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Questions and Answers
Who was the first explorer to recognize America as a new continent?
Who was the first explorer to recognize America as a new continent?
What was the primary goal of early English explorers in the 16th century?
What was the primary goal of early English explorers in the 16th century?
When was the first attempt to establish an English colony in America, and who led it?
When was the first attempt to establish an English colony in America, and who led it?
What was the original name given to the area now known as Virginia?
What was the original name given to the area now known as Virginia?
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Which company received authorization to monopolize trade and colonization along the Atlantic seaboard of North America?
Which company received authorization to monopolize trade and colonization along the Atlantic seaboard of North America?
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Which group established the Plymouth Colony in 1620?
Which group established the Plymouth Colony in 1620?
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In what year was the Virginia Colony finally established by Captain John Smith?
In what year was the Virginia Colony finally established by Captain John Smith?
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Approximately how many original settlers arrived in the Virginia colony?
Approximately how many original settlers arrived in the Virginia colony?
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What familial background influenced Anne Bradstreet’s education?
What familial background influenced Anne Bradstreet’s education?
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What was Anne Bradstreet’s relationship to nature as described in her poetry?
What was Anne Bradstreet’s relationship to nature as described in her poetry?
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How is the concept of transcendence related to Puritan beliefs?
How is the concept of transcendence related to Puritan beliefs?
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Which one of the following statements best describes Anne Bradstreet’s views on God?
Which one of the following statements best describes Anne Bradstreet’s views on God?
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What role did Simon Bradstreet play in Anne Bradstreet's life?
What role did Simon Bradstreet play in Anne Bradstreet's life?
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What literary influences did Anne Bradstreet have in her education?
What literary influences did Anne Bradstreet have in her education?
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What does the phrase 'the existence of a transcendent God' imply in Puritan beliefs?
What does the phrase 'the existence of a transcendent God' imply in Puritan beliefs?
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In her poem 'Contemplations,' what theme does Anne Bradstreet predominantly explore?
In her poem 'Contemplations,' what theme does Anne Bradstreet predominantly explore?
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What event signifies the Second Coming of Christ in the poem?
What event signifies the Second Coming of Christ in the poem?
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How are sinners portrayed when they first become aware of Christ's return?
How are sinners portrayed when they first become aware of Christ's return?
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What imagery is used to describe the state of the world during the Second Coming?
What imagery is used to describe the state of the world during the Second Coming?
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What is a key result of Christ's judgment on the Day of Doom?
What is a key result of Christ's judgment on the Day of Doom?
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What dramatic contrast is depicted in Wigglesworth's poem regarding sinners and the faithful?
What dramatic contrast is depicted in Wigglesworth's poem regarding sinners and the faithful?
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What internal struggle is depicted among the sinners as Christ arrives?
What internal struggle is depicted among the sinners as Christ arrives?
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What does the light signify at the moment of Christ's return?
What does the light signify at the moment of Christ's return?
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What element contributes to the portrayal of the fearful state of sinners at the Second Coming?
What element contributes to the portrayal of the fearful state of sinners at the Second Coming?
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What aspect of marriage does the author emphasize in her poetry?
What aspect of marriage does the author emphasize in her poetry?
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How does the author view the relationship between gender and literature?
How does the author view the relationship between gender and literature?
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What sentiment does the author express regarding the perception of her poetry?
What sentiment does the author express regarding the perception of her poetry?
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What is one expectation of a Puritan wife according to the author's perspective?
What is one expectation of a Puritan wife according to the author's perspective?
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In the poet's view, what role do the Muses play in relation to women in poetry?
In the poet's view, what role do the Muses play in relation to women in poetry?
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What comparison does the author make between the Greeks and contemporary women poets?
What comparison does the author make between the Greeks and contemporary women poets?
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What does the author imply about the talents of men and women in her poetry?
What does the author imply about the talents of men and women in her poetry?
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What is the overall tone of the author's poetry regarding women's roles?
What is the overall tone of the author's poetry regarding women's roles?
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What aspect of society did Lydia Howard Huntley Sigourney actively support in her writings?
What aspect of society did Lydia Howard Huntley Sigourney actively support in her writings?
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What genre of literature did Lydia Howard Huntley Sigourney predominantly contribute to?
What genre of literature did Lydia Howard Huntley Sigourney predominantly contribute to?
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Which significant social issue was NOT mentioned as a focus of Sigourney's writings?
Which significant social issue was NOT mentioned as a focus of Sigourney's writings?
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Sigourney believed that the role of a poet included which of the following?
Sigourney believed that the role of a poet included which of the following?
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What significant action did Lydia Howard Huntley Sigourney take for education?
What significant action did Lydia Howard Huntley Sigourney take for education?
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Which of the following best describes Lydia Howard Huntley Sigourney's aspirations for America?
Which of the following best describes Lydia Howard Huntley Sigourney's aspirations for America?
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Lydia Howard Huntley Sigourney published her works in which types of media?
Lydia Howard Huntley Sigourney published her works in which types of media?
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What was a key belief held by Sigourney regarding general Americanism?
What was a key belief held by Sigourney regarding general Americanism?
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What does Wheatley identify as the main reason for the perceived inferiority of blacks?
What does Wheatley identify as the main reason for the perceived inferiority of blacks?
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How does Wheatley view slavery in relation to the education of blacks?
How does Wheatley view slavery in relation to the education of blacks?
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What aspect of American identity does Philip Freneau emphasize in his poetry?
What aspect of American identity does Philip Freneau emphasize in his poetry?
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What did Freneau urge his fellow Americans regarding the native culture?
What did Freneau urge his fellow Americans regarding the native culture?
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In what way does Wheatley's identity transformation reflect her views on religion?
In what way does Wheatley's identity transformation reflect her views on religion?
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What theme is commonly found in Philip Freneau's poetry?
What theme is commonly found in Philip Freneau's poetry?
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How did Wheatley's view of blacks being 'refin'd' contribute to her broader argument?
How did Wheatley's view of blacks being 'refin'd' contribute to her broader argument?
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What characteristic of Freneau's poetry aligns him with American Romanticism?
What characteristic of Freneau's poetry aligns him with American Romanticism?
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Study Notes
Course Information
- ACL 343: Origins of American Poetry
- AMER 373: American Poetry I
- Fall Semester 2024-2025
General Introduction
- Trans-Atlantic Explorations and Colonization
- European explorations from 1492 onwards
- Columbus sought a new route to India and China
- Amerigo Vespucci recognized America as a new continent
- Early Spanish and Portuguese explorers
- Various English expeditions (1550s-1580s)
- Searching for a northern sea route to Asia
- Geographical observation
- Territorial exploration
- Colonization and settlement
The Virginia Colony
- Sir Walter Raleigh's failed attempt to establish a colony in 1585 on Roanoke Island
- Captain John Smith's colony (1607/1608)
- Established by the London Virginia Company
- Located on the eastern shores of America
- Originally named "Virginia" by Sir Walter Raleigh after Queen Elizabeth I
The London Virginia Company
- Had the King's authorization to monopolize trade and colonization along the Atlantic coast of North America
- The original settlers were about 140 farmers, craftsmen, and labourers
The Plymouth Colony
- The second English colony in America
- Established in 1620, south of Boston
- Settled by Puritans, commonly called the Pilgrims
- Led by the Pilgrim Fathers
- Their ship, the Mayflower, became legendary
Puritan Mindset and Psychology
- Puritans compared themselves to the Jews in the Book of Exodus
- Believed their suffering in England was similar to the Jews' suffering under Egyptian pharaohs
- Saw their departure from England as an exodus
Puritan Mindset and Psychology (Continued)
- Considered their arrival in New England as the settlement in the Promised Land
- Called New England "New English Canaan"
- Believed they were God's chosen people
- Modeled their lives and work on the patriarchs of the Old Testament
Puritan Idea of God and Nature
- Every occurrence in life was seen as evidence of God's intervention
- Incidents/situations were described as God's providence or the just hand of God
Puritan Idea of God and Nature (Continued)
- William Bradford's remarks stressed divine intervention and presence
- Any trouble, suffering, etc. was God's punishment for sins
- Nature was believed to be a reflection of God's power and absolute authority
Puritan Idea of God and Nature (Continued)
- The natural world was harmoniously constructed by God
- The beauty of nature mirrors God's infinitely greater beauty and glory
Puritan Poetry
- Puritan poets in the early colonial period (1630s-1700s) had no literary connection
- Their poetry was completely personal
- Expressed religious feelings, spirituality, hopes, joys, fears, daily life
- Moral values, attitudes towards natives, wilderness as a paradisical landscape
Puritan Poetry (Continued)
- Thematic variety limited except for Anne Bradstreet
- Viewed their task as expressing truths and mysteries embodied in nature
- Puritans valued/practiced polysemous poetry of natural facts as a mode of instruction/edification
Puritan Poetry (Continued)
- Spiritual poetry as means to equip for living a spiritual life
- Common themes: God's mercy/anger, man's struggle for salvation, corruption of world
Puritan Poetry (Continued)
- Individual absent in most Puritan poetry, except in Bradstreet's
- Common forms: elegies, historical narratives, and allegorical narratives from the Bible
Poems for Study
- Anne Bradstreet: "The Prologue," "Contemplations," "To My Dear and Loving Husband"
- Michael Wigglesworth: "The Day of Doom"
- Edward Taylor: "Meditation 22"
Anne Bradstreet (Continued)
- Originally born in England in 1612, emigrated to America in 1630
- Her husband was a political member of the Massachusetts Bay Colony
- She was well-known in the colony, previously brought up in an English aristocratic family circle
- Home-educated; well-read in classical Greek and Roman literature, history, and philosophy
- Strongly held Puritan belief that God is reflected in nature
Anne Bradstreet (Continued)
- Viewed nature as a book inscribed by God, a reflection of God's divine beauty
- Her poem "Contemplations" reflects the beauty of the autumn landscape in New England
Anne Bradstreet (Continued)
- Perceived harmony between God, nature, and man
- Saw an intimate relationship between man and God in nature
- Believed nature was a book inscribed by God for humans to read
Anne Bradstreet (Continued)
- Her poetry displayed self-reliance and feminine self-reliance
- Her poetry was a protest poem against gender inequality but accepted female submission to male supremacy in social life
Michael Wigglesworth (Continued)
- Puritan preacher
- Demonstrated poetic talent
- Wrote the long spiritual poem "The Day of Doom."
Edward Taylor (Continued)
- Puritan minister
- Deeply committed to Puritan theology and its interpretations
Lydia Sigourney (Continued)
- Prominent female writer during a time when women's role was limited
- Her writings featured diverse genres (poetry, travel, prose)
- Active participant in the social and political life of the time, advocating for racial integration
- Used her influence to advocate for the rights of the Indians in the face of westward expansion
Lydia Sigourney (Continued)
- Spoke out against the Indian removal policies
- Focused on the importance of recognizing and honoring the Indians' values, culture, and identity
Lydia Sigourney (Continued)
- Published "Traits of the Aborigines" in 1822
- Wrote the famous poem "The Indian Names" in 1834, voicing political, moral, and social protest
William Cullen Bryant (Continued)
- Post-Revolutionary poet, preceding the American Renaissance poets
- Became popular with the public for his Romantic and moral sensitivity in his poetry
- Influenced considerably by the English Romantic poet John Keats
William Cullen Bryant (Continued)
- Also influential on Emerson
- Political activist for the abolition of slavery
- Wrote the famous poem "To the Waterfowl"
Sarah W. Morton (Continued)
- Woman poet dedicated to American nationalism and democratic values
- Deeply aware of the social and political issues facing the new nation at a time of significant changes
- Passionate supporter of the revolution, with respect to democratic ideals like equality, justice, and freedom
- Her works reflected her awareness of the American landscape
Sarah W. Morton (Continued)
- Supported racial diversity and defended the American Indians
Sarah W. Morton (Continued)
- Her poem "The African Chief" highlighted her opposition to slavery in the Americas;
Phillis Wheatley (Continued)
- African slave who excelled in poetry and literary expression
Phillis Wheatley (Continued)
- Despite the circumstances of her background, she regarded slavery as an opportunity for her good
- Wrote about the benefits of her slave life and expressed positive sentiments about slavery
Phillis Wheatley (Continued)
- Showcased her proficiency in English and Latin languages, as well as her devout Christianity
- Featured her poems in regional newspapers
Phillis Wheatley (Continued)
- Showed pride in her adopted Christian identity through writings
- Her anti-slavery sentiment and humanistic perspective are clearly visible in her literary works
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