the literature of colonisation and Puritanism Flashcards
(11 cards)
the literature of colonization and puritanism
The literary works produced the early settlement period of North America : 17th and early 18th century
Experiences, beliefs and struggles of European settlers are expressed (particularly the Puritans)
Histories
- written by colonial leaders and chronicles
-a documentation of events and promotion of the ideals and purposes of colonisers
-propaganda to attract potential settlers and find financial support from investors
-Depiction of their journey to the new world, interactions with native Americans and challenges of establishing new communities in an unfamiliar land
-Prominent history writers included William Bradfors (By Plymouth Plantaion) and John Smith (The general History of Virginia)
-Portrayal of the colonies as land of opportunities, freedom and religious refuge while downplaying their hardships and conflicts
The Journal of John Winthrop
John Winthrop was a prominent colonial Leader
it was about the founding of Massachusetts Bay Colony
Gave account to the foundation of Boston, establishing colonial governance and interaction with Native American Tribes
insight into their daily life, political challenges and their religious beliefs
-City Upon A Hill vision: he believed that they were a city upon a hill and if they break they covenant with god, their sins and wrongdoings would be exposed to the whole word
Captivity Narratives
Unique and popular genre in North America
dozens of them were published
cautiionary tales and warnings about presumed threat of native American tribes
about experiences of the colonists that were captured y North American tribes
-some of them depicted Native American as brutal savages whole some admitted them as human and depicted their cultural complexity
- their theme was colonists faith and resilience
formulaic linear narrative: capture-captivity and relate
Captivity Narrative Example
A narrative of captivity and restoration of Mrs Anne Rowlandson
A narrative of the Captivity and restoration of Mrs Anne Rowlandson
the story of her capture and 11 weeks captivity by Native American tribes
-she was captured by Native American warriors during King Philips war 1675
-insight into puritan religious beliefs and their complex relationship with Native American tribes
-not only a historical document but also a literary works which themes are suffering, redemption and providence of God
Poetry
Religious theme (Puritan Beliefs ) and Calvinist Doctrine of predestination
poets were dealing with concepts of sin, salvation and Devine providence
Ann Bradstreet
-the first notable american poet and one of the first English poets that wrote in America
-Thems of faith, family life and struggles of colonial existence (tensions between her devotion to god and also the challenges she was facing living in the new world)
Poems: to my dear and loving husband
- a letter to her husband absent upon public employment
-Versus upon the burning of our house
to my dear and loving husband
her most popular poem
coupled Rhymes (aabbcc)
no stanzas
about how the love of her husband is precious to her
she hopes that her husband can get eternal life as a reward in heavens
use the word ever 4 times
talks about marital love,
she portrays love as not a sinful feeling which were not common in puritan tradition
-she uses the allusion of the Song of Solomon when she talks about how the rivers can not quench their love
A Letter to Her Husbands Absent Upon Public Employment
-Heroic couplets.
-Not decided into the stanzas
-talks about how she is lonely in the winter while her husband is gone
-she uses sun as the metaphor for her husband
she uses zodiac signs to show the time of her husbands absence which was winter: she was waiting for sweet sol to come back from Capricorn and bring her husband back
It is a classical EPISTLE or Verse Letter
it is a personal and intimate poem.
Versus Upon the Burning of our house
Rhyming Couplets
No Stanzas
it is about how she lost her house and all her belongings in a fire
starts at the middle of the night , talks about how she heard the scary loud voice, ran out and saw all her belongings burning
-she tries to comfort herself with puritan beliefs that those material belonging do not have any value, god wants to test her, she will be rewarded with the best home at heaven,
