1. Colonial Literature 1607 - 1750

2. New England – the Puritans – 1620 landed at Cape Cod The Southern Colonies – farmers (cash crops) The Middle Colonies – Quakers – Ethnic and culturally diverse

3. A broad term referring to a number of Protestant groups. Desired a simpler form of worship Religion was a personal inner experience Clergy/government not an intermediary between individual and God Persecuted in England

4. “Elect” = Saved “Unregenerate” = one of the damned Definite separation between church and state How do you know which category you fall into? You don’t

5. Self-reliance – Industriousness – Temperance – Simplicity – plain, black/white clothing

6. American Literature was shaped by Puritans and their Morals Ethics Religious Convictions

7. Bible provided a model for Puritan writing Concept that each life was a journey to salvation Used writing to explore their inner and outer lives for signs of the workings of God

8. Diaries and histories were the most common forms Puritans favored a plain style – stressing clarity of expression and avoiding figures of speech

10. The belief that human beings can arrive at truth by using reason, rather than by relying on past authorities, religious faith, or intuition. Started in Europe and made its way to the American Colonies

11. Cotton Mather, a Puritan minister is also interested in natural science and medicine. He implemented inoculations for the Smallpox disease in 1721.

12. In contrast to Puritans – Deists believed: God was available at all times People were inherently good Individuals had the gift to reason

13. Age of pamphlets Literature was intended to serve a purpose of practical or political ends.

14. New England Primer – textbook The Day of Doom – poem about sinners who would experience the torment of hell. The Selling of Joseph – anti-slavery tract Bay Psalm Book – new translation of the Psalms The History of Plymouth Plantation Common Sense – Thomas Paine

15. Cotton Mather – witchcraft trials Jonathan Edwards – puritan theologian Anne Bradstreet – Poetry Phillis Wheatley – slave poet Philip Freneau – patriotic poet Benjamin Franklin – autobiography Thomas Jefferson – Dec. Independence Poor Richard’s Almanack

16. Determine the purpose of each work Consult the biographies to determine the various backgrounds of writers. Use the graphic aids. Try to distinguish fact from opinion. Understand that these narrative lay the groundwork for later Amer. Lit. Look for parallels to modern life.