American Literature Notes

Written or literary work produced in the area of the United States and Colonial America.
America was once a series of British colonies on the eastern coast of the present-day United States.
A literary tradition that began as a closely linked branch off the broader British literature tradition.
As time progressed, the literary tradition began to expand and take on characteristics which separated it from the traditions of British literature to create a true American literature.

In order to fully understand a source, you must place it within the context of the time period in which it was produced.
Contextualizing a historical source involves paying attention to the people who produced it, the time in which they worked, what was going on during that time, and how what was going on may have influenced the production of the source.
It also involves understanding how the source's language, concepts, and terms were used within that historical context, since meanings change over time.
Contextualizing means you need to be willing to understand the source and its time period on its own terms.

When you read historical texts, there may be evidence of unsavory or even horrible acts or language.
As you read them, try to analyze rather than judge—especially by present-day standards or “hindsight."
Remember that modern ideas of right and wrong behaviors and language may not have existed when the text was written.
Don't dismiss behaviors or attitudes as “obviously wrong” and therefore unworthy of deep examination.
Instead, try to understand the works within its context.

Who produced the source?
What is the genre of the source? How might this shape its content and viewpoint?
When was it produced? How does the timing of its production relate to other events?
How might political, social, religious, or economic events occurring at the same time have influenced the production of the source?
How might common beliefs or trends during this time period have influenced the production of the source?
What terms or phrases are unclear? Is this because of the time period?

William Bradford’s Of Plymouth Plantation is the single most complete authority on the story of the pilgrims.
Written between 1620-1647.
Describes the story of the Pilgrims from 1608, when they settled in the Netherlands, through the 1620 Mayflower voyage, until the year 1647.

The Puritans wanted to “purify” the Church of England.
They left England in 1620 under harsh persecution.
They came to the New World to create a Utopian colony where they could be free to practice their beliefs.

Life (and literature) was based on the belief of “predestination.”
God has already decided who was saved and who was damned. No one on earth knew who was saved.
All are born evil and must strive for goodness.
Forced to live a “righteous” life just in case they were among the saved.
Pre-Democratic American values.

Anne Bradstreet (poetry)
- “To My Dear and Loving Husband”
- “Upon the Burning…”
Mary Rowlandson
- Captivity Narrative
- A Narrative of the Captivity and the Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson