《美国文学课件.doc》由会员分享，可在线阅读，更多相关《美国文学课件.doc（53页珍藏版）》请在taowenge.com淘文阁网|工程机械CAD图纸|机械工程制图|CAD装配图下载|SolidWorks_CaTia_CAD_UG_PROE_设计图分享下载上搜索。
1、Four short words sum up what has lifted most successful individuals above the crowd: a little bit more.-author-date美国文学课件美国文学课件 Part 1: The Literature of Colonial America 1. Historical Introduction: (1) John Smith: the first American writer2. Early New England Literature: (2) William Bradford: (3) J
2、ohn Winthrop:3. Puritan Thoughts: (4) John Cotton: (5) Roger Williams: (6) Anne Bradstreet: (7) Edward Taylor: Puritanism(1). Features of Puritanism Unconditional election: God had decreed who was damned and who was saved from before the beginning of the world. Irresistible grace: regeneration as en
3、tirely a work of God, which cannot be resisted and to which the sinner contributes nothing. Total depravity: humantys utter corruption since the Fall. Limited atonement: Christ died for the elect only. Perseverance of the saints: the elect, despite their backsliding and faintness of heart, cannot fa
4、ll away from grace(2). Influence of Puritanism: A group of good qualities hard work, thrift, piety, sobriety (serious and thoughtful) influenced American literature. It led to the everlasting myth. All literature is based on a myth garden of Eden. Symbolism: the American puritans metaphorical mode o
5、f perception was chiefly instrumental in calling into being a literary symbolism which is distinctly American. With regard to their writing, the style is fresh, simple and direct; the rhetoric is plain and honest, not without a touch of nobility often traceable to the direct influence of the Bible.
6、Main Features of Colonial American Literature:1) American literature grew out of humble origins. Diaries, histories, journals, letters, commonplace books, travel books, sermons, in short, personal literature in its various forms, occupy a major position in the literature of the early colonial period
7、. 2) In content these early writings served either God or colonial expansion or both. In form, if there was any form at all, English literary traditions were faithfully imitated and transplanted. 3) The Puritanism formed in this period was one of the most enduring shaping influences in American thou
8、ght and American literature4) Part 2: The Literature of Reason and Revolution Benjamin Franklin: The Autobiography1. Thomas Paine: The American Crisis2. Thomas Jefferson: The Declaration of Independence3. Philip Freneau: The Wild Honey Suckle The Indian Burying Ground To a Caty-DidBackground Knowled
9、ge The Period of Enlightenment: The 18th century American history witnessed two great revolutions: one was American Revolution, the other was Enlightenment, an intellectual movement whose rationalistic spirit inspired American men of letters and brought them into a new horizon beyond the limitation
10、of prevailing Puritanism. The two revolutions produced a number of outstanding political and literary figures, such as Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Paine, and Thomas Jefferson and Philip Freneau. Their literary talent enabled them to be political leaders.1) 1. Benjamin FranklinLife: 1706-1790 Humanist,
11、 Scientist, master of diplomacy, a prose writer; believer in the possibility of human progress and the comforts of material success; pragmatic and optimistic, the last positive representation of the values of the American dream The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklina. It is perhaps the first real po
12、st-revolutionary American writing as well as the first real autobiography in English. b. It gives us the simple yet immensely fascinating record of a man rising to wealth and fame from a state of poverty and obscurity into which he was born, the faithful account of the colorful career of Americas fi
13、rst self-made man. c. First of all, it is a puritan document. The most famous section describes his scientific scheme of self-examination and self-improvement. d. It is also an eloquent elucidation of the fact that Franklin was spokesman for the new order of eighteenth century enlightenment, and tha
14、t he represented in America all its ideas, that man is basically good and free, by nature endowed by God with certain inalienable rights of liberty and the pursuit of happiness. e. It is the pattern of Puritan simplicity, directness, and concision. The plainness of its style, the homeliness of image
15、ry, the simplicity of diction, syntax and expression are some of the salient features we cannot mistake. The style of the Autobiography was simple, direct and concise. The work also gave autobiography an official position in the literary field. Franklins emphasis on material wealth and material succ
16、ess rather than spiritual satisfaction also met with criticism and challenges from critics. Thirteen Virtues in Poor Richards Almanac 1.Temperance （节制） Eat not Dullness. Drink not to Elevation.食不过饱，饮不过量。 2. Silence （谨言） Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoiding trifling conversatio
17、n. 于人无善者不言，避免琐碎之谈。 3. Order （秩序） Let all your things have their places. Let each part of your business have its time. 物占其所，置物有定位，做事有定时，物有未来，事有始终。 4. Resolution （决断） Resolve to perform what you ought. Perform without fail what you resolve. 该做之事下决心去做，决定之事一定去做。 5. Frugality （节俭） Make no expense but to
18、do good to others or yourself: i.e. waste nothing. 花费要于人于己有益，不得浪费。 6. Industry （勤勉） Lose no time. Be always employed in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary actions. 爱惜光阴，应做有用之事，不为无意之举。 7. Sincerity （真诚） Use no hurtful deceit. Think innocently and justly; and, if you speak, speak accordingly.（不
19、做伤人之举，思想公正。） 8. Justice （正直） Wrong none, by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty. （成人之美，不成人之恶。） 9. Moderation （中庸） Avoid extremes. Forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve. （避免极端，要尽量克制报复心理。） 10. Cleanliness （清洁） Tolerate no uncleanness in body, clothes or ha
20、bitation. （起居服饰，务求整洁。） 11. Tranquility （宁静） Be not disturbed at trifles, or accidents common or unavoidable. （不为琐事，常见的或者不可避免的事感到烦恼。） 12. Chastity （贞洁） Rarely use venery but for health or offspring; never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or anothers peace or reputation.（节欲，保健康或为后代，决不使
21、身体虚弱，生活乏味，不损己或他人。 13. Humility （谦逊） Imitate Jesus and Socrates. （效仿耶稣与苏格拉底。） Analysis of The Poor Richards Almanac B. Franklin created a character named Poor Richard whose real existence was debated humorously and seriously in this book. For almost a quarter of a century, he kept publishing Poor Ric
22、hards Almanac, expending its literary part to the intense delight of its readers. Apart from poems and essays, he managed to put in a good many adages (格言) , and commonsense witticisms (妙语) which became household words and many mottos of the most typical kind. He did not always write the maxims (格言)
23、 himself. He borrowed from others and made good use of his own wit and wisdom to simplify and enrich their axiom (格言). There are many similar statements filled almanac, and taught as much as amused. The practical wisdom of Franklin shone forth rays of grandeur from its pages. Significance of B. Fran
24、klin1) He was a rare genius in human history. Nature seemed particularly lavish and happy when he was shaped. Everything seems to meet in this one man, mind and will, talent and art, strength and ease, wit and grace, and he became almost everything: a printer, postmaster, citizen, almanac maker, ess
25、ayist, scientist, inventor, orator, statesman, philosopher, political economist, ambassador, musician and parlor man. 2) He was the first great self-made man in America, a poor democrat born in an aristocratic age that his fine example helped to liberalize.3) Politically he brought the colonial era
26、to a close. For quite some time he was regarded as the father of all Yankees, even more than Washington was. He was the only American to sign the four documents that created the United States: the declaration of Independence, the treaty of alliance with France, the treaty of peace with England, and
27、the constitution. 4) Scientifically, as the symbol of America in the Age of Enlightenment, he invented a lot of useful implements. His research on electricity, his famous experiment with his kite line and many others made him the preeminent scientist of his day.5) Literally, he really opened the sto
28、ry of American literature. D. H. Lawrance agreed that Franklin was everything but a poet. In the Scottish philosopher David Humes eyes he was Americas “first great man of letters”.2. Thomas Paine (1737-1809) The Case of the Officers of the Excise Rights of Man The Age of Reason Agrarian Justice (179
29、7)3. Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) - an important revolutionary statesman, the main drafter of The Declaration of Independence and the third president of the USA. - a fervent believer and advocator of democracy, liberty and selfhood. The natural rights of man must be secured by law inalienably for al
30、l.4. F. Philip Freneau (1752-1832) - The poet of revolution - Father of American poetry - a transitional literary figure from the Enlightenment to the Romantic period. The Wild Honey Suckle The Indian Burying Ground To a Caty-Did Part 3: The Literature of Romanticism 1. Washington Irving: The Legend
31、 of Sleepy Hollow2. James Fenimore Cooper: The Last of the Mohicans3. William Cullen Bryant: To a Waterfrowl4. Edgar Allan Poe: The Raven, To Helen, Annabel Lee, The Fall of the House of Usher5. Ralph Waldo Emerson: Nature, Self-Reliance6. Henry David Thoreau: Walden7. Nathaniel Hawthorne: The Scarl
32、et Letter8. Herman Melville: Moby Dick9. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: A Psalm of Life, The Song of Hiawatha, The Slaves Dream, My Lost YouthHistorical Background(1) National Influences: In politics: democracy and political equality lay the foundation of Romanticism; In economics: the spread of indust
33、rialism; the sudden influx of immigration and the pioneers pushing the frontier further west; In culture: the publication of Webster Dictionary marked the beginning of the American English; the appearance of many magazines and newspapers;(2) International Influences: Romantic Movement in England and
34、 Europe proved to be a decisive influence; Many English and European master of poetry and prose made stimulating impact on American Romanticism.Romanticism: a movement of the 18th and 19th century. It is the predominance of imagination over reason and formal rules and over the sense of fact or the a
35、ctual, a psychological desire to escape from unpleasant realities.American RomanticismPre-romanticism1770s-1830sPost-romanticism Flowing time before American Civil War 1830-1860 Declining time after American Civil War 1865-1875 Specific Features of American Romanticism (1) American romanticism was i
36、n essence the expression of “a real new experience and contained “an alien quality” for the simple reason that “the spirit of the place” was radically new and alien. (2) There is American Puritanism as a cultural heritage to consider. American romantic authors tended more to moralize. Many American
37、romantic writings intended to edify more than they entertained. (3) The “newness” of Americans as a nation is in connection with American Romanticism. (4) As a logical result of the foreign and native factors at work, American romanticism was both imitative and independent. Representatives of the ti
38、me:d Pre-romanticism: Washington Irving, James Fenimore Cooper, William Cullen Bryantd Post-romanticism: Novelists: Nathaniel Hawthorne, Herman Melville Poets: Henry Wadesworth Longfellow, Edgar Allan Poe, Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson Essayists: Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David ThoreauPre-romantici
39、sm: 1770-1830s1) During this period some American writers did begin to attract notice abroad. Although English literary models were still admired and followed, the American writers turned to the American scene and civilization, and found their materials in the culture and history, the lore and lands
40、cape of their native land. Irving, Cooper, and Bryant made for themselves the first great names in American literature. All were praised not only in their own country but abroad as well. All have left work that is enjoyable reading today. 2)Washington Irving His life: Born into a wealthy New York me
41、rchant family Began writing from a very early age Studied law and led for a time the life of a gentleman lawyer Loved writing more and wrote his first book in 1809 Went to England in 1815 to take care of family business but failed Had to write to support himself The Sketch Book won him international
42、 fame Went as diplomatic attache to Spain in 1826 and gathered material for writing Secretary of U.S. Legation in London from 18291832 Returned to Am. at about 50 after being away for 17 years Lived a leisure life and wrote the rest of his life except 4 years as Minister to Spain Died in 1859 and un
43、married all his life His career and works: 1st phase: 18091832 “English phase” . A History of New York from the Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynasty 纽约外史(1809) The Sketch Book 见闻札记(18191820) The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. : “Rip Wan Winkle” 瑞普凡温克尔 “The Legend of Sleepy H
44、ollow” 睡谷的传说 marked the beginning of short story as a genre in Am. literature marked the beginning of American Romanticism The History of the Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus 哥仑布传(1828) A Chronicle of the Conquest of Granada 攻克格拉纳达(1829) The Alhambra 阿尔罕伯拉(1832) 2nd phase: 18321859 “minor ph
45、ase” Life of Goldsmith 歌德斯密传 Life of Washington 华盛顿传 The Crayon Miscellany: “A Tour on the Prairies” 草原游记 “Astoria” 阿斯托里亚 “Adventures of Captain Bonneville” 博纳维尔船长历险记 His Contribution to American Literature He was the father of American literature He was the first romantic writer, first to get inter
46、national fame; He made short story as a genre; His stories based on the legends of Europe and Spain gave his readers a glimpse of a world beyond their own shores His colorful legends of the Hudson River Valley helped awaken Am. to an appreciation of their nation and its native lit. His style imitative, but highly skillful; never shocking and a bit sentimental a