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美国文学1(复习资料)


III. Literary Figures:
• 1. Benjamin Franklin. • His ideas were expressed through his two famous literary works, Poor Richard’s Almanac and Autobiography. • (1) Poor Richard’s Almanac----an annual collection of proverbs. • (2) Autobiography----a how-to-do-good book, and sets autobiography as a literary genre in American literature. (p90) • (3) sets an example of American Dream
1. writings: narratives and journals of these settlements 2. writers: A. Captain John Smith (the first) • B. Edward Taylor. (faithful disciple of the God.) • C. Anne Bradstreet. • a. first American woman poet • b. “The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America ” • c. “contemplations” • d. content: religious experience; early settlers’ lives; family life 3. American literature had close relationship with religion. There were such noted Puritans who firstly described New England as a promising virgin land. Their writings about North America became the source of information, which aroused the attention of many people in England and Europe, and drew them over to this New World.
II. Features:
• Although foreign influences were strong, American Romanticism presented distinct features of its own. mon features, a, b, c, d (P55) 2. “newness.” A. form, P. 57. B. content, P. 58. a .nature b. psychic states

Romanticism Period
one of the most important periods in the history of American literature, which stretches from the end of the 18th century through the outbreak of the Civil War (1861). I. Historical background: 1. This period saw a rising America which declared its political, economic and cultural independence. Such a scene of prosperity cried for literary expression. The other incentive was the influence of Europe. 2. Economy: fast development (immigrant; frontier; industrialization) --------optimistic mood 3. Culture: journalism (periodicals)--------more literary productions are needed 4. foreign influence
IV. Influence of puritanism on Literature
1. Optimistic 2. pessimistic 3. symbolism 4. style: simple; fresh; direct(Bible)
Revolutionary Period
I. Historical Background: From the middle of the 18th century to the beginning of the 19th century, North America had experienced great turbulence and social change. The ideas of the Enlightenment dealt a heavy blow to Puritanism.
Washington Irving (1783-1859)
• “the father of American literature.” I. The Sketch Book: 1. form: It is the first collection of short stories. 2. significance: It marked the beginning of American Romanticism. 3. In The Sketch Book, the most famous are: A. Rip Van Winkle (defamiliarization; love of old world’s tradition) B. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (a light satirical notion on pedantrism as represented by the protagonist----Crane).
4. Philip Freneau.
• 野地里的忍冬 (P45) • 1. 美丽的花,你如此秀丽, 却藏身在这僻静沉闷的地方—— 花儿开了,甜美却没人亲昵, 枝梢招展,亦无人观赏; 没有游来荡去的脚把你踩碎, 没有东攀西摘的手催你落泪。 • 2. 大自然把你打扮得一身洁白, 她叫你避开庸俗粗鄙的目光, 她布置下树荫把你护卫起来, 又让潺潺的柔波淌过你身旁; 你的夏天就这样静静地消逝, 这时候你日见萎蔫终将安息。
2. Thomas Paine. • (1) title: a most important revolutionary activist and political writer during the war of Independence. • (2) works: Common Sense; The American Crisis; The Rights of Man 3. Thomas Jefferson. • (1) “The Declaration of Independence.”(p37) • (2) the third president of the United States.
2. economical: industrial growth 3. political: The War for Independence(17761783) 4. cultural: Enlightenment -------The mixture and alternation between the old and new, was the characteristic of this period. II. Literary Trend 1. content: utilitarian tendency (political and educational purpose) 2. form: imitating English classical writers
Colonial Period
I. Historical Background: • The first permanent English settlement in North America was established in 1607. The first settlers advocated highly religious and moral principles. They carried with them to America a code of values and a philosophy of life-----Puritanism. 1. Before 17thc, Indians. A. variety: more than 2000 tribes, 500 languages B. Scarce. Oral form 2. After 17thc, colonies A. 1607, Jamestown, Virginia B. 1620, Plymouth, New England

II. Literature:
III. Thought, Culture:
1. Puritanism is the religious beliefs of Puritans who came to America for the sake of religious freedom, and wished to escape religious persecution. Their way of life was based on the doctrines. Puritan values dominated literature in colonial America, and greatly influenced the whole American literature.
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