American Literature.docVIP

The Colonial Period (1607-the end of the 18th century) Social Historical Context In 1607, the first permanent English colony was planted at Jamestown in Virginia. Early in the 17th century, the English settlements in Virginia and Massachusetts began the main stream of what we recognize as the American national history. The earliest settlers included Dutch, Swedes, Germans, French, Spaniards, Italians, and Portuguese. African-American people. All contributed to the forming of the American civilization, but the colonies that became the first United States were for the most part English Sustained by English traditions. Two important New England Settlements The Plymouth ColonyFlagship Mayflower arrives - 1620 Settlers known as Pilgrims The Mayflower Compact provides forsocial, religious, and economic freedom,while still maintaining ties to Great Britain 2. The Massachusetts Bay Colony free of ties to Great Britain A Survey of Literary Creation The first writings were the narratives （日记）and journals（游记） of these settlements. They wrote about their voyage to the new land; adapting themselves to unfamiliar climates and crops; dealing with Indians; Scenery: unimaginable and immense land, rich and dense forests and deep-blue lakes and rich soil. Early literary forms: diaries and journal, letters, contracts, government charters, religious and political statements. American Puritanism( ) The founding fathers of the American nations were: The first settlers Puritans American Puritanism The code of values, the philosophy of life, and the point of view the puritans carried with them, which in time took root in the New World and became a dominant factor in American life. American Puritanism was one of the most enduring shaping influences in American thought and American Literature. Puritan Beliefs and Values 1. Predestination--all events are foreknown and foreordained by God 2. Original Sin - through Adam and Eves fall,