AMERICAN LITERATURE:Beginnings to 1800 (Elements, pp. 1-18)

Origins: Tracing First Migrations

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/indepth_coverage/science/dna/timeline_flash.html

European Influence: 1450-1615 Columbus lands in Bahamas (1492) Aztec Empire falls to Spaniards (1521)

Spanish language and culture introduced Cabeza de Vaca explores areas we now

call Florida, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona (1528-36) Spanish language & culture introduced.

Jamestown settlement (1607) English language and culture introduced

Columbus: 1492

Aztec Empire Falls to Cortez (1521)

Jamestown Settled: 1607

More Migration: 1615-99

First slave ships arrive in Virginia (1619)

Plymouth Settled: 1620

Mayflower lands at Plymouth (1620) Puritan migration begins (1630)

Puritan Doctrine 1

Original Sin: we are all born sinners, originating from the Fall of Adam and Eve.

Puritan Doctrine 2

Election: God “elects” his chosen ones with his Grace.

Puritan Virtues: Biblical Focus Self-reliance

Do it yourself Industriousness

Work hard Temperance

Be moderate Simplicity

Keep your affairs minimal

Puritan Literature

Modeled after the Bible (Geneva Bible, 1599)

Actual life mirrored Biblical narrative. Writing explores inner conflict. Diaries and histories were common

genres. Plain style is the best writing.A way of writing that expresses simplicity and clarity of expression.

The Bible’s Importance to Puritans Puritans considered it literal truth, and the

source of perfect knowledge. Education therefore was of utmost importance. A personal relationship with the scriptures.

Harvard College founded in 1636 to train Puritan ministers.

Government was best founded on Biblical truths. The compact or covenant between God and man

became the foundation of our constitutional democracy.

The Age of Reason in America The Enlightenment also influenced

American culture as much as Puritanism Rationalism taught that the mind could

discover truth outside of religious authority. God was a Great Watchmaker, not an active

participant in the daily lives of men. God could reveal himself to anyone, not just

the ‘elect.’ This is called Deism, its most famous early

American proponent being Thomas Jefferson.

Deism vs Puritanism

Humans are born good.

Reason is the guide to happiness.

God wants us to be happy.

Universe is good. God is always there

for all of us.

Humans are born sinners.

Only the ‘elect’ can be saved by God’s grace.

God wants us to be humble.

Universe is in crisis. God withholds his

grace for a few.

Deism Puritanism

The Rationalist Worldview

Truth is found through the use of reason. God created the universe but does not

interfere with its workings. God made up the rules of the universe, but

it is up to us to figure them out. People are basically good, and perfectible. Since God wants us to be happy, we do His

work by helping others. Human history is marked by progress

toward a more perfect life.