Historical and Cultural Connections
Colonists came to this country in a pursuit of freedom. They faced a hazardous ocean crossing, combated the hostile condition of the land, and built their homes from nothing. Some explorers, like those in John Smith’s company, came to the New World expecting instant wealth. Other settlers, like the Puritans, traveled to the New World so they could practice their religion without interference. They left a home where their faith caused religion persecution in the form of torture and death. All the groups that arrived found Native American cultures already thriving when they began settling. In fact, historian Francis Jennings noted, “Europeans did not find a wilderness here; rather, however involuntarily, they made one.” Many settlers brought with them diseases that had devastating effects on the native communities who did not have immunity.
Studying writings and speeches from this time period not only exposes you to important historic documents, but also to a piece of history that influenced the foundation of cultures and societies, and quite possibly the future. Certainly, the same ideals proposed by many early American leaders and writers have resurfaced over time in America. You will notice the style of Puritan writing differs greatly from the style of Native Americans. Native Americans engaged in oral tradition, the passing down of stories by word of mouth. This makes the stories “living literature” in the sense that it evolved, changed, and matured through many years.
View this presentation on Colonial American Literature to learn more about how the history and culture influenced the writings and speeches of the people of that time. Click the player button to begin.
Download a printable version of the interactivity above.
View the video, The Natives and the English, from eMediaVA℠ to learn more about the Native Americans and the early English colonists.
"The Day of Doom"
Written in 1662, Puritan Minister Michael Wigglesworth's poem "The Day of Doom" became widely popular among Puritans, especially as a way to teach the Puritan ideals. The plain, straightforward style that Wigglesworth uses emphasizes the importance of not succumbing to sin and complacency as one will be surely judged on Judgment Day.
Download and read stanzas five through eight from the poem Wigglesworth's "The Day of Doom." As you read and annotate the text, consider the following questions:
- What types of imagery does Wigglesworth use and how do they affect you as the reader?
- What other ways do you see that Wigglesworth uses to reach his Puritan audience in an effort to draw them back to their Puritan ideals?
Colonial American Literature Review
Check your knowledge of the history and culture that influenced Colonial American literature. In the non-graded activity below, answer each of the questions. Click the player button to get started.