American Colonial Period and Puritan Literature

American Colonial Period and Puritan Literature

• Early settlers of America: American Indians or Native Americans
• Spanish were among the first Europeans to settle in the United States
• 1607: British established their first colony in Jamestown, Virginia
• 1620: Pilgrims travelled on the Mayflower and settled in Plymouth, establishing New England
• A year after their settlement, they had a feast with the local Indians that started the annual celebration of Thanksgiving

Puritan Literature

• Puritans: English Protestants who questioned the liturgical ceremonies of the Catholic Church and would later deviate from the Church of England
• Integrated the Bible even in poetry

Colonial Nonfiction Prose and Essays

• Nonfictional prose: literary work based mainly on fact, but may contain fictional elements
• Examples: essay and biography
• Diffs from bald statements of fact, such as those recorded in an old chronicle or inserted in a business letter or in an impersonal message of mere information
• Writing intended to instruct, persuade, convert, or convey experience or reality through “factual” or spiritual revelation

Essay

• Emerged in 16th century in Europe
• Personal manner of writing grew in importance, with authors striving for more or less disguised self-revelation and introspective analysis
• Genres: political and polemical writings, biographical and autobiographical literature, religious writings, and philosophical, moral or religious writings
• Montaigne and Bacon coined the term "essay" in the 16th century

Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God by Jonathan Edwards

• Author: Jonathan Edwards (born October 5, 1703, died March 22, 1758)
• American theologian and pastor
• One of the most influential theologians in American history
• The sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" is a classic example of Puritan literature
• God is portrayed as a being who "abhors" mankind and holds humans over the pit of hell like a spider or loathsome insect over a fire
• Jesus Christ is the Redeemer, and through Him, salvation is possible

Explore the early American literature, from the colonial period to the Puritan era. Learn about the influences of European settlers on American literature and the role of Puritanism in shaping American identity.