American Lit Eras
Harlem Renaissance common characteristics of writing
-A primary characteristic of writing during the Harlem Renaissance was the intent to uplift African Americans and create a sense of appreciation of their self-worth and historical awareness. -Langston Hughes, one of the biggest African American writers of this era, created an entirely new literary art form called "jazz poetry" -This age was characterized by African American artists and writers exploring their advanced and unique culture, breaking out from imitations of old European writings. -A common theme of this writing era were poems and other pieces about struggling with slavery and racism, while incorporating feelings about the authors own black identity.
Realism Historical background
-Civil war -13th and 14th amendments -Lincoln is president
Claude McKay (harlem ren)
-Claude McKay was a fierce critic of racism in the U.S. and was called 'Poet of Rebellion' by James Weldon Johnson -He was established as a poet in Jamaica before moving to the United States in 1912 -McKay wrote the poem 'If We Must Die' as response to a wave of violent attacks and racial tensions against African-Americans called the Red Summer -His poem took new meaning after quoted by sir Winston Churchill during World War II and was used as a battle cry for the Allies against the Nazis -He complained that the success of his one poem overshadowed his other works, such as novels like Home to Harlem and Banana Bottom
Stephen Crane (regionalsim and naturalism)
-Crane is known as one of America's most foremost realistic writers and his works have been credited with marking the beginning of modern American Naturalism -Crane's work reflected many of the major artistic concerns at the end of the nineteenth century, especially naturalism. impressionism, and symbolism -sudden shifts in tone and point of view, and most of his works end without establishing either certainty about characters or resolution of thematic issue -He also used vivid imagery, but his works rarely provide final interpretations and asks more question rather providing answers. These qualities contribute to Crane's multilayered irony -Crane's most famous novel, The Red Badge of Courage was published in 1895. The novel caused a literary sensation. Readers, unimpressed by literary fashion, were struck by the graphic depiction of combat. The battlefield experience in the novel was so vivid that readers assumed the story was a factual eyewitness account even though it wasn't
Writers of the Revolution
-During this era, many thinkers began to believe that the people should hold power in the government. -It was an era of intellectual achievements and more logical thinking.
F. Scott Fitzgerald (modernism)
-Earlier literary works popularized Fitzgerald as "the philosopher of the flapper" and he grew to popularity in the 1920's Jazz Age. -The promise and later failure of the American Dream is a common theme in Fitzgerald's work. -Due to Fitzgerald's popular and lavish lifestyle, most writings in the 1920's reflected the materialistic success of the decade. -Fitzgerald was one of the first authors to openly question the culture of the 1920's; specifically, the prominence of advertisements in common media. -He attested that Americans were living in a corrupt, "beautiful but damned" society, and wrote his most famous work, The Great Gatsby to highlight the decadence surrounding the wealth.
Ernest Hemingway (modernism)
-Ernest wrote using an economical prose, which he later popularized as the iceberg theory or writing. -A proponent of complete individualism and honesty throughout all sources of media. -Used personal experiences to establish a greater meaning to humanity, "A loss of one is a loss for all" mentality. -Hemingway was, like Fitzgerald, though not quite to the same extent, well known for his pompous and wealthy lifestyle. -Hemingway's style of highlighting the actual over the abstract continues to mold the way wartime stories are structured and influenced the modern genre of dramatic storytelling.
John Steinbeck (modernism)
-Firmly followed the principle of "Write about what you know". -Many of his early fiction works had a setting of California, where he grew up. -Many of his later works had a subject matter of the effects that hard times of the Great Depression had on an average American. -Steinbeck often populated his stories with struggling characters. -Steinbeck often used characters who were similar to what he was like as a person. -Steinbeck tried to find an organic means of expression for each book that he wrote.
Harlem Renaissance historical background
-Great Migration -the New Negro Movement -jazz age
Thomas Paine (writers of the rev)
-He wrote one of the most popular pamphlets of the time, "Common Sense", which persuaded colonists to revolt from Britain. -Paine's work differentiated from that of other writers because he addressed all men, including common men such as farmers and craftsmen. -Paine's directness and inclusiveness caused many colonists to agree with his writing and sway to his side. -After the war, he went back to Europe, where much of his writing attacked religion, leaving him with little supporters.
Zora Neale Hurston (harlem ren)
-Hurston collected lively, hilarious stories about African American folklore while in the south post college and used the stories as material for her own fiction -She was the first known African-American to graduate from Barnard College in 1928 (She won a scholarship from her writing) -African-American writers thought she minimize the seriousness of racial prejudice Her books went out of print by the late 1940s and she struggled to earn a living, working as a maid as she once did while she was younger -Alice Walker helped rediscover her work in the 70s and she is now acknowledged as an influential writer in the history of African-American literature
Thomas Jefferson (writers of the rev)
-Jefferson was the author of the Declaration of Independence. -Jefferson's emphasis in the Declaration of Independence was on the logical argument for independence. -Due to his lack of oratorical gifts, Jefferson distinguished himself with his legal writing. -He announced the purpose of writing the Declaration of Independence in the Preamble. -The Declaration of Independence was critical in the movement towards freedom for America.
Kate Chopin (regionalism and naturalism)
-Kate Chopin wrote fiction stories about the struggles of women through several generations, inspired by the rapid change of women's viewpoints in society. She argued that women had an "extended childhood" compared to the men in their lives. -She reflected off obvious troubles that were popular among women during the 1890s and showed the world the hardship women received in their lives. Chopin's modern stories "stepped over the line" and was beyond the lives of women at the time, therefore reflecting the limitations women received within society. -Chopin's novel The Awakening, was a very popular novel and was one of Chopin's great achievements as a writer. Although, it created controversy at the time, which ended Chopin's writing career. -Chopin was known to be "ahead of her time" and wrote stories that were very modern. -Chopin was a brave woman in her time and argued for women's right of equality through the act of writing. Her writing is influential considering the way she wrote fictional stories of women and their unusual lives. When Chopin took her realistic stories past the limit, authors in later generations were inspired and unashamed to write novels like Chopin's.
Langston Hughes (harlem ren)
-Langston Hughes was one of the leading poets of the Harlem Renaissance and is universally recognized as the most influential voice of the time. -His writing centered on poor and working-class African-Americans, a group generally ignored in literature -He was influenced and inspired by Paul Laurence Dunbar and Carl Sandburg who wrote about the voices of everyday Americans -He used direct language with no attempts to be obscure or pretentious -Hughes re-created structures and rhythms of blues and jazz music
Ralph Waldo Emerson (romanticism and transcendentalism)
-Led a group practicing transcendentalism; a philosophical and literary movement that emphasized living a simple life a celebrating the truth found in nature and in personal emotions and imaginations -Emerson stressed ideas of optimism, freedom, and self-reliance. -Emerson gave a twist on the definition, saying that every individuals capable of discovering this higher truth on his or her own, through intuition. -The essay "Self-Reliance" address faith in the integrity of the individual. -Promoted the belief that people are inherently good and should follow their own belief however different these beliefs may be from the norm.
Patrick Henry (writers of the rev)
-Patrick Henry was an American attorney, planter, and orator well known for his declaration to the Second Virginia Convention (1775): "Give me liberty, or give me death!" -Henry's first big legal case became known as the Parson's Cause. As a result of this case, Henry earned a reputation for being a powerful and persuasive orator. The 1763 case is seen as one of the pivotal events leading to the American Revolution. -Henry was an anti-federalist who opposed the drafting of the U.S. Constitution. His well-reasoned arguments were instrumental in the ultimate inclusion of the Bill of Rights in the Constitution. -At a meeting of the Virginia House of Burgesses, he proposed seven resolutions against the Stamp Act. The first four resolutions were adopted and passed by the House of Burgesses.
Early american Lit writing characteristics
-Religion, followed closely by themes of nature, had the most prominent influence over literature during this era, reflecting Puritan values and beliefs. • Politics were also a focus, especially nearing the mid to late 1700s following the rise of the public's revolutionary sentiment. • American drama developed during this era, using speech devices such as monologues, soliloquies, and asides. • Play formatting is another stylistic result of this era, including stage directions to describe the setting, props, sound effects • Many texts, such as those of John Smith, were written using a third person narrative • Words with multiple meanings were also especially common, giving texts deeper meanings than observed at face value.
Early American Literature historical background
-Roanoke -Jamestown -French and Indian War -Great Britain taxing the colonists -First Great Awakening -Enlightenment -Christopher Columbus
writing characteristics of romanticism and transcendentalism
-Romantic writers often wrote about their support for human rights. -Usually included themes of individualism and nature. -Dramatic differences in all romantic writers' styles. -Writers voiced their opinions on the growth of America and the Industrial Revolution Looked to nature for writing inspiration.
characteristics of writing regionalism and naturalism
-The growth and development at the end of the civil war influenced regionalism -Local color writing was used to record the unique characteristic of areas to save for the future ex. Bret Harte and Mark Twain describing life on the frontier -Grew out of realism, focused on showing everyday reality with accuracy -Descriptions of this life also intrigued those who didn't live in these areas -At the end of the 19th century, rapid change and sharp contrasts started to take place, which was reflected in authors' work -Showed differences between the poor and the few wealthy people of the time -Addressed the idea that humans are animals and have no control or understanding of the world around them and are impacted outside sources
modernism writing characteristics
-The most prominent theme of the modernist era is the idea of experimenting with new literary forms, subjects, themes, and structure. -Traditional uses of subject matter and themes were replaced with the notion of impermanence and change. -Authors stopped with the stereotypical type of writing that focused on heroes which represented the values of society and they tried to be more realistic in their writing which focused on alienated individuals. -Modernists used irony and understatement to convey emotions and ideas. -Authors of this era avoided explicitly stating the meaning and typically used symbols and images to convey them.
Writers of the Rev historical background
-The revolutionary war and splitting from Britain -Abigail Adams "think of the women too" -tax acts passed by the British on the colonists
writers of the rev writing features
-The writing used many rhetorical strategies such as logos and ethos to convince readers to take a certain side. -The purpose of many of the writing was to convince Americans that they should gain their independence and to make Britain aware that America no longer wanted to be a British colony. -satire
Mark Twain (regionalism and naturalism)
-Twain celebrated and wrote about the Westward expansion that was taking place during his lifetime. -He used a very relaxed style of writing, which had an immense impact on authors throughout many generations. -Twain wrote the classic novels such as The Adventure of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. -Twain used color writing. Therefore, Twain captured his version of life among the communities of the East, Midwest and South. So those who could not experience that kind of life enjoyed reading about it -Twain used humor in novels that were serious or used humor to explain an issue within society, unlike other authors of the time did. -Twain described people's way of life in the West, writing about the characteristics of ordinary people. This illustrated the growth of regionalism during 1870 - 1910.
modernism historical background
-WWI -Great Depression -women and flappers -stock market crashed -mass production of goods
Walt Whitman (romanticism and transcendentalism)
-Was influenced by the Transcendentalism ideas through works by Henry David Thoreau -Father of free verse -Whitman's work consists of ideas that are from both Transcendentalism and realism -Some of Whitman's work were based on images he saw when volunteering for nurse during the civil war. -He opposed the extension of slavery and agreed with the Wilmot Proviso
Henry David Thoreau (romanticism and transcendentalism)
-cabin on Walden Pond and lived there for two years, writing and studying nature. -Stressed that individual should have a spiritual wellbeing, which is achieved through intellectual activity and a close relationship to nature. -The belief of transcendental ideas lived on in American culture through works from later poets such as walk Whitman -the civil rights movement of the 20th century was influenced by the belief of transcendentalism. -His work the "Civil Disobedience" spreads the belief that individuals should follow their own instincts and the great integrity of each individual.
Regionalism and Naturalism historical background
-post Civil War -US was expanding westward (Native Americans forced off their land) -industry was controlled by a few big businesses with bad working conditions -New inventions like the model T, the telephone and the lightbulb -Jim Crow Laws -Social Darwinism
Romanticism/Transcendentalism historical background
-problems such as slavery, women's disenfranchisement, and mistreatment of workers. -Louisiana Purchase (relocating Native Americans) -Indian Removal Act of 1830 was created to help American's gain land, by pushing native Americans westward, caused many native Americans to lose their homes and relocate. -Manifest Destiny came to play, which justified American's reasoning of moving westward. -Conflicting feelings about slavery began to arise after the Mexican- American War -Industrial revolution was just beginning, shifting the countries agrarian economy to an industrial powerhouse. -Social achievement; romantic writers created awareness of the cruelty slaves face. -Nationalism: The belief that national interests should be placed ahead of regional concerns or the interest of other countries. -Creation of free states (against slavery) and slave states (for slavery)
Realism writing features
1. There is a focus on complex characters who are ordinary people (not heroes or villains) 2. Ordinary settings are portrayed that are accurate to society and culture 3. Utilize dialogue that is true-to-life and captures the dialects and idioms of conversation 4. Detached Narration 5. Themes relating to class conflicts, urbanization, marriage, and family life.
Realism 1855-1870
Literature that refers to writing that offers an accurate and detailed portrayal of actual life. Realism was created in response to romanticism, which glorified everyday life.
Anne Bradstreet (early american lit)
• Anne Bradstreet was the first notable American poet, being man or woman • Anne Bradstreet faced many hardships in colonial America, and in order to deal with this, she turned to religion and writing of poetry. • Bradstreet's writing and poetry focused primarily on the realities of her life. • Bradstreet viewed poetry as a way of exploring the relationship between individual and god • Bradstreet's poems reflect her wide -learning, deep faith, and love of her family • Her poems also reveal the position of women in the patriarchal Puritan society. • Anne Bradstreet's volume of poetry titled, The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America, was the first book of poetry ever published by an American Colonist Woman. • Bradstreet's poems reflect her wide -learning, deep faith, and love of her family
Edward Taylor (early american lit)
• Edward Taylor was the colonial America's most inventive poets, and his poems remained unread for a while • Similar to Bradstreet, Edward Taylor wrote his poetry to glorify God and as a means to explore the relationship between the individual and god • Taylor's subjects focused in human life, nature, and everyday life and activities. • His poems on the subjects he wrote about served as a form of worship and as aids for his meditations • Taylor's poetry uses vivid images from nature and from everyday life to help readers grasp the spiritual world beyond
Johnathan Edwards (early american lit)
• Edwards called for people to rededicate themselves to the original Puritan vision and that religion should be focused in emotions rather than reason. His work/sermons reflected this belief. • Edwards wrote on many topics/subjects from natural history essays to many religious sermons and speeches • Jonathan Edwards works include histories of the colonies and fiery sermons on the dangers of sins. • Edwards style included melodramatic contrasts between good and evil, vivid imagery, powerful language, and strong moral lessons. • In Edwards most famous sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God", is a perfect example of the style that Edwards and the time period used.
Frederick Douglass (realism)
● In 1845, Douglass published Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave w hich gave rise to international fame. Unfortunately, that forced him to run away yet again ● He founded the North Star, an antislavery newspaper ● Was a very close adviser to President Lincoln; helped promote African American rights ● Used poetic language to tell the factual events in a narrative form ● Participated in the women's suffrage movement and wrote about women's rights
Abraham Lincoln (realism)
● President of the United States during the Civil War ● Wrote the Emancipation Proclamation ● Thirteenth Amendment published under Lincoln ● Lincoln gave many speeches to the country as a whole that where filled rhetoric and appealed to the citizens sense of patriotism ● During the Civil War Lincoln advocated for freeing the slaves
Emily Dickinson (realism)
● Wrote about biggest themes of life-love, death, immortality, and nature. ● Used compressed lines and complex imagery to explore personal themes ● One of the transitional poets who pioneered the movement from romanticism to realism ● Extremely shy and reclusive, which had a big influence on the subject matter of her poems (wrote a lot about household items, loneliness, etc) ● Found inspiration for her poetry within her own thoughts, much of her poetry was deeply personal ● Was influenced by some ideas of romanticism because she began writing at the tail end of the romantic era, but she was a realist at heart.
