1.AmericanLiterature.ppt

1、American Literature,Produced by Lily,Course Aims,1) to have a survey of American literature, focusing on genres, literary periods, and movements as well as some important political and social issues 2) to be acquainted with important writers of different periods and their major works 3) to study clo

2、sely some specific literary texts of different genres by important writers. 4) to comment on the artistic features and achievements of the writers and poets concerned,Requirements,1) Class Attendance 30% 2) Class Performance 20% 3) Final Test 50%,The History of American Literature,1. Colonial Period

3、 (early 17th century-end of 18th century) 2. American Romanticism (first half of 19th century) 3. The Age of Realism and American Naturalism (after the civil war-end of 19th century) 4. The Modern Period (20th century) 5. American Drama 6. Multiethnic Literature,The history of America,1492 Columbus

4、reached the new continent,2. 1607, The first British colony was established in Jamestown, Virginia.-Captain John Smith,Pilgrim Fathers,Many English people began to move to this new continent. Puritans came here to escape religious crisis. (why?),3. In 1620, a tiny ship called the “May flower” sailed

5、 from England for the New world, with 102 passengers. 50% were Pilgrims. Landed in what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts on the fourth Thur. in Nov. (Thanksgiving Day),Why did the early settlers come to America?,Opportunity It drew English merchants who dreamed of establishing great new estates out of

6、 the wildness. It drew carpenters, bakers, tailors and other skilled workmen who could not find job in England. It drew the poor and the homeless from farmlands and villages. It drew many English in search of religious freedom.,Puritanism in Europe,1. Church at that time a. controlled the heart of E

7、uropean people from religion to daily life b. collected wealth c. indulgence 2. Martin Luther a. protested against indulgence b. held the belief that all believers are priest 3. Religious reformation a. set up their own church b. protestProtestant c. purify-Puritanism a product of Reformation in Eur

8、ope in 16th. C.,Puritanism in America,Why did Puritans come to America? - to escape religious persecution - to have an entirely new church* Gods chosen people* To seek a new Garden of Eden* To build “City of God on earth”,Core Doctrines of Puritanism,1.Absolute Authority of God (Bible) “Obey or die,

9、 never ask why” 2.Human Depravation (Original Sin) Fall story-the source of all evil sins 3.Pre-destination Your fate has been determined before your birth. 4.Grace from God (Limited atonement) Only the “elect” can be saved.,Therefore let us choose life, that we and our seed may live by obeying His

10、voice and cleaving to Him, for He is our life and our prosperity. -John Winthrop (1588-1649),2. Influence (1) A group of good qualities hard work, thrift, piety, sobriety (serious and thoughtful) influenced American literature. (2) It led to the everlasting myth. All literature is based on a myth ga

11、rden of Eden. (3) Symbolism: the American puritans metaphorical mode of perception was chiefly instrumental in calling into being a literary symbolism which is distinctly American. (4) With regard to their writing, the style is fresh, simple and direct; the rhetoric is plain and honest, not without

12、a touch of nobility often traceable to the direct influence of the Bible.,Overview of the literature 1. types of writing diaries, histories, journals, letters, travel books, autobiographies/biographies, sermons John Smith- A Description of New England-Pocahontas 2. writers of colonial period (1) Ann

13、e Bradstreet (2) Edward Taylor (3) Roger Williams (4) Benjamin Franklin (5) Thomas Paine (6) Thomas Jefferson (7) Philip Freneau,Ann Bradstreet (1612-1672),well educated at childhood; married at sixteen; came to America with “Mayflower” in 1620; “Tenth Muse” in America the first woman poet in both A

14、merica and England 1650- a collectionpersonal emotion and religious devotion,Characteristics of her poetry,Contents: the constitutions and ages of man, the seasons of the year, the chief empires of the ancient world and the description of the early settlers life in the new world.,Characteristics: si

15、ngularly puritan mode of perception; about the justice of Gods way with His Puritan flock; in search of mans nature and destiny and his mission in the new world.,Contemplations (9),I heard the merry grasshopper then sing. The black-clad cricket bear a second part; They kept one tune and played on th

16、e same string, Seeming to glory in their little art. Shall creatures abject thus their voices raise And in their kind resound their Makers praise, Whilst I, as mute, can warble forth no higher lays?,Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790),Benjamin Franklin, - Americas first great man of letters,” embodied the

17、 Enlightenment ideal of human rationality. Franklin recorded his early life in his famous Autobiography.,Influenced by Puritanism but against it,Inventor,Printer,statesman,Librarian,Benjamin Franklin - Statesman,During the fight for independence, he was sent to Europe to represent the colonies. In 1

18、776, he signed the Declaration of Independence and later the constitution,One of the Makers of the New Nation The Representative of American Dream New Image of Rising America,Benjamin Franklin,When Franklin died in 1790, one of his fellow Americans said, “His shadow lies heavier than any other mans on this young nation.” As an author, Franklins style is quite modern, and his works show a return to their “plain style”. He felt that writing should always have a practical purpose. Poor Richards Almanac Autobiography,Some of these are known to most Americans today: God helps them who help