Essay Study Notes on American Literature

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from American literature focusing on Puritanism, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and major themes.

Puritanism

A religious reform movement that believed in strict moral control, punishment, and predestination.

Predestination

The belief that God has already decided who will be saved and who will go to hell.

Hypocrisy

The act of presenting oneself as morally superior while secretly being immoral; a theme critiqued in Hawthorne's works.

Moral Ambiguity

The concept that moral issues are complex and cannot be clearly categorized as good or evil.

The Scarlet Letter

A novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne that explores themes of sin, punishment, and the conflict between individual identity and societal judgment.

Allegory

A narrative where characters and events represent abstract ideas; exemplified in Hawthorne's 'Young Goodman Brown'.

Romance (literary genre)

A story that emphasizes symbolism and psychological themes over realistic events; exemplified by 'The Scarlet Letter'.

Individualism

The principle of valuing individual independence and uniqueness, a key theme in Whitman's works.

Nature in Native American Literature

Described as sacred and spiritual, illustrating the connection between humans and the natural world.

Melodrama

A theatrical genre characterized by exaggerated characters and emotions, often highlighting moral lessons.

Minstrelsy

A racist theatrical tradition where white actors performed as Black characters, reflecting societal attitudes of the time.

Psychological Conflict

The internal struggles characters face within themselves, often around guilt and moral dilemmas.