Comparative Study of Animism, Puritanism, and Deism in American Literature

Animism

Belief that all nature is alive and sacred; everything has spirit or consciousness.

Animism's view of humans

Humans are part of nature, not above it; balance and harmony are essential.

Animism literary traits

Oral stories, myths, creation tales, animals as teachers, cyclical time.

Animism themes

Include harmony with nature, transformation, the origins of the world, trickster figures, and sacred land.

Animism diction and tone

Concrete, nature-based imagery; reverent and spiritual tone.

Puritanism

Colonial ideology focused on religion, sin, and God's authority.

Predestination

Belief that God already decided who will be saved.

Total depravity

Belief that humans are born sinful and need God's grace.

Covenant theology

The Idea that Puritans had a special agreement with God as His chosen people.

Puritanism's view of humans

Humans are naturally sinful; must constantly self-examine and seek grace.

Puritanism literary traits

Plain, simple language; sermons, journals, religious writing; biblical allusions.

Key authors of Puritanism

Include William Bradford, Anne Bradstreet, and John Smith.

Puritan themes

Sin and redemption, divine providence, community and covenant, and the vanity of earthly life.

Puritan diction and tone

Simple, humble, religious.

Deism/Enlightenment

Revolutionary ideology emphasizing reason, science, and human rights.

Deism's core beliefs

Include reason and logic over faith, natural law governing the world, and God not interfering directly.

Natural rights

Life, liberty, and property; rights that all people have by nature.

Deism's view of humans

Rational, moral, capable of self-government and progress.

Deism literary traits

Persuasive, logical writing; pamphlets, speeches, and essays on freedom and rights.

Key authors of Deism

Include Patrick Henry, Alexander Hamilton, and Samuel Seabury.

Deist themes

Liberty vs. tyranny, reason and progress, the consent of the governed, and individual freedom.

Deism diction and tone

Elevated, persuasive, formal.

The Crucible

Arthur Miller's play, using the Salem Witch Trials as an allegory for McCarthyism.

The Crucible themes

Conformity, hysteria, reputation, religion, integrity vs. fear.

The Crucible human nature

People can be good or evil; fear causes irrational behavior.

The Crucible conflict

Individual conscience vs. social pressure and self-preservation.

Diction

Author's word choice that reveals tone and ideology.

Tone

Author's attitude toward the subject.

Voice

Author's unique style or personality in writing.

Theme

Central idea or message of a text.

Allusion

Reference to another work, event, or figure.

Metaphor

Comparison between two unlike things.

Imagery

Descriptive language appealing to the senses.

Point of view

The perspective from which a story is told.

Rhetoric

Persuasive writing or speaking techniques.

Providence

God's control over events in life.

Covenant

Agreement or contract between God and His chosen people.

Enlightenment

Era valuing reason, science, and human progress.

Oral tradition

Stories passed down by word of mouth.