American Literature Review

Flashcards about American Literature from the 17th to 19th century.

American Literature (Early)

Earliest American literature from the early 1600s.

Puritan Histories

Developed according to 'God's Plan,' focusing on religious themes and simple language.

Plymouth Plantation

William Bradford's account of the Plymouth colony.

Puritan Writing Style

Plain style, perfected for uneducated people, focusing on religious themes.

Cotton Mather

Increase Mather's son, famous for short works and writing about death.

Anne Bradstreet

First real New England poet, author of 'Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America'.

Michael Wigglesworth's Poetry

Poetry meant to frighten readers of the Puritan God's judgment.

Founding Fathers (18th Century)

Practical philosophers who wrote political pamphlets.

Benjamin Franklin

Showed the Enlightenment spirit in America, using a simple style.

Do Good Papers

Franklin's series of short, funny pieces filled with moral advice.

Poor Richard's Almanac

Franklin's work offering similar advice and useful information for farmers and sailors.

Autobiography

Franklin's most important work.

Thomas Paine

The greatest pamphlet writer, author of 'Common Sense'.

Common Sense

Most historical pamphlet in American history that united American feelings against England.

Thomas Jefferson

Chief author of the Declaration of Independence.

Poets of the Revolutionary Era

Poets who imitated the 'neoclassical' style and themes of English poets.

Connecticut Wits

The first American poetic circle, including John Trumbull, Timothy Dwight, and Joel Barlow.

John Trumbull

His most famous poem was a criticism of American education.

Joel Barlow

He hoped to make money with his poetry, but it wasn't possible in America

Novels

First popular literature that spoke directly to ordinary Americans.

William Hill Brown's Power of Sympathy

First American novel, suppressed as morally dangerous.

Susanna Rowson

She called her Charlotte Temple 'tale of truth' and made readers cry.

Hugh Henry Brackenridge's Modern Chivalry

First important American novel.

Early 19th Century Writing

Known as the Knickerbocker era of American literature (1810-1840).

A History of New York

Masterpiece of comedy by Washington Irving, mocking the Puritans and early Dutch governors.

The Sketch Book

Washington Irving's next important work.

James Kirke Paulding

His best novel set in colonial America, he was anti-Indians and pro-slavery

Cooper's 'Leatherstocking' Series

Series with Natty Bumppo in different stages of life.

Transcendentalists

A movement rejecting Puritanism and Unitarianism, founded by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Nathaniel Hawthorne

Attacked Transcendentalists for ignoring doubts about the world. Focuses on sinfulness and guilt.

The Scarlet Letter

Hawthorne's story about the effects of adultery and hidden guilt.

The House of the Seven Gables

Hawthorne's allegory about a family destroyed by a curse from a past crime.

Herman Melville's Fiction

In Melville's stories, men live in a world divided between good and evil.

Moby-Dick

Melville's greatest novel represents a universal mystery.

Edgar Allan Poe

Interested in psychology and the darkest side of human nature.

Manuscript Found in a Bottle

Poe's short story written in his 20s.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Most famous member of the Brahmins.

Brahmins

A group from rich, old Boston families who looked to England for literary excellence.

Oliver Wendell Holmes

Invented the name 'Brahmin'.

The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table

Holmes' essay series that made him famous.

Many Writers

James Russell Lowell attacks him in Affable for critics.

James Russelll lowell

Lowell attacked war. A national crime