The American identity has evolved over time. During the 1700’s, the Enlightenment, also known as the Age of Reason, occurred. It spread rapidly across Europe, and then to North America. This revolutionary way of thinking was crucial to the development of the American identity. The Enlightenment was the period for cultivation of science and human reason.
During the first century and a half of colonial settlement, an English heritage integrated most East Coast colonies. As historian Sheldon Hanft has put it: “Since all but two of the original colonies were founded by Englishmen, were administered by English officials, were protected by England’s army and navy, and were led by English-trained clergy, lawyers, and educators, they adapted English models in their laws, constitutions, educational system, social structure, and cultural pursuits.” He adds that many wealthier colonists sent their sons to English universities, and “English styles in literature, poetry, music, architecture, industry, and clothing were the models to emulate until the twentieth century.” The dominant U.S. political, legal,
Jamestown was the first colony in America and it was the first glipse of what America would become U.S. history began with the first settlement in Jamestown because it was the first time people began to identify as American. At the most difficult times, the American people were motivated by their desire to create an ideal society. The principles that they held to be true are used as a basis for American society. The people of Jamestown continue to influence our nation today. According to Jamestown and Yorktown Settlement and Victory Center, “The government, language, customs, beliefs and aspirations” that were part of the early Virginian’s lifestyles continue to play a role in American society.
Also, authors like Washington Irving wrote about expansion and other pertinent topics of the time, catching the attention of not only Americans, but also people in other
They had an outlook of localism and simplicity. However, most Americans wanted not only cultural independence, but also a literary and artistic life that would rival Europes. This newfound quest first surfaced in schoolbooks such as Noah Webster’s American Spelling Book. His books would establish a national standard for words and usage.
Equally important was the New England colonies
The Education was a type of culture for the New Englanders because that talked about their
The New England Primer was a small textbook published in Boston in 1683. (Doc. K). Children in New England colony learned to read from it. In the textbook, there were poems that also mentioned a lot about god and helped children learn to read. This shows that New England residents valued their religion and moral values.
American Romanticism were mostly written during the 1800’s. The use of American Romanticism was to get readers to read. The authors would exaggerate stories to get them attached and start reading them. American Romanticism were stories that were mostly gothic or dark stories. The death of a protagonist is usually over exaggerated.
Did you know that the United States was founded over 200 years ago? In this long time, American literature has evolved and changed a lot. When our country first began, literature was focused on passing important information and persuading people to do things. It wasn’t until years later that the American people were able to start writing for the purpose of entertainment. “Rip Van Winkle” by Washington Irving is an early example of entertainment literature written by an American author.
In 18th century Europe, a literary movement, romanticism and transcendentalism, came about which inspired many American writers. Although, the two are very similar in philosophy and ideology they are quite distinct to the extent of their beliefs. Both are firm believers in the sacredness of nature, but their views on religion remain indifferent. Many romantic and transcendental writers flourished during this time period. Like the romantic, Washington Irving, who wrote “The Devil and Tom Walker”, and the transcendental, Ralph Waldo Emerson who wrote “Nature”.
American Romanticism American Romanticism is a concept that developed in the 17th century. Romanticism is all about emotions, the meaning of life, religion, society, the human form, death, and nature. Romanticism is very diverse and complex because each writer interprets the themes differently and each person who reads the poem can see something different and unique. Two famous and influential romantic poets were Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman. Although Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman were both romantic poets they interpreted society and death in two completely different ways.
The romanticism was the response to the Industrial Age. That movement began in America from 1820 ’s to 1870’s. Washington Irving was part of that movement which began in America after Revolutionary War. They tried to separate them from the rest of the world and create a country as a nation. They used their chance of individuality and creativity, and they addressed economic social and many other concerns by their writings.
Throughout this time period American literature shifts from American foundation into American development. Following the Revolutionary War, America saw a huge population increase; migration westward; and many technological advances. These events thus initiate the Romantic Era. Within this era society held the values of individual importance; close association with nature; and humanism. In the romanticism poem The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls the reader can obtain a glimpse of these nature focused beliefs.
Transnationality of Literature in the Works by H. D. Thoreau and R. W. Emerson Transnationalism as an approach within the discipline of American studies has been adopted not so long ago (Giles 62). However, the idea of transnationality of cultural heritage in general and of literature in particular is not an entire novelty. Already in the nineteenth century America there existed literary works that were similar to this approach in their argumentation. Ralph Waldo Emerson’s and Henry David Thoreau’s works – “Persian Poetry” and the chapter “Reading” from Walden respectively – are a good examples of such sources. Yet, it should be mentioned that these authors never explicitly use this terminology to argue their case.
