THE COLONIAL & EARLY NATIONAL PERIOD (BEGINNINGS - 1830)
INTRO
The Colonial and Early National Periods laid the foundations for American literature, starting with the pilgrims. This was all thanks to Christopher Columbus’s voyage to the New World, courtesy of Spain. Following the discovery of the new world, Great Britain sent a settlers over to North America to start colonies, the first being St. Augustine, FL in 1565 and Jamestown, VA in 1607. Little did they know that North America was already inhabited by Native Americans. These tribes had been there for years and their origin myths told great and elaborate stories of creation using common animals and nature, for example “The Earth on Turtle’s Back” as told by the Onondaga.
As more and more settlers came to North America, they began exploring this unknown world. Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca and his men, with the guidance of the Native Americans, explored Texas. They recounted their discoveries to others in their Exploration Narratives. In these letters, they told of the Indians and what they had learned about their culture, of their journey through the wilderness, and their discovery of the Gulf of Mexico. These narratives were the beginning of historical American literature.
Puritan influence was great in early colonial life. Puritans valued religion, hard work, and duty above all. Puritan Plain Style was the common form of writing at the time. This style used short words, everyday objects, and direct statements. One of the more famous Puritan authors was poet Anne Bradstreet. Her poems reflected emotion, which was uncommonly expressed by Puritans, yet she still wrote using Puritan Plain Style. Another example of Puritan literature is “Huswifery” by Edward Taylor. His work reflected his religion more so than Bradstreet, due to the fact that he continuously penned metaphors about God. Religion has and always will play an important part in American literature and Puritan literature was no exception. Through their works we catch a glimpse of how life was in the early colonies and their style of writing helped mold the way people write today.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said “Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel.” That quote perfectly defines the period of Early Nationalism. Through speeches and documents by Patrick Henry, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson we see the power of persuasion and the effect of rhetorical devices such as restatement. Their struggle for freedom from Great Britain was reflected in what they wrote and we can not ignore documents and speeches such as “The Speech in the Virginia Convention” by Henry or “The Declaration of Independence” by Jefferson. These documents may not be normal literature, but are none the less an important part of history and the way they are written shaped the world we live in today.
Each and every literary work since the dawn of time is important. That is because they shaped the way authors write today. Everything from origin myths to political speeches affected literature in some form or fashion and they show the evolution of society along the way.
As more and more settlers came to North America, they began exploring this unknown world. Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca and his men, with the guidance of the Native Americans, explored Texas. They recounted their discoveries to others in their Exploration Narratives. In these letters, they told of the Indians and what they had learned about their culture, of their journey through the wilderness, and their discovery of the Gulf of Mexico. These narratives were the beginning of historical American literature.
Puritan influence was great in early colonial life. Puritans valued religion, hard work, and duty above all. Puritan Plain Style was the common form of writing at the time. This style used short words, everyday objects, and direct statements. One of the more famous Puritan authors was poet Anne Bradstreet. Her poems reflected emotion, which was uncommonly expressed by Puritans, yet she still wrote using Puritan Plain Style. Another example of Puritan literature is “Huswifery” by Edward Taylor. His work reflected his religion more so than Bradstreet, due to the fact that he continuously penned metaphors about God. Religion has and always will play an important part in American literature and Puritan literature was no exception. Through their works we catch a glimpse of how life was in the early colonies and their style of writing helped mold the way people write today.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said “Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel.” That quote perfectly defines the period of Early Nationalism. Through speeches and documents by Patrick Henry, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson we see the power of persuasion and the effect of rhetorical devices such as restatement. Their struggle for freedom from Great Britain was reflected in what they wrote and we can not ignore documents and speeches such as “The Speech in the Virginia Convention” by Henry or “The Declaration of Independence” by Jefferson. These documents may not be normal literature, but are none the less an important part of history and the way they are written shaped the world we live in today.
Each and every literary work since the dawn of time is important. That is because they shaped the way authors write today. Everything from origin myths to political speeches affected literature in some form or fashion and they show the evolution of society along the way.
PATRICK HENRY
Patrick Henry was and still is a well renowned orator. Many still quote his famous words “give me liberty, or give me death” from his “Speech in the Virginia Convention.” In said speech, he seeks to convince the members of the Virginia House of Burgesses to prepare for war against Great Britain. Patrick’s proposition to illuminate a problem, where he asks listeners to share a concern, shows his patriotism as well as his religious zeal.
Patrick Henry was born on May 29, 1736 in Studley, Virginia. His mother was from Virginia as well, but his father was from Scotland. Patrick was educated by his father and his uncle. By 1760, after marrying Sarah Shelton, Henry had received his license to practice law.
Just five years later, Patrick Henry was elected to the House of Burgesses. He became famous for his power to persuade and his opposition to compromise with Great Britain. Patrick Henry had a way of speaking that captivated his audience. He used repetition and exclamation to get his points across.
Patrick Henry’s thesis in “The Speech in the Virginia Convention” was that it is “nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery.” He needed the listeners to realize that freedom was a cause worth fighting for. Patrick was honest when he stated “it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope.” By this he meant that it would be ideal for freedom to come without a fight, but they must come to the realization that freedom will not come easily, they must go to war. Although the colonists had petitioned for freedom from Britain before, Henry reminds his audience they were met with an “insidious smile” from England. The illustration of the smile was meant to show that Britain would never willingly give up control of it’s colonies. It is through illustrations such as this that we see Patrick Henry’s brilliant oratory skill of compelling and persuading.
Patrick Henry’s most inspiring and compelling words are found at the close of his speech, he said “What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” His syntax is so great that he accomplished his goal in convincing the members of the Virginia House of Burgesses to vote in favor of the war. Patrick Henry’s speech was a defining moment that lead to the American Revolution.
If one word were used to describe Patrick Henry it would be passion. Through his speeches and his life he showed his passion for America. Henry’s diction showed his audiences that he was serious about the subject and was well informed about the topic as well. Without Patrick Henry, one might say there may not have been a Revolution that led to the Declaration of Independence.
Patrick Henry was born on May 29, 1736 in Studley, Virginia. His mother was from Virginia as well, but his father was from Scotland. Patrick was educated by his father and his uncle. By 1760, after marrying Sarah Shelton, Henry had received his license to practice law.
Just five years later, Patrick Henry was elected to the House of Burgesses. He became famous for his power to persuade and his opposition to compromise with Great Britain. Patrick Henry had a way of speaking that captivated his audience. He used repetition and exclamation to get his points across.
Patrick Henry’s thesis in “The Speech in the Virginia Convention” was that it is “nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery.” He needed the listeners to realize that freedom was a cause worth fighting for. Patrick was honest when he stated “it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope.” By this he meant that it would be ideal for freedom to come without a fight, but they must come to the realization that freedom will not come easily, they must go to war. Although the colonists had petitioned for freedom from Britain before, Henry reminds his audience they were met with an “insidious smile” from England. The illustration of the smile was meant to show that Britain would never willingly give up control of it’s colonies. It is through illustrations such as this that we see Patrick Henry’s brilliant oratory skill of compelling and persuading.
Patrick Henry’s most inspiring and compelling words are found at the close of his speech, he said “What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” His syntax is so great that he accomplished his goal in convincing the members of the Virginia House of Burgesses to vote in favor of the war. Patrick Henry’s speech was a defining moment that lead to the American Revolution.
If one word were used to describe Patrick Henry it would be passion. Through his speeches and his life he showed his passion for America. Henry’s diction showed his audiences that he was serious about the subject and was well informed about the topic as well. Without Patrick Henry, one might say there may not have been a Revolution that led to the Declaration of Independence.
KEY AUTHORS
The Onondaga - Tellers of "The Earth on Turtle's Back," Retold by Michael Caduto & Joseph Bruchac
The Modoc - Tellers of "When Grizzlies Walked Upright," Retold by Richard Erodes & Alfonso Ortiz
The Navajo - Tellers of The Navajo Origin Legend, Retold by Washington Matthews
Susan Powers - Museum Indians
The Iroquois - The Iroquois Constitution
Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca - A Journey Through Texas
García López de Cárdenas - Boulders Taller Than the Great Tower of Seville
William Bradford - Of Plymouth Plantation
Anna Bradstreet - "To My Dear and Loving Husband"
Edward Taylor - "Huswifery" and The Poetic Works of Edward Taylor
Jonathan Edwards - Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God
Patrick Henry - Speech in the Virginia Convention
Benjamin Franklin - Speech in the Convention and The Autobiography and Poor Richard's Almanack
Thomas Jefferson - The Declaration of Independence
Thomas Paine - The American Crisis, Crisis Papers, The Rights of Man and The Age of Reason
Phillis Wheatley - To His Excellency, General Washington and Poems on Various Subjects: Religious and Moral
Sandra Cisneros - Straw into Gold: A Metamorphosis of the Everyday
Olaudah Equiano - The Interesting Narrative of: The Life of Olaudah Equiano
The Modoc - Tellers of "When Grizzlies Walked Upright," Retold by Richard Erodes & Alfonso Ortiz
The Navajo - Tellers of The Navajo Origin Legend, Retold by Washington Matthews
Susan Powers - Museum Indians
The Iroquois - The Iroquois Constitution
Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca - A Journey Through Texas
García López de Cárdenas - Boulders Taller Than the Great Tower of Seville
William Bradford - Of Plymouth Plantation
Anna Bradstreet - "To My Dear and Loving Husband"
Edward Taylor - "Huswifery" and The Poetic Works of Edward Taylor
Jonathan Edwards - Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God
Patrick Henry - Speech in the Virginia Convention
Benjamin Franklin - Speech in the Convention and The Autobiography and Poor Richard's Almanack
Thomas Jefferson - The Declaration of Independence
Thomas Paine - The American Crisis, Crisis Papers, The Rights of Man and The Age of Reason
Phillis Wheatley - To His Excellency, General Washington and Poems on Various Subjects: Religious and Moral
Sandra Cisneros - Straw into Gold: A Metamorphosis of the Everyday
Olaudah Equiano - The Interesting Narrative of: The Life of Olaudah Equiano
TIMELINE
LITERARY THEMES
The major theme in this time period is “creating a nation.” The Native Americans had already begun building their nation in North America when the colonist came from Europe. Wilderness was a theme for origin myths and exploration narratives as they tried to explain the world around them and as they discovered new places. Community was the theme for Puritan literature, because they wrote about their religion and colonies in Puritan Plain Style, which reflected the area and community in which they lived. Individualism was a theme for Early Nationalism, but freedom and slavery were sub themes. As influential men like Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson began writing and speaking, they used rhetorical devices such as metaphors and similes to convince the audience that freedom from Great Britain was necessary for America. Through each of these themes, we see America emerging from the influential literature of each time period.
THE EARTH ON TURTLES BACK - VIDEO
Information gathered from: Wiggins, Grant P. Prentice Hall Literature. Common Core ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2012. eBook.