Era of Change, Optimism, New Beginnings, & Pessimism Flashcards
What had to occur before a distinctly American Literature could exist?
Dependence on English literature had to be abandoned before a distinctly American Literature could exist.
Where was the first permanent settlement in the New World?
Jamestown, Virginia
What sustained the Pilgrims through the hardships of their first years in New England?
1) will to succeed
2) confidence in Gods providential care.
What was the cause of Puritanism’s decline?
1) spiritual fervor declined
2) material prosperity brought worldly interests and goals.
3) secular values were replacing religious ones.
Because colonial literature naturally reflected the interests and concerns of its writers, it is not surprising that the earliest authors wrote mostly about-
Adversity.
Once the colonists had established permanent settlements, the subject matter of literature predominantly concerned -
Religion
Underlying the literary romanticism of the period of National Optimism was -
1) a national mood of optimism.
2) a spirit of confidence in the economy, political system, and the citizenry of the nation.
Literary Romanticism was a revolt against the literary values of -
Previous Age.
As Romanticism brought respectability to american letters, american writers made important contributions to what 2 genres?
1) short story
2) the novel.
The crucial turning point in our national spirit came thus during-
American Romanticism.
What event brought more attacks against the Bible than did any other source?
Publication of Darwin’s, Origin of Species.
The new literary spirit of romanticism dominated American literature during what years?
1820-1865.
Realism and Naturalism appeared on the literary scene in the period-
1865- 1914.
The 3 major groups of writers during this period were -
1) regionalists
2) realists
3) naturalists
The 3 writers who are considered the ‘ masters of realism’ are -
1) Howell
2) James
3) Clemens.
How are the naturalists best described? What is their belief?
Naturalists are best described as they believed that life was controlled be inexplicable forces. They portrayed man as more beast than human.
The regionalists served as the transition between what 2 groups of writers?
Major romantics and major realists.
What event in 1914 marred the end of the literary period characterized by the emergence of realism and naturalism?
The beginning of WW1.
What spirit or literary force did each of the following authors embody? Howells, James, Clemens
Howells - middle class spirit. James - cosmopolitan or international spirit. Clemens - frontier spirit.
At the end of the literary period of realism and naturalism, what was the prevailing spirit?
Pessimism.
What does literature of the 1930’s , like John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath, generally emphasize?
It emphasizes social issues.
What primarily characterizes the Modern Era?
The Modern Era is characterized by pessimism.
According to Freud, what is conscience a result of?
It is a result of social conditioning
What author and book have had the most significant lasting effects on the modern debasement of man?
Charles Darwin and his book Origin of Species has had the most significant lasting effects on the modern debasement of man.
What are the 2 contrasting and erroneous views of man that have effected the American thought since World War 1?
1) man is merely an animal.
2) man is his own god.
What is the name of the substitute religion that defies man, rejects God and advocates a one world system?
Humanism.
Liberalism attempts to reconcile what 2 entities ?
1) traditional Christianity
2) modern world view.
