American Literature: Colonial Period to Romanticism
The Colonial Period (1607-1765)
The literature of this period primarily consisted of personal accounts such as journals and letters, reflecting lifestyles and beliefs, including those surrounding witchcraft. Much of the writing was religious in nature, often penned by British individuals seeking refuge from religious persecution. The volume of literature produced was relatively low, and its quality varied. Common themes included wars with Native Americans, theological discussions, and adventurous narratives.
Poetry was often used for moralistic purposes.
Key Figures of the Colonial Period
Cotton Mather
A clergyman known for his religious and witchcraft-themed poetry. Notable works include “Wonders of the Invisible World” and “Magnalia Christi Americana.”
William Bradford
Author of “History of Plimoth Plantation.”
Anne Bradstreet
Known for “Several Poems Compiled with Great Variety of Wit and Learning, Full of Delight.”
Edward Taylor
Author of “Poetical Works,” with a strong religious theme.
The Consolidation of American Literature
This era marked the consolidation of the United States as an independent nation. Debates arose regarding the need for a distinct and original American literature. Some argued that American literature should be considered part of its British counterpart, while others advocated for works with universal appeal. Ultimately, the works of this period reflected a blend of these concerns.
Key Figures of the Consolidation Period
Washington Irving
A literary idol known for works such as “A History of New York” and “The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon,” which included famous stories like “Rip Van Winkle” and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.”
James Fenimore Cooper
An American novelist famous for his “Leatherstocking Tales,” including “The Deerslayer,” “The Pathfinder,” “Afloat,” and “Ashore.”
William Cullen Bryant
An American poet influenced by the English Romantics. His works, such as “Thanatopsis” and “The Yellow Violet,” celebrated the majesty of nature and championed human rights.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
A major figure in American literature, known for his essays such as “Nature,” “Threnody,” “Brahma,” “The Problem,” “The Rhodora,” and “The Concord Hymn.”
Henry David Thoreau
An American author known for his advocacy of solitary living and harmony with nature. His influential works include “Walden,” “Civil Disobedience,” “The Maine Woods,” and “Cape Cod.”
Nathaniel Hawthorne
An American novelist and short story writer whose themes often explored moral and spiritual conflicts. Notable works include “The Scarlet Letter,” a study of hypocrisy in Puritan society, and “The House of the Seven Gables,” set in a contemporary setting. He is often considered the father of the American short story.
The Age of Reason (Revolutionary Period)
This period marked a decline in Puritan influence and a rise in reason over faith, emphasizing human progress. Influenced by Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke and Rousseau, the era promoted the idea that people are inherently good, not evil. The literature of this time primarily consisted of political documents, speeches, and pamphlets. Non-fiction was far more influential than fiction.
Key Documents of the Period
- The Declaration of Independence
- Thomas Paine’s “The Crisis” (pamphlet)
- The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
Key Figures of the Age of Reason
Thomas Jefferson
Worked with Benjamin Franklin on the Declaration of Independence.
Benjamin Franklin
Considered a founding father, he was a scientist, inventor, and American agent in London. His unfinished autobiography provides insight into his character. He invented the lightning rod, the stove, and bifocal glasses, and launched the Pennsylvania Gazette.
Thomas Paine
A pro-America writer who used plain language to engage people of all classes in the struggle for American independence. His arguments championed the cause of freedom, as seen in “American Crisis.”
American Romanticism
This era was characterized by rapid growth in transportation and industry, leading to increased demands for rights, including women’s rights and child labor laws. Imagination was valued as a means to discover truths beyond the reach of the rational mind. Nature and unspoiled beauty were highly regarded. Imagination, individual feelings, and wild nature were more valued than reason and logic. Romantics sought to transcend mundane realities and access higher truths, prioritizing feelings and intuition over reason. The power of imagination was emphasized, and youthful innocence was preferred over educated sophistication. Poetry was considered the highest expression of imagination, drawing inspiration from myth, legend, and folklore.
The Romantic Hero
The typical hero in American Romantic fiction was youthful, innocent, intuitive, and close to nature. They possessed a strong sense of honor based on higher principles, avoided town life, and sought truth in the natural world.
Techniques
Improbable plots, unlikely characterizations, and an informal writing style were common.
Key Figures of American Romanticism
Washington Irving
Gained European respect and wrote short stories and caricatures that celebrated America’s past, including “The Devil and Tom Walker,” “Rip Van Winkle,” and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.”
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Known for sentimental and optimistic lyrics that presented a romanticized version of America’s early history, such as “Hiawatha” and “Paul Revere’s Ride.”
Edgar Allan Poe
- Father of the American detective story.
- Known for psychological thrillers.
- Notable works include “The Fall of the House of Usher,” “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Raven,” “Ms. Found in a Bottle,” “The Murders in the Rue Morgue,” “Annabel Lee,” “To Helen,” and “Israfel.”
- Considered part of the Romantic Movement in America.
- Themes: Mystery and the macabre.
- His childhood was difficult, he was adopted, and he married his 13-year-old cousin, who later died, leaving him inconsolable.
- Father of the short story, detective story, and psychoanalytic criticism.
- Features of his works: Gothic elements, deep analysis of human psychology, and precursor of science fiction stories.