美国文学W2introduction.ppt

American literature Introduction 1. the colonial period(1640-1781) 2. the post-revolutionary period(1781-1815) 3. the romantic age(1815-1865) 4. the rise of realism(1865-1900) 5. modern age(1900- present) American literature is the youngest of all national literatures. Although the continent of North America was discovered over hundreds of years, the writing of literature in the U.S did not begin until the end of the Revolutioary War. English literture in the United States is therefore only about 200 more years old. In spite of this fact the people of the U.S have produced some of the world’s best literature. There are four main reasons why there was very little written in English in North America before the Revolutionary War. First, Great Britain discouraged the printing of books in her colonies at that time. She wished the colonies to maintain farms, and to produde raw materials. She wished manufacturing of all types to be done in England. Few printing presses were therefore brought into the colonies. Secondly, early colonists were too busy to read and write. They worked long hours and raised large families. Most of them were very poor. Thirdly, there were few schools in the colonies. Most education as given at home. Many people could not read or Write. Those who could read and write used these faculties for practical purposes. Fourthly, religious sentiment was strong in this early period. The Puritans felt that relious books were the only books that one should read. The Bible, and a few religious works satisfied their needs. In spite of these facts there was some printed material during the colonial period. It may not be classed as real literature in the true sense of the word, but since it is a forerunner of the great literary movement that followed the Revolutionary War, it has some historical value. Generally speaking there are three main type of writings that belong to the colonial period: 1. writings of travellers and historians 2. religious writing 3. Ne