1. Early American Literature

2. Historical Background
Native American oral literature begins the American literary heritage
Puritans & Southern Planters are the other half of early American literature
The Rationalists of the Revolutionary Era close out the early American literary period

3. Native Americans: Historical Background & literature
Present in America as others settled in this “New World”
Literature documented through oral tradition
Literature composed of myths, legends, and songs
Through literature we learn Native American values, ideals, and customs, as well as their high respect for the natural world

4. Puritans: Historical Background
Why the New World?
Colonized in the New England area
They were religious reformers who wanted to “purify” the church of England
Wanted to build a “city upon a hill,” a model community based upon the Bible
Gradually declined but the Great Awakening of the 1720s revived Puritanism for a little while
American value of hard work and self-discipline was established by the “Puritan ethic”

5. Puritan Literature
Wrote hymns, sermons, histories, journals, and autobiographies
Predestination caused Puritans to constantly search for signs of God’s grace
Aimed for self-examination & spiritual insight

6. Historical Background: Southern Planters
Differed from Puritans in the New England colonies due to motivation for colonization: money
Life was different due to climate, crops, social organization, and religion

7. The New World & Early American’s Attitude Towards It
Native Americans respected it, felt they belonged to it
Puritans tried to work with it as the Native Americans taught them, but also feared the wildness of it
Southern colonists saw its raw beauty, rich resources, and possibility

8. Rationalists: Historical Background
Change in economic conditions - growth of fishery, farms, etc.
Presence of the leaders of dissent (leaders who questioned the traditions of the past)
The presence of the frontier - concept of self-reliance, individualism, and optimism.
Growth of rationality - use of the mind to know God - less dependence on the Bible
Revolutionary War
Belief in Natural Rights (the Social Contract)
Lack of Representation in British Government
Restrictive Taxes and trade policies

9. Rationalist Literature
Still lacking fiction
Writing Includes:
Essays
Pamphlets
Speeches
Poetry
Personal/Non-Fiction Narratives
Persuasive in nature

10. Early American Literature
Themes
Wilderness & the natural world
Community
Individualism
Narratives
Stories about real life events
The narratives of explorers, colonists, Puritans, slaves, and Southern planters, all give us perspective on our American heritage