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The Evolution of American Literature

The Evolution of American Literature. A comparative study of the literature and the history of America. Eras of American Literature. I. Pre-Columbian: ? to 1607 II. Colonial: 1607-1770 III. Revolutionary: 1770-1800 IV. Romantic: 1800-1860 V. Transcendental: 1840-1860

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The Evolution of American Literature

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  1. The Evolution of American Literature A comparative study of the literature and the history of America

  2. Eras of American Literature I. Pre-Columbian: ? to 1607 II. Colonial: 1607-1770 III. Revolutionary: 1770-1800 IV. Romantic: 1800-1860 V. Transcendental: 1840-1860 VI. Realist: 1860-1900 VII. Modern: 1900 - present

  3. I. Pre-Columbian America An Oral literature and mythology Characteristics No phonetic written language Oral literature passed down through generations Most stories are in form of poems which often had rhythm, rhyme and chants Topics included the creation of world, a great flood, and the stories of the many tribes

  4. II. Colonial Literature Puritan/New England Southern Literature Diversion /Amusement Recording of events and business affairs More sophisticated diction Humorous, more relaxed tone Little/ no mention of God Journals and Diaries Literature of ideas: theological, moral, historical, political Topic often has reference to God Simple, direct diction Devout, religious, inspirational tone Instructional, not aesthetic purpose Diaries, Journals, Religious Poetry

  5. Examples of Colonial Literature History of Plymouth Plantation Bay Psalm Book “To My Dear and Loving Husband” “Upon the Burning of my House” General History of Virginia History of the Dividing Line

  6. III. Revolutionary Literature • Equivalent to Neoclassical Period in Europe • Literature of Reason, Persuasion, Rhetoric, Propaganda • Balance, Logic, Reason, Order, and Control • Logos, Pathos, and Ethos = Persuasion • Politics and Ideas to inspire an direct people’s actions Writers of the Revolutionary Period: Benjamin Franklin Thomas Paine Patrick Henry Thomas Jefferson John Adams George Washington Alexander Hamilton James Madison

  7. IV. Romantic Literature

  8. Romantic Literature • Influences include- Nationalism European Heritage Reaction to Neoclassical thought • First period of true American Literature/ fiction

  9. Romantic Period • Love of Nature • Strong sense of the beauty of the world, especially in nature and human emotion • Search for an ideal/perfect world, where one can be in communion with nature

  10. Romantic Literature Continued • Common person placed in an extraordinary situation • Deep sympathy and concern for the humble, underprivileged, or obscure common folk  • Vivid imagination – writers creating fantastic dream worlds (allowing for willing suspension of disbelief)

  11. Even More Romantic Characteristics • Interest in ancient legends and tradition • Distant times and places as settings for the stories • Strong sense of supernatural and mystery • Strong passionate emotion, often inhibited and not accepted by society

  12. Would you believe? Yes, More. • Subjectivity – feelings and opinions are more important or effective than fact or reason • Nonconformity to society – the needs of the individual are more important than the needs of society • Freedom from restraint and rebellion against limitations – especially those imposed by society •  Strong conflict between science and nature

  13. The Romantic Writers • Washington Irving • James Fenimore Cooper • Edgar Allen Poe • William Cullen Bryant • Nathaniel Hawthorne • Herman Melville

  14. V. Transcendentalist Movementand the Golden Years Ralph Waldo Emerson Henry David Thoreau

  15. Transcendentalist Movement • Truths that go beyond, or transcend, proof • Truths that are known to the heart and not necessarily to the mind • Truths that are felt emotionally, but cannot be proven logically • Values lie in the realm of instinct and intuition Great men are they who see that spiritual is stronger than any material force, that thoughts rule the world

  16. Time is but the stream I go a-fishin in Henry David Thoreau

  17. The Fireside PoetsCan you match the poet to the poem? The Authors Their Poems “The First Snowfall” “Snow-Bound” “The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere” “Old Ironsides” • Henry Wadsworth Longfellow • James Russell Lowell • Oliver Wendell Holmes • John Greenleaf Whittier

  18. VI. Realism

  19. Romanticism versus Realism • Writers’ goal is to explore the conversion of the human heart • Writers see possibility and hope as well as the darker side of the human spirit • Writers want to explore the psychological and emotional aspects of human life • Distant time and place as setting • Supernatural, mystery, inexplicable intuition and instinct • Emotion- paramount • Nature, common people, the ordinary in extraordinary situations serve as topics • Writers’ goal is to tell the truth • Writers see more pain and humility and a new roughness. • Writers take a closer look at the aspects of human life. • Current time and place as settings • Lack of supernatural or divine intervention • Practicality and eventuality supersede emotion • Cities, Industrial Age, Politics, Immorality of greed and disenfranchisement serve as topics

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