1美国文学

Major Periods of American Literary Development1.Early American Literature 1 620-1820ⅠThe Literature of Colonial AmericaⅡThe Literature of Reason and Revolution2. American Romanticism 1820-18653. American Realism 1865-19104. American Modernism 1910-1960Part I The Literature of Colonial AmericaHistorical BackgroundThe earliest settlers included Dutch, Swedes, Germans, French, Spaniards, Italians, and Portuguese.1. Early history:1) In 1492, Christopher Columbus found the new continent called America.2) The first permanent English settlement in North America was established at Jamestown, Virginia in 1607. （John Smith）英国第一个登陆的城市3) In 1620, 102 passengers sailed on the ship Mayflower across the sea and settled on the new continent “New England”.Puritan thoughts:Why did the Puritans come to America? What do you know about them?–to reform the Church of England–to escape religious persecution, in search of religious freedom–to have an entirely new churchBelief---Puritanism(Calvinists: a code of values; a philosophy of life)---- took roots in the New WorldPuritans wanted to “purify the church” to its or iginal state, because they thought the church was corrupted and had too many ritualsThe dominating values of the Puritan were：A. hard work B. thrift C. piety D. sobriety（影响其文风）Doctrines of Puritanstaking religion as the most important thing; living for glorifying God;believing predestination, original sin, total depravity, limited atonementFeatures of American PuritanIdealist---dream：they would build the new land to an Eden on earth.more practical, tougher---the severe conditions; struggle for survival; preoccupied with businessand profitsEnduring shaping influence on literature1.Basis of American literature: All literature is based on a myth – Garden of Eden.2.Contributing to the development of Symbolism（象征主义）: a technique, widely used3.Influencing the style of literature: simple, fresh and direct (just as the style of the Authorized Version of Holy Bible)Symbolism（象征主义）Symbolism means using symbols in literary works. The symbol means something that represents or stands for abstract deep meaning.LiteratureWhat are the first writing?The first writings that we call American were the narratives and journals of these settlements. histories, letters, travel books, contract, government charters ,statement, autobiographies, sermonsJohn Smith (1580–1631)the 1st American Writer ; soldier, sailor,A True Relation of Such Occurrences & Accidents of Note as Hath Happened in Virginia Since the First Planting of That Colony. (1608)（成名作）《殖民地第一次在弗吉尼亚开拓以来发生的各种事件的真实介绍》A Map of Virginia: with a Description of the Country《弗吉尼亚地图：一个乡村的描述》. General History of Virginia《弗吉尼亚通史》---famous tale of the Indian princess Pocahontas saved him from the wrath of her father PowhatanWilliam Bradford and John WinthropWilliam Bradford“五月花”号上的领导者，《五月花号公约》的主要起草人，后来成为普利茅斯殖民地的总督he History of Plymouth Plantation《普利茅斯种植园史》–account of the Puritans ; represent his life of faith （P 6 a verse)–other writings: letters, proses, a narrative poem–simplicity, earnestness, direct reporting, readable, movingJohn Winthrop（约翰·温思罗普，美国殖民地领导人,马萨诸萨湾清教徒总督）–The History of New England《新英格兰史》: candid, simplicity, honestyBoth Bradford’s and Winthrop’s works are records of the historical events, of direct and vigorous prose styleJohn Cotton and Roger WilliamsJohn Cotton–the spiritual leader of the community and its guiding influence toward the ideal of theocracy(a state ruled by the church).–Called “the patriarch(教父) of New England”–He wrote several books of hard-hitting Puritan argument, but his primary influence was through the pulpit.–much more concerned with authority than with democracy (in suppressing differences of opinion).Roger Williams–more democratic in his view of church government–With him begins the history of religious toleration in America. （seperation of church from state政教分离）– A key into the language of America《开启美国语言的钥匙》Anne Bradstreet and Edward Taylor (poetry)Anne Bradstreet（布拉兹特利）：the first noted poetess in colonial periodSome verses on the Burning of Our HouseThe Spirit and the FleshThe Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America美国新崛起的第十位缪斯女神She became known as the “Tenth Muse” who appeared in America.To my dear and loving HusbandIf ever two were one，then surely we.If ever man were loved by wife, then thee;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 goldOr all the riches that East doth hold.My love is such that rivers cannot quenchNor 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 let’s so persevere That when we live no more, we may live ever. 如果曾经两人默契，那是我和你。