Literature Through Time REVIEW. Puritan Literature Rationalism-Romanticism-Gothic-Realism- Naturalism

Transcription

1 Literature Through Time REVIEW Puritan Literature Rationalism-Romanticism-Gothic-Realism- Naturalism

2 PURITAN LITERATURE Style: sermons, diaries, personal narratives, captivity narratives Main Effect: to reinforce the authority of the Bible and church Themes: a person's fate is determined by God

3 Puritan reading Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God Sermon written by Johnathan Edwards, a preacher, theologian and missionary Originally preached on July 8, 1741 in Enfield, Connecticut

4 Puritan reading cont d. Sinners combines vivid imagery of sinners and Hell, with actual citations from the scripture *Demonstrates the religious aspect of Puritan literature, portraying God as fearful.. Ready to cast sinners into hell at any moment

5 Puritan reading cont d Sinners is full of imagery including: Sinners sliding down a slippery surface into Hell, unable to get a grasp A rock falling through a spider s web God s wrath as a flood, ready to overpower the gates God s hand holding back an arrow from the sinner s heart A spider dangling over a fire, much like a

6 Rationalism literature Style: Politics, Travel, highly ornate writing, any fiction had generic plots Main Effect: To spread patriotism, instill pride, create a common agreement, show differences between America and Europe Themes: human progress, expression of

7 Rationalism cont d Historical context: Age of Enlightenment is the era in Western philosophy, intellectual, scientific and cultural life, in which REASON was advocated as the primary source for legitimacy and authority

8 Rationalism reading Thomas Paine: one of the founding fathers of the United States, he was a radical, inventor, writer, intellectual, and revolutionary He advocated for America s independence for Great Britain, and was most well known

9 Rationalism Reading cont d In Common Sense. Paine demonstrates Rationalism literature by using reason to spread American patriotism and point out the flaws of Great Britain Paine hates government. He refers to it as a necessary evil, saying that he knows that we need government, but it s nature is evil, even in it s best state.

10 Rationalism reading cont d Paine hates the connection that America had with Britain, he thought that America would have flourished better without Britain s influence. He also believed that Britain was only using America for their monetary benefits. Paine had an optimistic view of America s military. He believed that the naval fleet could easily overpower Britain s. He also said, It is not in numbers but in unity, that

11 Romanticism Style: novels, short stories, poems, narratives Main Effect: Revolt against the political/aristocratic/social writing of the Age of Enlightenment/Rationalism Themes: complex, artistic, literary and intellectual movement.. Embodied strongly in visual arts, music, and literature

12 Romanticism cont d Characteristics: Love of nature Emotions vs. Rationality Author as an artist & the creator of the work Exoticism (Love for the exotic) Supernatural

13 Romanticism cont d Despite the name, Romanticism was NOT FOCUSED on romance, although it could be included in some writings Romanticism was interested in supernatural topics, but not really God or the devil The short story emerged during this time due to the popularity of magazines Romanticism used strong emotion, aesthetic descriptions, and gothic imagery

14 Romanticism reading Percy Shelley s Ode to the West Wind is a poem that shows romanticism by showing a strong love and connection with nature The two works by Edgar Allen Poe, The Raven and The Tell-Tale Heart are

15 Gothic Literature Sub-genre of Romaticism Styles: short stories, poems and novels Effect: in literature the alluring antagonist s evil characteristics appeal to one's sense of awe Themes: mix of HORROR and ROMANCE

16 Gothic literature cont d Horror Characteristics: Dark settings, castles, strong imagery, damsels in distress, women oppressed by powerful men, deep villains, dark themes about human nature, hidden secrets, mystery, suspense, omens and visions, supernatural & unexplained events, etc. Romance Characteristics: powerful love, uncertainty of reciprocation, unreturned

17 Realism Style: novels and short stories Effect: aimed to change social problems Themes: detailed world as one would really see it, objective narrator, many voices from different characters around the world, nothing is idealized, emphasis of the individual Historical Background: Civil War was going on democracy was spreading

18 Realism cont d Common people were not idealized, but they were the most common characters (farmers, laborers, lawyers, merchants, etc.) Detailed settings were important for accuracy Use of dialect and characters of color became common Character was emphasized more than

19 Realism reading Mark Twain s A Mysterious Visit Common characters exhibits materialism by jealousy of the trader s wealth Lots of details for example, the price of the books, the exact dollar amount of their salaries, etc. Ethical issues with the character he debates if he should pay his taxes or not

20 Naturalism Sub-genre of Realism Style/Effect: Very similar to realism with novels, short stories, common characters, detailed setting, etc. Themes: The pitting of Man vs. Nature

21 Nature is portrayed as indifferent to human beings (having no interest or sympathy) Naturalism cont d Characteristics: Humans respond to the outside world much like animals, reacting to natural forces that they cannot understand or control Humans are often portrayed as victims of fate or destiny Life is portrayed as a trap

22 Naturalist reading. The Open Boat Stephen Crane The men are at the mercy of the sea the sea is portrayed accurately and is indifferent to the men s survival (the waves never stop coming at the boat). The writer is pessimistic about the humans ability to survive out at sea. It is viewed as the men being stuck in a trap.

23 Naturalist reading cont d To Build a Fire Jack London story & movie The man is stuck in a trap when he has to fight the cold, falls through the ice into freezing cold water Driven by animalistic needs (food & warmth) Nature is indifferent (temperature keeps

24 The basic gist of it PURITAN = religious writing RATIONALISM= politics/academic ROMANTICISM= fiction.. nature/supernatural GOTHIC = horror and romance