UNIT 1:

American Literature: The Colonial period

(1582-1789)

M.A Nguyen Thi Thuy Dung

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 OBJECTIVES

After the lesson, the students will have an overview of American literature in the Colonial period. The content
includes:
• The historical background of the period
• The characteristics of American literature in the Colonial period
• Some typical authors and literary works
• The students will be able to explain the relation between historical events and their influences on literature

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 OVERVIEW

1.1 American Indians Literature

1.2 The Appearance of the Puritans

1.3 Literature of the Period

1.4 Puritan literary style

1.5 Authors of the period

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 Introduction to American literature

• American literature timeline

Modernism and
The birth of
Colonial period Romanticism Realism Post-
modernism
(1582-1789) (1790-1860) (1861-1914) modernism
(1915-1949)
(1950-1999)

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 WARMING UP

Who is in the picture?

Answer: A native American

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 1.1. AMERICAN INDIANS LITERATURE

• Tribes are scattered all over

• They differ greatly in language, government, social organizations, customs, and housing.
• Example: A Southwestern tribe would differ greatly from a Northern tribe.

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 1.1. AMERICAN INDIANS LITERATURE

• They were here first technically

• Native Americans had a rich oral tradition of storytelling
• No story was exactly the same
• Native American Myths:
▪ Explain customs, institutions, or religious rites
▪ Natural landmarks
▪ Events beyond people’s control

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 1.2. THE APPEARANCE OF THE PURITANS

Timeline of events
• 1492: Christopher Columbus lands in the Bahamas
• 1500s: Exploration of the new land, colonists arrive and settle in the late 1500’s
• 1607: First permanent English settlement at Jamestown, Virginia
• 1619: First black slaves brought to Virginia
• 1620: Plymouth Colony was established in Massachusetts

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 1.2. THE APPEARANCE OF THE PURITANS

• Puritans were originally members of the Church of England

• Having given up hope of “purifying” the church, they chose to withdraw and become “Separatists”; we know
them as “Pilgrims”
• Established settlement in what is now Plymouth, MA
• With help of Native Americans, they survived the rigors of North America

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 1.2. THE APPEARANCE OF THE PURITANS

A city upon a hill

• Puritans hoped to establish a model community guided by all
aspects of the Bible
• John Winthrop, governor of the colony, coined the phrase
• Their form of government was a theocracy, or a state under
the immediate guidance of God

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 1.2. THE APPEARANCE OF THE PURITANS

Puritan Belief
• Human beings exist for glory of God
• Bible is sole expression of God’s will
• Predestination
• “Puritan Ethic”: accomplish good only through continual
hard work and self-discipline

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 1.2. THE APPEARANCE OF THE PURITANS

Education
• Education was for men & women
• 1636 founded Harvard College
• Printing Press developed in 1639
• 1647 free public schools established in Massachusetts
• New England Primer published in 1690 combining instruction in spelling reading and moralistic teachings,
such as “In Adam’s Fall/We sinned all”

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 1.3. LITERATURE OF THE PERIOD

Puritan Literature
• Religious writings:
▪ Theological studies
▪ Hymns
▪ Histories
▪ Biographies
▪ Autobiographies
• Purpose of writing to provide spiritual insight, instruction, or self-examination
• Poetry just for spiritual enlightenment
• Neither fiction nor drama was produced. Both were considered sinful.
• Famous writers: Anne Bradstreet, Edward Taylor

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 1.4. PURITAN LITERARY STYLE

• Plain writing style

• The goal is to have a clear statement
• Ornate or clever style is a sign of vanity
• Practical writing designed to describe experiences, insight into the period, convey religious thoughts, to
educate

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 1.5. AUTHORS OF THE PERIOD

• Anne Bradstreet
• William Bradford
• John Smith
• Cotton Mather
• Jonathan Edwards
• Mary Rowlandson
• William Byrd
Jonathan Edwards Captain John Smith

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 1.5. AUTHORS OF THE PERIOD

WILLIAM BRADFORD (1590-1657)

• Born in Yorkshire, England
• Followed Puritans to America
• Of Plymouth Plantation (published in 1856) Bradford provides account of experiences of early settlers in
Massachusetts
• William Bradford was governor of the first colony (elected after the death of the first governor)
• As governor he oversaw:
▪ Encouraged new immigration
▪ Established good relations with Native Americans
▪ Instituted town meetings
• Wrote in Puritan Plain Style: characterized by short words, direct statements, and references to ordinary,
everyday objects

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 SUMMARY

In summary, The lessons cover 5 main parts:

• American Indians literature
▪ Oral tradition of story telling
▪ Myths
• The appearance of the Puritans
▪ The role of religion in the Puritans’ lives
• Literature of the period
▪ Religious wwriting
• Puritan literary style
▪ Plain writing style
• Authors of the period
▪ William Bradford (1590-1657)

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 GLOSSARY

1. American Indian /əˈmer·ɪ·kən ˈɪn·di·ən/ : someone who belongs to one of the groups of people that
originally lived in North America before the Europeans arrived
2. Puritan /pjʊrɪtən/: any member of a Protestant group in England and the American colonies that in the 16th
and 17th cent., wanted to make the Church of England simpler in its services and stricter about morals
3. Myth /mɪθ/: A myth is a well-known story which was made up in the past to explain natural events or to
justify religious beliefs or social customs
4. Theocracy /θiɒkrəsi/: A theocracy is a society which is ruled by priests who represent a god
5. Hymn /hɪm/: a song or ode in praise or honor of God, a deity, a nation, etc

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