[文学研究]C2 美国文学 殖民地时期 ---现代主义诗歌.doc

20111013 Thursday 整个文学脉络1. The literature of colonial America (1590-1750) 2. The literature of Reason and Revolution (the war of Independence 1750 - 1810) 3. Romanticism (1810 - 1860 civil war) 4. Realism and naturalism (latter half of 19th cen.) 5. 20th century literature 1. Literature in stage I/ II Not wonderful , no special features Simple literary works: personal letters, historical records, journals, sermons, political pamphlets served for the religious and political purpose Style: followed the example of its English counterpart e.g. Franklin Key points: the first American writer, the father of American poetry the first important American writer Puritanism [features/ influences] Franklin Autobiography the American dream 3. Romanticism (1810 - 1860 civil war) From the end of the 18th century (after the War for Independence ) through the outbreak of the Civil War. (1798 the preface of Lyrical Ballads-1832 the death of Scott) 1st phase: Early Romanticism novel Irving (local events ) Cooper (the West) poetry Bryant, Poe (rose to the same level of its English literature to some degree) b. 2nd phase: New England Renaissance (summit) developed its distinct style and form optimism Transcendentalism [Emerson/ Thoreau; pessimism ( Hawthorne, Melville) Irving: position, The Sketch Book [two masterpieces{main ideas, theme, etc.}, his attitude towards the change and European culture] Cooper: The frontier Saga Central figure [features, special image of Indians] Permanent theme: desire for an escape from society and a return to nature= convention Bryant: Title, masterpiece similarity with Wordsworth Poe: Writing principle: Brevity, beauty; Unity of Effect or Atmosphere [Vs Oscar Wilde’s Aesthetic movement] Favorite topics/tone: Masterpiece: Poetry: To Helen, Annabel Lee, The Raven Short story: The Cask of amontillado, the fall of the house of usher Transcendentalism: Features the transcendence of oversoul divinity of men, importance