Chapter I The Colonial Period From the arrival of the Mayflower to the end of the 18th century.

Chapter I Chapter I The Colonial PerioThe Colonial Perio

dd From the arrival of the MayfloFrom the arrival of the Mayflower to the end of the 18th cenwer to the end of the 18th cen

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ContentsContents Historical backgroundHistorical background The origin of American literatureThe origin of American literature Early American writers and their thoEarly American writers and their tho

ughts reflected in their writings.ughts reflected in their writings. The writers of reason and revolutionThe writers of reason and revolution

The Mayflower shipThe Mayflower ship

The mayflower shipThe mayflower ship

The first settlers of the United StatesThe first settlers of the United States

The first Thanksgiving DayThe first Thanksgiving Day

Historical backgroundHistorical background PuritanismPuritanism CalvinismCalvinism

PURITAN BELIEFPURITAN BELIEFAND 'MANIFEST DESTINY'.AND 'MANIFEST DESTINY'.

They sailed from England with a dreThey sailed from England with a dream. Their Puritan vision was for the am. Their Puritan vision was for the New World to be a New World to be a 'city set upon a hill''city set upon a hill', and a light to the world. This later o, and a light to the world. This later overflowed into a sense of 'manifest dverflowed into a sense of 'manifest destiny' and a belief that America will estiny' and a belief that America will lead the world into a new era of peaclead the world into a new era of peace and security.e and security.

First settlers, the founding fathers, were juFirst settlers, the founding fathers, were just Puritans from England. We know that thst Puritans from England. We know that they were persecuted in England because of tey were persecuted in England because of their different religious beliefs. They hated heir different religious beliefs. They hated the persecution so that they fled to this nethe persecution so that they fled to this newly-found continent where they thought it wly-found continent where they thought it provided them a good place to realize their provided them a good place to realize their dream, to be free in religion and in politics.dream, to be free in religion and in politics. These Puritans were idealists. They believ These Puritans were idealists. They believed that the Church should be restored to thed that the Church should be restored to the “purity” of the first century Church as e “purity” of the first century Church as established by Jesus Christ Himself. Religiestablished by Jesus Christ Himself. Religion was a primary importance to them. on was a primary importance to them.

So here in America they tended to prove So here in America they tended to prove that they were God’s chosen people enthat they were God’s chosen people enjoying His blessing on this continent as ijoying His blessing on this continent as in heaven. However, with their hard worn heaven. However, with their hard work on this earth, they became more practk on this earth, they became more practical. The very severity of the frontier coical. The very severity of the frontier conditions taught them to be tougher, to bnditions taught them to be tougher, to be ready for any misfortune and tragic faie ready for any misfortune and tragic failure that might lie in wait for them. Thelure that might lie in wait for them. They worked optimistically with indomitably worked optimistically with indomitable courage and confident hope toward bue courage and confident hope toward building a New Garden of Eden in America.ilding a New Garden of Eden in America. They had never been daunted. They had never been daunted.

Puritanism Puritanism

PuritansPuritans We have mentioned “puritan” frequently. BWe have mentioned “puritan” frequently. B

ut what is Puritan? What does it mean? What iut what is Puritan? What does it mean? What is Puritanism? s Puritanism?

As the word itself hints, Puritans wanted to mAs the word itself hints, Puritans wanted to make pure their religious beliefs and preactions.ake pure their religious beliefs and preactions. The Puritan was a would-be purifier”. The Puritan was a would-be purifier”.

PuritanismPuritanism ( A brief review of English religio ( A brief review of English religious reformation)us reformation)

Puritanism is a form of Protestant ChristianitPuritanism is a form of Protestant Christianity. Henry VIII, seeking a divorce, breaks from y. Henry VIII, seeking a divorce, breaks from the Roman Catholic Church in 1534, creating tthe Roman Catholic Church in 1534, creating the Church of England (the Anglican Church). he Church of England (the Anglican Church).

This marks the beginning of the rise of ProteThis marks the beginning of the rise of Protestantism in Great Britain. When Mary Tutor stantism in Great Britain. When Mary Tutor became Queen of England, she didn’t tolerbecame Queen of England, she didn’t tolerate protestants and forced everyone to becoate protestants and forced everyone to become catholic again. Some converted back, some catholic again. Some converted back, some went into hiding, others were burned at tme went into hiding, others were burned at the stack, and the rest were exiled. They were he stack, and the rest were exiled. They were called the Marian Exiles. The exiled protestacalled the Marian Exiles. The exiled protestants learned the ideas of John Calvin and adonts learned the ideas of John Calvin and adopted them. Puritanism reached North Ameripted them. Puritanism reached North America with the English settlers who founded Plyca with the English settlers who founded Plymouth Colony in 1620. It remained the domimouth Colony in 1620. It remained the dominant religious force in New England throughnant religious force in New England throughout the 17th and 18th centuries.out the 17th and 18th centuries.

The word was coined by their opponents The word was coined by their opponents and was applied to them in scorn, being and was applied to them in scorn, being intended to ridicule them as persons whintended to ridicule them as persons who thought themselves holier or better thao thought themselves holier or better than others. The undaunted Puritans claimen others. The undaunted Puritans claimed the name for themselves, adopting it ad the name for themselves, adopting it as a badge of honor. Puritanism reached s a badge of honor. Puritanism reached North America with the English settlers North America with the English settlers who founded Plymouth Colony in 1620. Iwho founded Plymouth Colony in 1620. It remained the dominant religious force t remained the dominant religious force in New England throughout the 17th and in New England throughout the 17th and 18th centuries.18th centuries.

Puritanism (A literary term)Puritanism (A literary term) is a mix of is a mix of English Protestantism and Calvinism. DEnglish Protestantism and Calvinism. Demanding the simplification of doctrine emanding the simplification of doctrine and worship, and greater strictness in reand worship, and greater strictness in religious discipline, main ideas of Puritaniligious discipline, main ideas of Puritanism is: to restore simplicity to church sersm is: to restore simplicity to church services and the authority of the Bible to thvices and the authority of the Bible to theology; pleasure and the arts opposed to;eology; pleasure and the arts opposed to; joy and laughter suspected as a sympto joy and laughter suspected as a symptom of sin; and that life should be disciplim of sin; and that life should be disciplined and hard. ned and hard.

Composition of the group Composition of the group Puritans included Puritans included people from humblest to the loftiest ranks, bopeople from humblest to the loftiest ranks, both, educated or uneducated, poor or rich. Theth, educated or uneducated, poor or rich. They looked upon themselves as a chosen people, y looked upon themselves as a chosen people, and anyone who challenged their way of life and anyone who challenged their way of life was opposing God’s will and was not be accewas opposing God’s will and was not be accepted. They were thus zealous in defense of thpted. They were thus zealous in defense of their own beliefs but often intolerant of the belieir own beliefs but often intolerant of the beliefs of others.efs of others.

So, Puritanism was dominant on the continenSo, Puritanism was dominant on the continent in this period. Their thoughts and ideas and t in this period. Their thoughts and ideas and dreams all came into the making of American dreams all came into the making of American literature. literature.

Calvinism Calvinism Calvinism (A literary term)Calvinism (A literary term) It is the rigorous form of Protestantism foundIt is the rigorous form of Protestantism found

ed during the European religious reformation ed during the European religious reformation by the French reformer and theologian John by the French reformer and theologian John Calvin (1509-64) Calvinism is distinguished by Calvin (1509-64) Calvinism is distinguished by belief in the Bible as the rule of faith, denial obelief in the Bible as the rule of faith, denial of human freedom since the Fall. And particulf human freedom since the Fall. And particularly, it puts emphasis on the arbitrary predestarly, it puts emphasis on the arbitrary predestination of some to salvation and others to daination of some to salvation and others to damnation. Calvinism was the creed of the Hugmnation. Calvinism was the creed of the Huguenots, and found congenial soil in Scotland. uenots, and found congenial soil in Scotland.

Five points of CalvinismFive points of Calvinism The five points of Calvinism can be summarizThe five points of Calvinism can be summariz

ed by the acronym ed by the acronym TULIP. TULIP. *T*T stands for total depravity stands for total depravity *U*U for unconditional election for unconditional election *L*L for limited atonement for limited atonement *I*I for irresistible grace for irresistible grace *P*P for perseverance of the saints. for perseverance of the saints. Here are the definitions and Scripture referenHere are the definitions and Scripture referen

ces Calvinists use to defend their beliefs:ces Calvinists use to defend their beliefs: Total DepravityTotal Depravity - As a result of Adam’s fall, t - As a result of Adam’s fall, t

he entire human race is affected; all humanithe entire human race is affected; all humanity is dead in trespasses and sins. Man is unably is dead in trespasses and sins. Man is unable to save himself (Genesis 6:5; Jeremiah 17:9; e to save himself (Genesis 6:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:10-18).Romans 3:10-18).

2.2. Unconditional ElectionUnconditional Election - Because man is dead - Because man is dead in sin, he is unable to initiate response to God; in sin, he is unable to initiate response to God; therefore, in eternity past God elected certain therefore, in eternity past God elected certain people to salvation. Election and predestinatiopeople to salvation. Election and predestination are unconditional; they are not based on man are unconditional; they are not based on man’s response (Romans 8:29-30; 9:11; Ephesian’s response (Romans 8:29-30; 9:11; Ephesians 1:4-6,11-12) because man is unable to respons 1:4-6,11-12) because man is unable to respond, nor does he want to.nd, nor does he want to.

3.3. Limited AtonementLimited Atonement - Because God determine - Because God determined that certain ones should be saved as a result d that certain ones should be saved as a result of God’s unconditional election, He determiof God’s unconditional election, He determined that Christ should die for the elect alone. ned that Christ should die for the elect alone. All whom God has elected and Christ died for All whom God has elected and Christ died for will be saved (Matthew 1:21; John 10:11; 17:9; will be saved (Matthew 1:21; John 10:11; 17:9; Acts 20:28; Romans 8:32; Ephesians 5:25).Acts 20:28; Romans 8:32; Ephesians 5:25).

4. Irresistible Grace4. Irresistible Grace - Those whom God elec - Those whom God elected and Christ died for, God draws to Himted and Christ died for, God draws to Himself through irresistible grace. God makeself through irresistible grace. God makes man willing to come to Him. When God s man willing to come to Him. When God calls, man responds (John 6:37,44; 10:16).calls, man responds (John 6:37,44; 10:16).

5. Perseverance of the Saints5. Perseverance of the Saints - The precise - The precise ones God has elected and drawn to Himsones God has elected and drawn to Himself through the Holy Spirit will persevere elf through the Holy Spirit will persevere in faith. None whom God has elected will in faith. None whom God has elected will be lost; they are eternally secure (John 10:be lost; they are eternally secure (John 10:27-29; Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians 1:3-14). 27-29; Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians 1:3-14).

Irresistible Grace - Those whom God elecIrresistible Grace - Those whom God elected and Christ died for, God draws to Hited and Christ died for, God draws to Himself through irresistible grace. God mamself through irresistible grace. God makes man willing to come to Him. When Gkes man willing to come to Him. When God calls, man responds (John 6:37,44; 10:od calls, man responds (John 6:37,44; 10:16).16).

Perseverance of the Saints - The precise Perseverance of the Saints - The precise ones God has elected and drawn to Himsones God has elected and drawn to Himself through the Holy Spirit will persevere elf through the Holy Spirit will persevere in faith. None whom God has elected wilin faith. None whom God has elected will be lost; they are eternally secure (John l be lost; they are eternally secure (John 10:27-29; Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians 1:3-10:27-29; Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians 1:3-14). 14).

The origin of American literThe origin of American literature ature

It is a common sense that American literature gIt is a common sense that American literature grew out of a humble origin. When first settlers rew out of a humble origin. When first settlers arrived on this continent, it was still a virgin laarrived on this continent, it was still a virgin land on which there had been no its own far-reacnd on which there had been no its own far-reaching culture or civilization except the native Inhing culture or civilization except the native Indian one. Puritans from England, at that time, dian one. Puritans from England, at that time, were no great writers. The literary forms, were no great writers. The literary forms, at firat first were st were diaries, sermons, journals, letters, comdiaries, sermons, journals, letters, commonplace books, travel books, histories,monplace books, travel books, histories, etc. etc. T The various forms of literature occupy a major phe various forms of literature occupy a major position in literature of the early colonial period.osition in literature of the early colonial period.

Early American writers and thEarly American writers and their thoughts reflected in their eir thoughts reflected in their

writings writings Captain John Smith (1580-1631)Captain John Smith (1580-1631) He was o He was o

ne of the founders of the colony, Jamestone of the founders of the colony, Jamestown, and became the first American writer wn, and became the first American writer because of his letter to the Virginia Compabecause of his letter to the Virginia Company in London published. His next book, ny in London published. His next book, A A Map of Virginia: with a Description of the Map of Virginia: with a Description of the Country Country (1612), reveals the early settlers’ (1612), reveals the early settlers’ vision of the new land as something capabvision of the new land as something capable of being built into a new Garden of Eden.le of being built into a new Garden of Eden. This book became the source of informati This book became the source of information for the later settlers.on for the later settlers.

William BradfordWilliam Bradford (1590-1657) (1590-1657) He was the first He was the first Governor of Plymouth after he led his MayflowGovernor of Plymouth after he led his Mayflower settlers across the Atlantic. His literary repuer settlers across the Atlantic. His literary reputation based on his writing tation based on his writing Of Plymouth PlantaOf Plymouth Plantationtion, which reveals the deliberations that the fi, which reveals the deliberations that the first settlers of North America had regarding therst settlers of North America had regarding their colonizing undertaking,ir colonizing undertaking,

John WinthropJohn Winthrop He was the first Governor of thHe was the first Governor of the Massachusetts Bay colony. He wrote e Massachusetts Bay colony. He wrote A Model A Model of Christian Charityof Christian Charity, which states that there wa, which states that there was cause between God and his people who enters cause between God and his people who entered into a covenant with God for this work of bued into a covenant with God for this work of building a new Garden of Eden in the new world.ilding a new Garden of Eden in the new world.

Anne Bradstreet (1612-1672)Anne Bradstreet (1612-1672) She was a Puritan She was a Puritan poet. Both her father and her husband were govpoet. Both her father and her husband were governors of Massachusetts. She wrote poems on ernors of Massachusetts. She wrote poems on 4 4 elements, the constitutions and ages of man, telements, the constitutions and ages of man, the seasons of the year, and the chief empires he seasons of the year, and the chief empires of the ancient world.of the ancient world. The agreement of most of The agreement of most of Anne’s poems is essentially a flock about the jAnne’s poems is essentially a flock about the justice of God’s ways with His Puritan.ustice of God’s ways with His Puritan.

SummerySummery the literary features on a whole: the literary features on a whole: ThThese writers above were in fact servants of God. Tese writers above were in fact servants of God. Their writings, in content, served either God or cheir writings, in content, served either God or colonial expansion or both, in form, English literolonial expansion or both, in form, English literary traditions were faithfully imitated and transary traditions were faithfully imitated and transplanted.planted.

The writers of reason and revoThe writers of reason and revolution lution

With time going, there were some other With time going, there were some other writers who wrote for civil and religious writers who wrote for civil and religious freedom, and for America, shaking off thfreedom, and for America, shaking off the fetters of the savage and rapacious Britie fetters of the savage and rapacious British colonial rule. These writers sounded a sh colonial rule. These writers sounded a clarion call for independence and range clarion call for independence and range the knell for the colonial era, such as the the knell for the colonial era, such as the writers, Roger Williams, John Woolman, writers, Roger Williams, John Woolman, Thomas Paine, Philip Freneau and CharlThomas Paine, Philip Freneau and Charles Brockden Brown.es Brockden Brown.

Roger Williams (1603-1683)Roger Williams (1603-1683) With him b With him begins the history of religious toleration iegins the history of religious toleration in America, and with him, too, the history n America, and with him, too, the history of the separation of church and the state of the separation of church and the state (P20). He came to America in 1630 and b(P20). He came to America in 1630 and began to preach for civil and religious libeegan to preach for civil and religious liberty and against the Puritan oligarchy of Brty and against the Puritan oligarchy of Boston. He established the “Rhode Island oston. He established the “Rhode Island Way” to encourage religious toleration, Way” to encourage religious toleration, and protected Indian rights. His and protected Indian rights. His TThe Blohe Bloody Tenet of Persecution for the Cause of ody Tenet of Persecution for the Cause of ConscienceConscience (1644) furiously attacks the (1644) furiously attacks the “soul-killing” requirement of individua“soul-killing” requirement of individual. He called for democratic government.l. He called for democratic government.

John Woolman (1720-1772)John Woolman (1720-1772) Born in a Quaker Born in a Quaker family in New Jersey, he finally became a preafamily in New Jersey, he finally became a preacher. He spoke against total depravity, original cher. He spoke against total depravity, original sin and limited atonement, and attacked all fosin and limited atonement, and attacked all forms of iniquity, be it a social evil or the atrociorms of iniquity, be it a social evil or the atrocious slavery system. He wrote essays like us slavery system. He wrote essays like Some Some Considerations on the Keeping of NegroesConsiderations on the Keeping of Negroes and and A Plea for the PoorA Plea for the Poor, in which he tried to plead , in which he tried to plead for the right of all men and for the abolition of for the right of all men and for the abolition of the slavery system. He also kept a “Journal”, the slavery system. He also kept a “Journal”, which has been influential as a moral classic bwhich has been influential as a moral classic both in 19th century and in modern times. Thoroth in 19th century and in modern times. Thoreau and the New England Transcendentalism eau and the New England Transcendentalism derived great inspiration from Woolman.derived great inspiration from Woolman.

Thomas Paine (1737-1809)Thomas Paine (1737-1809) He was one of the coHe was one of the continual, unswerving fight for the rights of man. ntinual, unswerving fight for the rights of man. His His Common Sense Common Sense made him a major influence made him a major influence in American revolution. And this booklet was recin American revolution. And this booklet was received in the colonies both as a justification for theived in the colonies both as a justification for their cause of independence and as an encouragemeir cause of independence and as an encouragement to the fighting people. His ent to the fighting people. His American CrisisAmerican Crisis cacame out at one of the darkest moments of the revome out at one of the darkest moments of the revolution when Washington’s troops had suffered lution when Washington’s troops had suffered one of the worst defeats in the war and were in thone of the worst defeats in the war and were in the process of retreating. Washington had this booe process of retreating. Washington had this book read to his troops, it proved a heartening stimulk read to his troops, it proved a heartening stimulus. We may say that without Paine’s writings, thus. We may say that without Paine’s writings, there might have been no army for Washington to lere might have been no army for Washington to lead. Later, he published his ead. Later, he published his The Rights of Man The Rights of Man aand nd The Age of ReasonThe Age of Reason..

Philip Freneau (1752-1832)Philip Freneau (1752-1832) He was the He was the most important poet of 18th century Amost important poet of 18th century America.merica.

He was a most notable representative He was a most notable representative of dawning nationalism in American lof dawning nationalism in American literatureiterature, , using his poems in the servicusing his poems in the service of a nation struggling for independene of a nation struggling for independence,ce, and writing verses for the righteous and writing verses for the righteous cause of his people and exposing Britiscause of his people and exposing British colonial savageries.h colonial savageries.

Features of his worksFeatures of his works He has been called the “father of American poHe has been called the “father of American po

etry”. Some of his most famous works, withetry”. Some of his most famous works, with ththeir lyric quality, eir lyric quality, their their sensuous imagerysensuous imagery, and t, and their heir fresh perception of nature and “noble safresh perception of nature and “noble savage”vage”,, are distinctly are distinctly of American styleof American style.. He ma He managed to peer through pervasive atmosphere of naged to peer through pervasive atmosphere of imitativeness, see life around directly, and apprimitativeness, see life around directly, and appreciate the natural scenes on the new continent aeciate the natural scenes on the new continent and the native Indian civilization, which are revend the native Indian civilization, which are revealed in his poems, like aled in his poems, like The Wild Honey Suckle, The Wild Honey Suckle, The Indian Burying Ground The Indian Burying Ground and so forth. Some and so forth. Some of his themes and images have a great influence of his themes and images have a great influence on the works of such 19th century American Roon the works of such 19th century American Romantic writers as Cooper, Emerson, Poe and Memantic writers as Cooper, Emerson, Poe and Melville.lville.

Charles Brockden Brown (1771-1810)Charles Brockden Brown (1771-1810) He was a nove He was a novelist.list.

A. His first novel, A. His first novel, WielandWieland: or, The Transformation: A: or, The Transformation: An Americann American TaleTale (1798) has been regarded as the (1798) has been regarded as the first first American novel.American novel.

B.B. He had four major novels:He had four major novels: Edgar Huntly (1799), OrmEdgar Huntly (1799), Ormond (1799), Arthur Mervyn (1800), and Wieland (1798).ond (1799), Arthur Mervyn (1800), and Wieland (1798).

C. He was an imitator, for example, the Gothic featureC. He was an imitator, for example, the Gothic features of his works. But he was aware that his inspiration ws of his works. But he was aware that his inspiration was rooted in his own land, its new life and energy.as rooted in his own land, its new life and energy.

D. Brown’s works can be noted as psychological workD. Brown’s works can be noted as psychological works because he explored the inner world of his characters because he explored the inner world of his characters (not always controlled by reason, but by emotion). Ts (not always controlled by reason, but by emotion). These opened up areas of interest for latter writers, like hese opened up areas of interest for latter writers, like Edgar Allan Poe and Nathaniel Hawthorne to further eEdgar Allan Poe and Nathaniel Hawthorne to further explore.xplore.

Assignment Assignment 1. Terms to be defined:1. Terms to be defined:

1) Puritanism 2) Calvinism1) Puritanism 2) Calvinism 2.2. Who has been called the Father of American poetr Who has been called the Father of American poetr

y”? Tell the feature of his works.y”? Tell the feature of his works. 3.3. What is the first American novel? What kind of wor What is the first American novel? What kind of wor

k can it be noted? Why? And who is the author?k can it be noted? Why? And who is the author? 4.4. What were the literary forms in the colonial period? What were the literary forms in the colonial period? 5.5. In the colonial period, there were two groups of wri In the colonial period, there were two groups of wri

ters, one served God, and the other called for reason ters, one served God, and the other called for reason and revolution. Name at least three of the writers in and revolution. Name at least three of the writers in each group.each group.

6.6. What are the four elements in Anne Bradstreet’s p What are the four elements in Anne Bradstreet’s poems?oems?