Download American Literary Movements

American Literary Movements
1. Puritanism (17th century) - a style of writing that adhered to five basic tenets
of religious life: original sin, limited atonement, irresistible grace,
perseverance of the saints, and predestination. Puritans believed that God
divinely controls the universe and all humans, regardless of social or
economic status, are equal in God’s sight. Central to Puritan success is the
extreme self-determinism that still contributes to American idealism. Important
writers of this period: William Bradford, Anne Bradstreet, Jonathan Edwards,
John Smith, and Edward Taylor.
2. Classicism or Neoclassical Age (18th Century) – a style of writing that
valued reason and rational thought as well as traditional, formal form; it was
an imitation of the ancient Greek and Roman art and literature; also referred
to as the Age of Reason or the Enlightenment. Important writers of this
period: Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Thomas Paine.
3. Romanticism (early 19th Century) – a reaction to Classicism; new form of
fictional literature that emphasized feeling over thinking and contained the
following characteristics: focus on self, fascination with the supernatural or
gothic, love of nature, yearning for the exotic or picturesque, deep-rooted
idealism, and nationalism or love of country. Important writers of this period:
Edgar Allan Poe, William Cullen Bryant, James Fenimore Cooper,
Washington Irving.
4. Transcendentalism (19th Century) – a movement based in New England that
promoted the belief that intuition and the individual conscience “transcend”
experience and are better guides to the truth than the senses and logical
reason are. Transcendentalists combined the “best” of Classicism and
Romanticism; they believed in the value of classic tradition and still valued
nature and the individual. They believed in the “Over-Soul,” a divinity who was
present in all things. Important writers of this period: Henry David Thoreau,
Ralph Waldo Emerson, Oliver Wendell Holmes, and Henry Wadsworth
Longfellow. *Note: Some historians refer to the years 1850-1855 as the
American Renaissance because so many writers of great importance
recorded the events of this time in America.
5. Civil War Literature (1861-1865) – mainly nonfiction accounts and diaries;
poetry was still fairly popular. Important writers of this period: Abraham
Lincoln, John Greenleaf Whittier
6. Realism (mid to late 19th Century) – a literary movement that sought to
portray ordinary life as real people lived it and attempted to show characters
and events in an objective, almost factual way. It had its roots in this country
in the experiences of war, on the frontier, and in the cities. Science played a
part in Realism as well; a Realist had to be acutely observant, dealing
honestly with his or her characters. Important writers of this period: Willa
Cather, Kate Chopin, Emily Dickinson, Bret Harte, William Dean Howells, and
Stephen Crane.
7. Naturalism (late 19th Century) – influenced by the French novelist Emile Zola,
Naturalism sought to examine people and society objectively and draw conclusions
from what is observed, much like a scientist. Naturalist writers viewed reality as an
inescapable working out of natural forces. They believed ones destiny is decided by
heredity and environment, physical drives, and economic circumstances. Naturalists
believed that people had no control over events and tended to be pessimistic. A
recurring theme in Naturalism is man is at the mercy of the brutal forces of nature.
Important writers of this period: Stephen Crane, Jack London, Frank Norris, and
Theodore Dreiser.
8. Regionalism (late 19th to early 20th Century) – writing attempts to describe the
LOCAL COLOR of a region by presenting its distinct culture (dialect, customs,
beliefs, history…). Local color is the use of characters and details that are unique to
a particular geographic area. Local color can be created by the use of dialect and by
descriptions of customs, clothing, manners, attitudes, scenery, and landscape.
Regionalism goes beyond the mere local color writing and adds a sociological or
anthropological treatment of the culture of a region. Important writers of this period:
Bret Harte, Mark Twain, Sarah Orne Jewett, Eudora Welty,and Willa Cather.
9. Modernism (Early to mid 20th century) – writing that discloses a rejection of
tradition and a hostile attitude toward the immediate past. Modernism came about as
an international movement dominating the arts of Western culture from shortly after
the turn of the century until around 1950. Important writers of this period: William
Faulkner, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, John Steinbeck.
10. Post-Modernism (end of WWII to present) – writing that has prompted a heightened
interest in the various genres of criticism: feminist criticism, deconstruction, poststructuralism. Contemporary American literature has been characterized by a
tremendous variety forms, techniques, and outlooks. For example, post-modernism
contains stories of optimism, despair, cynicism, violence, abnormality, anger,
absurdity, and mysticism, as well as revivals of religion, folklore, and myth. Also,
minority literature has greatly influenced and impacted the movement of postmodernism. Important writers of this period: Maya Angelou, Allen Ginsberg, Arthur
Miller, Toni Morrison, Flannery O’Connor, J.D. Salinger, John Updike, Alice Walker,
and Tennessee Williams.
11. Imagism (Imagists) 1912-1917—writing that made conveying the sensual
impressions of an experience and/or subject the goal. These writers believed that
poems did not have to express a stated theme or message. The image alone
should carry the meaning and emotional impact of the poem. Ezra Pound, William
Carlos Williams, H.D. Doolittle, Amy Lowell, T.S. Eliot, and E.E. Cummings. The
Japanese HAIKU became popular in America during this time period. Concrete
poems—important in SYMBOLIST AND IMAGIST POETRY.
Assignments
1. Imagist Poem: DUE MONDAY September 10, 2007
As we being to discuss the importance of art and the significance of an image, I realize
the anniversary of September 11th is upon us. Perhaps one of the most important images
and/or symbols in modern American history relates to 9/11. (911, WTC, American
Airlines Flight 11, Flight 93) After viewing the 9/11 video, consider the power and
impact of an image. Compose an IMAGIST poem conveying an important image you
recall concerning 9/11. Or, relay an image you think is important for AMERICANS to
preserve/protect dealing with 9/11.
2. ESSAY ASSIGNMENT: FINAL DRAFT DUE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER
14, 2007
On Friday, September 14th, you are expected to submit your first literature essay. This
essay will be graded using the rubric I gave you a week ago. Your essay must deal with
the following topic and should be organized as described below. This counts as a major
grade. GOOD LUCK!! I KNOW I WILL ECEIVE GREAT WORK FROM ALL OF
YOU!!
TOPIC: Consider the development of the American poetic tradition from
1860-1930. In an organized essay, explain how REALISM,
TRADITIONALISM, and IMAGISM shaped U.S. Literature. Please refer to
key literary devices, literary figures, and/or literary works to prove your point.
(IN OTHER WORDS MENTION THINGS LIKE DRAMATIC
MONOLOGUES, SPECIFIC POETS, ETC. IN YOUR ESSAY.)
I.
II.
Intro
Genre One-Realism
A. Definition—Description
B. Explanation of style
C. Examples-select poets, literary devices, writing techniques—
(suggestions—common language, dialogue, dramatic monologues, everyday
subjects, characterization, Spoon River Anthology, etc.)
III.
Genre Two-Imagism
A.
Definition—Description
B. Explanation of style
C. Examples-select poets, literary devices, writing techniques—
(suggestions—Ezra Pound, William Carlos Williams, The Red Wheel
Barrow, getting rid of punctuation, capitalization, etc.)
IV.
Genre Three-Traditionalism
A. Definition—Description
B. Explanation of style
C. Examples-select poets, literary devices, writing techniques—Frost
V.
Closing