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William Bradford-"Of Plymoth Plantation"
Written during the time between 1620-1647 Bradford documents his stuggles settling in the new world. He talks about encounters with natives and other stuggles Pilgrims faced.
"Being thus arived in a good harbor and brought safe to land, they fell upon their knees & blessed ye God of heaven, who had brought them over ye vast & furious ocean..."
During this era popular form of writing was journals/diaries. Pilgrims documented all that happened to them because it was thought to be a sign from God. -
John Winthrop-"A Model of Christian Charity"
This work by Winthrop is a sermon given to the Puritans comming over to the new world on the Arbella. He illustrates to these people all eyes are upon them and they must act in a way that appeases God.
"For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us."
During this era the Purtians thought they were the chosen ones and a lot of people were comming to settle in the new world (some because of religious persecution.) -
Johnathan Edwards-"Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God"
This sermon was given to convince sinners to convert to Christianity. It uses plain style and imagery to scare listiners into converting.
"There is nothing that keeps wicked men at any one moment out of hell, but the mere pleasure of God."
Common themes of this era are plain style and religious themes. Sermons and preachings were common forms of literature. -
Benjamin Franklin- The Autobiography
Writen from 1771-1790 this autobiography is a rags to riches story of Franklins journey to his life in America. To achieve success and be a better person Franklin compiles 13 important virtues.
"led into the great meetinghouse of the Quakers near the market. I sat down...this was, therefore, the first house I was in, or slept in, in Philadelphia."
During this era people based thoughts and decisions on reason rather than intuition or religion. This work is soely based on reason to reach success. -
Patrick Henry- Speech to the Virgina Convention
This speech was given to the president of the Virgina Convention convincing him to go to war. This was the best decision because our brothers were already fighting and we could not lose.
"give me liberty, or give me death!"
During this era decisions were based on reason and fact. Henry wanted to go to war because it was the best choice he had thought about. -
William Cullen Bryant- "Thanatopsis"
Death
Go out into nature because nature will ease suffering.
Oversoul; you will not be alone when you die because everyone must die.
Don’t be afraid of death when it is time to die.
“Thou go not, like the quarry-slave at night, scourged by his dungeon; but, sustain’d and soothed by an unfaltering trust...”
Reflects era: Oversoul, unity of life and universe must be realized, nature is delightful -
Washington Irving-"The Devil and Tom Walker"
Local legend that a treasure is buried in an inlet outside of Boston,Kidd the Pirate buried it under a gigantic tree the Devil was there while he hid the money and he took it under his ownership.no one tried to challenge Devil’s right to the treasure.Walker meets Devil &makes a deal with him.Tom becomes wealthy at the expense of others&disappears
“Tom had a lurking dread that the devil, after all, would have his due.”
death is frightening, man is basically evil, themes of guilt madness sin -
Ralph Waldo Emerson- "Nature"
It is not enough to leave society; one must also look at nature(stars)
Nature has a purpose
Few adults can see nature
The lover of nature must have an inward sense and outward sense that are truly adjusted to each other
Nature reflects cycle of man’s life and emotions
Innocent when in nature
Part of Oversoul when in nature
“The sun illuminates only the eye of the man, but shines into the eye and the heart of the child.”
Reflects Era: Nature is symbolic, mysterious, wisdom of child -
Nathaniel Hawthorne- "The Minister's Black Veil"
Funeral: Minister leans over corpse, veil falls forward. Corpse is the only person to see Hooper’s face.
Wedding: Veil is not appropriate. The bride looks like a corpse. Hooper is horrified as he sees his reflection in a glass.
Conversation with Elizabeth: Elizabeth asks him to reveal himself. Hooper says he will, only in the afterlife.
Hooper’s Death Bed: Hooper resists the removal of his veil.
“lo! on every visage a Black Veil!"
Reflects Era: Sin, guilt, witchcraft, persecution of Quakers -
Henry David Thoreau- "Walden"
1841-1843
Thoreau decided to build his house on the shores of Walden Pond
Thoreau reduces his life to bare essentials
Grows only as much food as he can eat
Works only enough to provide
“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life…”
Reflects Era: Desire to withdraw but remain unique, nature is symbolic(ants), individual over society, anti-society, desire to stay away from excessive materialism and worldliness -
Henry David Thoreau- "Civil Disobedience"
Distrust in government
Mexican War is an example of individuals who have manipulated gov’t to their advantage against popular will.
Resistance to gov’t instead of entire rejection of gov’t
Money causes corruption
“That government is best which governs least.”
Reflects Era: Impatience with any kind of restraint or bondage, anti-society, power is to be obtained by defying -
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow-"The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls"
This poem is about a travler and how his life is reflected in nature.The poem shows that nature and life goes on even when the reader dies.
"The day returns, but nevermore Returns the traveller to the shore"
This poem reflects the era becuase the cycle of mans life was seen in nature. -
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow-"A Cross of Snow"
In this poem Wadsworth writes about the sorrow he feels over the death of his wife. Even though it has been 18 years since she passed he is still constantly thinking about her.
"And seasons, changeless since the day she died."
This poem refelcts the era because there was importance and feeling in nature and the author sees the sadness in nature. -
Charlotte Perkins Gilman-"The Yellow Wallpaper"
narrator and husband have rented a mansion so that the narrator can get over her illness.confined to isolation. Hates the yellow wallpaper found in the nursery, becomes obsessed with it and the woman she sees behind. Peels off wallpaper, thinking she is helping the woman,thinks that she came out from behind the wallpaper; scared she will be put back behind the wall.“I suppose I shall have to get back behind the pattern when it comes night, that is hard!”
every day experience,character over plot
