美国文学1(复习资料)

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Romanticism Period
one of the most important periods in the history of American literature, which stretches from the end of the 18th century through the outbreak of the Civil War (1861). I. Historical background: 1. This period saw a rising America which declared its political, economic and cultural independence. Such a scene of prosperity cried for literary expression. The other incentive was the influence of Europe. 2. Economy: fast development (immigrant; frontier; industrialization) --------optimistic mood 3. Culture: journalism (periodicals)--------more literary productions are needed 4. foreign influence
Washington Irving (1783-1859)
• “the father of American literature.” I. The Sketch Book: 1. form: It is the first collection of short stories. 2. significance: It marked the beginning of American Romanticism. 3. In The Sketch Book, the most famous are: A. Rip Van Winkle (defamiliarization; love of old world’s tradition) B. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (a light satirical notion on pedantrism as represented by the protagonist----Crane).
2. economical: industrial growth 3. political: The War for Independence(17761783) 4. cultural: Enlightenment -------The mixture and alternation between the old and new, was the characteristic of this period. II. Literary Trend 1. content: utilitarian tendency (political and educational purpose) 2. form: imitating English classical writers
• 3. 那些难免消逝的美使我销魂， 想起你未来的结局我就心疼， 别的那些花儿也不比你幸运—— 虽开放在伊甸园中也已凋零， 无情的寒霜再加秋风的威力， 会叫这花朵消失得一无踪迹。 • 4. 朝阳和晚露当初曾把你养育， 让你这小小的生命来到世上， 原来若乌有，就没什么可失去， 因为你的死让你同先前一样； 这来去之间不过是一个钟点—— 这就是脆弱的花享有的天年。
II. Features:
• Although foreign influences were strong, American Romanticism presented distinct features of its own. 1.common features, a, b, c, d (P55) 2. “newness.” A. form, P. 57. B. content, P. 58. a .nature b. psychic states
III. Literary Figures:
• 1. Benjamin Franklin. • His ideas were expressed through his two famous literary works, Poor Richard’s Almanac and Autobiography. • (1) Poor Richard’s Almanac----an annual collection of proverbs. • (2) Autobiography----a how-to-do-good book, and sets autobiography as a literary genre in American literature. （p90） • (3) sets an example of American Dream
IV. Influence of puritanism on Literature
1. Optimistic 2. pessimistic 3. symbolism 4. style: simple; fresh; direct(Bible)
Revolutionary Period
I. Historical Background: From the middle of the 18th century to the beginning of the 19th century, North America had experienced great turbulence and social change. The ideas of the Enlightenment dealt a heavy blow to Puritanism.
Colonial Period
I. Historical Background: • The first permanent English settlement in North America was established in 1607. The first settlers advocated highly religious and moral principles. They carried with them to America a code of values and a philosophy of life-----Puritanism. 1. Before 17thc, Indians. A. variety: more than 2000 tribes, 500 languages B. Scarce. Oral form 2. After 17thc, colonies A. 1607, Jamestown, Virginia B. 1620, Plymouth, New England
2. Thomas Paine. • (1) title: a most important revolutionary activist and political writer during the war of Independence. • (2) works: Common Sense; The American Crisis; The Rights of Man 3. Thomas Jefferson. • (1) “The Declaration of Independence.”(p37) • (2) the third president of the United States.
2. name: purify the church 3. Principles: a. predestination b. original sin c. total depravity d. limited atonement 4. Life style: pious; austerity of taste; diligence; thrift; rigid sense of morality; self reliance
4. Philip Freneau.
• 野地里的忍冬 (P45) • 1. 美丽的花，你如此秀丽， 却藏身在这僻静沉闷的地方—— 花儿开了，甜美却没人亲昵， 枝梢招展，亦无人观赏； 没有游来荡去的脚把你踩碎， 没有东攀西摘的手催你落泪。 • 2. 大自然把你打扮得一身洁白， 她叫你避开庸俗粗鄙的目光， 她布置下树荫把你护卫起来， 又让潺潺的柔波淌过你身旁； 你的夏天就这样静静地消逝， 这时候你日见萎蔫终将安息。
(1) title: the first important American poet, “Father of American poetry.” (2) a transitional figure from the Enlightenment to the Romantic period. (3) Works: P.45 The Wild Honey Suckle • P.46 The Indian Burying Ground (4) features: lyric beauty + heartfelt pathos
II. Literature:
III. Thought, Culture:
1. Puritanism is the religious beliefs of Puritans who came to America for the sake of religious freedom, and wished to escape religious persecution. Their way of life was based on the doctrines. Puritan values dominated literature in colonial America, and greatly influenced the whole AmericaBiblioteka Baidu literature.
1. writings: narratives and journals of these settlements 2. writers: A. Captain John Smith (the first) • B. Edward Taylor. (faithful disciple of the God.) • C. Anne Bradstreet. • a. first American woman poet • b. “The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America ” • c. “contemplations” • d. content: religious experience; early settlers’ lives; family life 3. American literature had close relationship with religion. There were such noted Puritans who firstly described New England as a promising virgin land. Their writings about North America became the source of information, which aroused the attention of many people in England and Europe, and drew them over to this New World.