American literature

1. WELCOME TO OUR PRESENTATIOn
GROUP 1
• 1. NGUYỄN HOÀNG ÁNH MAI - 11128061
• 2. NGUYỄN THỊ THUỲ LOAN - 11128122
• 3. LÊ THỊ HIÊN - 11128033
• 4. VÕ THỊ THU HÀ - 11128028
INSTRUCTOR: MRS. KIM AN

2. Early American Literature to 1700
I. PERIODS
II. MAJOR AUTHORS
III.MAIN WORKS
IV.MAIN THEMES

3. • American literature is the literature written or
produced in the area of the United States and
its preceding colonies.
• Its literary tradition began as linked to the
broader tradition of English literature.

4. I. Periods
Relation to
the English
Literature
Puritanism
in American
Literature
3 main periods
The
Virginia
Colony

5.  Relation to the English Literature
The British claimed
most of the Atlantic
seaboard north of
Florida as belonging to
Britain soon after
Columbus discovered
America (1492)

6. • For nearly two hundred years after the
first English settlements in America, the
majority of the works read there were
written by English authors.

7.  The Virginia Colony
• In 1607, about 100 men and boys sailing from
England landed in present-day Virginia and
founded Jamestown.
• Jamestown was a settlement in the Colony of
Virginia, and the first permanent English
settlement in the America.

8.  The Puritanism
• During the period from 1620 to 1640, large
numbers of English people migrated to that
part of America now known as New England.
• The New England colonies were the center of
early American literature.

9. • The Puritans had a profound effect upon
American culture.
• In this century, Puritans wrote about their
spiritual feelings and quests.
• Even Puritan poetry was offered uniformly to
the service of God. They also reflected on
their faith in poems and journals.

10. II. Major American Authors
1600-1700

11. Captain John Smith (1580-1631)
• Born in 1580 in Willoughby,
England
• Are well known in the history
of colonial period
• Was an English soldier,
explorer, leader colonizer, and
an author
• At the age of 16 became a
traveler and adventurer
• Leader of Jamestown, Virginia

12. - Was one of the first writers to describe
America’s landscape beauty
Some of his famous works:
– A Description of New England
(1616)
– The General history of
Virginia, New England, and
the Summer Isles (1624)
– The True Travels, Adventures
and Observations of Captain
John Smith (1630)

13. William Bradford (1590-1657)
• Born in 1590 in Yorkshire, England
• Pilgrim Fathers
• Was a founder and longtime
governor of the Plymouth Colony
settlement.
• He signed the Mayflower Compact
• Singer of the Mayflower Compact

14. - Helped organize the “First Thanksgiving”
(1621)

15. His Writings:
• Of Plymouth Plantation,
1620-1647
• A Dialogue Between Some
Young Men & Sundry Ancient
Men

16. Anne Bradstreet (1612-1672)
• Was born in Northampton,
England
• She had eight children
• First American poet and first
female poet to be published in
England and America
• A faithful Puritan  religious
beliefs informed her writing

17. • Her Writings:
– The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America
(1650)
– Several Poems Compiled with Great Wit and
Learning (1678)
– Contemplations - collection of poems about
religion
– To my dear and loving husband

18. III. MAIN WORKS

19. Of Plymouth Plantation
(William Bradford)
• Written between
1630-1646, but
not published
until 1856
• Describes the
story of the
pilgrims from
1608 through the
Mayflower
voyage and up to
the year 1647

20. • also discusses his thoughts on
religion and the bible compared with
the mission of the pilgrims
• ends with a list of the Mayflower
passengers and what happened to
them as of 1651

21. ₋ The work has carried many different names.
₊ originally written as Of Plymouth Plantation
₊ modern spelling of Plymouth
₊ History of Plymouth Plantation,
₊ William Bradford's Journal and The
Bradford History
₋ It is truly the account of past events written in
the form of two separate books

22. ₊ The first book was written in 1630.
₋ focuses mainly on the journey of the
pilgrims from England to North America
and discusses the founding of the Plymouth
settlement.
₋ gives his opinions on the biblical
importance of the pilgrims reaching
America and their struggles

23. ₊ The second book began in 1646
₋ was not completely finished because of
Bradford's death.
₋ discusses the struggles of the pilgrims in
North America in day-to-day living and the
concerns about the health and spiritual
welfare of the colonists.

24. A Model of Christian Charity
(John Winthrop)

25. • also known
as City upon a
Hill and denotes
the notion
of American
exceptionalism
• written on board
the Arbella,
1630

26. • remind his flock of their roots, the
importance of maintaining adherence to
Biblical precepts
• outlined the ideal society

27. Question:
• What rule shall a man observe in giving in
respect of the measure?
• What rule must we observe in lending?
• What rule must we observe in forgiving (a
debt)?
• What rule must we observe and walk by in
cause of community of peril?

28. • Most famous metaphor,
still famous in the
United States: the City
on the Hill
• "You are the light of the
world. A city that is set
on a hill cannot be
hidden."

29. IV. MAIN THEMES
1. The power of nature
2. Journals of Exploration
3. Sermons and Narratives on Religious Life
4. Narratives on Colonial Life

30. 1. The power of nature
 Praising the beauty of America
 Deep respect for nature
2. Journals of Exploration

31. 3. Sermons and Narratives on
Religious Life
Focus on 2 things: GOD and WORK
Life was seen as a test

32. 4. Narratives on Colonial Life
 Captivity narrative
o Stories of people captured by "uncivilized"
enemies
 Slave narrative
o An autobiographical account of life as a
slave

33. Review
1. How many periods are there in early
American literature to 1700?
a. 1 b. 2 c. 3

34. 2. Which themes did literature in
Puritanism focus on?
A. Slave’s life
B. God and work
C. The adventures
D. The patriotism
34

35. 3. Which period did John Smith
belong to?
a. Exploration
b. Colonial
c. Revolutionary
d. Early Nation
35

36. 4. Who is the writer of A Model
of Christian Charity ?
a. John Winthrop
b. William Bradford
c. Anne Bradstreet
d. Mary Rowlandson

37. THE END
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING

38.  The Function of Puritan Writers:
• To transform a mysterious God - mysterious
because he is separate from the world.
• To make him more relevant to the universe.
• To glorify God.