“Do Now” Activity Power 12 Vocabulary In your own words, define the Power 12 vocabulary words. Please use a dictionary to help formulate your definitions. For each word, create a sentence that will help you to understand what the word means. Quiz will be Sept. 15

Introduction to American Literature English 11

Eras of American literature KNOW THIS LIST Colonialism & Puritanism: The Revolutionary Period: Romanticism: Transcendentalism: Realism Naturalism: Modernism: Post Modernism: present

Read pages 2-13 and take notes using Cornell Notes format

Objectives of Lecture/notes- What you should know. Understand the history of the New World in the context of other historical events. Historical background of the Native Americans. Characteristics of the Pilgrims/Puritans and Southern planters. History of early American Literature.

Introduction to American Literature Voices in literature developed with the nation’s history. Early works do not feature fiction; rather, they are primarily non-fiction works.

Why do we need to understand American history to read American literature?

1607- John Smith and group of settlers arrive at Jamestown –more than 100 years after Columbus –motivated by desires for profit and glory for England (Gold, God, Glory) –colony was almost destroyed by disease and starvation

First settlers encountered the Native American population. Native American literature was entirely oral. Native American oral heritage influences American literature.

Native Americans –between 12,000 and 70,000 years ago. –usually friendly to early Europeans, giving them maize, beans, squash, maple sugar, snowshoes, toboggans, etc. –Often helped Europeans to survive

Who else was there? There were two groups of early American settlers. While they had similar purposes, their motives were often different. The two groups were: –SOUTHERN PLANTERS –NORTHERN PURITANS

Southern Planters vs. Northern Puritans –Climate –Crops –social organization, (ESPECIALLY SLAVERY) –religion and religious beliefs

The Southern Planters –prosperous coastal cities, dependent on cash crop of tobacco and cotton –plantation system and smaller farmers –plantation system depended on slavery (beginning 1619) –plantation owners often belonged to Church of England, regarded themselves as aristocrats and Renaissance men

Southern Planters Only a few notable authors appeared prior to 1750 those who were educated wrote, but only material of a practical nature. This was with good reason. They were settlers to make money, not to create art. Southerners did not oppose fiction or drama, and the first theater was in Williamsburg

Southern Planters Many planters spent hours each day writing letters most important figure in literary history of early south is William Byrd, who wrote “The History of the Dividing Line”

PURITANS Puritans first arrived in 1620 on Mayflower at Plymouth, Mass. Critical of the Church of England wanted to break away from the perceived corruptness of religious system in England

Also known as Separatists Known as Separatists because of their rejection of Church of England Characterized by their austere beliefs and lifestyles Survived because of the help of the Native Americans

Mass. Bay Colony Massachusetts Bay Colony also founded by religious reformers. MBC did not break away from Church of England. Adopted concept of “City on a Hill”- community guided in all aspects by the Bible

Influence of Religion Religion affected everything the Pilgrims, and Puritans did. Preached plain, unadorned Christianity. Belief system »human beings exist to glorify God. »Bible is the expression of God’s will. »Predestination- some are saved, others are damned. »believed in concept of original sin.

Puritan Writing Typical Puritan writings include –theological studies- man’s relationship w/God –hymns –histories –biographies –and autobiographies –purpose of all this writing was spiritual insight and self examination. They felt fiction and drama were sinful, and produced neither.

Puritan Writing, cont. However, Puritans did write poetry, as vehicle of spiritual expression –were not interested in poetry’s structure –only interested in its message of holiness –several excellent poets, namely Anne Bradstreet and Edward Taylor

Puritans were a highly literate community founded Harvard in 1636 to train ministers started free public education (you can thank them for being here right now!)

Puritan Plain Style KNOW THIS! Puritans had a clear theory of literary style. –Plain style of writing –clear statement is the highest goal –ornate or clever writing was a sign of vanity and the devil –everything had to be in accordance with God’s will

Three strands that form early American literature – Puritan literature- preoccupied with sin, and salvation –Southern Planters- recorded information about their crops and their busy social lives –Native American oral tradition, which is primarily viewed as folklore, but that had important impact.

Closing Activity On an index card list the 3 most important people/places/events regarding the development of American literature.

Introducing Oneself Through Symbols Signs vs. Symbols

Signs Signs are images that point to something else Little or no intrinsic meaning Images which are asSIGNed agreed upon meanings

What is a symbol? A symbol is a person, a place, an animal, or an object that suggests a meaning larger than itself.

Choose the Monopoly marker that you associate with and explain your choice in writing.

Choose your symbol