the literature of colonial America.pptVIP

History and Anthology of American Literature PART I The Literature of Colonial America Historical Introduction: the 16th century----the Spanish The beginning of the 17th century----English and European explorers The English settlements（殖民地） in Virginia and Massachusetts began the main stream of the American national history. Historical Introduction The earliest settlers ------Dutch, Swedes, Germans,French, Spaniards,Italians,and Portugueses. These settlers all contributed to the forming of the American civilization. But the colonies that became the first United States were for the most part sustained by English traditions, ruled by English laws, supported by English commerce, and named after English monarchs and English lands. Historical Introduction The first American writings----narratives and journals. ----about their voyage to the new land,about adapting themselves to unfamiliar climates and crops,about dealing with Indians. ----about the land which stretched before them(immense, with rich dense forest ,deep-blue lakes and rich soil); all seemed possible through hard-work and faith. Historical Introduction The first permanent English settlement In North America------established in Jameston, Virginia in 1607. Among the settlers was Captain John Smith, an English soldier. John Smith’s reports of exploration, published in the early 1600s, was described as the first distinctively American literature written in English. His descriptions of America (themes,myths, images, scenes, characters,and events)laid a foundation for the nation’s literature. He portrayed English North America as a land of endless bounty. His vision helped lure the Pilgrims and Puritans who saw themselves as new saints with a spiritual mission to flee the Old World and create a New Promised Land. John Smith influenced the 18th century writers like William Byrd II ,Thomas Jefferson. The First American Writer John Smith The First American Writer John Smith ---contributed to the survival of t