《殖民时期的文学》PPT课件.ppt

Part I. The Literature of Colonial America and the Enlightenment Age,Colonial America (1620-1776) Puritanism Puritanism is the attitude which desired a more thorough-going reform of the church in the direction of Protestantism. It stressed that The church should be restored to the purity of the 1st church as established by Jesus Christ Himself.,The doctrine of predestination, original sin, total depravity and all that Calvinism preached. A perfect order of living, in which people can work with great courage and confidence toward building a new Garden of Eden. A strictness in morality and austerity in matters of taste, hardworking, thrift, tolerance and patience. The features of the colonial American literature Puritanism was central to colonial American literature. Religious sermons became the most highly developed and the most popular of Puritan literary forms.,The colonial literary works mainly took the form of diary and autobiography, which are full of strenuous self-analysis and constant searching of conscience. Practical matter-of-fact accounts of family, hurting and travel etc., which are mainly informative rather than illumination. Political debates about the colonistsrelations with the mother country were quite common. Colonial American literary works are characterized with logical structure, precise and compact expression, avoidance of rhetorical decoration, homeliness of imagery and simplicity of diction.,Sample of colonial reading,Being thus arrived in a good harbor, and brought safe to land, they fell upon their knees and blessed the God of Heaven who had brought them over the vast and furious ocean, and delivered them from the perils and miseries thereof, again to set their feet on the firm and stable earth, their proper element But here I cannot stand half amazed at this poor peoples present condition; and so I think will the reader, too, when he well considers the same. Being thus passed the vast ocean, they had no friends to welcome them nor inns to entertain ir refresh their weather-beaten bodies, nor houses or much less towns to repair to, to seek for succor. from William Bradfords History of Plymouth Plantation,Sample of colonial reading,Besides I have one of my children that was formerly most lamentably handled with sore breaking out of both his hands and feet of the kins evil, but since he came hither he is very well over what he was, and there is hope of perfect recovery shortly, ever by the very wholesomeness of the air. from Francis Higginsons New-Englands Plantation,Sample of colonial reading,A sty of filth, a trough of washing swill, A dunghill pit, a puddle of mere slime, A nest of vipers, hive of hornets stings, A bag of poison, civet box of sins. by Edward Taylor,Sample of colonial reading,They rush from beds with giddy heads, and to their windows run, Viewing this light which shone more bright than doth the noonday sun. Some hide themselves in caves and delves, in places underground: Some rashly leap into the deep, to escape by being drowned: Some to the rocks (O senseless blocks!) and woody mountains run. That there they might this fearful sight, and dreaded presence shun. from Wigglesmirths The Day of Doom,The Puritain Heritage Early Puritanism has had continuous and shaping influence upon American thought and culture. Its cultural legacy can be summarized as Rigid sense of morality Emphasis upon material success. Self-reliance Enthusiasm for education and social reform Conflict of conscience arising from an awareness that material success is not adequate as a major goal in life.,Influence upon American Literature Optimistic view Symbolism Plain writin The Literature of Enlightenment Historical Introduction influence from Europe logical thought mathematical &scientific truth politics and ethics emergence of Deism and Unitarianism,The Literature of Enlightenment,belief in natural religion new image of God perfectible humanity the dominant intellectual ideas of the 18th century America a resolute faith in the reality of earthly world a distrust of the mystical or mysterious confidence in the progress by education concerns for civil rights,Characteristics of the Literature of Enlightenment,Rationalistic & utilitarian conception of Enlightenment Love and taste for the beauty of classical art A display of magnificent literary energies and rapid growth of publications.,Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) Position a universal genius- business man, scientist, writer, statesman etc. The embodiment of the enlightenment ideas and a cultural hero whose life exemplifies the American dream . Literary achievement He was noted for his mastery skills in perodical essay, satire, political journalism and folk humour He set the form for autobiography as a genre in America with his Autobiography credited as,the first great book in American history. He established a tradition in American writing of the simple, utilitarian style. He created the classical image of the Yankee American- a simple yet wise, straightforward yet sly folk figure in American literature. Chief Works Autobiography Written by Franklin at intervals between 1771-1788 It is the simple yet fascinating record of a man rising to wealth from a state of poverty and obscurity. It is a Puritan document full of self-analysis. It demonstrates his virtues and improving his personality.,The book is also a convincing illustration of the Puritan ethic: being industrious , frugal and prudent. It is noted for his plain style. Written with a simplicity, frankness and wit, the book serves as an example of the American style of writing and a classic of its kind. It is a good celebration of the fulfillment of the American dream and an eloquent education of the idea of the 18th century enlightenment (order, education and reason),Poor Richard Almanac Written by Franklin, published in 1758. It was modeled on the sort of farmers annual calendar, enriched with hundreds of proverbs, bits of advice on business, marriage, manners etc. Its sentences are short, pithy and often rhymed for easier memory. The book best exemplified Franklins practical wisdom and its emphasis on commercial success.,Reading and Appreciation The Autobiography,Questions Whats the central topic of this excerpt? What project is Franklin to undertake? What has led Franklin to such