic failure.They are optimistic. * 4) Why did Puritans come to America? to reform the Church of England to have an entirely new church to escape religious persecution God’s chosen people To seek a new Garden of Eden To build “City of God on earth” * 5) Influence American Puritanism was one of the most enduring shaping influences in American thought and American literature. American literature is based on a myth, i.e. the Biblical myth of the Garden of Eden. Puritanism can be compared with Chinese Confucianism. * American history * Brief Outline of American literature Colonial period (1607-1775) Anne Bradstreet Edward Taylor Revolutionary period (1775-1783)（The Age of Enlightenment） Benjamin Franklin Philip Freneau * Democratic Period (1783-1820) Romanticism (1820-1861) (the first Renaissance) Washington Irvi