Early American and Colonial Literature
Author Summary
Explore each author for their history, genre, purpose, and style.
"Of Plymouth Rock"
William Bradford
Puritan Governor and Chronicler
William Bradford wrote a memoir, his personal narrative, about the early days of the Plymouth colony. His story began with preparations from leaving England through those first few hard years. The excerpt in this course highlights the first landing, encounters with Indians, the first hard winter, and the first Thanksgiving. Puritans wrote in a plain, simple style, focusing on the facts of their experience and emphasizing the ways they felt that God led and protected them in their life.
"Upon the Burning of our House"
Anne Bradstreet
First Published Female Poet in the English Language & First Published American Poet
Anne Bradstreet wrote her poetry for her children as instruction as well as a way of expressing her own emotions and thoughts. In this lesson, the poem highlighted tells of her sadness about the loss of her home, as well as her resignation that even loss is part of God's plan. Though not limited to them, Bradstreet frequently used couplets and pentameter in her poetry. Her carefully crafted poems reflect the style of her times and are as gifted in the use of technical devices as they are in telling their message.
"University of Cambridge" and "On Being Brought From Africa to America"
Phillis Wheatley
Slave Poet & First Published Black American and Black Female American
Phillis Wheatley was purchased off a slave ship at the age of 8. Her owners, the Wheatley's, quickly saw a great intelligence in her and educated her with a classical education. She was first published at age 13 in the local paper and published her book by the time she was 20. Her poetry focused on local events, people, and family. Wheatley's poetry was very skilled in using the common conventions of poetry including couplets, pentameter, and more. Her classical education shown through in her allusions to Greek mythology, but also included references to her status and condition as a slave.
"Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God"
Jonathan Edwards
Puritan Minister
Jonathan Edwards was a talented preacher who became well-known during the Great Awakening. His concern for the sliding away of many into secularism and sin led to his powerful speeches that brought many back into faith. His published sermons were preached across the colonies. Edwards style is full of Biblical reference and allusion as well as powerful metaphors. His topics fall well into the category of "fire and brimstone" preaching, though his peers described his delivery as soft and entreating.
The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, The African
Olaudah Equiano
African Slave and Anti-Slavery Activist
Olaudah Equiano wrote the first example of a slave narrative detailing his experience as a slave in America and on English ships. His accounts describe his first capture, transAtlantic voyage, and experiences as slave both on a plantation and then at sea. Equiano's account of slavery was written after he obtained his freedom and began working for abolitionists in Europe toward the eradication of the TransAtlantic Slave Trade. His work was frequently referenced by many who helped bring an end to the practice and became popular reading by those who wanted to end slavery.
Common Sense
Thomas Paine
Political Essayist and Activist
Thomas Paine was a recent immigrant from England who quickly became involved in the Revolutionary movement. His essay, Common Sense, became one of the first American best sellers and was read by virtually every colonist. He is credited with providing the fatal blow that turned the colonies against England. Paine frequently used pathos, highly emotional language, and ethos, appealing to their moral values, to help create his arguments. His writing called on the conscience of the reader to act and take a stand against the injustice felt by the colonists.
The Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson
Diplomat and Lawmaker
Thomas Jefferson was still a young man when he wrote the most important document of his lifetime. With the help of four others, he drafted the document that proclaimed the colonies independence from Britain and started the Revolutionary War. In a document intended as a treatise and public declaration against Britain, Jefferson used concrete imagery, parallelism, and repetition to drive home the reasons the colonies were rebelling. Even if it were not an important piece of history, the style and techniques used in the essay would make it worth studying.
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Transcript
Early American and Colonial Literature
Author Summary
Explore each author for their history, genre, purpose, and style.
"Of Plymouth Rock"
William Bradford
Puritan Governor and Chronicler
William Bradford wrote a memoir, his personal narrative, about the early days of the Plymouth colony. His story began with preparations from leaving England through those first few hard years. The excerpt in this course highlights the first landing, encounters with Indians, the first hard winter, and the first Thanksgiving. Puritans wrote in a plain, simple style, focusing on the facts of their experience and emphasizing the ways they felt that God led and protected them in their life.
"Upon the Burning of our House"
Anne Bradstreet
First Published Female Poet in the English Language & First Published American Poet
Anne Bradstreet wrote her poetry for her children as instruction as well as a way of expressing her own emotions and thoughts. In this lesson, the poem highlighted tells of her sadness about the loss of her home, as well as her resignation that even loss is part of God's plan. Though not limited to them, Bradstreet frequently used couplets and pentameter in her poetry. Her carefully crafted poems reflect the style of her times and are as gifted in the use of technical devices as they are in telling their message.
"University of Cambridge" and "On Being Brought From Africa to America"
Phillis Wheatley
Slave Poet & First Published Black American and Black Female American
Phillis Wheatley was purchased off a slave ship at the age of 8. Her owners, the Wheatley's, quickly saw a great intelligence in her and educated her with a classical education. She was first published at age 13 in the local paper and published her book by the time she was 20. Her poetry focused on local events, people, and family. Wheatley's poetry was very skilled in using the common conventions of poetry including couplets, pentameter, and more. Her classical education shown through in her allusions to Greek mythology, but also included references to her status and condition as a slave.
"Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God"
Jonathan Edwards
Puritan Minister
Jonathan Edwards was a talented preacher who became well-known during the Great Awakening. His concern for the sliding away of many into secularism and sin led to his powerful speeches that brought many back into faith. His published sermons were preached across the colonies. Edwards style is full of Biblical reference and allusion as well as powerful metaphors. His topics fall well into the category of "fire and brimstone" preaching, though his peers described his delivery as soft and entreating.
The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, The African
Olaudah Equiano
African Slave and Anti-Slavery Activist
Olaudah Equiano wrote the first example of a slave narrative detailing his experience as a slave in America and on English ships. His accounts describe his first capture, transAtlantic voyage, and experiences as slave both on a plantation and then at sea. Equiano's account of slavery was written after he obtained his freedom and began working for abolitionists in Europe toward the eradication of the TransAtlantic Slave Trade. His work was frequently referenced by many who helped bring an end to the practice and became popular reading by those who wanted to end slavery.
Common Sense
Thomas Paine
Political Essayist and Activist
Thomas Paine was a recent immigrant from England who quickly became involved in the Revolutionary movement. His essay, Common Sense, became one of the first American best sellers and was read by virtually every colonist. He is credited with providing the fatal blow that turned the colonies against England. Paine frequently used pathos, highly emotional language, and ethos, appealing to their moral values, to help create his arguments. His writing called on the conscience of the reader to act and take a stand against the injustice felt by the colonists.
The Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson
Diplomat and Lawmaker
Thomas Jefferson was still a young man when he wrote the most important document of his lifetime. With the help of four others, he drafted the document that proclaimed the colonies independence from Britain and started the Revolutionary War. In a document intended as a treatise and public declaration against Britain, Jefferson used concrete imagery, parallelism, and repetition to drive home the reasons the colonies were rebelling. Even if it were not an important piece of history, the style and techniques used in the essay would make it worth studying.