1. + Contemporary Literature 1950 – Present

2. + American Literature Overview Puritans (1650-1750) Age of Reason (1750-1800) Romanticism (1800-1860) Transcendentalism (1840-1860) Realism (1855-1900) Modernism (1900-1950) Harlem Renaissance (1920s) Post Modernism (1950s-present) Contemporary (1970s-present)

3. + Review: Puritans Genre/Style Sermons (remember “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”) Religious poems (Anne Bradstreet, Edward Taylor) Plain writing style Effects/Aspects Instructive, reinforced the authority of the Bible/church Very little imaginative literature Historical Context Puritan settlers fled England (where they were persecuted for their religious beliefs) and came to New England for religious freedom

4. + Review: Age of Reason Genre/Style: Political Pamphlets (Thomas Paine) Ornate Persuasive Writing (Thomas Jefferson) Effects/Aspects: Growth of patriotism Unity about issues American character developed Historical Context Much of the literature written at this time encouraged Revolutionary War support.

5. + Review: Romanticism Genre/Style: Novel/Short Story (The Scarlet Letter) Poetry (Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson) Effects/Aspects: Nature represented freedom Imagination was very important Historical Context: Publishing expanded The industrial revolution brought new ideas

6. + Review: Transcendentalism Genre/Style: Poetry Short Stories Novels Essays (Ralph Waldo Emerson) Effects/Aspects: Idealism and individualism were prized Extensive use of symbolism Historical Context: Reaction to industrial revolution

7. + Review: Realism Genre/Style: Novels (Mark Twain) Short Stories Writers often used an objective narrator who did not tell the reader how to interpret the story (think of Huck). Effects/Aspects: Social and aesthetic realism Historical Context: Post Civil War culture demanded more realistic literature

8. + Review: Modernism Genre/Style: Novels (The Great Gatsby) Plays Poetry Interior monologue (Nick Carraway) Stream of Consciousness (Hemingway) Effects/Aspects: Pursuit of American Dream (Gatsby) Admiration for America Importance of Individual Historical Context: Influenced by WWI, WWII

9. + Review: Harlem Renaissance Genre/Style: Blues style poetry Effects/Aspects: Brought about Gospel music Historical Context: The Great Migration – African Americans moved to northern urban centers African Americans were given greater access to media and publishing

10. + Review: Post Modernism Genre/Style: Blurred lines of reality for reader Nontraditional heroes Effects/Aspects: Ground down the distinctions between classes Historical Context: After WWII

11. + So…what is contemporary literature? (1970s – present) Genre/Style: Narrative fiction/nonfiction Autobiographical essays Storytelling Essays Antiheroes Themes: Misery, depression, and disillusionment Interconnectedness of people Media culture interprets values Societal customs and beliefs

12. + Contemporary Literature Contd. Effects/Aspects: Shift in emphasis from homogeneity to celebrating diversity Questions our ability to accurately see and understand ourselves and our culture Emphasizes the crossing of old boundaries (men/women, east/west, high/low culture) Represents migration and immigration as a fundamental human experience Asserts that the nature of our identities is not true or natural, but seem to be because of consistency and persistence Shows struggle to find meaning in a world of new and evolving science and religion Creates a link between language and reality in which everything is a biased representation

13. + How Did it Come About? The aftermath of WW II ushered in an age of rapid developments in science and technology. The postwar years offered many Americans increased opportunities for economic and cultural growth, but the individual person often felt lost in the fast-paced, computerized world.

14. + Contemporary fiction Contemporary fiction allows for multiple meanings and multiple worlds, uses nontraditional forms, and comments upon itself. It embraces traditional storytellers as well as postmodern risk-takers. It features cultural diversity, criss-crosses the boundaries between fiction and nonfiction, and uses subjects, images, and themes from the past fearlessly.

15. + Contemporary Nonfiction Contemporary nonfiction has become a field equal to fiction, though questions about terminology and accuracy still give rise to controversy. New Journalism (or Literary Journalism) has added personal and fictional elements to nonfiction, enhancing its popularity with today ’ s readers.

16. + Contemporary Poetry By the early 1950s, many writers and readers felt that modernist poetry – impersonal, allusive, difficult – was no longer appropriate. The times called for a more personal and accessible approach that challenged complacency and convention. Landmarks in the revolt against modernist poetry included poems by Alan Ginsberg, Sylvia Plath, and Ann Sexton.

17. + Bibliography Elements of Literature:Fifth Course p. 904-918