• The writing produced by Americans of this period was practical, related to the events evolving around them.

• They wrote:– To defend– To justify– To persuade

Early American Literature continued with…– Early colonial literature included useful prose such as:

reports and records, descriptions of the country, legal and governmental documents, private journals and diaries, and most importantly sermons.

• Settlers of the early colonies were too busy keeping themselves alive to produce a large body of literature.

• Only literary forms found in the Bible were acceptable and all forms of fiction was despised.

Myths• Myth –an anonymous oral story

• The myth relies on the supernatural to explain a natural phenomenon, human behavior, or mystery

• Myths explain why the world is the way it is/they help make sense of the world

Creation Myths: • To explain the workings of the natural world• To support and validate social customs• To guide people through the trials of living• To instill a sense of the mystery of the universe and attempts to explain that

mystery

Literature began with…• Native American myths and legends are the first known form of

American Literature.– Used what is known as “oral tradition”

• There were 100s of thriving unique nations • Each had/has its own tradition of literature that was passed

down orally • Families kept the tradition going; ceremonies were another

place where oral stories were retold

• The stories often called myths can be an important part of Native American spiritual beliefs

• Growing America became aware that much of their present miseries was a result of corrupt governments and outmoded economic policies.

• A “rational man” began to see that these problems could be swept away by intelligent legislation or revolution, if necessary.

Settling of AMERICA• Columbus discovered North America in 1492. Native Americans were already

inhabiting America.• Europeans came over in the 17th Century and the first European colony was settled in

1607 in Jamestown, VA.• Skipping ahead… The 13 Colonies were established in 1733.

– Delaware– Pennsylvania– New Jersey– Georgia– Connecticut– Georgia– Massachusetts Bay– Maryland– South Carolina– New Hampshire– Virginia– New York– North Carolina– Rhode Island