1. Mrs. Foster Dominion Christian School 2009-2010
American Literature
Mrs. Foster
Dominion Christian School

2. Syllabus Click here to access syllabus

3. What do you think of when you think of American Literature?

4. The Beginning Don’t leave out the Native Americans!!!
“The Earth on Turtle’s Back” Page 18
What may it have been like to read this story? Remember, most Native American stories where told orally!

5. Oral Tradition
Change
Music

6. Native American Writings?
Read “The Iroquois Constitution” p. 26
Of what does this document remind you?
How might our own Constitution be similar?
This was written sometime before 1500 AD.
Click here for more information about this constitution.
Click here for the complete Iroquois Constitution.

7. Exploration Narratives
Exploration Narrative: “records information about the writer’s own travels to an unfamiliar place.” P. 57
Why are exploration narratives important to our history and at the time they were written?
Read “A Journey Through Texas” p. 42
How did Vaca view the Natives?
…did he ever name any of them?

8. Accounts and Sources
When reading literature, always consider if the work is a firsthand or second hand account.
What is the difference between first and secondhand accounts? Primary and secondary sources?

9. Christopher Columbus (1452-1506)
Journal: records daily events and personal observations.
Read Christopher Columbus’ journal on page 60.
What is the purpose of Columbus’ writing? For whom is he writing?

10. Mary Rolandson (1636-1711) The first woman to publish a best seller.
Captivity Narrative – records events
and personal feelings during the
writer’s captivity.
Mary and her two children captured
by Wampanoag Indians in 1676, but
rescued after several months.
Published “A Narrative of the Captivity.”

11. John Smith (1580-1631) Founded Jamestown and
was president of the colony
( )
Mapped out much
of the New England area.
Adventurous but arrogant.

12. John Smith Read “The General History of Virginia” p. 70
Remember, this is a primary account…but how accurate is it?
Who was Pocahontas?
A Powhatan Indian who was captured but converted to Christianity and later married John Rolfe.
Pocahontas pleaded for Smith’s life and rescued him from death.

13. William Bradford Helped to lead pilgrims into Massachusetts
He and other Puritans were persecuted for leaving the church of England, thus came to America
Governor of Massachusetts 30 times over! Helped the colony in many ways.
Wrote “Of Plymouth Plantation” which depicts the trials of the pilgrims.

14. William Bradford Read “Of Plymouth Plantation.” page 76
What is Bradford’s attitude and demeanor towards the hardships?
How does his faith play a role?

15. Puritans What does the word imply?
Puritans wanted to escape the practices of the church of England.
Wanted to serve God and put strict restrictions upon things such as alcohol and sexuality.

16. Edward Taylor Read “Huswifery” page 94
How is metaphor emphasized in this poem?
To who is this poem addressed?
Divide into 6 groups. 2 groups
per stanza, and rewrite in your
own words, your chosen stanza.
Be as precise as possible.

17. Anne Bradstreet Read “To My Dead and Loving Husband” page 96
This is a love poem to her husband, Simon
They came to America when she was 18
It was “unladylike” to write
Notice that her words reflect scripture, and she was very well versed.
How does this love compare with God’s love?
First American woman to be published

18. Jonathan Edwards “Fire and Brimstone” sermons
Strongly believed in science and reason
Was passionate about spreading God’s truths…and VERY intelligent.
Raged against sin…although to the demise of his career…
Called sinners out by name
Was dismissed as a pastor but then
began ministering to Native Americans.
Most famous work was “Sinners in the
Hands of an Angry God”

19. “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”
“A sermon is a speech that has a definite point of view and is delivered from the pulpit during a worship service.” page 107
“Oratory is public speaking that is formal and persuasive and that appeals to the emotions.” page 107
Supposedly delivered in a calm manner
What is missing from this particular section of the sermon?
How does this depiction of God differ from the modern day depiction of God?
Volunteers to read and deliver?