North American Literature an, Colonial Time In studying American literature, it is important to understand that although similarities exist between English and American literary styles, there are also great divergences.Afcer having been politically and culturally dominaved by England, it became necessary for Americans to develop a means of expression which could reflect Americans habits, thoughts and ambitious. American society demanded a literature expressed in a new style. American culture offered characteristics which greatly differed from those of the ‘old cultures of Europe: democracy, the frontier, and a new concept of humanity. By its very nature, American society lacked a definite structure about which ‘to write. Search for identity has always been an outstanding trait in the American literature.Ic is necessity to remember that the American population has never been homogeneous, since it is comprised of people of European, African, and Asian ancestry. America has always been a land in which one looked to the future for fulfillment of his expectations The emphasis has been upon individualism, dynamism and innovation, rather than upon moderation or respect for an established social hierarchy. American literature has always reflected the double consciousness of its parent cultures and its own youthful ambition. Up to the first part of the twentieth century, there had been a trend to avoid topics such as the imperfection of humanity or the nation. The literature reflected the process of settlement. the conquering of a continent, the growth of political, social and spiritual idealsAlthough trends do exist, American literature is by no means static, Its temperament changes from decade to decade and it has been subjected to violent shacks through war economic changes and criticism generated by changes in the intellectual climate. The sentiments of optimism and pessimism mix when America ideals find themselves contradicted by reality + Gay Literature er remrme * Survival Liveracure ore oe) + Jewish Liceracure Reet csEARLY COLONIAL LITERATURE The carly literature was produced by a God centered world, Literary Englishmen believed that was first among the disciplines of learning and all events were ruled by Divine Providence. Thus the writings produced in the early colonial period were fundamentally religious.American culture and literature were derived from western European culture, literature and civilization, The first English settlement in America was fortunate. Thirteen colonies were spread along the Atlantic coast of the continent and this caused great influence on the American language, ways of thought and civilization. The first literary manifestations in America tell us the story of New England and Virginia. Two main things forced the English toward America: material improvernent and religious freedom.THE PLANTERS Their first writings about America came from the colony of Virginia which the British had established around 1584, These writings were mostly advertising to attract more English people to Virginia to establish to invest and explore the new colonies. These first writings portrayed exactly what they saw in the new continent — descriptions of geographic and economic conditions, the climate of the new land and some aspects of indian life. Sometimes their works exaggerated the remarkable wealth of the land./ THE PURITANS | At the beginning of the 17% century, a different kind of settler came to New England K attempting to escape from the religious persecutions in England. They, the Separatists, now called Pilgrims, wished to purify the forms and rituals of the established Anglican ‘Church. In 1620, the first group of Protestants arrived in America where they established Plymouth Colony. Ten years later a second group settled = down in Massachusetts Bay Colony. These two colonies accepted religion as law, custom and daily care. In 1691 they were joined to form a single colony.The First Literary Work The Mayflower CompactPURITANISM AS A SCHOOL OF THOUGHT | | “Prime mover: God, all powerfull “Universe: God's creation, handled by God *Man: God's creature, a source of temptation “Autitude towards life: deterministic, everything was predetermined by God *Man's duty: faith, the glorification of God and preparation for after life, to read the bible *Social attitude: obedience to authority *Man's destiny: election or reprobationPURITAN LITERATURE Puritan Licerature was a reflection of Puritan life; therefore it was connected with religious matters. The Puritans literary writers produced mostly sermons, religious - They expressed the experience of building a new land and the emotional and spiritual life of the individual. Their works were sober and realistic and were written in plain style. These writers produced a more refined type of literature. They made use of biblical analogies and allusions and of homely EA Prritan Family if Puritan le expressions.SOME WRITERS OF THIS PERIOD WILLIAM BRADFORD — like all puritans historians, wrote with several guiding principles in mind. No “one” thing could be more important than the other because all things were under Divine control. He was to tell every fact never stressing one fact or minimizing the other. Works: “The History of the Plymouth Plantation” and “The Mayflower Compact’. ROGER WILLIAMS — he was considered dangerous for those who thought that uniform beliefs were essential to an effective government. Because of his departure from traditional Puritan beliefs he has a special place in early American literature: Work: "The Bloody Tenant of Persecution”ANNE BRADSTREET - she wrote poetry and prose, but it was in poetry that she could show her best style with simplicity and erudition. Works: “Contemplations", “The Prologue”, “Meditatio: For My Dear Son Simon Bradstreet” and others. COTTON MATHER - he is often blamed for causing the fury if the witcherafe scare which led to the trial and execution of nineteen citizens of Salen in 1692. He wanted to prove with his work the existence of devils and witches in New England.JONATHAN EDWARDS - In the middle of the eighteenth century, when rigid rel jous doctrines of the Puritans were beginning to give way to a practical idealism, Jonathan Edwards ateempted to bring back early American theology. Edwards’ religious b fs were deep-rooted in the ideas of John Calvin, who stressed the unquestionable majesty of God over all things. It was Jonathan Edaward’s concept of a “Divine Light” flowing from God through various aspects of nature that built the foundation for the philosophy of Ralph Waldo Emerson. Asserting the presence of sin and evil in the world, Edwards believed that it was the job of the preacher to depict for man the horrors of the world of the devil. Hence, we have the flaming scenes of hellfire and brimstone, the grotesque and violent imagery of “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” Sermons of this type he felt were necessary to encourage his parishioners to strive forever to receive the mystical, wondrous grace of God. We can well imagine Edwards’ words leaping from the pulpit in Einfield, Connecticut where they were first delivered, and searing the minds of their frightened listeners.LATIN- AMERICAN LITERATURE 21ST CENTURY LITERATURE BNTATIONWHAT’S LATIN-AMERICAN LITERATURE? + Consist of oral & written literature in several languages (Spanish, Portuguesd. and the indigenous languages of the Americas as well as literature of the United States written in the SpanishTanguage) = Rose to particular prominence globally during the second half of the 20th century, largely due tothe international success-of the style known as magical realism. As such, the region's literature is often associated solely with this style,-with the 20th Century literary movement known as Latin/American Boom, and with its most famous €xponent, Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Latin American literature has a rich and complex tradition of literary production that dates back many centuries.HISTORYHISTOR ¥ Pre-Columbian Literature + Primarily oral, though the Aztecs and Mayans ‘Colonial literature + When Europeans encountered the New World, early explorers and conquistadores produced written accounts and crénicas of their experience, such as Columbus's letters or Bernal Diaz del Castillo's description of the conquest of Mexico Nineteenth-century literature (“foundational fictions") + Novels in the Romantic or Naturalist traditions that attempted to establish a sense of national identity, and which often focused on the indigenous question or the dichotomy of “civilization or barbarism“ - Additionally, a gradual increase in women's education and writing during the 19th century brought more women writers to the forefrontHISTOR Modernismo and Boom precursors Emerged in the late 19" century + Apoetic movement who: Nicaraguan Rubén Dario e founding text was the ul (1888). + Had been the renovation of poetic from & techniques, extending to the use of free verse. + The first Latin American literary movement to influence literary culture outside of the region, and was also the first truly Latin American literature, in that national differences were no longer so much at issue. + In early twentieth century, saw the rise of indigenismo, a movement dedicated to representing indigenous culture and the injustices that such communities were undergoing. + The Argentine Jorge Luis Borges invented what was almost a new genre, “the philosophical short story”AVANT- Also vangual ria, literally fore-guard Next artistic movement after Modernismo which instituted a radical search for new, daring, confrontational themes and shockingly novel forms People & works have become experimental It is to push boundaries of what is ac norm or status quo epted as thea HISTOR The Boom ¥ + After World War IT, Latin America enjoyed increasing economic prosperity, and a new-found confidence also gave rise to a literary boom. + Was a period of literary flourishing in the 1960s and 70s that brought much of the area's literature to an, international audience. Famous Boom authors include Julio Cortazar, Carlos Fuentes, Octavio Paz, Mario Vargas Llosa, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez. + Boom writers ventured outside traditional narrative structures, embracing non-linearity and experimental narration. + Launched Latin American literature onto the world stage, it was distinguished by se and experimental novels + Emir Rodriguez Monegal published hie influential Latin aaa ae neat ly Mundo Nuevo (with excerpts of unreleased novels from then now writers auch ga CusllormaGybrera, lakente or Severe Si jareta Mirquez's Cien thon de soledad in tage waich was one Of the Booms dst novels, which led to the association of Latin American literature with magic realism.HISTOR Y Post-Boom and contemporary literature + Sometimes characterized by a tendency towards irony and towards the use of popular genres + Some writers felt the success of the Boom to be a burden, and spiritedly denounced the caricature that reduces Latin American literature to magical realism. + Other writers have traded on the Boom's success: see for instance Laura Esquivel's pastiche of magical realism in Como agua para chocolate. + Contemporary literature in the region is vibrant and varied, ranging from the best-selling Paulo Coelho and Isabel Allende to the more avant-garde and critically acclaimed work of writers such as Diamela Eltit & Giannina Braschi.1. The Fantastic — odd, remarkable or bizarre: grotesque and highly unbelievable or unrealistic events occur in fiction. The Fantastic tests and often bends the limits of reality. Authors most often associated with the “Fantastic” are Borges and Cortazar. 2. Magical realism — there is argument between those who see magical realism as a Latin American invention and those who see it as the global product of a postmodern world — when magical or supernatural elements are introduced into an otherwise realistic fictional setting; magical realism will depict believable settings, characters, and circumstances, but the supernatural or magical is incorporated into the fiction. Carpentier coined the term “lo real maravilloso. Authors associated with magical realism include Garcia Marquez, Carpentier, and Esquivel (especially Like Water for Chocolate).3. Social realism — dark and often depressing depictions of life in Latin America; sometime the literature reflects the violent history of the regio! “Torrents of blood.” Authors associated w/social realism are Novas Calvo, Rulfo, and Arias. 4. Female discourse — fiction that makes its main theme gender role as it critiques marianismo and machismo in Latin American society. Authors associated w/female discourse or feminist themes include Allende, Castellanos. and Ferré.DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SURREALISM & MAG LG. RBEATaES Mia mavieai realism as they both explore illogical or non-realist aspects of humanity and existenc Surrealism “is most distanced from magical realism [in that] the aspects that it explores are associated not with material reality but with the imagination and the mind particular it attempts to express the ‘inner life chology of humans through art." It seeks to express the sub-conscious, unconscious, the repressed. and_inexpressible.. Magical realism, on the other hand, rarely presents the extraordinary in the form of a dream or a psychological experience.OTHER PRINCIPLES UNDER THE FANTASTIC + Labyrinth — Borges’ fiction relies upon this theme. Many of his characters are caught in strange mazes or webs of lies. Sometimes, Borges’ cl i cause them to be trapped in a place or time, repeating the same bad decisions endlessly. - Eternal Recurrence of All Things — Borges borrows from Nietzsche's concept: the eternal recurrence of all things means that everything that has happened in the it hh er) only characters whi ec ‘know, 2 2. teReader participation —Cortazar’s characters are more often social outcasts: the circus freak, lunatics, even some delusional characters people Cortazar’s fiction. Instead of the author having omniscience (being all- knowing), Cortazar invites readers to construct the meaning of his work. In the case of Rayuela/Hopscotch (a novel), readers are encouraged to read chapters in a non-linear fashion. Whether a reader wants to read from the middle of the novel or from the last chapter to the first (backwards), each reader will experience a different story. Open doors — rather than placing characters in a maze, Cortazar risks their lives: some are murderers, some are insane, and others are suicidal. Sudden jolts — the unexpected is bound to happen in. Cortazar’s fiction, In an effort to shake readers from passivity and complacency, Cortazar wants readers to feel shocked and surprised when we read his stories. ‘The conclusion of “Continuity of Parks” is particularly surprising as readers are suddenly transported into the narrator's chair. (How so?)PROMINENT WRITERS OF EATIN- AMERICAN1. Jorge Luis Borges (Argentine, 1899-1986) 7? PROMINENT pORILE ERS, Author of Ficciones, El Aleph ‘The most eminent Latin Ame century, because to read him is to activate an awareness of literature in which he has gone than anybody else. (ecording to literary eritic Ha Borges’ work is aesthetic: this means he|w the intention of contributing to the world literature. As such, his fiction can be viewed as “art for art’s sake. Credited for developing and advancing the “fantastic” style in the region His short stories frequently present his reader with a dizzying array of libraries, labyrinths, and mirrors. “Is an admirable writer pledged to destroy reality and convert man into a shadow.” @escription of Ana Maria Barrenchea)PROMINENT WRITERS Pablo Neruda (Chilean) + Apoet of 20th century + “Is the greatest poet of the 20th century, in any language." (according to Gabriel Garcia Marquez) + Won the Nobel Prize for Literature 1971 + An outspoken voice in Latin American world polit move which allowed him, in some ways, to alienate everyone, + His poetry is famously romantic and erotic, sometimes importing sensuality to the most quotidian of objects, as seen in works like “Ode to the Apple. + Neruda’s politics made him an exile from his native Chile, and he recounted his dramatic escape in his Nobel lecture.PROMINENT > WRITERS 4. Octavio Paz Mexican writer and poet Won the Nobel Prize for Literature1 990 Author of the The Labyrinth of Solitude + Hist poetry often explores solitude and sensuality as well as language and silePROMINENT WRITERS 5. Alejo Carpentier (1904-1980) + great stylistic contribution to Latin American literature was his magical realism, called lo real maravilloso, which reflects the fantastic, and often otherworldly, properties of Latin American life + Embraces the extreme as never too far from the truth + His novel The Kingdom of this World depicts the Haitian uprising in which African slaves rebel against their French colonial rulers.PROMINENT WRITERS 6. Gabriela Mistral (1ss9-1957) + Her poetry captur: Latin American ide spheres of loss, gri ot only the wide political themes of tity and progress, but also the intimate and motherhood. + She remains the only female Latin American author to win the Nobel Prize 1945.7. Carlos Fuentes (19: PROMINENT WRITERS 8-2012) His books reflect a constant political striving, interrogating the ideals of revolution, power, equality, justice, and violence. Author of The Death of Artemio Cruz, that happily utilizes the tools of multiple narration and interior monologue.PWRITERS 8. Isabel Allende (». 1947) + A post-Boom author Her novels frequently blend myth and reality. § from the fount of magical realism that has lon; capture the Latin American experience. + Asa reporter, she was able to get an interview Neruda, who told her that she had too much i: for a journalist. He suggested that she begin writing novels instead. As a result, her literary career has a semi- accidental nature. If it wasn't for outside encouragement, and a letter to her dying grandfather (that developed into The House of the Spirits, her first book), who knows how long her career would have been delayed. Today, she is regarded as a Latin American treasure and figure of world ture. She has appeared in Olympic ceremonies, won National Literature Prize, and won a Presidential Matal of Freedom