Early American Literature早期美国文学.ppt

1、,Part 1 Early American Literature: Colonial Period to 1815,I. The Literature of the New World,a. Christopher Columbus (1451-1506),b. Captain John Smith (1580-1631),A. European Explporation Writings,Captain John Smith (15801631),A real adventurer, he had fought the Turks in Hungary, where he was woun

2、ded 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 proclaiming the merits of the new land. I

3、n 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 Virginia (1608) Description of Ne

4、w England (1616),Forward,General History of Virginia, New England, and the Summer Isles (1624),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 land of endless bounty. His vision helped to lu

5、re 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 the reader to settle in the New World (1).,Tru

6、e Relation of Virginia (1608) Description of New England (1616),Forward,Back,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 “king”): then as many as could dragged him (Smith) to them, and

7、 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 contented he should live.,Back,B. Native American Oral Literature,a.

8、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 established relationships with plants, animals a

9、nd 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.,Discussion,What is American Puritanism? How was it formed? What is its signifi

10、cance in American literature and American spirit? What are the characteristics of the colonial American literature?,II. The Literature of Colonial America: 1620-1763,A. American Puritans,The first settlers came to America out of various reasons: 1. religious controversy; 2. an urge for religious fre

11、edom and determination; 3. fleeing from religious and political oppression and persecution; 4. human thirst for greater economic opportunity, for land, and for adventure.,B. American Puritanism,American Puritanism predestination original sin total depravity limited atonement from Gods grace.,The fir

12、st 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 Puritanism which became one of the most enduring influences in American thought and American literatu

13、re.,hard work thrift piety sobriety,“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 riches that the East doth hold. My love is such that rivers cannot quench, Nor ought but love from thee, give recom

14、pense. 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,Edward Taylor (1645-1729),Huswifery,Make me, O Lord, thy Spinning Wheele compleat; Thy Holy Worde my Distaff make for

15、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 Wheele. Make me thy Loome then, knit therein this Twine: And make thy Holy Spirit, Lord, winde quills: Then weave the Web thyselfe.

16、 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 mine Understanding, Will, Affections, Judgment, Conscience, Memory; My Words and Actions, that their shine may fill My wayes with

17、 glory and thee glorify. Then mine apparell shall display before yee That I am Cloathd in Holy robes for glory.,Back,Jonathan Edwards,d. Cotton Mather (16631728) Wonders of the Invisible World e. Jonathan Edwards(1703 1758) Freedom of the Will The Nature of True Virtue The Doctrine of Original Sin D

18、efended Personal Narrative,Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758),- He believed in the inward communication of the soul with God. - He had a metaphorical mode of perception, i.e., a symbolic way of looking at things.,Forward,Great Awakening,Great Awakening is a series of religious revivals that swept over the

19、 American colonies about the middle of the 18th century. It resulted in doctrinal change and influenced social and political thought. In New England it was started(1734)by the rousing preaching of Jonathan Edwards.,Features of Colonial Poets,They were servants of God. They faithfully imitated and tr

20、ansplanted English literary traditions.,In English style,Puritan poets,Puritanism in America,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

21、 few) Puritan values (creeds):Hard work, thrift, piety, sobriety, simple tastes.Puritans are more practical, tougher, and to be ever ready for any misfortune and tragic failure.They are optimistic.,Puritanism in America,Why did Puritans come to America?- to reform the Church of England- to have an e

22、ntirely new church- to escape religious persecution* Gods chosen people* To seek a new Garden of Eden* To build “City of God on earth”,Puritanism in America,Influence - American Puritanism was one of the most enduring shaping influences in American thought and American literature.- American literatu

23、re is based on a myth, i.e. the Biblical myth of the Garden of Eden.- Puritanism can be compared with Chinese Confucianism.,III. Literature and the American Revolution: (1776-1815),General Background: The Great Awakening-Jonathan Edwards The Enlightenment-Benjamin Franklin The War of Independence,Jo

24、nathan Edwards,Outstanding representative of Puritanism His life His works His position,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 Left for S

25、tockbridge, Mass. as a pastor Meditated and wrote his greatest works,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 of Divine Things 神灵的形影,Sinner

26、s 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。,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 its fold. He was in part instrumental in bringing about the Great Awa

27、kening. He was the first modern American and the countrys last medieval man.,1775,1765,1776,1783,1789,III. Literature and the American Revolution: (1776-1815),A. Historical Overview,Enlightenment,The 18th-century American Enlightenment was a movement marked by an emphasis on rationality rather than

28、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 the natural rights of man.,The American Culture,As it is significant to our s

29、ense 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 the status of literary capitals paving the way for the appearance of modern American novel and

30、 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 hopes for a great new literature.,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。” -17

31、83,Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790),His life His position,His life,General Introduction,Benjamin Franklin came from a Calvinist background. He was born into a 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 a

32、pprenticed 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 Philadelphia to make his own fortune. He set himself up as an independent printer and publisher. In 1727 he founded the Junto club.,His position,Social ref

33、ormer Scientist Politician Writer,Social reformer,Junto Club Subscription library Pennsylvania Hospital University of Pennsylvania American Philosophical Society,Scientist,Effective street lightening Efficient heating devices Franklin stove Bifocal glasses Lightening-rod,Politician,A member of Penns

34、ylvania Assembly Deputy Postmaster-General for the colonies Representative of the colonies 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 Pl

35、ayed a decisive role at the Constitutional Convention The only American to sign the four documents that create the United States,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,Writer,Poor Ric

36、hards Almanac Popular for a quarter of a century Expand its literary part to readers The Autobiography,Poor Richards Almanac,Content: Poems Essays Adages and common sense witticisms Sources Borrow from other writers Writer himself Rewrite Examples,God help those who help themselves.,The Autobiograph

37、y,Its writing Its style Its significance Comments on it,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 scientifi

38、c life; 4th part: 1790; his life between his retirement and death,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 the salient feature

39、s.,突出的,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.,Comments on The Autobiography,Autobiography realistically described the life of Franklin whose rag

40、s-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, practical and optimistic attitude toward life, and final suc

41、cess 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 pursuit of happiness. It celebrates the fulfillment of the

42、 American dream.,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 your Things have their Places. Let each part of your Business have its Time. 4. Resolution.

43、Resolve to perform what you ought. Perform without failing what you resolve.,5. Frugality. Make no Expense but to do good to others or yourself. i. e. Waste nothing. 6. Industry. Lose no Time. Be always employd in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary Actions. 7. Sincerity. Use no hurtful Deceit

44、. 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.,9. Moderation. Avoid Extremes. Forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve. 10. Cleanliness. Tolerate no Uncleanliness in Body,

45、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 Dullness, Weakness, or the Injury of your own or anothers Peace or Reputation. 13. Humanity. Imitate Jesus or Socrates.,And

46、 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 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 st

47、ill 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 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，由于上帝的慈爱， 我过去才获得了幸福，取得了成功。

48、这样的信仰给我希望，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，就像其他人曾经经历的一样。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。,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

49、authors have 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。,Roger Williams,Religious leader and one of the founders of Rhode Island Preached for civil and religious liberty He questioned the right of the colonists to tak

50、e the Indians land Works: The Bloody Tenet of Persecution for the Cause of Conscience,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 iniquity Some Considerations on the