Early American Literature

American Literature I

Mr. Plinsky

Early American Literature

4 main groups:– Native Americans– Spanish– Africans– English/Puritans

Native Americans

The largest group crossed the land bridge across the Bering Strait approximately 13,000 – 15,000 years ago.

Archaeologists have discovered there were multiple migrations, some as far back as 30,000 – 35,000 years ago.

Native Americans

During a particularly strong glacial period, the ocean level dropped enough to expose the land below.

Animals and plants migrated across.

Native tribes followed them, and spread across the continent.

Native Americans

Developed complex cultures, not just hunters and gatherers.– Inca, Maya, Aztec– Systems of writing and record keeping– Working calendar– Large cities and roadways

Native Americans

Some other thoughts:– “Native Americans” is a misleading term – it

covers a large number of widely diverse cultures that live in the same geographical area.

– Every Native American tale we will read has been filtered through English writers, therefore making it inaccurate.

Native American Literature

Stories passed on from generation to generation through oral tradition.

Intended to teach both history and values. Most of the symbols and lessons are taught

using nature images/characters. Their remnants are our most valuable tool for

understanding ancient native cultures.

Spanish

Discovered North America while trying to find a route to India. (hence the name ‘Indians’)

Sent more explorers to expand the Spanish Empire

By 1550, Spain controlled Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and most of Western South America.

Spanish

Spanish influence expanded until 1588

England and Spain fought over control of the colonies.

English defeated the Spanish Armada, and Spain’s influence began to decline.

Spanish

By 1630 Spanish Catholic missionaries had converted 60,000 Native Americans, and taught them to speak Spanish.

Some natives accepted these teachings, and others revolted.

Spanish writings from this period are largely journalistic, and detail the events of the period.

Most are written by Spanish explorers or missionaries. Natives wrote very little, so their perspective has been overlooked by history.

Africans

In 1652, the Dutch government approved the importation of African Slaves to New Netherlands

In the 1660’s, the rest of the colonies (British, French, Portuguese and Spanish) adopted laws requiring lifelong servitude for Africans, regardless of their conversion to Christianity– They did this so that slave owners would

encourage slaves to convert.

Africans

Africans

In 1696, Quakers forbade all members from participating in any aspect of the slave trade. They were the first religious group to do so.

In 1735, Georgia prohibited the right to own slaves:– They were concerned that slaves might take the

side of the Spanish– Most slave owners ignored the law– It was repealed in 1749

Africans

In 1775, Ben Franklin followed the lead of the Quakers and abolitionists in forming the “Society for the Relief of Free Negros Unlawfully Held in Bondage.”– 1st major national figure to publicly take a stand

against slavery– Primarily interested in securing the rights of those

who were legally entitled to freedom

Africans

Roughly 9-12 million Africans were brought to the new world as slaves.

Very few were taught to read or write We have many slave narratives (Frederick

Douglass, Olaudah Equiano) that still exist today.

Much of the early African literature is in the form of oral tradition stories that are a blend of African tales and the slave experience in the new world.

English

1585, Established 1st colony on Roanoke Island in what is now North Carolina – the colony failed.

1607, Jamestown settled – struggled until 1612 when tobacco was brought to Virginia.

English

1620, early Puritans came to New England– 102 pilgrims landed in Plymouth– Signed a compact guaranteeing government by the will of

the majority – Mayflower Compact.– Left/Were kicked out of England because of their religious

views – wanted to separate themselves from English Protestantism.

– Intended to create a theocracy – a society governed by God’s word.

– Survival was their primary concern in the early years.– Received help from the local native tribes to get them

through the first few winters.

Plymouth

English

1680’s, German immigration began 1700’s, Scotch-Irish immigration began 1732, the last English colony founded (Georgia) Much of the early literature is written by Englishmen,

but the country is rapidly becoming more diverse. Most of the settlers were learned and wrote

profusely. They were not intent on literary lives, they mostly

wanted to survive. Intolerance flourished early, and many left the initial

settlements, moving inland to form their own settlements.

Puritans

Arrived in two waves:– Separatists in 1620 – the Pilgrims– 1630-40 Puritan families who did not want to

separate from the Anglican church, but wanted to worship in their own way.

– From 1620 to 1643, 21,000 Puritans came to the colonies.

Puritan Philosophy

“Neither Pope nor Bishop nor any other man has a right to impose a single syllable of law upon a Christian man without his consent.”

– Martin Luther

This idea set up the notion of self governance, and challenged the divine right of kings.

Puritan Philosophy

John Calvin put the seat of governmental power in the church.

He said:– The ultimate authority lay in the

hands of the entire congregation.– Religious leaders should be elected

in “congregational meetings.”– These developed into the “town hall

meeting” of today. Government became a servant of

the church. By 1700 the power of religious

leaders decreased, and the power of secular leaders increased.

Puritan Philosophy

Calvin also believed in predestination, which set him apart from Luther as well as the Roman Catholic Church.

– Mankind has limited free will to choose between good and evil.

– Grace/Salvation is a gift that can only come from God– It is only given to those predestined to receive it.– Cannot be earned through good acts because good acts

can only be the result of grace.

Problems???

Puritan Stereotype

They are often portrayed as folks who:– Dressed only in black and white clothing– Censor and ban books– Establish vice laws– Impose prudish standards

A few zealots over-interpreted their beliefs to suggest:

– They despised earthly/mortal life– They persecuted the witches out of hysterical fear.

Puritan Stereotype

Most Puritans did not meet that stereotype:– Did not forbid bright clothing – black and white were cheaper

and more common.– Developed attractive arts and crafts – still valued today.– Liked drink, but despised the drunkard.– Feared ignorance – pursued knowledge at every opportunity.– Viewed religion as a rigorous intellectual discipline – requires

lots of thought and examination.– 1st to establish common/public schools.– 1st to establish a college in the US (Harvard, 1636).– 1st printing press (Cambridge, MA, 1638).