THE

BEGINNINGS
OF
AMERICAN
LITERATURE
began with legends, myths and poetry
 AMERICAN INDIANS
Firstpeople to live in to what
is now US.
1600S- COLONIAL
PERIOD
 Journals and reports of European explorers
 Histories, Religious writings and Poetry

Captain John Smith

He wrote A True Relation of Such Occurrences
and Accidents of Notes as Hath Happened in
Virginia
1770S-EARLY US
LITERATURE
 Writings were addressed to American Independence
issues
 Began to separate from Europe’s literary forms and
styles

Writers:
Washington Irving
Thomas Paine, The American Crisis
William Cullen Bryant,
“Thanatopsis”, “To a Waterfowl”
1800S-UNIQUE AMERICAN STYLE
 Topics focused on country’s problems (slavery)

2 Main Forms of Fiction

o Sentimental Love
Harriet Beecher Stowe, Uncle Toms Cabin
o Romance
James Fenimore Cooper,
The last of the Mohicans
The Deerslayer
 TRADITIONAL BEGINNINGS: THE
COLONIAL EXPERIENCE
 Historic events influenced the politics and
government in England
 Separatist Puritans left for the America to
search for a place of worship
 England Royalist (King and Queen) and
Protectorate (country ruled by a large one)
 American Colonies were established on the
Atlantic Coast
 TRADITIONAL BEGINNINGS: THE
COLONIAL EXPERIENCE

Cavaliers (Royalist) in England- larger

prospects of wealth
Indentured Servants- servants under
legal obligation to work for the masters

Puritans settled in Boston

CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH
He was a young,
fearless adventurer and
soldier of fortune

A sharp eyed observer

who expressed himself
forcefully and clearly
 VOCABULARY
 Bends a. an area of soft and
wet ground

 Quagmire b. exchange of thoughts

 Discourse c. a curved part of a path

 CAPTURED BY
OPECHANCANOUGH
AN EXCERPT
BY JOHN SMITH
 OPECHANCANOUGH
AN EXCERPT
BY JOHN SMITH

Opechancanough
Fast Facts:
 Opechancanough was one of the greatest Powhatan chiefs.

 Became dominate on March 22, 1622.

 Was chief of 32 tribes.

 He was also uncle to Pocahontas.

 Later that year, he pulled a surprise attack on the colony,

killing 347 people.
 On April 18, 1644 he led a second attack on Jamestown.

 Later that year, he was captured and killed.

 SUMMARY
When Chief Powhatan died, his little brother
Openchancanough became head chief of the Powhatan.
He became head on March 22, 1622. He was chief of 32
tribes. He was uncle to Pocahontas. As head chief, he
also had the power of 32 tribe fighters. Also, in the year
1622, he pulled a surprise attack on the colony of
Jamestown. This killed 347 people. On April 8, 1644 he
made a killing blow on the colony. John Smith, a leader,
captured him. A colony fighter shot him in the back later
in the battle.