The provided text offers insights into various writers and works that touch upon the

Native American period in American literature. Here is a summary of the information

provided in the text regarding writers and their contributions during this period:
1. Roger Williams (c. 1603-1683):
 Known for his work "A Key into the Language of America" published in
1643, focusing on Native American language and culture.
 Williams's work delves into various topics such as food, clothing, marriage,
trade, war, beliefs about nature, dreams, and religion among Native
Americans.
 His writing reflects a tension between admiration for Native American
virtues and the belief in the need for their civilization and conversion to
Christianity.
2. Jupiter Hammon (1711-1806?):
 The first African American poet to have his work published, Hammon's
poetry, such as "Evening Thought: Salvation by Christ," reflects piety and
an argument that black people must accept the institution of slavery.
 Hammon's work addresses religious themes and the acceptance of slavery,
reflecting the complexities of African American experiences during this
period.
3. Phillis Wheatley (1753-1784):
 An African American poet who achieved recognition for her poetry,
including works like "An Address to Miss Phillis Wheatly, Ethiopian
Poetess, in Boston," which highlights her journey from Africa to America
and her embrace of Christianity.
 Wheatley's poetry reflects themes of faith, identity, and the challenges
faced by African Americans during this period.
4. Lucy Terry (1730-1821):
 An African slave who settled as a free black in Vermont, known for her
poem "Bars Fight" that recounts a battle between whites and Native
Americans.
 Terry's poem, though handed down in the oral tradition until 1855,
represents an early example of African American literary expression during
this period.
These writers, among others, contributed to the literary landscape during the Native
American period in American literature, offering diverse perspectives and insights into
the cultural, social, and historical contexts of their time.
Here is an overview of some key writers and works from the Colonial and
Revolutionary periods of American literature:
Colonial Period (1620-1750) ○When colonists arrived in the new land, they created villages and towns
and established new governments (while protesting the old ways in Europe) ○ French, Swedes, Dutch,
German, Scots-Irish, Spanish, Africans (mostly slaves) ○ Did not consider themselves “Americans” until
mid-1700s ○ Enormous displacement of Native-American civilizations Historical Context Colonial
Period (1620-1750) ○ Literature of the period was dominated by the Puritans and their religious
influence ○ Emphasis on faith in one’s daily life ○ Predestination- A person’s fate is determined by God
○ Original Sin- All are corrupt and need a Savior ○ Puritan work ethic—belief in hard work and simple,
no frills living ○ Theocracy—government ruled by Bible/church

Puritan Narratives
1. Anne Bradstreet (c. 1612-1672): One of the first published poets in America,
she wrote about Puritan life and faith in a style influenced by English Renaissance
poetry. Her most famous works include "The Prologue," "The Author to Her
Book," and "Before the Birth of One of Her Children."
2. Mary Rowlandson (c. 1637-1711): Wrote a captivity narrative titled "A True
History of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson" about her
time as a prisoner of Native Americans during King Philip's War. The work
provides a window into the experiences of Puritan colonists and their interactions
with Native Americans in 17th century New England.
3. Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758): A prominent Puritan minister, he wrote
philosophical works and sermons, including the famous "Sinners in the Hands of
an Angry God." Edwards was a key figure in the First Great Awakening, a religious
revival that swept through the American colonies in the 1730s and 1740s.

Early American Poetry

1. Ebenezer Cook (1667–1733): Divided his time between London and Maryland.
He published a satirical poem in 1708 called "The Sot-weed Factor; or, a Voyage
to Maryland &c." written in Hudibrastic verse, which presents a carnival portrait
of life on the colonial frontier.
2. Richard Lewis (1700?–1734): Attempted to produce an American version of the
pastoral, a common poetic form in the early 18th century derived from
neoclassical models.

Revolutionary Era Writers

Revolutionary Period (1750-1815) ○ Occurred during/after the Revolutionary War ○ Writers focused
on explaining and justifying the American Revolution ○ Writers pondered what it really means to be
an American ○ After the War of 1812 (when last British troops were removed from North America)
there was an even greater focus on nationalism, patriotism, and American Identity Historical Context
Revolutionary Period (1750-1815) ○ Emphasis on reason as opposed to faith alone; this was a reaction
to the Puritan way of life ○ Shift to a more print-based culture; literacy seen as a sign of status ○
Instructive in values, highly ornate writing style; highly political and patriotic Characteristics
Revolutionary Period (1750-1815) ○ Representative authors: ○ Benjamin Franklin (biography, common
sense aphorisms) ○ Patrick Henry (speech) ○ Thomas Paine (pamphlet) ○ Thomas Jefferson (political
documents) ○ Abigail Adams (letters) Important Authors Revolutionary Period (1750-1815) Art

1. J. Hector St. John de Crèvecœur (1735–1813): Author of "Letters from an

American Farmer," published in 1782, which explored the idea of the "new man"
emerging in America, celebrating the promise and perfection of the new nation.
2. Thomas Paine (1737–1809): Enthusiastically supported the American
Revolution. His pamphlet "Common Sense" (1776) argued passionately for
American independence from Britain. Paine also spoke of the need for female
equality in his writings.
3. Judith Sargent Murray (1751–1820): Wrote essays arguing for the equality of
the sexes, including "On the Equality of the Sexes" (1790), establishing her as one
of the first American feminists. She also wrote plays and poems.
These writers, among others, grappled with the religious, social, and political upheavals
of the Colonial and Revolutionary eras, producing works that reflected the changing
character of American society and culture during this formative period.

The provided text offers insights into various writers and works that touch upon
different periods in American literature, including the Romanticism period. Here is a
summary of the information provided in the text regarding writers and their
contributions during the Romanticism period in American literature:
1. Washington Irving (1783-1859):
 One of the first American writers to achieve international fame, known for
his short stories like "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow".
 Irving's works often reflected elements of Romanticism, with a focus on
nature, folklore, and the supernatural, contributing to the development of
American literary romanticism.
2. James Fenimore Cooper (1789-1851):
 An early American novelist known for his Leatherstocking Tales, including
"The Last of the Mohicans".
 Cooper's works often explored themes of nature, wilderness, and the clash
between civilization and the frontier, embodying the spirit of American
Romanticism.
3. Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849):
 A master of Gothic fiction and poetry, Poe's works like "The Fall of the
House of Usher" and "The Raven" exemplify Romantic themes of darkness,
mystery, and the macabre.
 Poe's writing style and exploration of the human psyche influenced the
development of American Romantic literature and Gothic fiction.
4. Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864):
  Known for his dark romanticism, Hawthorne's works like "The Scarlet
Letter" and "Young Goodman Brown" delve into themes of sin, guilt, and
the human condition.
 Hawthorne's exploration of the psychological and moral complexities of
his characters aligns with the Romantic emphasis on individualism and the
inner self.
5. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882):
 A popular poet of the Romantic era, Longfellow's narrative poems like
"Paul Revere's Ride" and "The Song of Hiawatha" celebrated American
history and folklore.
 Longfellow's lyrical style and focus on national themes contributed to the
development of American Romantic poetry.
These writers, among others, played significant roles in shaping American literature
during the Romanticism period, exploring themes of nature, individualism, emotion, and
the supernatural that characterized the Romantic movement in literature.

Romanticism (1800-1865)

○ A reaction to the previous decades in which reason and rational thought dominated

○ Period of invention, Manifest Destiny, abolition movement, and the “birth” of truly American
Literature

○ Growth of urban population in Northeast ○ Growth of newspapers, lectures, debates

○ Revolution in transportation and science ○ Industrial revolution made “old ways” of doing things
irrelevant Historical Context Romanticism (1800-1865) ○ Writers celebrated:

○ Individualism

○ Nature

○ Imagination

○ Creativity

○ Emotions ○ Types of writing: ○ Short Stories ○ Novels ○ Poetry ○ Interest in fantasy and supernatural ○
Writing can be interpreted two ways—surface and depth ○ Good triumphs over evil ○ Imagination over
reason ○ Intuition over fact Characteristics Romanticism (1800-1865) Early Romantics Authors began the
tradition of creating imaginative literature that was distinctly American Authors ○ Washington Irving
(folktales) ○ William Cullen Bryant (poetry) ○ James Fenimore Cooper (novels)

The provided text offers insights into various writers and works that touch upon
different periods in American literature, including the Realism period. Here is a summary
of the information provided in the text regarding writers and their contributions during
the Realism period in American literature:
 1. The Development of Literary Realism and Naturalism:
 Realism in literature aimed to depict everyday life and social realities with
accuracy, often focusing on the middle and lower classes.
 Writers like Henry James, Edith Wharton, and Stephen Crane embraced
realism, portraying the complexities of human nature and society in their
works.
 Naturalism, a more extreme form of realism, delved into the darker
aspects of human existence, influenced by scientific determinism and
social conditions.
 Authors like Theodore Dreiser and Frank Norris explored themes of
determinism, survival, and the impact of environment on characters in
their novels.
Realism (1850-1900) ○ The Realistic Period includes the Civil War, significant industrial inventions, and
extensive westward expansion ○ Rejection of Romantic view of life as too idealistic ○ Writers write
about real-life issues and complex events of the time rather than idealized people or places ○ Objective
narrator Historical Context Realism (1850-1900) ○ Realistic authors convey the reality of life, however
harsh ○ Characters reflect ordinary people in everyday life: determined yet flawed, struggling to
overcome the difficulties of war, family, natural disasters, and human weaknesses ○ Good doesn’t
always triumph over evil ○ Nature is a powerful force beyond man’s control ○ Racism persisted beyond
slavery—Reconstruction, Jim Crow, KKK, etc. Characteristics Realism (1850-1900) Transitional Writers ○
Transition from Romanticism to Realism ○ Express Transcendental ideas in poetry, with realistic detail ○
Experimented with new poetic techniques such as free verse and slant rhyme Authors ○ Walt Whitman
(poetry) ○ Emily Dickinson (poetry) Characteristics/Authors Realism (1850-1900) Civil War Writers ○
Primarily concerned with: ○ The war ○ Slavery ○ Women’s suffrage (right to vote) Authors ○ Abraham
Lincoln ○ Robert E. Lee ○ Mary Chesnut ○ Sojourner Truth ○ Harriet Beecher Stowe ○ Frederick Douglass
Characteristics/Authors Realism (1850-1900) Local Color Writers (Regionalists) ○ Focused on a particular
region of the country ○ Seeking to represent accurately the culture and beliefs of that area ○
Emphasized: ○ Physical landscape ○ Habits ○ Occupations ○ Speech (dialect) of the area’s people
Authors ○ Mark Twain (Mississippi River valley) ○ Kate Chopin (the South, particularly Louisiana) ○ Willa
Cather (the Midwest, particularly Nebraska)

The provided text offers insights into various writers and works that touch upon
different periods in American literature, including the Naturalism period. Here is a
summary of the information provided in the text regarding writers and their
contributions during the Naturalism period in American literature:

1. **The Development of Literary Realism and Naturalism**:

- Naturalism, a more extreme form of realism, delved into the darker aspects of
human existence, influenced by scientific determinism and social conditions[1].

- Authors like Theodore Dreiser and Frank Norris explored themes of determinism,
survival, and the impact of environment on characters in their novels[1].
2. **Theodore Dreiser (1871-1945)**:

- A prominent naturalist writer, Dreiser's novels like "Sister Carrie" and "An American
Tragedy" portrayed the harsh realities of urban life and the impact of social forces on
individuals[1].

- His works challenged traditional morality and explored the deterministic forces that
shaped human behavior and destiny[1].

3. **Frank Norris (1870-1902)**:

- Norris was another influential naturalist writer, known for his novels "McTeague" and
"The Octopus"[1].

- His works depicted the struggle for survival in a harsh, indifferent universe,
influenced by the theories of Charles Darwin and the writings of Émile Zola[1].

- Norris's novels often focused on the impact of greed, corruption, and social forces
on individuals and society[1].

4. **Stephen Crane (1871-1900)**:

- Although often associated with realism, Crane's works like "The Red Badge of
Courage" and "Maggie: A Girl of the Streets" also incorporated naturalistic elements[1].

- Crane's depictions of the brutality of war and the harsh realities of urban life
exemplified the naturalistic approach to literature[1].

During the Naturalism period in American literature, writers like Dreiser, Norris, and
Crane explored the darker aspects of human existence, influenced by scientific
determinism and social conditions. Their works challenged traditional morality and
portrayed the harsh realities of urban life, the struggle for survival, and the impact of
greed, corruption, and social forces on individuals and society.

The sources provided offer insights into various periods in American literature, including
the Modernism period. Here is a summary of the information provided in the text
regarding writers and their contributions during the Modernism period in American
literature:
1. Making It New: The Emergence of Modern American Literature 1900–1945:
 The Modernism period in American literature (1900-1945) marked a time
of changing national identities and literary experimentation.
  Writers during this period navigated between Victorianism and
Modernism, exploring new forms, styles, and themes in their works.
 The period witnessed the inventions of Modernism, traditionalism, politics,
prophecy, community, identity, and the impact of mass culture on writers
and society.
2. Changing National Identities:
 Writers like T.S. Eliot, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and William Faulkner grappled
with the changing landscape of America and the complexities of modern
life in their works.
 Themes of disillusionment, alienation, and the search for meaning
permeated Modernist literature, reflecting the uncertainties of the post-
World War I era.
3. The Inventions of Modernism:
 Modernist writers like Ernest Hemingway, Virginia Woolf, and James Joyce
experimented with narrative techniques, stream of consciousness, and
fragmented storytelling in their novels.
 These writers challenged traditional literary conventions and explored new
ways of representing the complexities of human experience and
consciousness in a rapidly changing world.
4. Traditionalism, Politics, and Prophecy:
 Writers like Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and John Steinbeck
engaged with social and political issues, addressing themes of race, class,
and the American Dream in their works.
 The period saw a diverse range of voices and perspectives, reflecting the
social, cultural, and political upheavals of the early 20th century in
America.
During the Modernism period in American literature, writers embraced experimentation,
innovation, and a break from traditional literary forms, exploring new ways of
representing the complexities of modern life and the human experience. Their works
reflected the changing landscape of America and the uncertainties of the post-World
War I era.
The Lost Generation ○ A group of writers who chose to live in Paris after WWI ○ Themes of alienation
and change ○ Confronted people’s fears, despair, and disillusionment Writers ○ T.S. Eliot (poetry) ○ F.
Scott Fitzgerald (fiction) ○ Ernest Hemingway (fiction) Important Writers Modernism (1900-1950)
Harlem Renaissance ○ Flourishing of African-American authors ○ Included music and art ○ Two goals: ○
Write about African-American experience ○ Create literature by African-Americans that could rival
anything created by anyone else Writers ○ Langston Hughes (poetry) ○ Zora Neale Hurston (fiction) ○
Claude McKay (poetru) Important Writers Modernism (1900-1950) Southern Renaissance ○ Follow in the
footsteps of earlier local color writers, in that they focus on the South Writers ○ Margaret Mitchell ○
William Faulkner ○ Flannery O’Connor Important Writers Modernism (1900-1950) Traditional Poets Carl
Sandburg Robert Frost Experimental Poets e.e. cummings Important Writer

Here is some information about writers during the Postmodernism period in American
literature:
1. Kurt Vonnegut (1922-2007):
 Vonnegut was a prominent postmodern writer known for novels like
"Slaughterhouse-Five" and "Breakfast of Champions".
 His works often featured dark humor, satire, and a nonlinear narrative style
that challenged traditional storytelling techniques.
 Vonnegut's novels explored themes of free will, the absurdity of war, and
the search for meaning in a chaotic world.
2. Thomas Pynchon (b. 1937):
 Pynchon is considered one of the most influential postmodern novelists,
known for works like "The Crying of Lot 49" and "Gravity's Rainbow".
 His novels are characterized by complex plots, paranoia, and a blending of
high and low culture references.
 Pynchon's works often grapple with the impact of technology,
bureaucracy, and conspiracy theories on modern life.
3. John Barth (b. 1930):
 Barth is a postmodern metafictionist known for novels like "The Sot-Weed
Factor" and "Giles Goat-Boy".
 His works often feature self-referential narratives that draw attention to
the constructed nature of fiction.
 Barth's writing explores themes of storytelling, history, and the role of the
author in creating literary works.
4. Ishmael Reed (b. 1938):
 Reed is a postmodern writer known for his innovative use of language,
pastiche, and parody in works like "Mumbo Jumbo" and "The Last Days of
Louisiana Red".
 His writing challenges traditional notions of race, culture, and history,
often incorporating elements of African American folklore and mythology.
 Reed's works explore the complexities of identity and the power of
storytelling in shaping cultural narratives.
5. Toni Morrison (1931-2019):
 Morrison was a Nobel Prize-winning author known for novels like
"Beloved" and "Song of Solomon".
  Her works often explore the African American experience, incorporating
elements of magical realism and nonlinear narratives.
 Morrison's writing grapples with themes of memory, trauma, and the
legacy of slavery, while also celebrating the resilience and beauty of Black
culture.
These writers, among others, contributed to the development of postmodern literature
in America, experimenting with form, challenging traditional narratives, and exploring
the complexities of identity, culture, and the human experience in the latter half of the
20th century.
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