Early American Literature
American Literature I
Mr. Plinsky
Early American Literature
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4 main groups:
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Native Americans
Spanish
Africans
English/Puritans
Native Americans
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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
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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
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Developed complex cultures, not just hunters
and gatherers.
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Inca, Maya, Aztec
Systems of writing and record keeping
Working calendar
Large cities and roadways
Native Americans
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Some other thoughts:
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“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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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They did this so that slave owners would
encourage slaves to convert.
Africans
Africans
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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:
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They were concerned that slaves might take the
side of the Spanish
Most slave owners ignored the law
It was repealed in 1749
Africans
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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.”
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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
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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
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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.
Plymouth
English
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1620, early Puritans came to New England
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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.
English
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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
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Arrived in two waves:
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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
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“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.”
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Martin Luther
This idea set up the
notion of self governance,
and challenged the divine
right of kings.
Puritan Philosophy
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John Calvin put the seat of
governmental power in the church.
He said:
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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
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Calvin also believed in predestination, which set him
apart from Luther as well as the Roman Catholic
Church.
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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
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They are often portrayed as folks who:
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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:
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They despised earthly/mortal life
They persecuted the witches out of hysterical fear.
Puritan Stereotype
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Most Puritans did not meet that stereotype:
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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).