Many Works Of Early American Literature Deal With The Theme

Many Works Of Early American Literature Deal With The Theme Of Pers

Many works of early American literature deal with the theme of perseverance of an individual. Discuss how you see the theme of perseverance and how it is important to the literary text as a whole by choosing one of the following: John Smith’s The General History, The Third Book, “Chapter II”; the assigned selections from Mary Rowlandson’s A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration; the assigned selections from Benjamin Franklin’s The Autobiography; or, “Chapters 2, 3, and 7” of Olaudah Equiano’s The Interesting Narrative.

Early colonial writers often had different perspectives on the “New World” and its inhabitants. Compare and contrast two of the following three colonial perspectives: John Smith’s The General History, “The Third Book,” “Chapter II”; William Bradford’s Of Plymouth Plantation, Book I, “Chapter IX”; and Thomas Morton’s New English Canaan, “Chapters IV, XV, XIV, and XV.”

Many of the works we have read include references to biblical scripture. Discuss the role that biblical scripture plays in the overall narrative or poem of two-three authors we have covered.

Based on your reading of J. Hector St. John de Crevecoeur’s “What Is an American?” and Thomas Paine’s “The American Crisis,” discuss how those works helped create the ideals of the emerging American republic.

The first four weeks of the course had the general theme of literature as history of early America. Explain how you understand that theme by discussing three different texts from the first four weeks of the course.

Compare and contrast the poems of Anne Bradstreet and Phillis Wheatley by writing about one assigned poem for each.

American Romanticism often involves stories and poems that connect the fantastical or the supernatural to the struggles of an individual character. Discuss how you see the importance of the fantastical or the supernatural to the events of the story or poem in Washington Irving’s “Rip Van Winkle,” Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven,” or Poe’s “The Fall of the House of Usher.”

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Perseverance is a central theme in many works of early American literature, reflecting the resilience of individuals facing the challenges of a new and often hostile environment. This theme not only embodies the personal struggles of characters but also symbolizes the broader American spirit of endurance and determination that was pivotal during the nation's formative years. Analyzing John Smith’s “The General History,” Mary Rowlandson’s narrative, and Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography reveals how perseverance was integral to shaping American identity and values.

John Smith’s “The General History,” particularly “Chapter II” of the third book, exemplifies perseverance through Smith’s own survival and leadership in the early Virginia colony. His accounts highlight perseverance as a necessary trait for survival and colonization, emphasizing resilience in the face of conflict with native populations and the hardships of frontier life (Smith, 1624). Smith’s narrative presents perseverance as essential to overcoming the physical and social obstacles inherent in colonial endeavors, serving as a model for future generations.

Mary Rowlandson’s “A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration” offers a poignant depiction of perseverance through her ordeal as a captive among Native Americans. Her religious faith sustains her amid suffering, and her resilience underscores the importance of spiritual endurance. Rowlandson’s narrative, constructed within the Puritan worldview, depicts perseverance not merely as endurance but as a divine virtue, essential for spiritual salvation (Rowlandson, 1682). Her story illustrates how perseverance reinforced societal values of faith and resilience in the face of adversity.

Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography reflects perseverance through Franklin’s own self-made rise from modest beginnings to societal prominence. His constant pursuit of self-improvement, including the development of virtues and skills such as honesty and industry, exemplifies perseverance as a means of personal and social progress (Franklin, 1791). Franklin’s narrative advocates perseverance as an empowering force enabling individuals to shape their destinies and contribute to the collective growth of America.

Early colonial perspectives on the “New World” often contrasted sharply, reflecting different experiences and attitudes toward the land and its inhabitants. John Smith’s account emphasizes achievement, enterprise, and the divine right to colonize, portraying the native inhabitants as obstacles or adversaries (Smith, 1624). Conversely, William Bradford’s narrative in “Of Plymouth Plantation” presents a more subdued and religiously oriented perspective, emphasizing divine providence and community resilience in establishing Plymouth Colony (Bradford, 1620). These differing viewpoints highlight contrasting attitudes—Smith’s proactive, individualistic approach versus Bradford’s faith-based collective effort.

Thomas Morton’s “New English Canaan,” by contrast, offers a skeptical and satirical perspective, criticizing Puritan orthodoxy and celebrating a more liberal view of the New World. Morton’s account underscores the diversity of colonial perspectives, emphasizing economic opportunity and cultural freedom, contrasting with the religious and survivalist themes in Smith and Bradford’s narratives (Morton, 1637). Comparing these texts reveals the complex and multifaceted colonial attitudes toward the land and its original inhabitants.

Many early American works incorporate biblical scripture, serving as moral and narrative frameworks that reinforce themes of faith, divine intervention, and moral authority. For instance, in Smith’s writings, scripture underscores the divine right and providence guiding colonization efforts. Rowlandson’s narrative is steeped in biblical references that affirm her faith and interpret her captivity as part of divine will, reinforcing resilience through religious conviction (Rowlandson, 1682). Similarly, Bradford’s language frequently invokes biblical themes, framing the development of Plymouth as a fulfillment of God’s plan. These scriptural references lend moral authority and coherence to the narratives, linking personal and collective perseverance to divine purpose.

De Crevecoeur’s “What Is an American?” and Paine’s “The American Crisis” both contributed significantly to shaping American ideals such as liberty, resilience, and a sense of collective identity. De Crevecoeur’s depiction of the American as the product of cultural melting and adaptability portrays resilience as a defining trait of Americans, emphasizing their capacity to forge new identities amidst diversity (De Crevecoeur, 1782). Paine’s speeches bolster this by rallying colonists to persevere in the face of British tyranny, framing perseverance as a moral obligation for the survival of liberty (Paine, 1776). Together, these works fostered a narrative of resilience rooted in individual virtue and collective purpose aimed at establishing and defending American values.

The theme of literature as history is evident in how early texts serve as records of the social, political, and cultural realities of their time. Thomas Jefferson’s letters, Irving’s “Rip Van Winkle,” and Poe’s “The Raven” exemplify different facets of early American life and thought, reflecting societal struggles, supernatural beliefs, and cultural identity. Jefferson’s writings document political ideals; Irving’s story encapsulates American folklore and the allure of the supernatural; Poe’s “The Raven” explores psychological and existential themes, revealing the complexities of human consciousness (Jefferson, 1801; Irving, 1819; Poe, 1845). These texts collectively serve as windows into the early American mind, blending history, myth, and individual experience.

In comparing the poetry of Anne Bradstreet and Phillis Wheatley, both poets articulate the spiritual and societal aspirations of their respective eras. Bradstreet’s “Upon the Burning of Our House” reflects her struggle with material loss while affirming faith in divine providence. Her poetry often explores personal humility, faith, and perseverance through adversity (Bradstreet, 1666). Wheatley’s “On Being B Published” highlights her navigation of slavery, race, and religion, asserting her intellectual and spiritual resilience in a society that marginalized her (Wheatley, 1773). Both poets use their work to challenge societal norms and express perseverance amid personal and collective hardships.

American Romanticism, exemplified in Irving’s “Rip Van Winkle,” Poe’s “The Raven,” and Poe’s “The Fall of the House of Usher,” emphasizes the importance of the supernatural and the fantastical in expressing human psychology and cultural anxieties. In “Rip Van Winkle,” the supernatural symbolizes the passage of time and change, reflecting themes of nostalgia and societal transformation (Irving, 1819). Poe’s “The Raven” employs the supernatural as a metaphor for grief and mental anguish, revealing the depths of human despair (Poe, 1845). “The Fall of the House of Usher” explores the supernatural’s role in representing decay and madness, emphasizing the fragility of human existence (Poe, 1839). These elements underscore the Romantic emphasis on emotion, mystery, and the transcendental qualities of human experience.

References

• Bradstreet, A. (1666). Upon the Burning of Our House
• De Crevecoeur, J. H. St. John. (1782). What Is an American?
• Franklin, B. (1791). The Autobiography
• Hart, T. (Ed.). (2001). The Writings of Thomas Jefferson
• Irving, Washington. (1819). Rip Van Winkle
• Morton, T. (1637). New English Canaan
• Paine, T. (1776). The American Crisis
• Poe, E. A. (1839). The Fall of the House of Usher
• Poe, E. A. (1845). The Raven
• Rowlandson, M. (1682). A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration