TEST REVIEW Native American/Puritan/Colonial Literature

Native American Literature: Background Storytelling is the primary means by which Native American literature came into existence. Most Native American literature falls under the umbrella of oral tradition, or literature that is passed on from generation to generation by word of mouth There are many myths in Native American literature. A myth is a story that offers an explanation for why things are the way they are.

Characteristics of Native American literature Stories used to teach moral lessons and convey information about the natural world Cyclical worldview Inclusive view of the natural world Presence of a trickster character Belief in the power of words to effect supernatural change Repetition of language (words, phrases, sentences)

Literary Focus: Archetype An archetype is a very old imaginative pattern in literature Appears across cultures and centuries Includes characters, plots, images, themes, and settings

Literature to Focus on: Myths: Coyote Finishes his Work Sky Tree Poetry: Male Rain, Female Rain, and Awakening Prayer (Night Chant) Song for Bringing a Child into the World

Colonial Literature Vocabulary Review

Would a student with profane behavior likely be a member of the National Honor Society? Would you enjoy attending a discourse about the history of scuba diving? Is a frugal man likely to have very much money in his savings account? What is one goal you are earnest about achieving? Should a venerable person be treated with respect?

6. Which of your friends uses copious details when telling a story. 7 6. Which of your friends uses copious details when telling a story? 7. Is a person full of avarice likely to make charitable donations? 8. Is a nominal KU fan likely to know all of the basketball team members by name? 9. Is a prudent driver likely to cause an accident? 10. Would a prisoner be happy to have his sentence mitigated?

The Puritan Credo Puritan Beliefs and Values Human beings are sinful by nature. Salvation belongs to the elect, or God’s chosen, who can be identified by their virtue. Hard work and worldly success are signs of God’s grace. Education is essential in order to read the Word of God. A person should be thrifty, modest, and simple. Society should be ruled by covenants that parallel God’s covenant with His people.

Worldview “Age of Faith” (to be followed by “Age of Reason”) Religious authority and tradition as means of knowing truth Puritanism was a strong shaping force of the early American worldview. Puritans believed: Humans are inherently sinful. Salvation belongs to God’s elect, who are saved by grace. A person should be hardworking, modest, and simple. “Puritan Work Ethic” Society should be modeled after the Bible.

Common Elements of the Literature Characteristics of Puritan literature: Authors modeled their writings after the Bible. They used their writings to explore God’s workings in their inner and outer lives. Diaries and histories were the most common forms of expression. Puritans favored a “plain style” of writing.

Common Elements of the Literature Narratives (both Puritan and non-Puritan) recorded a variety of individuals’ experiences in the New World Captivity Stories (Mary Rowlandson) Slave Narratives (Olaudah Equiano) Others examples we did not read together: Travel Narratives (Cabeza de Vaca) Tales of Life in North America (John Smith)

Famous Authors Anne Bradstreet, Here Follow Some Verses (1666) William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation (1620-47) Mary Rowlandson, A Narrative of Captivity (1682) William Byrd, The History of the Dividing Line (1728) Olaudah Equiano, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano (1789) Jonathan Edwards, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” (1741)

“Here Follow Some Verses upon the Burning of Our House, July 10, 1666” About the Author: Anne Bradstreet An immigrant, teenage bride Married to Simon Bradstreet, a zealous Puritan who became governor of the Massachusetts Bay colony Exemplary Puritan wife and mother Battled with illness repeatedly; maintained steadfast faith

“Here Follow Some Verses upon the Burning of Our House, July 10, 1666” Literary Concept: An allusion is a reference to someone or something that is known from history, literature, religion, politics, sports, science, or some other branch of culture. Literary Concept: In an inversion, the words of a sentence or phrase are wrenched out of our normal English syntax, or word order. Example: “When my friend’s face I see, happy I will be” (inverted) “When I see my friend’s face, I will be happy” (normal word order)

from Of Plymouth Plantation About the Author: William Bradford Came to the New World aboard the Mayflower in 1620 with a group of Separatists Wife Dorothy either fell or jumped overboard Was elected governor of the Plymouth Colony thirty times Literary Concept: Plain style is a way of writing that stresses simplicity and clarity of expression.

From A Narrative of the Captivity About the Author: Mary Rowlandson (1636-1711) Born in England, sailed for Salem in 1639 Wife of Joseph Rowlandson, a Congregational minister in Lancaster, a frontier town thirty miles west of Boston Taken captive by the Wampanoag after they raided her town, along with her three children Literary Terms Captivity narratives related the experiences of colonists who were kidnapped by Native Americans. An allusion is a reference to someone or something well known from literature, religion, politics, sports, science, or some other aspect of culture. Chronological order presents events in the order in which they occurred.

From A Narrative of the Captivity Historical Context An estimated 7-18 million Native Americans north of the Rio Grande pre-1600 Following the arrival of European explorers and colonists, native populations dramatically decreased due to disease, starvation, and warfare. King Phillip’s War (1675-76) was the most devastating war between the Native Americans and the colonists in New England. Named after King Philip, the sachem (chief) of the Wampanoag, who was Massasoit’s son.

From A Narrative of the Captivity Literary Skills: Allusions:Rowlandson’s experiences resemble biblical stories Rowlandson presents events in chronological order.

From The History of the Dividing Line About the Author: William Byrd Born in Virginia in 1674 to a wealthy landowner and merchant Educated in England and preferred London (lavish, intellectual community, gambling) Shared the Cavalier perspective Unlike the Puritans, the Cavaliers enjoyed British intellectual and social trends

From The History of the Dividing Line Literary Concepts: Satire is a type of writing that ridicules the shortcomings of people or institutions in an attempt to bring about a change Tone is the writer’s attitude toward the subject of the work, the characters, or the audience

From The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano About the Author: Olaudah Equiano Born in West Africa (Nigeria) Kidnapped by slave traders at 11 years old and sent on a slave ship to Barbados Soon transferred to Virginia Bought his freedom in 1766 after 10 years of slavery Worked in England as a servant, musician, and barber

From The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano Literary Focus: A historical narrative is an account of a significant event in history. Characterization is the process by which a writer reveals a character’s personality.

“Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” About the Author: Jonathan Edwards A “fire-and-brimstone” Puritan preacher, known for his extremism Involved in starting the Great Awakening in the 1730s “The Last Puritan”—Stood between Puritan America and modern America

“Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” This is a sermon that Edwards delivered at a church service in Connecticut in 1741. Edwards’ audience was members of his congregation who had not been “born again,” or who had not accepted Christ as their Savior. Literary Concepts: Imagery is language that appeals to the senses. Figures of speech are words or phrases that compare one thing to another, unlike thing. The most common figures of speech are metaphors, similes, and personification.