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1300
Time of Native American Folklore
Before Europeans established territory in the Americas, Native American tribes settled all throughout the Americas. The type of literature that existed at this time included fictional folk tales which were passed through Native American tribes from generation to generation. These tales served as lesson and messages to the Native Americans. -
1300
"California Creation"
This was a Native America which shared a story about the creation of the state California. This folklore teaches a lesson about sharing between a crow and an eagle. The story was passed down through many Native American generations and is still known today. -
1492
The Discovery of America
Christopher Columbus had one purpose, and that was to prove that he would be able to eventually reach Asia in a quest to prove that the earth was not flat. While traveling across the Atlantic, he stumbled upon the Americas. This soon led to the colonization of North America by the Europeans. The soon spread of American Culture from this discovery, later on, sparked literature created in America that we know today. -
Puritan Leaders Obtain Charter to Establish Colony at Massachusetts Bay
These Puritan leaders who arrived to establish a colony at Massachusetts Bay, were a big part in the evolution of Puritanism in the 19th Century. This new colony of Puritans did not believe in the practices which belonged to the Church of England. The new Puritans began a political movement to change the religious practices of America, to eventually make Puritanism the primarily practiced religion. -
The Salem Witch Trials Begin in Colonial Massachusetts
The Salem Witch Trials began in the Puritan settlement of Massachusetts. This time began when a group of young girls claimed an older woman the be a witch. Many Puritans began to throw many women on trial as a witch, and if those women are convicted as a witch, they are eventually sentenced to a public execution. The novel "The Scarlet Letter" took place during the Salem Witch Trials as Hester Prynne was on trial for adultery by the Puritan leaders. -
"Cotton Mather's account of the Witch Trials"
Cotton Mather, a well-known writer, and preacher during Puritan times, wrote his thoughts on the Salem Witch Trials. he expressed how he believed that the new world was once devils territory and that the devil had placed witches in Puritan Massachusetts in order to attempt to destroy the Puritans. -
"Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God"
This sermon written by Jonathan Edwards was preached in Massachusetts. This sermon was used to scare people into understanding that hell is real. He wanted his message to be that if people continue not to follow the word of God, hell is real and waits for them if they do not get it together. -
"Speech to the Second Virginia Convention"
During the Second Virginia Convention, Patrick Henry had preached a rememberable speech. Henry preached on his belief that he wanted liberty for not only the country but also the people who belonged to it. This speech was right before the shots were fired during the start of the American Revolution. -
"The Scarlet Letter"
In this novel, the main character, Hester Prynne, commits adultery, during the time of the Salem Witch Trials. The novel is set during the time the Puritans established territory and had a very strict set of laws based on their religion. Being punished for her actions, Hester must wear a scarlet letter "A" sewn to her chest. Hester took on the punishment and soon became a better version of herself and became an example to everyone. -
The Age of Romanticism
The influence during this time is heavily shown through the inspiration of English literature, art, and music. Some well-known works of literature during this time would be "The Scarlet Letter" and "Frankenstein". In English Literature, authors would question their purpose in life as well as religion. This was one of the first times artist expressed emotions in their writing and pieces of art. -
"A Pair of Silk Stockings"
In this short story, Mrs. Sommers wakes up on an average day to feed her children and prepare them for the rest of their day. She soon goes shopping and begins to slightly treat herself, which she never does. She eventually comes to buy herself a nice pair of silk stockings. This gives her a taste of luxury which prompts her to spend the rest of her day buying herself a nice dinner, and seeing a show. -
The Start of World War I
This war had sparked after the assassination of Archduke Franz Fernidad of Austria. The war began in 1914 and ended in 1918 lasting 4 years. The war was between the "Allies" (US, Italy, Russia, France, and Great Britain) .vs. "Central Powers" (Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, German, and Bulgaria). This war eventually sparked the beginning of WW2. -
Women were given the Right to Vote
For a while, before the 19th amendment was created, Women struggled and stills struggle to this day to gain equal rights as men have. These women struggles are shown throughout the characters in many novels. The right to vote was the start of many opportunities which began to open up for women. -
Harlem Renaissance
Jazz Music had sparked during The Harlem Renaissance, which began slightly after the start of World War 1 and ended in the 1930s. This era expressed the African American struggles through literature, poetry, art, and music. Jazz music was greatly impacted during this time by the black communities expression through music. -
Prohibition
Prohibition was made a law at this time because alcohol had seemed like the problem and start of many issues in citizens lives. The 18th amendment made it illegal for alcohol to be sold, bought, transported or manufactured in America. The lawmakers of this believed this would end a lot of crime and poverty at the time but most citizens found their way around it. Bootlegging soon became popular during this time which was the illegal selling of alcohol in America. -
"The Great Gatsby"
In this novel, Nick Carraway is new to the fictional town of West Egg, the home of many wealthy citizens during the roaring 20s. One of Nick's neighbors is Jay Gatsby, a man who created his wealth from bootlegging, becoming one of the wealthiest citizens on the island. Nick soon becomes well acquainted with Gatsby at one of his extravagant parties Nick's new friend dies at the end of the novel, being killed for a love affair with a married woman. -
New Negro Movement
The "New Negro Movement", during the time of the Harlem Renaissance, promoted a sense of racial pride, as well as self-expression. This movement was a protest again the new Jim Crow laws which degraded the African Americans of America. -
The Roaring 20s
The 20s was a time of newfound wealth in America, which sparked from the economic prosperity of the Western Society. At the time there was a new kind of dancing, music, literature, and fashion. What put an end to the roaring 20s was an economic crash in society. This crash was the start of the Great Depression. -
"I Too"
In this poem, Langston Hughs, an African American writer during the Harlem Renaissance, expresses the struggles of being a "darker brother" during the time of the 1920s. He goes on to say that while he experiences oppression and is not given equal opportunities as white people are at the time, this does not stop him from laughing and growing strong. -
The Beginning of the Holocaust
The time of the Holocaust was a very dark time for the world. Adolf Hitler, a German Dictator during the time of World War 2, set out to kill millions of Jewish people in Europe to create his "perfect" society. This affected literature greatly and many different types of literature have released during or after this time speaking out about the horrors of the Holocaust such as the poem "After Auschwitz". -
The Start of World War II
World War 2 began and was fought by the great majority of the world's countries. The war was eventually ought by all of the worlds great powers as it continued. At this time was the Holocaust as well as America's Great Depression. The war had eventually taken America out of the Great Depression, and lasted till 1945. -
The Start of the Cold War
President Harry S. Truman addresses Congress in what would come to be known as the Truman Doctrine, calling for the containment of communism, and later, leading to U.S. entry into wars in Vietnam and Korea to provide defense from communist takeovers. The doctrine becomes the basis for America’s Cold War policy. -
Levittown was Established
Levittown, a suburb in Pennsylvania, was established in the 1950s representing the traditional 50s lifestyle. Levittown is an example of the order and perfection in which most everyone wanted to achieve at this time. The novel "Catcher in the Rye" written during this time, was a direct opposition to this type of lifestyle in the 1950s. It did not at all represent the perfect lifestyle in which was strived for during this time. -
"After Auschwitz"
While the poet, Anne Sexton, did not experience the Holocaust first hand, she speaks out about her anger towards this dark time. In this poem, she speaks on how death does not care about the many who lost their lives, and how sickening and vile the men who committed these acts against the Jews are. -
"The Catcher in the Rye"
While the 50s seemed to be a more upbeat and well put together time, the novel "The Catcher in the Rye" represented a gloomier look at the 1950s. The author, J.D Salinger, emphasizes aspects of the 1950s and criticizes them through the character Holder Claufield. The character Holden looks at society more negatively and describes people as "phony", going against the grain of society and pointing out the fakeness people express at the time.
