Unit 1: The Beginnings of the American Tradition ENGLISH 201: American Literature

MASLOW’S HEIRARCHY OF NEEDS Self Actualization Personal Fulfillment, Lack of Prejudice, Realizing Potential Esteem Needs Self Esteem, Respect of Others and Self, Confidence, Achievements Loving and Belonging Family, Relationships, Intimacy Safety Needs Security, Protection, Stability, etc. Physiological Needs Food, Drink, Sleep, Warmth, Shelter, etc. MASLOW’S HEIRARCHY OF NEEDS

Motivations for America EXPLORE MONEY FREEDOM Religious PARADISE Fountain of Youth Rivers of Gold Motivations for America

The Beginnings of The American Tradition The Story of the Mayflower John Smith & William Bradford Plymouth Plantation 1620, Massachusetts 100 people to start with (1/2 died that first winter) 1,000 to follow in ten years The Beginnings of The American Tradition

The Beginnings of The American Tradition Providence: A sense of God working in one’s life on a regular, daily basis. The Beginnings of The American Tradition

The Beginnings of The American Tradition Puritans would “search” their daily lives for signs/symbols of God’s grace (the Bible…diaries were important) The Beginnings of The American Tradition

The Beginnings of The American Tradition Human Depravity: humans tend towards sin because of their fallenness The Beginnings of The American Tradition

The Beginnings of The American Tradition 3 Main Beliefs Divine Mission True Religion America will be a model – “City Upon A Hill” The Beginnings of The American Tradition

The Beginnings of The American Tradition 3 Main Beliefs Grace “The miracle by which God grants some people the ability to truly love.” Spiritual Autobiography The Beginnings of The American Tradition

The Beginnings of The American Tradition 3 Main Beliefs Plainness Simple Religion Simple Culture Plain Style Writing (vs. Ornate Style) The Beginnings of The American Tradition

Puritan Writers The Beginnings of the American Tradition

The Beginnings of The American Tradition. Edward Taylor Poetical Works (1939) Anne Bradstreet The Tenth Muse (1650) William Bradford Of Plymouth Plantation (1630-1647) Jonathan Edwards Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God (1741) The Beginnings of The American Tradition.

Anne Bradstreet (1612-1672) Grew up in the house of a Puritan Nobleman (father worked for him) Emigrated to America in 1630 First American poet published First female poet published

The Tenth Muse (1650) Two versions: 1650 and 1670 (after her death) First version: long poems on medicine, history, science Final version: short poems about husband, house, and deep attachment to family Remember Mazlow’s Hierarchy? Apologetic for being a woman

Bradstreet used this poetic device Iambic Couplet Stressed and unstressed syllables 5 sets of stressed and unstressed “feet” per line Two lines that rhyme Bradstreet used this poetic device

Plain Style Writing Ornate Style Writing (Bay Psalm Book) (King James Bible) The Lord to me a shepherd is, Want therefore I shall not, He in the folds of tender grass Doth make me down to lie To waters calm he gently leads Restore my soul doth he He doth in paths of righteousness For his names sake lead me. Yea though in valley of death’s shade I walk none ill I’ll fear, Because thou art with me, thy rod, and staff my comfort are. PSALM 23 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:  He leadeth me beside the still waters.  He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.°  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: For thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. PSALM 23 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:  He leadeth me beside the still waters.  He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.°  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: For thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. PSALM 23

SUPER PURITAN Edward Taylor Minister Emigrated to America 1668 (1642?-1729) Minister Emigrated to America 1668 Believed you should only be a church member if “Grace” had been experienced Didn’t want his poetry published SUPER PURITAN

Poetical Works (1939) Tried to defend the original, Puritan faith against some newer (liberal) ideas NOT Plain Style Conceit: strange comparison between two things “Housewifery”

Began to read the Bible “seriously” at the age of 12 William Bradford (1590-1657) Began to read the Bible “seriously” at the age of 12 Became Puritan (against some in his family) Wife drowned(?) in the crossing to America

Of Plymouth Plantation (1630-1647) Publish in 1856 (!) America is dedicated and sustained by God Later thought that America has started to become immoral :( “…like an ancient mother grown old and forsaken of her children…”

SUPER PURITAN Jonathan Edwards Wrote treatise of insects at 11 (1703-1758) Wrote treatise of insects at 11 Entered Yale at 13 Believed he experienced “Grace” no longer scared of thunder and lightning Minister in Massachusetts Dismissed at his insistence of Grace as the foundation of religious life SUPER PURITAN

Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God (1741) Frenzied the congregation People cried out “What shall I do?” Vivid imagery of Hell  "There is nothing that keeps wicked men at any one moment out of hell, but the mere pleasure of God."

Edwards remains an influence today http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Basics/foot_shall_slide.htm