Encounters and Foundations

Unit 1: Elements of Literature

Timeline:

American Indians pre-date European exploration

1500-1800 (European infiltration; first “literature” of the New World appears)

“Literature” is comprised of journals, diaries, poetry, and narrative captivities)

American Indian Literature:

No written language A rich oral tradition Morality tales and life-lessons passed down from

generation to generation Absence of written language caused

“contamination” of tales when Indians and whites interacted

Whites believed that Indians should either be forced to become Christians OR be wiped out.

Puritans Come to the New World:

Puritans left England in the 1600s after being physically tortured (noses and ears sliced off)

Settled in Holland, but left when their children began acquiring “Dutch” language and customs

Headed to the New World in two ships: the Mayflower and the Speedwell

Speedwell leaked badly and returned to port The Mayflower mast broke, but was repaired

by with an enormous screw that was on board

The Voyage on the Mayflower

Fraught with peril: many were ill One passenger died and one crew

member died One child was born: Oceanus (lived

only about a year)

“Puritans” became the Pilgrims

Landed at Plymouth Rock in November 1620 Created the Mayflower Compact (signed while

on board ship) which outlined how they were to be governed. This document was echoed in the Constitution years later.

Founded Plymouth Plantation The moral, ethical, and religious beliefs of the

Puritans shaped the American culture. To this day, people who are industrious and thrifty are seen as exhibiting the “Puritan ethic.”

Puritans, continued:

Came to the New World as a religious “pilgrimage,” but they also came as a bold business venture

Puritans viewed wealth as a sign of God’s favor

People in power often held harsh and uncompromising views

Puritans believed that the Bible provided the model for their lives

Puritans favored a “plain” style of writing to bring in new converts

Salem Witch Trials:

In 1692, about 150 people in Salem, Massachusetts were accused of witchcraft

Eventually, 20 people were executed, and one person was “pressed” to death

In the 1950s, Arthur Miller’s masterpiece, The Crucible, appears on stage, using the Salem Witch Trials as a way to condemn the “Red Scare”