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Colonialism and the Revolutionary Period (Beginnings -- 1800)

I) The First 300 Years American literature, like America itself, is a "melting pot," a complex fusion of native

cultures of original settlers and the many groups of immigrants who populated the new

land. It was also influenced by the very existence of the wilderness, vast stretches of land,populated by Native American peoples who were alternately inspiring and frightening.

1st New England settlers - Puritans (permanent influence on Americanconsciousness

Enlightenment philosophy - revolution, rights, manifest destiny Native Americans and Colonial Visions of a new world

Negative stereotypes of native americans (a.k.a. "Indians") savages, devils, animals, "howling wilderness" AML begins before 1492 because oral literature is its own tradition, but

this was ignored for many years noble savage - a human being free from the corrupting influence of urban

life, and who, at other times, is seen as the very devil--the epitome of the"heart of darkness," the evil that may lie deep in the souls of even the bestof humans.

Traditional Native American literature respect for and harmony with nature myths and legends

The Virgin Land John Smith coined Virginia a "virgin land" devotedly completely to its

subjects with limitless untapped wealth, ripe for the picking ignored the fact that the land was already inhabited

"A Hideous and Desolate Wilderness" Pilgirms who arrived at Plymouth Rock in 1620 were different from the Jamestownsettlers

Separatists escaping persecution Pilgrims wanted a forbidding place so that only like-minded people would join

them View of the new world as a "crucible"

City Upon a Hill John Winthrop's "city upon a hill" Puritans established and believed in a theocracy Wanted to convert the savages

Roger Williams and Rhode Island--separation of church and state

2) The Literature of Puritanism 1620-1640: The Great Migration independence, self-reliance, and the Protestant work ethic derived wanted to purify the church of Catholic influence congregationalists--self-governing direct relationship between individuals and God

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Calvinists--TULIP total depravity--humans corrupted by original sin unconditional election--predestination--the "elect" or the "saints" saved by God on

a whim limited atonement--Christ's death atoned only for the elect

irresistable grace--cannot resist the grace that is offered perseverance of the saints--those who are saved are saved forever and cannot be

lost Puritanism is the foundation of Capitalism