1、Part I. The Literature of Colonial America,The first settlers:defining of colonial America (16201776)economic and religious purposes 2. The Religious Revolution in Anglican Church The corruption of the church of England The reform of the church,Part I. The Literature of Colonial America and the Enli
2、ghtenment Age,3.PuritanismPuritan Forefathers Concept of PuritanismPuritanism is the attitude which desired a more thorough-going reform of the church in the direction of Protestantism. It stresses:The church should be restored to the purity of the 1st church as established by Jesus Christ Himself.
3、Restoration of the sovereignty of God and the Bible;,the doctrine of predestination, original sin, total depravity and all that Calvinism preached. A perfect order of living, in which people can work with great courage and confidence toward building a new Garden of Eden. A strictness in morality and
4、 austerity in matters of taste, hardworking, thrift, tolerance and patience.,The significance of Puritanism,the positive aspectthe negative aspect,The features of colonial American literaturePuritanism was central to colonial American literature. Religious sermons became the most highly developed an
5、d the most popular of Puritan literary forms.,The colonial literary works mainly took the form of diary, biography, travel account and religious sermons which are full of strenuous self-analysis and constant searching of conscience. Practical matter-of-fact accounts of family, hurting and travel etc
6、., which are mainly informative rather than illumination. Political debates about the colonists relations with the mother country were quite common. Colonial American literary works are characterized with logical structure, precise and compact expression, avoidance of rhetorical decoration, homeline
7、ss of imagery and simplicity of diction.,Sample of colonial reading,Being thus arrived in a good harbor, and brought safe to land, they fell upon their knees and blessed the God of Heaven who had brought them over the vast and furious ocean, and delivered them from the perils and miseries thereof, a
8、gain to set their feet on the firm and stable earth, their proper elementBut here I cannot stand half amazed at this poor peoples present condition; and so I think will the reader, too, when he well considers the same. Being thus passed the vast ocean, they had no friends to welcome them nor inns to
9、 entertain ir refresh their weather-beaten bodies, nor houses or much less towns to repair to, to seek for succor. from William BradfordsHistory of Plymouth plantation,Major authors of the colonial time,John Smith (15801631)adventurer and poet. He earned a reputation as one of Englands most famous e
10、xplorers by helping to lead the first successful English colony in America.His works include The General History of Virginia; New England; The Summer Isles,Major authors of the colonial time,William Bradford (15001657)Governor and author. After the death of the colonys first leader, the Pilgrims ele
11、cted him governor. In 1630, Bradford began writing Of Plymouth Plantation, a firsthand account of the Pilgrims struggle to endure, sustained only by courage and unbending faith.,Major authors of the colonial time,Jonathan Edwards (17031758)theologian and Puritan preacher. A brilliant academic, he le
12、arned Latin, greek, and Hebrew by the age of twelve, enter Yale at thirteen, got his master degree in theology. His highly emotional sermon Sinners in the hands of an Angry God is by far the most famous work of its kind.,Major authors of the colonial time,John Winthrop (15881649)governor and a man o
13、f wealth. In his A model of Christian Charity, an essay, he presents a plea for the exercise of an unselfish spirit and encouraged a knit together of the early settlers in the work as one man.,Major authors of the colonial time,Michael Wigglesworth (1631-1705)Most popular early American poets , mini
14、ster and author. His masterpiece of puritan theological belief is entitled The Day of Doom, whose inspiration appealed strongly to the minds of his contemporaries.,Sample of colonial reading,Besides I have one of my children that was formerly most lamentably handled with sore breaking out of both hi
15、s hands and feet of the kins evil, but since he came hither he is very well over what he was, and there is hope of perfect recovery shortly, ever by the very wholesomeness of the air. from Francis Higginsons New-Englands Plantation,Sample of colonial reading,A sty of filth, a trough of washing swill
16、, A dunghill pit, a puddle of mere slime, A nest of vipers, hive of hornets stings, A bag of poison, civet box of sins. by Edward Taylor,Sample of colonial reading,They rush from beds with giddy heads, and to their windows run,Viewing this light which shone more brightthan doth the noonday sun. Some
17、 hide themselves in caves and delves, in places underground:Some rashly leap into the deep, to escape by being drowned:Some to the rocks (O senseless blocks!)and woody mountains run.That there they might this fearful sight, and dreaded presence shun. from Wigglesmirths The Day of Doom,The Puritan He
18、ritageEarly Puritanism has had continuous and shaping influence upon American thought and culture. Its cultural legacy can be summarized as Rigid sense of morality Emphasis upon material success. Self-reliance Enthusiasm for education and social reform Conflict of conscience arising from an awarenes
19、s that material success is not adequate as a major goal in life.,Influence upon American LiteratureOptimistic view Symbolism Plain writing style,Part II The Literature of the Enlightenment Age,Historical Introduction influence from Europelogical thoughtmathematical & scientific truthpolitics and eth
20、icsemergence of Deism belief in natural religionnew image of Godperfectible humanity,The Literature of Enlightenment,the dominant intellectual ideas of the 18th century Americaa resolute faith in the reality of earthly world a distrust of the mystical or mysteriousconfidence in the progress by educa
21、tionconcerns for civil rights,Characteristics of the Literature of Enlightenment,Rationalistic & utilitarian conception of Enlightenment Love and taste for the beauty of classical art A display of magnificent literary energies and rapid growth of publications.,Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) Positiona
22、 universal genius- business man, scientist, writer, statesman etc. The embodiment of the enlightenment ideas and a cultural hero whose life exemplifies the American dream . Literary achievement He was noted for his mastery skills in periodical essay, satire, political journalism and folk humor He se
23、t the form for autobiography as a genre in America with his Autobiography credited as,the first great book in American history. He established a tradition in American writing of the simple, utilitarian style. He created the classical image of the Yankee American- a simple yet wise, straightforward y
24、et sly folk figure in American literature. Chief Works The AutobiographyWritten by Franklin at intervals between 1771-1788 It is the simple yet fascinating record of a man rising to wealth from a state of poverty and obscurity. It is a Puritan document full of self-analysis. It demonstrates his virt
25、ues and improving his personality.,The book is also a convincing illustration of the Puritan ethic: being industrious , frugal and prudent. It is noted for his plain style. Written with a simplicity, frankness and wit, the book serves as an example of the American style of writing and a classic of i
26、ts kind. It is a good celebration of the fulfillment of the American dream and an eloquent education of the idea of the 18th century enlightenment (order, education and reason),Poor Richard AlmanacWritten by Franklin, published in 1758. It was modeled on the sort of farmers annual calendar, enriched
27、 with hundreds of proverbs, bits of advice on business, marriage, manners etc. Its sentences are short, pithy and often rhymed for easier memory. The book best exemplified Franklins practical wisdom and its emphasis on commercial success.,Reading and Appreciation The Autobiography,Questions Whats th
28、e central topic of this excerpt? What project is Franklin to undertake? What has led Franklin to such a project? And what goal does he intend to achieve? Whats the first problem Franklin encounters in carrying out the project? How does he solve it? Explain in your own words the 13 virtues. What is h
29、is strategic approach in carrying it out? What is his tactic approach in carrying it out?,Reading and Appreciation The Autobiography,Questions for discussion Do you agree with Franklins method of self-perfection?Why or why not? Do you think the 13 virtues are equally important? Have you any preference? If you could spend an evening with Franklin, what would you talk about? What kind of person do you think Franklin was? Do you admire him? Why or why not?,Reading and Appreciation The Autobiography,
