Early-American-Literature早期美国文学

1、2021/3/10讲解：XX1 Part 1 Early American Literature: Colonial Period to 1815 2021/3/10讲解：XX2 2021/3/10讲解：XX3 I. The Literature of the New World a. Christopher Columbus (1451- 1506) b. Captain John Smith (1580- 1631) 2021/3/10讲解：XX4 Captain John Smith (15801631) A real adventurer, he had fought the Turk

2、s in Hungary, where he was wounded and taken prisoner. He was sold as a slave and escaped by killing his master. In 1607, he helped to set up Jamestown, the first English colony in America. Smith sent a letter to the Virginia Company in London, defending the handling of the settlement and proclaimin

3、g the merits of the new land. In 1608, most part of his letter was published, under the title A True Relation of Such Occurrences and Accidents of Note as Hath Happened in Virginia Since the First Planting of That Colony. Thus, Captain John Smith became the first American writer. True Relation of Vi

4、rginia (1608) Description of New England (1616) Forward General History of Virginia, New England, and the Summer Isles (1624) 2021/3/10讲解：XX5 Captain John Smith (1580-1631) His descriptions of America were filled with themes, myths, images, scenes, characters, and events that were a foundation as a

5、land of endless bounty. His vision helped to lure the Pilgrims and the Puritans who saw themselves as new saints with a spiritual mission to flee the Old World and create a New Israel, a New Promised Land. We can look on his description as a kind of fascinating “advertisements” which try to persuade

6、 the reader to settle in the New World (1). True Relation of Virginia (1608) Description of New England (1616) Forward Back 2021/3/10讲解：XX6 Captain John Smith (1580-1631) General History of Virginia, New England, and the Summer Isles (1624) Two great stones were brought before Powhattan (the Indian

7、“king”): then as many as could dragged him (Smith) to them, and thereon laid his head, and being ready with their clubs, to beat out his brains, Pocahontas, the Kings dearest daughter, got his head in her arms, and laid down her own (head) upon his to save him from death: whereat the King was conten

8、ted he should live. Back 2021/3/10讲解：XX7 a. Origin Stories b. Songs A characteristic origin story is the Earth-Diver story that typically tells of a great flood which once covered the earth. Origin stories are those dramatizing tribal interpretations of how the earth originated or of how people esta

9、blished relationships with plants, animals and the cosmos. Since most Native American stories were orally passed on, these tales then have a performative dimension: they are not only “told”, they are also “sung” as chants and songs, and dramatized in ritual dances. 2021/3/10讲解：XX8 Discussion What is

10、 American Puritanism? How was it formed? What is its significance in American literature and American spirit? What are the characteristics of the colonial American literature? 2021/3/10讲解：XX9 II. The Literature of Colonial America: 1620-1763 A. American Puritans The first settlers came to America ou

11、t of various reasons: 1. religious controversy; 2. an urge for religious freedom and determination; 3. fleeing from religious and political oppression and persecution; 4. human thirst for greater economic opportunity, for land, and for adventure. 2021/3/10讲解：XX10 B. American Puritanism American Puri

12、tanism predestination original sin total depravity limited atonement from Gods grace. The first settlers were called “Puritans”, so named after those who wished to “purify” the religious practice in the church. They soon established their own religious and moral principles known as American Puritani

13、sm which became one of the most enduring influences in American thought and American literature. hard work thrift piety sobriety 2021/3/10讲解：XX11 “Original sin” God If ever wife was happy in a man, Compare with me, ye women, if you can. I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold Or all the riche

14、s that the East doth hold. My love is such that rivers cannot quench, Nor ought but love from thee, give recompense. Thy love is such I can no way repay, The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray. Then while we live, in love lets so persevere That when we live no more, we may live ever. Back 2021/3/1

15、0讲解：XX17 Edward Taylor (1645-1729) Huswifery Make me, O Lord, thy Spinning Wheele compleat; Thy Holy Worde my Distaff make for mee. Make mine Affections thy Swift Flyers neate, And make my Soule thy holy Spoole to bee. My Conversation make to be thy Reele, And reele the yarn thereon spun of thy Whee

16、le. Make me thy Loome then, knit therein this Twine: And make thy Holy Spirit, Lord, winde quills: Then weave the Web thyselfe. The yarn is fine. Thine Ordinances make my Fulling Mills. Then dy the same in Heavenly Colours Choice, All pinkt with Varnisht Flowers of Paradise. Then cloath therewith mi

17、ne Understanding, Will, Affections, Judgment, Conscience, Memory; My Words and Actions, that their shine may fill My wayes with glory and thee glorify. Then mine apparell shall display before yee That I am Cloathd in Holy robes for glory. BackJonathan Edwards 2021/3/10讲解：XX18 d. Cotton Mather (16631

18、728) Wonders of the Invisible World e. Jonathan Edwards(1703 1758) Freedom of the Will The Nature of True Virtue The Doctrine of Original Sin Defended Personal Narrative 2021/3/10讲解：XX19 Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) - He believed in the inward communication of the soul with God. - He had a metaphori

19、cal mode of perception, i.e., a symbolic way of looking at things. Forward 2021/3/10讲解：XX20 Great Awakening Great Awakening is a series of religious revivals that swept over the American colonies about the middle of the 18th century. It resulted in doctrinal change and influenced social and politica

20、l thought. In New England it was started(1734)by the rousing preaching of Jonathan Edwards. 2021/3/10讲解：XX21 Features of Colonial Poets They were servants of God. They faithfully imitated and transplanted English literary traditions. In English style Purita n poets 2021/3/10讲解：XX22 Puritanism in Ame

21、rica They follow the ideas of the religious reformer John Calvin. Doctrines: - Predestination - Original sin and total depravity (human beings are basically evil.) - Limited atonement (or the Salvation of a selected few) Puritan values (creeds): Hard work, thrift, piety, sobriety, simple tastes. Pur

22、itans are more practical, tougher, and to be ever ready for any misfortune and tragic failure. They are optimistic. 2021/3/10讲解：XX23 Puritanism in America Why did Puritans come to America? - to reform the Church of England - to have an entirely new church - to escape religious persecution * Gods cho

23、sen people * To seek a new Garden of Eden * To build “City of God on earth” 2021/3/10讲解：XX24 Puritanism in America Influence - American Puritanism was one of the most enduring shaping influences in American thought and American literature. - American literature is based on a myth, i.e. the Biblical

24、myth of the Garden of Eden. - Puritanism can be compared with Chinese Confucianism. 2021/3/10讲解：XX25 III. Literature and the American Revolution: (1776-1815) General Background: The Great Awakening-Jonathan Edwards The Enlightenment-Benjamin Franklin The War of Independence 2021/3/10讲解：XX26 Jonathan

25、 Edwards Outstanding representative of Puritanism His life His works His position 2021/3/10讲解：XX27 His life Born into a very religious family Entered Yale at 13 Assistant to minister of the church of Northampton, Massachusetts 1726 Be the minister of that church himself Advocated the Great Awakening

26、 Left for Stockbridge, Mass. as a pastor Meditated and wrote his greatest works 2021/3/10讲解：XX28 His works Personal Narratives 自述 Freedom of the Will 意志的自由 The Doctrine of Original Sin Defended 原 罪说辩 The Nature of True Virtue 真正美德的本质 Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God 发怒 的上帝手中的罪人 Images or Shadows

27、 of Divine Things 神灵 的形影 2021/3/10讲解：XX29 Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God 发怒的上帝手中的罪人 上帝憎恨你们，把你们抓起来放在地狱之 火上烘烤，就像一个人在火堆上烧着一只 蜘蛛或令人作呕的昆虫一样。 2021/3/10讲解：XX30 His position He was the last great voice that was ever heard in America to reassert the Calvinist stance so as to bring the people back to it

28、s fold. He was in part instrumental in bringing about the Great Awakening. He was the first modern American and the countrys last medieval man. 2021/3/10讲解：XX31 2021/3/10讲解：XX32 III. Literature and the American Revolution: (1776-1815) A. Historical Overview Enlightenment The 18th-century American En

29、lightenment was a movement marked by an emphasis on rationality rather than tradition, scientific inquiry instead of unquestioning religious dogma, and representative government in place of monarchy. Enlightenment thinkers and writers were devoted to the ideals of justice, liberty, and equality as t

30、he natural rights of man. 2021/3/10讲解：XX33 The American Culture As it is significant to our sense of literary history, Puritan influential declined in the period, partly due to the challenge of Enlightenment ideas, and partly because the rise of Philadelphia, Hartford, New York gained these cities t

31、he status of literary capitals paving the way for the appearance of modern American novel and drama. The Significance of the American Revolution The hard-fought American Revolution against Britain was the first modern war of liberation against a colonial power. Military victory fanned nationalistic

32、hopes for a great new literature. 2021/3/10讲解：XX34 Noah Webster “美国在政治上独立了，在文学方面也必须独立； 美国以军事著称，也必须以艺术著称世界。” -1783 2021/3/10讲解：XX35 Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) His life His position 2021/3/10讲解：XX36 His life General Introduction Benjamin Franklin came from a Calvinist background. He was born into a

33、 poor candle-makers family. He had very little education. He learned in school only for two years, but he was a voracious reader. At 12, he was apprenticed to his elder half-brother, a printer. At 16, he began to publish essays under the pseudonym “Silence Do good” . At 17, he ran away to Philadelph

34、ia to make his own fortune. He set himself up as an independent printer and publisher. In 1727 he founded the Junto club. 2021/3/10讲解：XX37 His position Social reformer Scientist Politician Writer 2021/3/10讲解：XX38 Social reformer Junto Club Subscription library Pennsylvania Hospital University of Pen

35、nsylvania American Philosophical Society 2021/3/10讲解：XX39 Scientist Effective street lightening Efficient heating devices Franklin stove Bifocal glasses Lightening-rod 2021/3/10讲解：XX40 Politician A member of Pennsylvania Assembly Deputy Postmaster-General for the colonies Representative of the colon

36、ies in London for 18 years A delegate to the Continental Congress A member of the committee to write The Declaration of Independence Instrumental in bringing France into an alliance with America against England Played a decisive role at the Constitutional Convention The only American to sign the fou

37、r documents that create the United States 2021/3/10讲解：XX41 The four documents The Declaration of Independence 独立宣言 The Treaty of Alliance with France 联法条约 The Treaty of Peace with England 美英和约 The Constitution 美国宪法 2021/3/10讲解：XX42 Writer Poor Richards Almanac Popular for a quarter of a century Expa

38、nd its literary part to readers The Autobiography 2021/3/10讲解：XX43 Poor Richards Almanac Content: Poems Essays Adages and common sense witticisms Sources Borrow from other writers Writer himself Rewrite 1. Examples God help those who help themselves. 2021/3/10讲解：XX44 The Autobiography Its writing It

39、s style Its significance Comments on it 2021/3/10讲解：XX45 Its Writing Four parts written at four different times 1st part: 1771; seemingly a letter to his son; about 80 pages; his life before the age of 25; 2nd part: 1784; his life between the age of 25 and 42; 3rd part: 1788; his social and scientif

40、ic life; 4th part: 1790; his life between his retirement and death 2021/3/10讲解：XX46 The style of The Autobiography It is the pattern of Puritan simplicity, directness, and concision. The plainness of its style, the homeliness of imagery, the simplicity of diction, syntax and expression are some of t

41、he salient features. 突出的 2021/3/10讲解：XX47 Why is his Autobiography important? It is the first of its kind in American literature. It is a puritan document. It is the illustration of American dream. It is the best example of plain style. 2021/3/10讲解：XX48 Comments on The Autobiography Autobiography re

42、alistically described the life of Franklin whose rags-to-riches experiences became the prototype of many Americans dream of success. The prototype characterized by self-culture, self-improvement, self-reliance, self-cultivation, faith in the progress of society and the ideals of the future, practica

43、l and optimistic attitude toward life, and final success have been inspiring generations of Americans. It shows that Franklin was spokesman for the new order of 18th century Enlightenment that man is basically good and free by nature, endowed with certain inalienable rights of liberty and the pursui

44、t of happiness. It celebrates the fulfillment of the American dream. 2021/3/10讲解：XX49 The Thirteen Virtues:The Thirteen 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 yo

45、ur Things have their Places. Let each part of your Business have its Time. 4. Resolution. Resolve to perform what you ought. Perform without failing what you resolve. 2021/3/10讲解：XX50 5. Frugality. Make no Expense but to do good to others or yourself. i. e. Waste nothing. 6. Industry. Lose no Time.

46、Be always employd 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. 2021/3/10讲解：XX51 9. Moderation. Avoid

47、Extremes. Forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve. 10. Cleanliness. Tolerate no Uncleanliness in Body, Cloths or Habitation. 11. Tranquility. Be not disturbed at Trifles, or at Accidents common or unavoidable. 12. Chastity. Rarely use Venery but for Health or Offspring; Never to

48、 Dullness, Weakness, or the Injury of your own or anothers Peace or Reputation. 13. Humanity. Imitate Jesus or Socrates. 2021/3/10讲解：XX52 And now I speak of thanking of God, I desire with all humility to acknowledge that I owe the mentioned happiness of my past life to his kind providence, which led

49、 me to the means I used and gave them success. My belief of this induces me to hope, though I must not presume, that he same goodness will still be exercised toward me, in continuing that happiness, of enabling me to bear a fatal reverse, which I may experience as others have done; the complexion of

50、 my future fortune being known to Him only in whose power it is to bless to us even our afflictions. 现在我要感谢上帝，我虔诚万分，由于上帝的慈现在我要感谢上帝，我虔诚万分，由于上帝的慈 爱，爱， 我过去才获得了幸福，取得了成功。这样的我过去才获得了幸福，取得了成功。这样的 信仰给我希望，尽管我不能奢望以后幸福还会继信仰给我希望，尽管我不能奢望以后幸福还会继 续降临在我身上，或者我的命运会发生扭转，就续降临在我身上，或者我的命运会发生扭转，就 像其他人曾经经历的一样。只有上帝才知道我未像其他人曾

51、经经历的一样。只有上帝才知道我未 来的命运，只有他才能决定我们的幸福和痛苦。来的命运，只有他才能决定我们的幸福和痛苦。 2021/3/10讲解：XX53 That felicity, when I reflected on it, has induced me sometimes to say that were it offered to my choice I should have no objection to a repetition of the same life from its beginning, only asking the advantages authors hav

52、e in a second edition to correct some faults of the first. 每当我回顾那种幸运时，有时我就这样说， 要是让我选择的话，我倒不反对再从头照 样生活一次，只要求享有作家在重版时改 正初版中某些错误的方便条件。 2021/3/10讲解：XX54 Roger Williams Religious leader and one of the founders of Rhode Island Preached for civil and religious liberty He questioned the right of the colonis

53、ts to take the Indians land Works: The Bloody Tenet of Persecution for the Cause of Conscience 2021/3/10讲解：XX55 John Woolman A preacher Traveling far and wide in America; Teaching goodness and piety; Speaking against total depravity, original sin and limited atonement; Attacking all forms of iniquit

54、y Some Considerations on the Keeping of Negroes A Plea for the Poor - plead for the rights of all men and for the abolition of the slavery system The Journal-recording his spiritual experience 2021/3/10讲解：XX56 C. Thomas Paine(17371809) Fight for the rights of man Help to spur and inspire two greatest revolutions of his age 2021/3/10讲解：XX5