美国文学简史1

The first American literature is neither American nor literature.
It was the work of immigrants from England. It was an interesting mixture of travel accounts and religious writings. John Smith, William Bradford, John Winthrop Anne Bradstreet, the “Tenth Muse” Philip Freneau, important poet of 18th century
American Puritanism; “new” country as a result: imitative and independent
Washington Irving
(1783-1859)


First American writer of imaginative literature to gain international fame “Rip Van Winkle” “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”
the first settlers in America;
Mayflower ship（1620）; features of Puritans; “doctrinaire opportunist” (practical idealist) heritage
cultural
The Literary Scene in Colonial America

foreign influences: Romantic movement in England and Europe, a model for American romantic writing
American Romanticism

Features: “pioneering”, a new experience;
A Survey of American Literature
美国文学简史
常耀信 著
学习参考书目

Βιβλιοθήκη Baidu
常耀信主编的《美国文学简史》配套辅 导书
《美国文学简史》学习指南
赵红英主编
中国传媒大学出版社
Map of America
Chapter 1 Colonial America

American Puritanism
James Fenimore Cooper
(1789-1851)

“Leatherstocking Tales”
Natty Bumppo—a mythic figure
The Pioneers《拓荒者》 The Deerslayer 《猎鹿者》 The Last of the Mohicans《最后的莫希干人》 The Pathfinder《探路人》 The Prairie 《大草原》
Autobiography自传
Chapter 3 American Romanticism, Irving, Cooper

American Romanticism
Background
democracy and political equality, the ideals of new nation; spread of industrialism, sudden influx of immigrants, “pioneers” further west—economic boom, optimism and hope—cried for literary expression;
Chapter 2 Edwards, Franklin, Crevecoeur

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
Poor Richard’s Almanac
“Lost time is never found again.”
“God help them who help themselves.” “Early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.”