American Literature Notes
1. Native American Oral Traditions
Stories were told out loud, passed down by word of mouth.
Focused on nature, spirits, and how the world was created.
Example: 'The World on the Turtle’s Back' shows balance between good and bad.
2. Colonial and Puritan Literature (1600s–1750)
Mostly religious writing—focused on God and living a pure life.
Used simple language; believed life was a test from God.
Example: Anne Bradstreet's poems and Jonathan Edwards' 'Sinners in the Hands
of an Angry God'.
3. Revolutionary Period (1750–1800)
Focused on reason, independence, and freedom from England.
Used persuasive writing like speeches and political documents.
Example: Thomas Paine’s 'Common Sense' and Patrick Henry’s 'Give me liberty
or give me death'.
4. Romanticism and Gothic (1800–1860)
Focused on emotion, nature, and the power of imagination.
Gothic lit added dark, creepy vibes and looked at human psychology.
Example: Edgar Allan Poe’s 'The Raven'; Washington Irving’s 'The Legend of
Sleepy Hollow'.
5. Transcendentalism (1830s–1860)
Believed people should follow their heart and connect with nature.
Encouraged self-reliance and spiritual thinking over organized religion.
Example: Ralph Waldo Emerson’s essays and Henry David Thoreau’s 'Walden'.
6. Realism and Regionalism (1860–1910)
Focused on real life and everyday people.
Wrote about specific regions and their culture, dialect, and struggles.
Example: Mark Twain’s 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'.
1. Native American Oral Traditions
Stories were told out loud, passed down by word of mouth.
Focused on nature, spirits, and how the world was created.
Example: 'The World on the Turtle’s Back' shows balance between good and bad.
2. Colonial and Puritan Literature (1600s–1750)
Mostly religious writing—focused on God and living a pure life.
Used simple language; believed life was a test from God.
Example: Anne Bradstreet's poems and Jonathan Edwards' 'Sinners in the Hands
of an Angry God'.
3. Revolutionary Period (1750–1800)
Focused on reason, independence, and freedom from England.
Used persuasive writing like speeches and political documents.
Example: Thomas Paine’s 'Common Sense' and Patrick Henry’s 'Give me liberty
or give me death'.
4. Romanticism and Gothic (1800–1860)
Focused on emotion, nature, and the power of imagination.
Gothic lit added dark, creepy vibes and looked at human psychology.
Example: Edgar Allan Poe’s 'The Raven'; Washington Irving’s 'The Legend of
Sleepy Hollow'.
5. Transcendentalism (1830s–1860)
Believed people should follow their heart and connect with nature.
Encouraged self-reliance and spiritual thinking over organized religion.
Example: Ralph Waldo Emerson’s essays and Henry David Thoreau’s 'Walden'.
6. Realism and Regionalism (1860–1910)
Focused on real life and everyday people.
Wrote about specific regions and their culture, dialect, and struggles.
Example: Mark Twain’s 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'.
