American Literature1600 to 1900

English

Originally referred to as Separatists Lived in England and became disillusioned with

the Catholic Church and Anglican Church Most modern histories began referring them to as

Pilgrims. In England they were jailed and persecuted for not

following the teachings of the Anglican Church. Left England to find the religious freedom arriving

in New England in November 1620

PuritanismWho are the Puritans, Separatists, Pilgrims?

They were God’s chosen people God favored the industrious and hard working Viewed nature as harsh and evil and needing

to be tamed. God would crush those who defied Him. Humans are essentially evil and few were

chosen to be “saved’ by God God watched over the earth and exerted His

will as he saw fit.

Puritan Beliefs

Boys and Girls should have an education Colonies were well planned and organized Not afraid of working hard and getting dirty. Established the first public school: Boston

Latin School Established the first continent’s college:

Harvard University.

Positive Qualities of the Pilgrims

Series of strict rules and laws. Intolerant of any ideas or views that differed

from their religious teachings If you missed church, as a you were

punished criminal All forms of play and recreation were

forbidden.

Negative Qualities of Pilgrims

John Calvin Expected his followers to devote themselves fully to

the worship of God and nothing else. According to Calvin, God had already determined if

you were going to heaven or down under even before you die.

Calvin was outraged at the belief that if people were “good” that they could “earn” their way to heaven

If you have been chosen by God, it was obvious by the way you lived your life.

Leaders of the Religious Revolution

Born in England Immigrated to Holland to escape persecution for not

worshipping in government run Anglican Church. Joined a group of Puritans on trip to the New World to

help create their own version of an ideal society Bradford was the most important leader of Plymouth

Colony Bradford wrote the first piece of American Literature:

History of the Plymouth Plantation. It is the account of the voyage of the Mayflower and the first few years of Plymouth colony.

William Bradford1590-1657

Use of reason rather than authority of the past

There is logic in reasoning and a set of truths that are to be followed.

God is an inactive creator who lets the universe run on its own.

Rationalism/Age of Reason

Deeply intuitive, youthful and loved nature Celebrated nature over civilization Main philosophy: “ Be not like dumb, driven

cattle!” “Be an individual rather than one of the

crowds”

Romanticism Writers

Accurately portray real life without filtering with romantic notions.

Writers wrote about ordinary people and everyday events.

Rejects imagination in favor of telling it like it is!!

Realism

Born in Florida, Missouri November 30,1835 and moved to Hannibal in 1839

He was born Samuel Langhorne Clemens Twain had a very exciting life growing up and

as an adult. His life was filled with many adventures and

jobs.Steamboat pilotGold minerNewspaper reporter

Mark Twain 1835-1910

Mark Twain was America’s greatest Storyteller. His best stories are based on his own boyhood

growing up along the Mississippi River. His famous works are The Adventures of Tom

Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.Twain’s stories were funny, however they

addressed serious issues:RacismGreed Injustice

Mark Twain

Mark Twain

Mark Twain traveled the world performing his stories as a One Man Show.

Twain wrote about his experiences as a boy. Twain was the most famous and successful author of

his time. His humor touched on serious issues. In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Twain uses his

humor to point out the wrongs of racism.