Welcome to American Literature

Teaching Contents

I. General Introduction to American Literature

II. A Survey of Early American History

III. Major Periods of American Literature

IV. Colonial American Literature

Question

How much do you know about American literature?

What are the features of American literature? (please compare American literature with British literature, and set the comparison in their different history)

Basic Qualities of American Writers

1) Independent

2) Individualistic

3)Critical

4) Innovative

General Introduction to American Literature

Position and Influence in the World Since the 20th century, American literature has

showed its great influence in the world. In the early 1970s, Longfellow’s A Psalm of life （人生颂） was translated into Chinese.

In 1901, Linshu （林纾） first translated Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin (<< 黑奴吁天录 >>, 今译 << 汤姆叔叔的小屋 >>), in which Chinese people identify themselves.

Whitman, O’Neill, Mark Twain, Dreiser, Hemingway, Faulkner influenced Guo Moruo, Lu Xun and other chinese writers greatly.

In the world, Edgar Allan Poe, who paved the way for Symbolist poetry in France, was celebrated father of Symbolist poetry.

Furthermore, their contribution to Children literature （ novel of growth) was well received by Canadian writers and Chinese writers as well.

Early American History Survey New World: It is generally held that Christopher

Columbus discovered the American continent in 1492.

Colonial period (about 1607-1765): the first settling of the English people in Jamestown,

Virginia happened more than 100 years later in 1607, and in 1620, the second group came, with Mayflower dropping anchor at Plymouth harbor.

It was not until 1760s, another 100 years later, when these people began to call themselves Americans, distinguishing their identity from their European ancestors.

Early American History Survey

Period of Reason and Revolution (1765-18 世纪末）

In 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed, together with three other documents, the treaty of alliance with France, the Treaty of Paris and the Constitution, which legally marked the United States as an independent nation.

In 1789 George Washington was elected the first president, and two years later, Washington D. C. was established as the nation's capital.

The United States of America grew out of religious controversy; out of the desire of monarchs to expand their empires; out of the human longing for land, adventure…

The growth of colonial America into the United States is recorded in a literature that began as reports of exploration and colonization. European explorers, traders, and settlers wrote of their hopes, rare triumphs, and frequent disasters and thereby created a literature that is large, various, and amazingly rich." (McMichael, ed., Anthology of American Literature, 1)

Early American History and Literature

Question

The early settlers on the American continent later became the founding fathers of the American nation. So, who were these people? Why did they come?

Immigrants Most of the immigrants came because they

were hungry and America offered them good and extensive land. They then described their good fortune in their letters home, attracting more to come.

Other people came because they wanted to get away from the religious persecution back in their own country.

Those who were considered “undesirable” paupers, convicts( 宣判有罪的人 ), criminals were sent here by ships. They were not "good" citizens as far as England was concerned. So, off the America!

Immigrants Merchants came later. On the one hand, the shipping

company flourished because it brought millions of people to America. On the other hand, trading companies were organized, buying some things from the settlers and selling other things to them at a profit. Still later, the industry of advertisement also came into being.

So, they came, both the willing and the unwilling. The movement began with a few people in early 1600s, and in 1907 more than a million people entered the country within a year. “In the years 1903 to 1913, every time the clock struck the hour, day and night, 100 persons born in some foreign country, not including Canada and Mexico, landed on the shores of the United States.

The periods of American literature

Major Periods of American Literature

Part I The Literature of Colonial America (1607—1765)

Part II The Literature of Reason and Revolution (1765—the end of 18th century)

Part III The Literature of Romanticism (1800—1865)

Part IV Literature of Realism (1865—1918) Part V Literature of Modernism (1918—1945) Part VI Contemporary literature (1945-- )

1. The Colonial period (约 1607 - 1765) The main features Puritan and Puritanism

2. The period of Reason and Revolution (1765 -1800)

Benjamin Franklin

3. The Romantic period (1800 - 1865)

1) The early Romanticism

Washington Irving

James Fenimore Cooper

2) “New England Transcendentalism” or “American Renaissance (1836 - 1855)”

Emerson Thoreau

Whitman Dickinson

HawthorneMelvilleAllan Poe

3) “New England Poets”

Longfellow

4. The realistic period (1865 - 1914)

Henry James

Local Colorism

Naturalism

Stephen Crane Jack London Theodore Dreiser

Mark Twain

5. The period of modernism (1914 - 1945)1) Modern poetry: experiments in form (Imagism)

Ezra Pound

T.S.Eliot

Carlos Williams

2) Prose Writing: modern realism (the Lost Generation)

F.Scott Fitzgerald Ernest Hemingway

William Faulkner

6. The Contemporary Literature (1945 - 2000)

I. American Poetry Since 1945: the Anti-tradition

II. American Prose Since 1945: Realism and Experimentation.

Books to be Read1.Benjamin Franklin The Autobiography

2. Washington Irving The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

3. Edgar Allan Poe The Raven

4. Henry David Thoreau Walden

5. Ralph Waldo Emerson On Nature

6. Nathaniel Hawthorne The Scarlet Letter

7. Herman Melville Moby Dick

8. Longfellow A Psalm of life

9. Whitman O, Captain, My Captain10. Emily Dickinson Because I Could not

Stop for death11. Mark Twain The Adventures of Tom

Sawyer/Huckleberry Fin12. Theodore Dreiser Sister Carrie13. Ezra Pound In a Station of Metro14. Ernest Hemingway Farewell to arms15. Robert Lee Frost The Road Not Taken16. F. Scott Fitzgerald The Great Gatsby

17. William Faulkner A Rose for Emily

18. Ralph Ellison Invisible Man

19. Arthur Miller Death of a Salesman

20. Saul Bellow Dangling Man

21. Joseph Heller Catch-22

22.Toni Morrison The Bluest Eye

Part I. The Literature of Colonial America

Historical Introduction( )※

Early American writers and poets

Puritan & Puritanism ( )※※

Historical Introduction At the beginning of the 17th century, the vast

continental area that was to become the United States had been probed only slightly by English and European explorers. At last the English settlements in Virginia and Massachusetts began the main stream of that we recognize as the American national history.

Almost a hundred years earlier the Caribbean Islands, Mexico, and other Parts of Central and South America had been occupied by the Spanish. The earliest settlers included Dutch, Swedes, Germans, French, Spaniards, Italians and Portuguese.

All contributed to the forming of the American civilization, but the colonies that became the first United States were for the most part English sustained by English traditions, ruled by English laws, supported by English commerce, and named after English monarchs and English lands. Compared with other western literature, diversity becomes the outstanding feature of American literature.

The original 13 colonies South (plantation)

Virginia 弗吉尼亚 (1607) Maryland 马里兰 North Carolina 北卡罗来纳 South Carolina 南卡罗来纳 Georgia 佐治亚 (1732) North (commerce)

Massachusetts 马萨诸塞 New Hampshire 新罕布什尔

Rhode Island 罗德艾兰 Connecticut 康涅狄格 Middle (farming)

New Jersey 新泽西 New York 纽约Pennsylvania 宾夕法尼亚 Delaware 特拉华

Literary Scene

Almost all literatures come from humble origins—diaries, journals, letters, sermons, travel books, etc. So did American literature. In the Colonial Period, personal literature occupied a major position in the literary scene. In content, they served either God or the expansion or both. In form, they were mainly the imitations of the English tradition.

Some important writers are:

Captain John Smith---first American writer Contributions: his description of America were

filled with themes, myths, images, scenes, characters and events that were a foundation for the nation’s literature. He lured the Pilgrims into fleeing here and creating a New land.

Smith published eight together, in which the bold and optimistic spirits were celebrated. American literature is based on the myth of biblical “Garden of Eden”, a New Promised Land full of fortune.

Anne Bradstreet (1612-1672) the first notable poet in America whose lyrics remained

unsurpassed by any American women writers for 200 years until the appearance of Emily Dickinson. Her The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America (1650) was the first published book of poetry written by a settler in the English colonies.

Edward Taylor (1642-1729) a Puritan minister conservative. He wrote in the tradition

of metaphysical poets, expressing divine and elevated ideas in unrelated, homely terms. His poems revealed his efforts to obtain union with God.

Phillis Wheatley (1754-1784) the first important Afro-American poet. Born in Africa,

sold as a slave, she was luckily well-treated by her masters and later set free. Her Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral (1773), a collection of 39 poems, was concerned with abstract liberty.

Philip Freneau (1752-1832) the father of American poetry. His poetry was a

fusion of neoclassicism and romanticism. He was famous for his poem, "The Rising Glory of America", collaborated with Brackenridge. He also founded the National Gazette, a semi-weekly newspaper that became the voice of liberal democracy in American politics.

Puritans and Puritanism

What do you know about Puritans? How do you understand the following

saying “Without true understanding of Puritanism, there would be no real understanding of American literature and American culture.”?

Puritans Most of the early settlers were Puritans, a group

of serious, religious people who advocated strict religious and moral principles.

a.They wanted to purify the English Church and to restore simplicity

b. They wanted to live a hard and disciplined life; opposed pleasure and art

c. They believed that the Bible was the revealed word of God, therefore, people should guide their daily behavior with the Bible.

Puritanism

The Puritans brought with them a philosophy of life, which is popularly known as American Puritanism. A dominant factor in American life, Puritanism was one of the most enduring and shaping influences in American thought and American literature.

American Puritanism is a two-fold cultural heritage, one being religious and the other practical. Puritans were therefore called "practical idealist" or "doctrinaire opportunist".

Religious doctrine The Puritans were determined to find a place on the

new continent where they could worship God in the way they thought true Christians should.

When they arrived on the continent, they saw virgin land, virgin forests, vast expanses of wilderness, and therefore believed that they were sent by God for a definite purpose. Puritans thought they were "the selected few", chosen by God to reestablish a Commonwealth based on the teachings of the Bible, to restore the lost paradise and to build the wilderness into a new Garden of Eden. “

Therefore the journey to the New World was not just a migration. It was a new Exodus, ordained by God and foretold in the Bible, just as the Bible promised the creation of a New Jerusalem, in America."(McMichael, ed. AAL, 8)

Practical On the other hand, Puritanism also has its practical

aspect. When the Puritans first landed on the continent, what they were faced with was wilderness—no shelter, no food and no clothes. Their struggle for survival and the movement of pushing the frontier with them as they moved further and further westward made them more and more preoccupied with business and profits. They had to work hard in order to make a living and be ready for any misfortunes and tragic failures that might lie in wait for them. As far as this respect is concerned, the Puritans learned a lot from the native Indians who helped them through the severe winters.

Influence upon American literature

Idealism and optimism: American literature, in a sense, is a literary expression

of the pious idealism of the Puritan request. The Puritans dreamed of living under a perfect order and worked with hope and courage toward building a new Garden of Eden. Therefore, they tended to look everything with a big amount of optimism. This went into the works of Emerson, Thoreau, Whitman, and even James. No wonder there appeared a mood of frustration or despair in later periods, When the dream did not materialize, when a "Gilded Age" came instead of the Golden one they dreamed of, how could anyone feel?

Influence upon American literature

Symbolism: The Puritans' metaphorical mode of perception

brought American literary symbolism into being. To the pious Puritans, the physical world was spiritual, nothing but a symbol of God. The world, therefore, was one of multiple meanings. This idea was distinguishable in the works of Emerson, Hawthorne, Melville and Poe, this developed itself into symbolism.

Influence upon American literature

The Puritan style of writing is characterized by simplicity. The style of their writing was fresh, simple and direst, the rhetoric plain and honest, words simple and spare (not fancy).

Style: tight and logic structure, precise and compact expression, avoidance of rhetorical decoration, adoption of homely imagery, simplicity of diction.

Form: They were good at writing history, too, and biography was once a popular form of literature.

Homework

How did American Independence War influence the literature of this period? (choose one as an example)

How much do you know about Benjamin Franklin and his Autobiography?

Part II. The Literature of Reason and Revolution

Historical Introduction ( )※

Benjamin Franklin ( )※※ Thomas Paine Thomas Jefferson Philip Freneau

Part II. Historical Introduction(1)

In Economy: The Industrial Revolution: spurred the economy in

American colonies. Independence War(1776-1783) the industrial growth led to intense strain with

Britain. The British government tried to suppress their growth economically, and ruled them from abroad politically and levied heavy tax on them. These aroused bitter resentment in colonies. Constant conflicts resulted in American revolutionary war

Part II. Historical Introduction (2)

In Ideology (Enlightenment) Spiritual life of the colonies—Enlightenment,

a philosophical and intellectual movement. Advocated reason or rationality, the scientific

method, equality and human beings’ability to perfect themselves and their society.

In favor of the revolutionary ideas and took actively in the war.

Opposed some of puritan traditions and brought the secular education and literature to life.

Features of Literature

Writers were preoccupied with rationality and showed a love for the order and beauty of calssical art.

In form, they treated the 18th century English classical writers as their models (clarity, precision and order of Pope, Addison and Steele)

In content, they were intended to be utilitarian. Essayists and journalists shaped the nation’s

beliefs with reason dressed in clear and foreceful prose.

Thomas Paine

The most important American prose writer of the 18th century.

political pamphlets writer. 1776 common sense

American Crisis

Thomas Jefferson

President, Enlightener, planter, aristocrat, lawyer, a symbol of American democracy.

Man of many talents: scientist, inventor, musician, linguist, architect, diplomat and writer.

Thomas Jefferson Political Career: He served his country as Minister to

France(1784-1789), Secretary of State(1789-1793), Vice President(1791-1801) and third President(1801-1809).

Thoughts: Jeffersonian Democracy, which includes faith in the individual and common man, dislike an overly strong government, and emphasis on the importance of education and on agrarianism and land ownership as they brought responsibility and true judgment. Politically, he is considered the father of the democratic spirit in his country. Style: dignity, flexibility, clarity, command of generalization

Thomas Jefferson The Declaration of Independence: The essay,

adopted July 4, 1776, not only announced the birth of a new nation, but also set forth a philosophy of human freedom which served as an important force in the western world.

It is a statement of American principles and a review of the Causes of the quarrel with Britain, presented the American view to the world with classic dignity.

It instilled among the common people a sense of their own importance and inspired struggle for personal freedom, self government and a dignified place in society.

Philip Freneau

Poet of the American Revolution Father of American poetry Serves the transitional role

between neoclassicism and

romanticism (p12)

野金银花 菲利普 · 弗瑞诺

美丽的金银花，你粲然绽放于幽静一角。芳菲满枝，无人垂顾，迎风起舞，无人注目。游子从不践踏你的玉体，过客从不催落你的泪滴。

造化令你素裹银妆，你得以远离庸人的目光。她赐予你一片绿阴葱葱，她带给你一泓流水淙淙。恬静的夏日倏然流淌，你终于红衰翠减，玉陨香消。

妩媚动人，你却无法盛颜久长，落红满地，你令我黯然神伤。纵然在伊甸乐园，人间天堂，也难免一日凋零，满目凄凉。萧瑟秋风，凄白秋霜，你终于消失得无影无踪。

朝霞暮露，孕育了你娇小的身躯。你从尘土来，又归尘土去，来时一无所有，去时化作尘土，可叹生命苦短，你终究红消香断。

Question

Compare The wild honey suckle with To Daffodils, sonnet 18, what are the similarities and differences?

Benjamin Franklin

The only good writer of the colonial period.

Printer, enlightener, inventor, scientist, statesman, diplomat

Aid Jefferson in writing The Declaration of Independence.

Seek help from France in American Independence

War.1706-1790

As an Inventor(1)

Father of Bifocals Lightning rod Kite flight Franklin’s stove odometer

As a Writer （ 2 ） Main Works:

a. Poor Richard’s Almanac （格言历书） . It contains many proverbs

b. Autobiography （自传） . With it he set the form for autobiography as a genre.

Style:

He developed an utilitarian and didactic style.

His style is characterized by simplicity, frankness, wit, clarity, logic and order.

Franklin’s proverbs

Well done is better than well said A lie stands on one leg, the truth on two God helps those who help themselves A penny saved is a penny earned Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy,

wealthy, and wise Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half

shut afterwards

Virtues 1. TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; drink not

to elevation. 2. SILENCE. Speak not but what may benefit

others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation. 3. ORDER. Let all your things have their places;

let each part of your business have its time. 4. RESOLUTION. Resolve to perform what you

ought; perform without fail what you resolve. 5. FRUGALITY. Make no expense but to do

good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing. 6. INDUSTRY. Lose no time; be always

employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.

7. SINCERITY. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.

8. JUSTICE. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.

9. MODERATION. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.

10. CLEANLINESS. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation.

11. TRANQUILLITY. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.

12. HUMILITY. Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

富兰克林人生格言 （ 1 ） 节制：食不过饱，饮不过量。 缄默：言必于人于己有益，避免无益的闲聊。 秩序：何处放何物，何时干何活，都要有条不紊。 决心：该做的事一定要做，要做的事一定要做好。 节俭：于人于己有利之事方可花费，决不浪费。 勤奋：珍惜一切时间用于有益之事，不搞无谓之举。

真诚：不虚伪骗人，心存良知，为人正直，讲话实在。

富兰克林人生格言 （ 2 ） 正义：不损人利己。 中庸：不走极端，容忍别人给予的伤害，将此视做应该承受之事。

清洁：力求身体、衣服、和住所整洁。 宁静：不为区区琐事、或寻常事故、或不可避免的事故而惊慌失措。

谦逊：效仿耶稣和苏格拉底。

The Autobiography

Autobiography: inspiring account of a poor boy’s rise to a high position. It is a how-to-do-it book, one on the art of self-improvement.

Contents: It covered Franklin’s life only until 1757 when he was 51 years old. It described his life as a shrewd and industrious businessman and narrates how he owned the constant felicity of his life, his long-continued health and acquisition of fortune.

Significance

It presents a prototype of American success which inspired generations of Americans.

It is an embodiment of Puritanism and enlightening spirits.(rationalism, order and education, self-improvement, self-analysis, and moral and ethical values)

Text Reading

The main idea of each paragraph Franklin’s style (narrative point of view,

diction and expression, syntax)

Para 1 Did Franklin think that it is important for

posterities to borrow the experiences of their ancestors?

How did Franklin evaluate his own life? If he could repeat his life, what did he want to do?

Para 5-9 What books has Franklin ever read? What is his

reading experience?

What is Franklin’s father’s attitudes towards his writing poetry?

How did Franklin improve his writing elegance and language accuracy?

Franklin’s Style

In The Autobiography, he uses the first point of view, which is amiable and close.

His diction and expression are plain and precise.

His syntax is short, smooth and well-balanced.

Why Franklin is admired and read widely?

He is a typical American, model of the self-made man, a cultural hero whose life exemplified the American dream of the poor boy who made good.

He stressed the importance of working hard to make money, happiness depending in the first place on economic success and optimistically believed that every American could do so.

He was convinced that no man could be virtuous or happy unless he did his best to improve the life of his society and his own life.

Homework

What are the features of American Romanticism?

Self-study of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.