American Colonial Literature
Concept Map
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.
Summary
Outline
Overview of the American Colonial Era in Literature
The American Colonial Era, extending from the establishment of Jamestown in 1607 through the onset of the Revolutionary War in 1775, represents a pivotal phase in the development of American literature. This period saw the emergence of a distinctive American literary voice that was shaped by the experiences of the settlers, their religious convictions, and the socio-political dynamics of the era. Literature of this time functioned as a vital conduit for expression, dissent, and religious contemplation, mirroring the intricate dynamics between the colonists and their new world. The literary corpus, which includes sermons, diaries, poetry, and narratives, played a significant role in forging a shared American identity and challenging existing power structures.Significant Writers and Works of the Colonial Era
The American Colonial Era gave rise to a number of influential writers whose contributions are considered cornerstones of American literature. Anne Bradstreet, with her collection "The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America" (1650), and Jonathan Edwards, with his sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" (1741), exemplify the era's religious and ethical concerns. Benjamin Franklin's "Poor Richard's Almanack" (1732-1758) and Phillis Wheatley's "Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral" (1773) showcase the era's diverse literary forms and themes. These authors, among others, were instrumental in establishing a distinct American literary heritage.Key Events and Developments in Colonial Literature
The trajectory of American colonial literature was influenced by significant historical events and developments. The establishment of the Jamestown colony in 1607, the Pilgrims' landing at Plymouth Rock in 1620, and the religious revival known as the Great Awakening in the 1730s and 1740s were pivotal moments that informed the literary creations of the time. The French and Indian War (1754-1763) and the burgeoning sentiments leading to the American Revolution (1775-1783) also had profound impacts, fostering new literary themes and reflecting the evolving socio-political landscape.Historical Context and Influences on Colonial Literature
The historical context of the Colonial Era is crucial for understanding its literature. Puritanism, with its focus on a personal relationship with God and moral rectitude, heavily influenced the thematic and stylistic aspects of the period's literature. The Puritans' plain writing style and their theological principles, such as the concept of a covenant with God, permeated literary works of the time. Moreover, the interactions between European settlers and Indigenous peoples, as well as the assimilation of European literary traditions, significantly molded the narratives and thematic elements of colonial literature.The Impact of the Colonial Era on Modern Literature
The legacy of the Colonial Era continues to resonate in contemporary literature, with its influence discernible in narrative forms, thematic explorations, and social commentary. The period introduced literary genres such as captivity narratives and travel accounts, which persist in modern storytelling. Recurring themes of spirituality, ethics, and identity, as well as the use of literature as a vehicle for political critique, originated in this era. The character development and cultural interplay that began during the Colonial Era have enriched the tapestry of American literature up to the present day.Characteristics and Themes of Colonial Era Literature
Literature from the Colonial Era is marked by its moral and religious themes, autobiographical and personal accounts, and a straightforward, candid language style. These characteristics, combined with the influences of Indigenous cultures and the imprint of historical events, resulted in a body of work that was introspective of the era's preoccupations and anticipatory in its cultivation of American literary voices and styles. The period's emergence of unique American literary expressions set the stage for the continued evolution of American literature in the centuries to follow.
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Emergence of a Distinctive American Literary Voice
Shaped by Settlers' Experiences
The American literary voice of the Colonial Era was heavily influenced by the experiences of the settlers in the new world
Influenced by Religious Convictions
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
Reflecting Socio-Political Dynamics
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
Influential Writers of the Colonial Era
Anne Bradstreet
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
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
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
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
Historical Events and Developments
Pivotal Moments
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
French and Indian War
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
American Revolution
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
Legacy and Influence of Colonial Literature
Resonance in Contemporary Literature
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
Character Development and Cultural Interplay
The character development and cultural interplay that began during the Colonial Era have enriched the tapestry of American literature up to the present day
American Colonial Literature
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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.
