The American Colonial Era in literature is a formative period that saw the rise of a unique American literary voice. Influential writers like Anne Bradstreet, Jonathan Edwards, Benjamin Franklin, and Phillis Wheatley contributed to a diverse body of work that reflected the era's religious and ethical concerns, as well as the socio-political changes of the time. This period's literature, with its moral and religious themes, personal accounts, and straightforward style, laid the groundwork for future American literary developments.
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The American literary voice of the Colonial Era was heavily influenced by the experiences of the settlers in the new world
Puritanism
The Puritan belief in a personal relationship with God and moral rectitude heavily influenced the themes and style of Colonial literature
The Great Awakening
The religious revival known as the Great Awakening in the 1730s and 1740s had a significant impact on the literature of the Colonial Era
The literature of the Colonial Era served as a conduit for expression, dissent, and religious contemplation, reflecting the intricate dynamics between the colonists and their new world
Anne Bradstreet's collection "The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America" (1650) exemplifies the religious and ethical concerns of the Colonial Era
Jonathan Edwards' sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" (1741) is a cornerstone of American literature, showcasing the era's religious and ethical concerns
Benjamin Franklin's "Poor Richard's Almanack" (1732-1758) is a prime example of the diverse literary forms and themes of the Colonial Era
Phillis Wheatley's "Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral" (1773) showcases the era's diverse literary forms and themes, as well as the contributions of African American writers
Establishment of Jamestown Colony
The establishment of the Jamestown colony in 1607 was a pivotal moment that informed the literary creations of the Colonial Era
Pilgrims' Landing at Plymouth Rock
The Pilgrims' landing at Plymouth Rock in 1620 had a significant impact on the literature of the Colonial Era
The French and Indian War (1754-1763) had a profound impact on the literature of the Colonial Era, fostering new themes and reflecting the evolving socio-political landscape
The burgeoning sentiments leading to the American Revolution (1775-1783) had a profound impact on the literature of the Colonial Era, fostering new themes and reflecting the evolving socio-political landscape
Literary Genres
The Colonial Era introduced literary genres such as captivity narratives and travel accounts, which continue to influence modern storytelling
Recurring Themes
Themes of spirituality, ethics, and identity, as well as the use of literature as a vehicle for political critique, originated in the Colonial Era and continue to resonate in contemporary literature
The character development and cultural interplay that began during the Colonial Era have enriched the tapestry of American literature up to the present day
00
The ______ Colonial Era began with the founding of ______ in ______ and lasted until the start of the Revolutionary War in ______.
American
Jamestown
1607
1775
01
During this era, a unique ______ literary voice emerged, influenced by the settlers' experiences, their ______ beliefs, and the socio-political context of the time.
American
religious
02
Significance of 'The Tenth Muse' in Colonial Literature
Anne Bradstreet's work, marked as the first published book of poetry by an American colonist, reflecting personal and cultural themes.
