聊城大学外国语学院美国文学史与选读课件 Lecture1.ppt

Propagandistic and utilitarian John Smith: The General History of Virginia St. Jean Crevecoeur: Letters from an American Farmer Puritanical elements Anne Bradstreet: To My Dear and Loving Husband Edward Taylor: Preparatory Meditations Jonathan Edwards: Sinners in the Hand of an Angry God Indian-European conflict Two Major Groups of Literature 1750s-1780s: political and propagandistic literature John Adams: The Natural Rights of Colonists Benjamin Franklin: Autobiography Thomas Jefferson: Declaration of American Independence Pure literature Philip Freneau Pure Literature Novels William Hill Brown: Power of Sympathy Susannah Rowson: Charlotte Temple Poetry Joel Barlow Philip Freneau Plays Thomas Godfrey: The Prince of Parthia Royall Tyler: The Contrast William Dunlap: Andre Literary Features Cultural and political independence Lack of writing material and European American Puritanism 2. Contributing to the development of Symbolism: a technique, widely used Puritans thought that all the simple objects existing in the world connoted deep meaning. Enduring shaping influence on literature American Puritanism 3. Influencing the style of literature: simple, fresh, and direct (Protestant aestheticism) (Geneva Bible vs. KJV) Without understanding of Puritanism, there can be no good understanding of American culture and literature. Enduring shaping influence on literature Puritan Writing: The Purpose of Literature is to Edify Histories William Bradford Poetry Anne Bradstreet Edward Taylor Sermons John Winthrop Jonathan Edwards Of Plymouth Plantation: Puritans in Mass. → Israelites led by Moses God’s providential work among the colonists Reminder of religious mission “A Model of Christian Charity” the historical background of the foundation of the United States hope, courage, joyfulness, confidence “Citty upon the hill” (not extended to Indians!) Anne Bradstreet (1612-1672) the first noted poetess in colonial period Anne Bradstreet’s Works“Some verses on the Burning