美国文学简史笔（常耀信）.docVIP

- PAGE 23 - A Concise History of American Literature What is literature? Literature is language artistically used to achieve identifiable literary qualities and to convey meaningful messages. Chapter 1 Colonial Period Background: Puritanism features of Puritanism Predestination: God decided everything before things occurred. Original sin: Human beings were born to be evil, and this original sin can be passed down from generation to generation. Total depravity Limited atonement: Only the “elect” can be saved. Influence A group of good qualities – hard work, thrift, piety, sobriety (serious and