American Literature Timeline

English III CP

American Literature Timeline

Thousands of years ago to about 1800s

Early 1700s

Early 1800s

The Great Awakening (falls under colonials)

Native American Literature

1920s-1950s

Mid 1800s

American Romanticism

Modernism

Civil War Literature

Late 1700s

1600s

Early 1800s

Late 1800s

The Enlightenment (Colonies turning into United States)

Colonial Literature

Transcendentalism

Regionalism, Realism, and Naturalism

The great awakening quick quiz

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7 Characteristics of Romanticism

01

Imagination

Supernatural and gothic

05

02

Idealism

The picturesque past

06

03

Individualism

07

Nationalism

04

Nature

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Colonial literature quick quiz

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quick quiz

The Great Awakening

This colonial time period is marked by a heavy influence on PROTESTANT CHRISTIAN religion, especially Puritanism. The main forms of literature we studied were Bradstreet's poems and Edwards' sermon.

Key Questions

• What are the main themes in Bradstreet's poems?
• What literary devices are used in the literature?
• How does Edwards achieve his purpose through his strong tone?

2-minute video about the movement

The Enlightenment

This colonial time period is marked by the aristocracy (classy smart people) and their ideas about the inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The Enlightenment was the age of reason, intellect, logic, and law: very classical thinking. The Puritan emphasis on education led to the great amount of knowledge that "enlightened" people.

Key Questions

• Why was Ben Franklin so influential?
• How did colonial newspapers affect America? What were they like?
• What problems did Banneker shed light on?
• Why was Patrick Henry's quote so impactful?

IN-DEPTH: ethos. pathos, & logos in Patrick Henry's Speech

quick quiz

8-minute video about The Crucible

Key Questions

• What are the main events descibed in Of Plymouth Plantation?
• Why is The Crucible such an impactful piece of literature?
• What details does Byrd use to achieve his satirical tone?

Northern Colonies

William Bradford's Of Plymouth Plantation details the experience of the Pilgrims who came to America on the Mayflower. They had a rough time, but became friendly with Native Americans.

The Puritans

Southern Colonies

Wiiliam Byrd's satirical account of the English who colonized the South paints a different picture: colonists here were lazier, more focused on art and fun, and more in-line with European philosophies.

The main Puritan literature we studied relates to the Salem Witch Trials, which took place in Massachussetts in 1692.