Part I -Literature of Colonial America.pptVIP

Part I: Literature of Colonial America I. Development of Native American Literature A. Category (oral or written)? If written, types of writing (poetry, story, memoir, ritual speech)? B. Language (Native language or English)? C. Major authors? D. Major functions? 1. Traditional Literature – An uncultivated Garden of Eden 2. Transitional Literature –Exploration and translation 3. Modern Literature – Lost identity Extending question 1. What’s the dilemma of Indian American Literature? 2. How does oral literature contribute to our culture? II. Literature of Colonial Settlements — “The first American literature was neither American nor literature” 1. Background study A. Timeline Spanish ? French? Dutch ? Swedes ? German ? Italians ? Portuguese ? Englishmen The beginning of the colonial history— Setup of Jamestown in Virginia by Captain John Smith Study question: People say that as a nation, America begins with a hope. What is that hope? B. The first American Literature ? C. . Not much writing---four main reasons Study Question: When did American literature begin? 2. Puritanism – Crude Christian Idealism 1. Who? When? Where? Why? People: Saints / Separatists (the Elects); Puritans; Life: work and pray; asceticism Aims: personal salvation; the building of a new Garden of Eden (God-centered city) 2. What does the word Puritanism mean? 1. A literacy expression of the Puritan idealism 2. Types of writing— Were they literature in strict sense? Major authors—Were they common people? 3. Being utilitarian, polemical, or didactic, were they creative? *Something worth mentioning— Fresh, simple, direct and with a touch of nobility; symbolic writing ; an imitation and transplantation of European forms Extending question: Are these writings of good quality? Why? 1. Anne Bradstreet – The first important poet in the American colonies 1. A daughter, housewife, mother, and poet 2. A forerunner of feminism? If we had no winter, the spring would not be so