WELCOME TO OUR PRESENTATIOn
GROUP 1
1. NGUYỄN HOÀNG ÁNH MAI - 11128061
2. NGUYỄN THỊ THUỲ LOAN - 11128122
3. LÊ THỊ HIÊN - 11128033
4. VÕ THỊ THU HÀ - 11128028
INSTRUCTOR: MRS. KIM AN
Early American Literature to 1700
PERIODS
MAJOR AUTHORS
MAIN WORKS
MAIN THEMES
American literature is the literature written or produced in the area of the United States and its preceding colonies.
Its literary tradition began as linked to the broader tradition of English literature.



I. Periods
Relation to the English Literature
Puritanism in American Literature
3 main periods
The Virginia Colony
Relation to the English Literature

The British claimed most of the Atlantic seaboard north of Florida as belonging to Britain soon after Columbus discovered America (1492)
For nearly two hundred years after the first English settlements in America, the majority of the works read there were written by English authors.
The Virginia Colony

In 1607, about 100 men and boys sailing from England landed in present-day Virginia and founded Jamestown.

Jamestown was a settlement in the Colony of Virginia, and the first permanent English settlement in the America.
The Puritanism

During the period from 1620 to 1640, large numbers of English people migrated to that part of America now known as New England.

The New England colonies were the center of early American literature.
The Puritans had a profound effect upon American culture.

In this century, Puritans wrote about their spiritual feelings and quests.

Even Puritan poetry was offered uniformly to the service of God. They also reflected on their faith in poems and journals.
II. Major American Authors
1600-1700
Captain John Smith (1580-1631)
Born in 1580 in Willoughby, England
Are well known in the history of colonial period
Was an English soldier, explorer, leader colonizer, and an author
At the age of 16 became a traveler and adventurer
Leader of Jamestown, Virginia
- Was one of the first writers to describe America’s landscape beauty
Some of his famous works:
A Description of New England (1616)
The General history of Virginia, New England, and the Summer Isles (1624)
The True Travels, Adventures and Observations of Captain John Smith (1630)
William Bradford (1590-1657)
Born in 1590 in Yorkshire, England
Pilgrim Fathers
Was a founder and longtime governor of the Plymouth Colony settlement.
He signed the Mayflower Compact
Singer of the Mayflower Compact
- Helped organize the “First Thanksgiving” (1621)
His Writings:

Of Plymouth Plantation, 1620-1647

A Dialogue Between Some Young Men & Sundry Ancient Men
Anne Bradstreet (1612-1672)
Was born in Northampton, England
She had eight children
First American poet and first female poet to be published in England and America
A faithful Puritan  religious beliefs informed her writing
Her Writings:
The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America (1650)
Several Poems Compiled with Great Wit and Learning (1678)
Contemplations - collection of poems about religion
To my dear and loving husband

III. MAIN WORKS
Of Plymouth Plantation
(William Bradford)

Written between 1630-1646, but not published until 1856
Describes the story of the pilgrims from 1608 through the Mayflower voyage and up to the year 1647
also discusses his thoughts on religion and the bible compared with the mission of the pilgrims
ends with a list of the Mayflower passengers and what happened to them as of 1651
The work has carried many different names.
originally written as Of Plymouth Plantation
modern spelling of Plymouth
History of Plymouth Plantation, 
William Bradford`s Journal and The Bradford History
It is truly the account of past events written in the form of two separate books

The first book was written in 1630.
focuses mainly on the journey of the pilgrims from England to North America and discusses the founding of the Plymouth settlement.
gives his opinions on the biblical importance of the pilgrims reaching America and their struggles
The second book began in 1646
was not completely finished because of Bradford`s death.
discusses the struggles of the pilgrims in North America in day-to-day living and the concerns about the health and spiritual welfare of the colonists.
A Model of Christian Charity
(John Winthrop)

also known as City upon a Hill and denotes the notion of American exceptionalism
written on board the Arbella, 1630
remind his flock of their roots, the importance of maintaining adherence to Biblical precepts
outlined the ideal society
Question:
What rule shall a man observe in giving in respect of the measure?
What rule must we observe in lending?
What rule must we observe in forgiving (a debt)?
What rule must we observe and walk by in cause of community of peril?
Most famous metaphor, still famous in the United States: the City on the Hill
"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden."

IV. MAIN THEMES
The power of nature
Journals of Exploration
Sermons and Narratives on Religious Life
4. Narratives on Colonial Life
The power of nature
Praising the beauty of America
Deep respect for nature

Journals of Exploration

3. Sermons and Narratives on Religious Life

Focus on 2 things: GOD and WORK

Life was seen as a test

4. Narratives on Colonial Life

Captivity narrative
Stories of people captured by "uncivilized" enemies
Slave narrative
An autobiographical account of life as a slave
Review
How many periods are there in early American literature to 1700?
1
b. 2
c. 3
2. Which themes did literature in Puritanism focus on?
A. Slave’s life
B. God and work
C. The adventures
D. The patriotism
34
3. Which period did John Smith belong to?
Exploration
Colonial
Revolutionary
Early Nation
35
4. Who is the writer of A Model of Christian Charity ?
John Winthrop
William Bradford
Anne Bradstreet
Mary Rowlandson
THE END
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING
The Function of Puritan Writers:

To transform a mysterious God - mysterious because he is separate from the world.
To make him more relevant to the universe.
To glorify God.