American Literature 1600 to 1900

1. American Literature 1600 to 1900 English

2. PuritanismWho are the Puritans, Separatists, Pilgrims? Originally referred to as Separatists Lived in England and became disillusioned with the Catholic Church and Anglican Church Most modern histories began referring them to as Pilgrims. In England they were jailed and persecuted for not following the teachings of the Anglican Church. Left England to find the religious freedom arriving in New England in November 1620

3. Puritan Beliefs They were God’s chosen people God favored the industrious and hard working Viewed nature as harsh and evil and needing to be tamed. God would crush those who defied Him. Humans are essentially evil and few were chosen to be “saved’ by God God watched over the earth and exerted His will as he saw fit.

4. Positive Qualities of the Pilgrims Boys and Girls should have an education Colonies were well planned and organized Not afraid of working hard and getting dirty. Established the first public school: Boston Latin School Established the first continent’s college: Harvard University.

5. Negative Qualities of Pilgrims Series of strict rules and laws. Intolerant of any ideas or views that differed from their religious teachings If you missed church, as a you were punished criminal All forms of play and recreation were forbidden.

6. Leaders of the Religious Revolution • John Calvin • Expected his followers to devote themselves fully to the worship of God and nothing else. • According to Calvin, God had already determined if you were going to heaven or down under even before you die. • Calvin was outraged at the belief that if people were “good” that they could “earn” their way to heaven • If you have been chosen by God, it was obvious by the way you lived your life.

7. William Bradford1590-1657 Born in England Immigrated to Holland to escape persecution for not worshipping in government run Anglican Church. Joined a group of Puritans on trip to the New World to help create their own version of an ideal society Bradford was the most important leader of Plymouth Colony Bradford wrote the first piece of American Literature: History of the Plymouth Plantation. It is the account of the voyage of the Mayflower and the first few years of Plymouth colony.

8. Rationalism/Age of Reason Use of reason rather than authority of the past There is logic in reasoning and a set of truths that are to be followed. God is an inactive creator who lets the universe run on its own.

9. Romanticism Writers • Deeply intuitive, youthful and loved nature • Celebrated nature over civilization • Main philosophy: “ Be not like dumb, driven cattle!” • “Be an individual rather than one of the crowds”

10. Realism Accurately portray real life without filtering with romantic notions. Writers wrote about ordinary people and everyday events. Rejects imagination in favor of telling it like it is!!

11. Mark Twain 1835-1910 • Born in Florida, Missouri November 30,1835 and moved to Hannibal in 1839 • He was born Samuel Langhorne Clemens • Twain had a very exciting life growing up and as an adult. • His life was filled with many adventures and jobs. • Steamboat pilot • Gold miner • Newspaper reporter

12. Mark Twain • Mark Twain was America’s greatest Storyteller. • His best stories are based on his own boyhood growing up along the Mississippi River. • His famous works are The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. • Twain’s stories were funny, however his writing also addressed serious issues of the time: • Racism • Greed • Injustice

13. Mark Twain • Mark Twain traveled the world performing his stories as a One Man Show. • Twain wrote about his experiences as a boy. • Twain was the most famous and successful author of his time. • His humor touched on serious issues. • In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Twain uses his humor to point out the wrongs of racism.