1. Encounters and Foundations to 1800 Literature from the Native American and European Arrival, Colonial Period & The Age of Reason

2. New Relationships European arrival – began to establish colonies European arrival – began to establish colonies Curiosity developed between English and American Indians Curiosity developed between English and American Indians Europeans relied on Indians to teach them survival skills Europeans relied on Indians to teach them survival skills Indians acquired firearms, textiles, and steel tools from the Europeans Indians acquired firearms, textiles, and steel tools from the Europeans At first, the Indians outnumbered the colonists. At first, the Indians outnumbered the colonists. 1600 – Indian pop. in New England = 70,000-100,000 1600 – Indian pop. in New England = 70,000-100,000

3. Disease Arrival of European settlers brought disease to New England. Arrival of European settlers brought disease to New England. Had a deadly impact on Indians Had a deadly impact on Indians Indians had crossed the land bridge from Asia to N. America / compared to the diseases that had taken Europe over the centuries Indians had crossed the land bridge from Asia to N. America / compared to the diseases that had taken Europe over the centuries Indians had no immunity Indians had no immunity Smallpox – could kill off an entire village Smallpox – could kill off an entire village Some Native Americans managed to survive epidemics. Some Native Americans managed to survive epidemics. However…they were forced to vacate their land eventually. (Europeans no longer needed them for survival). However…they were forced to vacate their land eventually. (Europeans no longer needed them for survival).

4. Explorers’ Writings First writings of European observations were recorded in Spanish and French by explorers of the 15 th and 16 th century. First writings of European observations were recorded in Spanish and French by explorers of the 15 th and 16 th century. Columbus, Coronado, etc. describe the Americas in letters, journals, and books. Columbus, Coronado, etc. describe the Americas in letters, journals, and books. In hopes of receiving funding for further expeditions, they emphasize the Americas’ abundant resources, peacefulness and hospitality of inhabitants, and promise of wealth. In hopes of receiving funding for further expeditions, they emphasize the Americas’ abundant resources, peacefulness and hospitality of inhabitants, and promise of wealth.

5. Puritans Puritan = broad term, referring to a number of Protestant groups that sought to “purify” the Church of England (beginning around 1560). Puritan = broad term, referring to a number of Protestant groups that sought to “purify” the Church of England (beginning around 1560). The Church of England had been inseparable from the country’s government since the reign of Henry VIII (1509-1547). The Church of England had been inseparable from the country’s government since the reign of Henry VIII (1509-1547). Puritans wished to return to simpler forms of worship and church organization. Puritans wished to return to simpler forms of worship and church organization. For them, religion was a personal, inner experience. For them, religion was a personal, inner experience. They did not believe the clergy/government should or could act as an intermediary between the individual and God. They did not believe the clergy/government should or could act as an intermediary between the individual and God. Many suffered persecution in England. Many suffered persecution in England. Fled England for Holland, but a small group feared that they would lose their identity as English Protestants. Fled England for Holland, but a small group feared that they would lose their identity as English Protestants. They set sail for the New World, hoping to build a new society patterned after God’s word. They set sail for the New World, hoping to build a new society patterned after God’s word.

6. Puritan Beliefs An uneasy mixture of certainty and doubt An uneasy mixture of certainty and doubt Certainty – Adam and Eve’s sin of disobedience would cause most of humanity to be damned for all eternity Certainty – Adam and Eve’s sin of disobedience would cause most of humanity to be damned for all eternity Certainty – God had sent his son, Jesus Christ, to earth to save particular people Certainty – God had sent his son, Jesus Christ, to earth to save particular people Doubt – centered around whether a particular individual was one of the saved (“elect”) or one of the damned (“unregenerate”) Doubt – centered around whether a particular individual was one of the saved (“elect”) or one of the damned (“unregenerate”)

7. Saved or Damned??? For a theology that was so clear-cut in its division of the world between saints and sinners, it was fuzzy when it came to determining which was which. For a theology that was so clear-cut in its division of the world between saints and sinners, it was fuzzy when it came to determining which was which. 1.) You were saved by the grace of God (and you could feel this grace arriving in an intensely emotional fashion). 2.) The inner arrival of God’s grace was demonstrated by your outward behavior. *After receiving God’s grace, you were “reborn” as a member of the saints, and you behaved like a saint. People hoping to be among this group, examined their lives closely for signs of grace and tried to live “good” lives.

8. Puritan Government In the Puritan view a covenant, or contract, existed between God and humanity. In the Puritan view a covenant, or contract, existed between God and humanity. Their covenant with God enjoined them to create a society governed by the Bible, in which everyone worked together for the common good. Their covenant with God enjoined them to create a society governed by the Bible, in which everyone worked together for the common good. Puritans believed that people should enter freely into agreements concerning their government. Puritans believed that people should enter freely into agreements concerning their government. However, because the Puritans believed the saintly elect should have a strong influence on government, their political views tended to be undemocratic. However, because the Puritans believed the saintly elect should have a strong influence on government, their political views tended to be undemocratic. Little room for compromise. Little room for compromise.

9. The Age of Reason End of the 17 th century – new ideas End of the 17 th century – new ideas AKA “The Enlightenment” AKA “The Enlightenment” Philosophers / Scientists called themselves rationalists Philosophers / Scientists called themselves rationalists Rationalism = belief that human beings can arrive at truth by using reason, rather than by relying on the authority of the past, on religious faith, or on intuition Rationalism = belief that human beings can arrive at truth by using reason, rather than by relying on the authority of the past, on religious faith, or on intuition Puritans vs. Rationalists Puritans vs. Rationalists Puritans = saw God as actively and mysteriously involved in the workings of the universe Puritans = saw God as actively and mysteriously involved in the workings of the universe Rationalists = saw God differently - and believed that God’s special gift to humanity is reason (the ability to think in an ordered, logical manner). Use reason instead of faith. Rationalists = saw God differently - and believed that God’s special gift to humanity is reason (the ability to think in an ordered, logical manner). Use reason instead of faith.

10. Age of Reason Literature Rooted in reality Rooted in reality Age of pamphlets (most literature was intended to serve a practical or political purpose) Age of pamphlets (most literature was intended to serve a practical or political purpose) Masterpiece of the Age of Reason Masterpiece of the Age of Reason The Autobiography by Benjamin Franklin The Autobiography by Benjamin Franklin Used autobiographical narrative (Puritan form), but omitted its religious justification Used autobiographical narrative (Puritan form), but omitted its religious justification Appears in The Great Gatsby Appears in The Great Gatsby

11. Overview: Contrasting Literary Periods Puritans Puritans Believed the world was fallen Believed the world was fallen People were sinners who could ONLY be redeemed through the grace of God. People were sinners who could ONLY be redeemed through the grace of God. Rationalists Rationalists Believed that the universe was basically good Doing good for others was the best way to worship God

12. Assignment Writing Assignment: Which statement best fits our current society? Explain and/or justify your answer fully in one paragraph. Due tomorrow. Writing Assignment: Which statement best fits our current society? Explain and/or justify your answer fully in one paragraph. Due tomorrow. The world is going “down hill” (it has fallen), and people are basically untrustworthy. The world is going “down hill” (it has fallen), and people are basically untrustworthy. The world is getting better. Social welfare programs (“doing good for others”) are keys to progress. The world is getting better. Social welfare programs (“doing good for others”) are keys to progress. Reading Assignment: Read from A Narrative of the Captivity on pg. 37-42. Due tomorrow. Reading Assignment: Read from A Narrative of the Captivity on pg. 37-42. Due tomorrow.