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Colonial and Settler Literature
Beginnings to 1800
The New World
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The northern settlements were very different
from the southern settlements.
In the South (Jamestown, Virginia), people
like John Smith came in search of gold and
riches with the intent to return to England.
In the New England colonies, people came
searching for religious freedom and a
permanent home.
The North
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The Pilgrims, or Separatists:
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Fled England and moved to Holland in 1608.
Lived in Holland for 10 years. Left because they felt like
foreigners and wanted their children to retain an English
birthright.
Men and women set sail from England on September 16,
1620. Arrived at Cape Cod in early winter.
Pilgrims were mostly “common” folk used to labor and
hard work.
Half of the colony died in the first winter.
The North Cont’d
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Not necessarily loyal to England.
Wrote mostly for religious instruction and inspiration.
The New England colonies were conceived and
established as “plantations of religion.”
The city upon the hill: a religious experiment that would
prove that God’s plan for his churches could be
successfully realized in the American wilderness.
Their deep religious feeling colored all their plans and
habits of life. Their ideals were of the most serious sort.
Puritan Beliefs
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Puritans were English Protestants who wished
to reform/purify the residual effects of
Catholicism in the Church of England.
The first band of English Puritans (Pilgrims)
landed in 1620 in Cape Cod. They were
followed 10 years later by 700 more Puritans.
Puritans saw themselves as the new Chosen
People of God (Jews were the original).
Puritan Beliefs Cont’d
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Puritans encouraged/believed in:
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direct personal religious experience
sincere moral conduct
simple worship services and churches
the absolute sovereignty of God
the total depravity (wickedness) of man
the complete dependence of human beings on
divine grace for salvation.
Idealists
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Puritans were educated idealists (high
standards or principles) – they established a
thinking community characterized by moral
earnestness.
The American character has been shaped by
the moral, ethical, and religious convictions of
the Puritans.
Puritanism later evolved into Presbyterianism
and Congregationalism.
William Bradford (1590-1657)
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First Puritan governor of the Plymouth Colony.
Elected governor at age 32.
Considered a plain and sensible man able to lead his
people under severe conditions.
He understood the significance of the settlement and
decided to keep a journal of the events in Plymouth.
Wrote in a truthful manner and in a very blunt and
plain style (for his day).
Of Plymouth Plantation is an historical
account/narrative recounting the events of the
Mayflower and the Plymouth colony.
The Plain Writing Style
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Favored by Puritans in their style of writing as
well as worship.
Simple and direct (for its time).
Emphasized uncomplicated sentences and the
use of everyday words. Steered clear of
elaborate figures of speech and imagery.
The South
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Southern settlers were loyal to England.
Settled predominantly by middle class, welleducated men.
Mainly tradesmen.
Southerners wrote for amusement.
Lack of Literature
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Why was there no “real” literature from 1600-1750?
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A lack of leisure time.
A lack of education.
A lack of printing supplies.
The South was loyal to England and English literature.
The North (Puritans) thought fictional literature was evil.
There was no sense of national identity and unity yet.
Early writing consisted mainly of journals, diaries, and
histories.
Early American Literature
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Early American literature, although vastly
different from what we consider to be
“literature” now, is important because we are
able to get a clear vision of the rugged,
hazardous pioneer life. We also learn about
the mindsets of people living during that time
through the stories and writing styles of the
authors.