美国文学课件大学版本NO.1.pptVIP

Definition: Literature produced in American English by American citizens. Basic quality of American writers: Independent A country of merely over 200 years’ history Writers have been able to remain free from the control. They think and act with independence. They are not raised by the government as writers. They make a living by writing. Individualistic They view writing as a means of self-expression, a way of expressing their personal views about life and society, a way of advocating liberty, democracy and independent action of the individual. Critical Most of the American writers are not satisfied with the contemporary society. They often criticize American society. In their work, they explore social problems keenly and severely. They can laugh at themselves and their country. A literary tradition in America. Innovative It is always the new ideas, new attitudes, and new cultural faces than urge them to pursue “newness” in life and literature. They often make experiments in writing. By innovating styles and technique, they try to be different from others and start a new trend almost every ten years. humorous National characteristic It is part of their life, their character, and their style in creative writing. Humor of all kinds: exaggeration, ironic satire, black humor, surprise … 这是最好的时世，这是最坏的时世；这是智慧的年代，这是愚昧的年代；这是信仰的时代，这是怀疑的时代；这是光明的时节，这是黑暗的时节；这是希望之春，这是失望之冬；我们面前什么都有，我们面前什么都无，我们都在直登天堂，我们都在直下地狱…… 4. Outline of American Literature Part I The Anglo-Saxon Period (449-1066) Part II The Anglo-Norman Period (1066-1350) Part III Geoffrey Chaucer (1340-1400) The old and Middle English Period (449-1485) Part IV The Renaissance (1485-1660) Part V The 17th Century (English Revolution Restoration) (1603-1700) Part VI The 18th Century (The Age of Enlightenment) (1700-1798) Part VII The Romanic Period (Romanticism) (1798-1832) Part VIII The Victorian Age (Critical Realism) (1832-1901) Part IX Twentieth Century Literature (1900-1970) Outline of American Literature Par