American Literature Review

Practice flashcards covering movements, authors, and concepts in American Literature from colonial times through Postmodernism and Drama based on lecture notes.

What were the main topics and forms of early American writing?

Early American writing focused on colonial life, survival, and practical topics, using forms such as diaries, journals, letters, histories, poetry, and sermons.

What were the core themes and key authors associated with the Puritans?

Puritans focused on God, salvation, faith, and self-examination. Key authors mentioned are Bradstreet and Taylan.

What were the central themes of American Romanticism?

American Romanticism emphasized individualism, emotions, nature, freedom, and spirituality.

Who were the Fireside Poets, and what was their writing style?

The Fireside Poets were Longfellow, Whittier, Holmes, and Lowell. Their style featured regular rhyme and meter, was easy to read and memorize, and addressed patriotic and moral themes.

What is Transcendentalism and who were its key authors?

Transcendentalism was a literary movement which believed that truth comes from intuition and personal experience. Key authors were Emerson and Thoreau.

What themes and authors are associated with American Gothic literature?

American Gothic literature focused on mystery, darkness, guilt, and madness. Key authors were Edgen Allan Poe and Nathaniel Hawthome.

What are the main characteristics of Realism in American Literature?

Realism is characterized by everyday life, ordinary people, realistic characters, social problems, detailed descriptions, and objectivity/objective narration.

How do Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson differ in their poetic styles and themes?

Whitman utilized free verse, long lines, and themes of democracy. Dickinson wrote short poems with unusual punctuation, focusing on death and immortality.

How is free verse defined in the lecture notes?

Free verse is defined as poetry without regular rhyme or meter.

What defines Regionalism, and which author and work illustrate it?

Regionalism focuses on a specific region, local dialects, customs, traditions, and realistic descriptions. Mark Twain is noted for Regionalism with 'The adventures of Tour Senyor'.

What is Naturalism, and who are its key authors and works?

Naturalism is defined by determinism, the belief that environment shapes people, pessimism, and the struggle for survival. Key authors and works include Stephen Crawe ('The Red Badge of comage') and Jack London ('The call of the Wild').

What changes were noted for 19th-century women in American literature?

19th-century women experienced greater independence, more education, early feminism, and questioning of traditional roles.

What are the characteristics of Modernist poetry?

Modernist poetry is characterized by experimentation, symbolism, free verse, and alienation.

What is Imagism and what example poem and author are given?

Imagism is a poetic movement emphasizing precise images, simple language, short poems, and free verse. An example is William Carlos Williams's 'The Red wheel barrow'.

What is Objectivism?

Objectivism is a poetic movement stressing sincerity, objectivity, and clean observation.

How are the Roaring Twenties and the Jazz Age distinguished in the notes?

The Roaring Twenties was characterized by economic growth, consumer culture, and social change. The Jazz Age was marked by the popularity of jazz, parties, and luxury.

Which works and focus areas are associated with Steinback, Ennest Hemingway, and Fitzengwald?

Steinback focused on poverty and social injustice ('The grapes on Whath'); Ennest Hemingway wrote 'Wow comage' and 'A farewell to Arms'; Fitzengwald focused on wealth and the American Dream ('The Great Gatsby').

What is the 'Lost Generation' and who referred to it?

'Lost Generation' was a term used by Gertrude Stein referring to literary writers after World War I who felt disappointed.

What was the Harlem Renaissance?

The Harlem Renaissance was a literary movement of African Americans in the 1920s.

How is the American Dream defined in relation to 'The Great Gatsby'?

The American Dream is defined as the belief that anyone can achieve success through hard work in 'The Great Gatsby'.

Who were the key figures and themes of the Beat Generation?

Key figures were Mack Keronac, Allen Ginsberg, and Williams. B. Themes included personal freedom, rejection of conformity, and spiritual exploration.

What defines Postmodernism and who are its representative authors and works?

Postmodernism is characterized by irony, metafiction, and non-linear narration. Key authors and works are Kurt Vonnegut ('Slaughter house-five') and Thomas Pynchon ('Gravity's Rovinbow').

Which authors and plays are highlighted in American drama?

American drama features Tennesee Villians ('The Glass Menagerie') and Edward Albee ('Who's afraid of Virginia Wall?').