美国早期文学.ppt

American literature The development of early American literature The literature of colonial America Historical Introduction Early American writers and Poets Puritan Puritanism The historical background of the colonial Time Christopher Columbus discovered the American continent in 1492. ? Captain Christopher Newport reached Virginia in 1607. Puritans came the New England area, by Mayflower in 1619. Conflicts with Indians and the founding of 13 colonies. Early American Writers and Poets South, Jamestown, Virginia: Captain John Smith---first American writer? North, New England, Puritan Writers： William Bradford: first governor of Plymouth Plantation. 《普利茅斯垦殖记》（Of Plymouth Plantation） simplicity, earnestness, direct reporting, readable, moving. John Winthrop: first governor of Boston. The History of New England, candid simplicity, honesty Puritanism’s influence on American literature Purpose: pragmatic Contents: practical matter-of-fact accounts of life in the new world; highly theoretical discussions of religious questions. Form: diary, autobiography, sermon, letter Style: tight and logic structure, precise and compact expression, avoidance of rhetorical decoration, adoption of homely imagery, simplicity of diction. Two Poets: William Bradford: The history of Plymouth Plantation (simplicity and earnestness) John Winthrop: The History of New England (simplicity and honesty) The Reason and Revolution?(1750-1800) In the 18th century, people believed in man’s own nature and the power of human reason. Words had never been so useful and so important in human history. People wrote a lot of political writings. Numerous pamphlets and printings were published. These works agitated revolutionary people not only in America but also around the world Representative writers Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), the most distinguished person and giant in American history, he wrote and worked for American independence