AMERICAN

THE
HISTORY
OF

LITERATURE
ROMANTIC PERIOD (1828- 1865)
This period emphasized nature, symbolism,
transcendentalism, and individualism that
American writers embraced and applied to their
works.
Transcendentalism, Dark/Gothic Romanticism,
and Sentimentalism are its three major branches.
Common themes of the works of literature are
COLONIAL PERIOD (1600-1800) nature, romanticism, and self-reliance.
There was a wide range of literary works during
It started during the foundation of colonies and ended during the the romantic period but poetry was deemed as
outbreak of revolution. the highest expression of imagination.
The writings in this period are largely influenced by British

writers.
Religious, practical, or historical themes
are the central themes of the writings in
this period due to the domination of
Puritan beliefs. Moreover, this domination
REALISTIC PERIOD (1865- 1914)
caused the banning of imaginative
Realism is the reaction and rejection
literature as it was considered immoral.
of Romanticism that is why it is dubbed
Polemics, journals, narratives, as the “transition period”.
demons and poetry are some of
Realistic fiction was heavily given
its forms of literature.
attention, particularly in novels. In
realistic fiction, life is represented
realistically making readers think
that the setting and characters in a
REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD (1750-1800) work of fiction actually exist.

In this period, the United States had declared their

independence from Great Britain; this is when the
Revolutionary War happened.
This is arguably the richest period of THE MODERN PERIOD (1914-1939)
political writing since classical He wrote the
Declaration of
antiquity. Independence which The modernism movement aimed to deviate
highlights its dominant
Some of the greatest documents themes: independence from the traditional forms of writing and
of American history were written
and freedom.
favored experimentation in writing in prose and
poetry.
in this period.
THOMAS Confusion and disillusionment are the
JEFFERSON dominant themes in this period.
Literary works in this era are characterized by
deliberate confusion and intentional break in

EARLY NATIONAL PERIOD (1790- 1828)

the flow of words.
Important writes include F. Scott Fitzgerald,
William faulkner, Robert Frost, John Steinbeck
Authenticity among written works prevailed during this era.

American literature was beginning to produce works that can be

considered as authentically “American”.
Writers used American characters, settings, and themes but still
utilized the English style of writing.
CONTEMPORARY PERIOD (1939- PRESENT)
Some of the important writers of this time are:
Literature has become broad in terms of
forms, themes, purpose, subject, and
quantity.
Experimentation is observed among
American writers.
S
IA N
O L IN AD
AM Famous writers include Maya Angelou,
NK E
EQU FR A IT H A IN
DA
H
M IN IL S
M
A SP Alice Walker, Joyce Carol Oates, Alice
AU JA IG A OM
OL BEN AB TH Walker, and Elizabeth Bishop.
 BRITISH
THE
HISTORY
OF

LITERATURE
OLD ENGLISH/ ANGLO-SAXON PERIOD
(449-1066)
Encompasses literature written in Anglo-Saxon during the 600-year
Anglo-Saxon period of Britain, from the mid-5th century to the Norman
Conquest of 1066.
Narrative poems are the major literary
ROMANTIC PERIOD (1798-1832)
works made in this period.
Lyrical ballad is often considered as the
The most distinguishing feature of
beginning of Romantic period
Old English poetry is its
alliterative verse style. Important forms of Romantic
Beowulf is the oldest literature are the novel, lyric poetry,
surviving Germanic epic odes, and ballads.
and the longest Old Charlotte Smith, William
English poem Blake, and Robert Borns are
some of it notable writers

MIDDLE ENGLISH OR MEDIEVAL PERIOD

VICTORIAN PERIOD (1832-1900)
(1066- 1500) Typical forms of Victorian literature
Romance/Courtly Romance include novels, serialized novels, lyric
became the most popular genre poetry, verse novels, dramatic
during this period. monologues, non-fiction prose, and
During this period, drama.
drama, narrative poems
Many Victorian writers addressed both sides of
and lyric poetry rose to
the conflicts such as imperialism, rights of
popularity.
women, ethnic minorities, etc. in many forms of
Religion had a great
literature.
impact on literature in
this era.

TWENTIETH CENTURY/ MODERN PERIOD

RENAISSANCE PERIOD (1550-1660)
(1900-1980)
This period marks the high water mark of English literary
accomplishment. This period is characterized by a feeling
The first printing press is invented by Johannes Gutenberg of loss of any centering, stabilizing
This is the age of the following writers: factor in life, a break with tradition,
and a reaction against established
society, religion, and politics.
VIRGINIA WOOLF
Imagism or the use of hard
They created a
images, sparse but specific technique called
stream of
language, and irregular meters consciousness
NNE
SHAKEP
EARE ILIPS JOHN DO is prevailing in the poetry.
WILLIAM INE PH ILTON
KATHER JOHN M JAMES JOYCE

THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY/ NEOCLASSICAL/

CONTEMPORARY PERIOD (1980-PRESENT)
RESTORATION PERIOD 1660-1790)
Writers of the time placed great emphasis on the original Contemporary works often
writings produced by classical Greek and Roman literature. featured ordinary places and
dealt with an awareness of
Literature during this period was often itself, a release from meaning,
considered a tool for the advancement of an interest in process, a desire
knowledge. to revise the past, and a desire
to have fun.
Industrialization age begins. All genres are represented