美国文学简史笔记(常耀信).pdf

AConcise History of American Literature AConcise History of American Literature AACCoonncciisseeHHiissttoorryy ooffAAmmeerriiccaannLLiitteerraattuurree What is literature? What is literature? WWhhaattiisslliitteerraattuurree?? Literature is language artistically used to achieve identifiable literary qualities and to convey meaningful messages. Chapter1Colonial Period Chapter1Colonial Period CChhaapptteerr11CCoolloonniiaallPPeerriioodd I. Background:Puritanism I. Background:Puritanism II.. BBaacckkggrroouunndd::PPuurriittaanniissmm 1. features of Puritanism (1) Predestination:God decidedeverything beforethings occurred. (2) Original sin: Human beings were born to be evil, and this original sin can be passeddown from generationtogeneration. (3) Total depravity (4) Limitedatonement: Only the “elect”can be saved. 2. Influence (1) A group of good qualities – hard work, thrift, piety, sobriety (serious and thoughtful)influencedAmericanliterature. (2) Itledtothe everlastingmyth.Allliterature is basedon a myth–garden of Eden. (3) Symbolism: the American puritan’s metaphorical mode of perception was chiefly instrumental in calling into being a literary symbolism which is distinctly American. (4) With regard to their writing, the style is fresh, simple and direct; the rhetoric is plain and honest, not without a touch of nobility often traceable to the direct influence ofthe Bible. II. Overview ofthe literature II. Overview ofthe literature IIII.. OOvveerrvviieewwoofftthheelliitteerraattuurree 1. types of writing diaries, histories, journals, letters, travel books, autobiographies/biographies, sermons 2. writers ofcolonial period (1) Anne