Our First Literature The Colonial Period English III- NHS

1. Welcome to America! Our First Literature The Colonial Period English III- NHS

2. Before we begin… …YOU SHOULD KNOW THE FOLLOWING Historical Narrative Secondary Sources Real life accounts, by a person who was there Examples include: Biographies and histories Records of events written by someone not directly involved Slave Narrative Primary Sources American literary genre that portrays the daily life of slaves. (Written by slaves after freedom Materials written by people who were participants or observers Examples include: Letters, diaries, journals, speeches, autobiographies and interviews

3. Let’s Talk History You should know that history and literature are ALWAYS connected! Think of it as an EXCLUSIVE relationship. (a marriage, perhaps?) Anytime something crazy happens, like say, a war or battle… THAT’S NOT ALL. They write when…. PEOPLE WRITE! They are inspired! …or find great joy. …or to CHANGE something When they face tragedy… They are mad! When they want peace…

4. A Land of Immigrants… So the first type of American literature was merely letters, journals and reports back to Europe. Explorers and settlers forged a life for themselves that was completely foreign. When Great Britain overtaxed the colonies, they erupted in anger. Pamphlets claiming “no taxation without representation” and similar slogans fueled the fire. They concentrated on writing about the new land, the natives there, and their need for funds for exploration. William Wood noted that the Indians, upon seeing them for the first time, thought their ships were walking islands with the mast being a tree and the sails, white clouds. They documented how the natives had trade systems, communities and working cities. The first official colony was Jamestown in 1607, but by 1733, colonies stretched the length of the coast. They were supported militarily taxed by Britain. In 1776, they declared themselves free and independent.

5. Our 1st Officially AMERICAN Works of Literature! But we scrapped it Declaration of Independence Articles of Confederation United States Constitution

6. Let’s back track… So where did we begin? First of all, Native Americans already inhabited the United States. (of course they weren’t called that then) American settlers didn’t know that natives had been living and adapting to life for ten of thousands of years. Civilizations included: trade networks, communities, and many had working cities and governments Of course, settlers thought them to be savage. Their literature consisted of the art of storytelling, and much of it was unrecorded and lost forever. We do have a few salvaged pieces, and they are often focused on creation myths and folklore.

7. The Puritans They felt “chosen” by God. They thought that they should STRUGGLE daily, and they believed in predestination. (The “elect” would be spared) Many of the newcomers were Puritans who broke with the Church of England to escape persecution. Hard work, thrift and responsibility were considered morally good and a sign that God was working within. They thought they were destined to return to the simple way of life. They didn’t dance, drink, sing, or experience forms of merriment. They worked. They prayed. They judged those who didn’t.

8. The Dark Side of Puritanism They were intolerant and inflexible. IF something bad happened, they blamed it on evil; consequently, they blamed each other This caused the Salem Witch Trials where mass hysteria caused many people to point fingers, claiming witchcraft. 20 people died by execution and numerous other confessed to witchcraft to keep from being killed.

9. The Puritan Contradiction -There was both certainty and doubt in being a Puritan -Puritans were certain the most humanity was damned because of the sins of Adam and Eve -Puritans were also certain that Jesus had been sent to save particular people -There was much doubt about who these particular people were

10. A Puritan could not know for certain if he or she was one of the elect – one of the particular people chosen by God to be saved Indications that a Puritan might be one of the elect came from outward behavior, and a feeling of being saved, or born again "He who prays as he ought will endeavor to live as he prays." JOHN OWEN

11. Out of the darkness, emerges THE ENLIGHTENMENT As colonial life allowed more leisure and temptations, Puritanism became more and more hypocritical. Puritans had to pretend to live sin-free, pure lives. By the early 1700’s, Puritanism had decayed Famous political authors of the time period include: Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Paine & Thomas Jefferson. Big Idea: Powerful speeches, doctrines, and documents shaped our lives today. This is American Literature in its truest state. “Give me liberty, or give me death!” -Patrick Henry IN the 1700s, there was a burst of intellectual energy. People began to question traditional roles of government. They decided that THE PEOPLE should run the government, not the rich, royal or theological. Democracy was born.

12. At the same time, there was the GREAT AWAKENING. There were those who clung to Puritan values, so a great many believed that a higher power was helping the success of the colonies. Big Idea: The Enlightenment focused on rationalism or reason; the Great Awakening focused on emotionalism. People began to speak out against those who were straying from religion. Jonathan Edwards, a preacher, delivered his famed fire and brimstone speech, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” to terrify people back to the Puritan way. BUT BOTH CAUSED PEOPLE TO QUESTION, TO WRITE, AND TO THINK.

13. Rationalism vs. Puritanism(gave way to Deism) Rationalism was a direct contradiction of Puritanism Rationalists saw God as a clockmaker, rather than as a supreme being was guided and controlled human life The political theories of democracy grew from the rationalistic movement The independent, innovative, self-reliant American grew from the rationalistic movement Deism was an outlook about God that grew from the rationalistic movement

14. MORE ON DEISM -Contrary to Puritanism, Deists believed that humans were inherently good -They believed in the perfectibility of every human -They believed that the best form of worship of God was in good deeds to other humans

15. Let’s Review - Native Americans populated North America long before European explorers - European explorers discovered largely through wandering - Jamestown (1607) settled for profit - Plymouth (1620) settled for religious freedom -Harsh life bred innovative, self-reliant, independent people -The southern colonies became dependent on agriculture and soil-depleting crops -The northern colonies became dependent on industry -Rationalism and deism were two ways of thinking well suited for the American colonists -These two movements would eventually lead into the American Revolution and democracy -Americans became known for their independence and self-reliance

16. Assignment You are the author. Think about something you want to change. Write for a few minutes preaching for that change. Can you convince us?