Daffodil International University
Faculty of Humanities and Social Science => English => Topic started by: Gopa B. Caesar on December 06, 2011, 11:53:05 PM
-
America . . . A Nation of Stories
America a nation built upon “storiesâ€
Not founded on geographical or linguistic unity—immigrant, native experiences
“Stories†or ideologies impart a unity to diverse land and people
Published works, political rhetoric, press determine which stories become “legitimate†and definitive
Role of colonial, early Republic experience in shaping stories
-
Dominant stories & patterns emerge from English settlement in America
Story of Diversity: Not a single experience or single “storyâ€â€”diversified in terms of race, colonizing nation, religion, social status, motivations, etc.
Story of Individualism: America as a place to “go it aloneâ€â€”place not tied to old European alliances, traditions
Story of Expansionism & Colonialism (and Exploitation): Right & even duty (God-given) to spread across continent—“civilize†the wilderness
Story of Capitalism: America as place where personal destiny/wealth can be found—reward for leading a godly life
-
Story of Exceptionalism: America as an exception to the normal state of nations—an exceptional people
America as beacon to humanity—a “Peculiar Chosen People—the Israel of our time†(Herman Melville)
-
Understanding America through Puritanism & New England culture
Ideal of universal literacy
Printing culture
Influence of ideology on early American literature & beyond
Influence of ideology on “national character†today
Establishes several stories of what “America†means—but not THE story!
-
Early American Literature as a Challenge . . .
Literature all about challenging way we see world
Possible challenges to your assumptions about:
American nationhood
Religion and spirituality
Race and bigotry
Sexism and gender roles
Politics
(In)Tolerance of colonial ancestors
History—“History is written by the victorsâ€â€”but that never means it’s the ONLY story or the “real†story
-
Early American Literature as a Challenge . . .
Also a challenge because of genre
For all colonists, “literature†meant history, personal narratives, diaries, sermons, letters, trial transcripts, religious & political tracts, broadsides—as well as poetry & eventually fiction
But Puritans VERY suspicious of “all products of the flawed human imagination†(Emory Elliot 35)
Disdained any literature that distracted attention away from spiritual world
Not true for southern English colonists (e.g. Virginia, Maryland)
People still read secular things—but in New England these books were IMPORTS until relatively late in 17th century
-
Before the Puritans . . .
Native American cultures: pre-contact, approx 300 million people, 300+ separate indigenous cultures, 800 languages spoken
Mostly oral literature—but where “American Literature†really does begin
Colonizing by Spanish, French, Dutch, and English, in both South (Virginia) and North (New England)
First permanent European settlement on North American continent: Spanish at St. Augustine (Florida, 1565)
English: Jamestown (Virginia) 1607
Literature produced by colonists and printed in colonies begins 1639, with press set up by Puritans of Massachusetts Bay (Boston)
-
What does “Puritan†mean?
Originally meant as an insult: label for those who opposed compromises Queen Elizabeth I made with Catholic church
Both a religious, theological label and a political, cultural label
Way of grouping together very diverse set of belief systems – religious, political, social
Not a single, stable, static group of people
Most common context: Congregationalists, Calvinists
-
Puritanism – Roots
Label “Puritan†emerges 16th century
European Protestant reformation of Christianity – reform Roman Catholic Church (THE Christian Church)
1530s England – Henry VIII parts with Catholic Church to form Church of England (Anglican)
His government still a POLITICAL THEOCRACY—belief in government by divine guidance
One official state religion, intolerant of others (crime of heresy)
-
Puritanism – Roots, 2
Believe Henry and successors haven’t gone far enough in wiping out Catholic influence in England / Church of England
Purify Church of England – get back to basics of what they think Christianity is about, including:
Follow only the Christian Bible
Destroy influence of educated priesthood—individual path to God without intercession of priest (literacy)
Ban Catholic sacraments / rituals
Ban altars, images, priesthood, convents, etc.
Ban “pagan†holidays like Christmas, Easter
-
Puritans: Separatists and Non-Separatists
Most Puritans simply want to PURIFY Church of England, not break with it / separate from it (Non-Separatist Puritans)
Simply want to “fix†Church—too close to Catholic roots
Some, though, think Church (and by connection government of England) is beyond fixing (Separatist Puritans, or “Pilgrimsâ€)
Purify Christianity by separating from established church
Radical political offense!
-
Basic World View (Theology)
Most Puritans who come to New England in 17th century are CALVINISTS (Congregationalists)
Catholics—Maryland, Virginia, Rhode Island, initially
Anglicans—Virginia, initially
Quakers—Pennsylvania (late 17th c.)
John Calvin, Swiss Protestant reformer, 1509-1564
Theology: about an interlocking system of COVENANTS (laws, legally binding agreements between God and humanity)
-
Covenant of Works
God promised Adam/Eve and all their descendants eternal life if they obeyed his law; Adam/Eve accepted this promise (covenant)
Humanity thus responsible for earning salvation via works (things they DO / way they ACT)
Adam/Eve broke covenant
God totally justified in condemning all humanity to eternal damnation from that point on
-
Covenant of Grace
God totally just, but also totally merciful
New covenant with Abraham in Bible’s Old Testament scriptures: I will be your God and you will be my people.
Christian Bible’s New Testament: Christ’s death fulfills God’s end of covenant – crucifixion atones for damnation of humanity
-
Covenant of Grace, 2
Calvin: God offers salvation not to all humanity per se, but to select group: “the electâ€
No one knows who is elect and who is not
Must have more than “intellectual†faith that you MAY be elect – must have spiritual, emotional, moving faith, total devotion to God, church, state
Constantly watch for signs that you’ve been offered the covenant of grace
Doctrine of “preparationismâ€
-
Social Covenant
Idea of covenant organizes Puritan civic life:
King/Queen of England not in charge of church governance
Individual church congregations enter into own covenants with each other and govern themselves
Church and government of colonies also enter into covenants—theocracy
Extremely threatening to English monarchy
Conformity in all aspects of life: “Here’s our contract with God and each other.â€
Quashes dissent: break covenant & you’re out of church, land, community
-
The Appeal; or, What’s In It For Me?
Covenant system very delicately balanced—inherent drama
Those not Puritan definitely not elected
Be part of exceptional group
Belief world about to end—Puritans to “make way†for return of Christ
Emotional charge – extremely charismatic religion
Social pressures – economic pressures
Not just about religion – also all about politics and social order
Sense of order and community in totally disordered / fractured world
-
Of Pilgrims and Puritans: What’s the difference?
All Pilgrims are Puritans, but not all Puritans are Pilgrims
Most Puritans are happy to keep the Church of England–simply want to PURIFY it by working from within (Winthrop, Bradstreet, Boston/Massachusetts Bay Co., est. 1630)
Pilgrims are radical Puritans—Church of England has to go—beyond salvation (Bradford, Plymouth Plantation, est. 1620)
-
Of Pilgrims and Puritans, 2
“Separatists†– Separate from Church of England and therefore from England itself
Social outcasts – radical, subversive, persecuted
Of Mayflower and First Thanksgiving fame (a myth)
-
William Bradford, 1590-1657
Separatist Puritans (Pilgrims) to Plymouth, 1620
Group most persecuted in England
Most radical, extreme views
-
Figures and typology
Puritan literature explicates prophecies of Biblical Old Testament as foreshadowing of events and people—first in the New Testament, then in contemporary life (by 1640s)
Biblical forecasts of current events
E.g.: Atlantic journey of Puritans is “antitype†of Exodus of Israelites, the “chosen people†(the “typeâ€).
-
Figures and typology: Story of American Exceptionalism
Individuals are “chosenâ€â€”the elect
But COMMUNITY as whole is “people chosen of God†as well
New Israelites (Puritans) sent on errand into the wilderness to establish the new Jerusalem in anticipation of Christ’s return
-
hmmm...
-
???
-
hmmm...
-
please let me know both the connotation and denotation of your "hmmm..." ...
-
Why don't you focus more on American dream?
I also wish to see something on Hemingway from you.
Regards
Tamanna
-
thanks a lot for your suggestions api.
i'll try to post some as soon as i'll manage to write some. :)
-
Great study. Carry on!!!!!!!
Antara Basak
Lecturer
Dept. of English