5.3 Impact of the Great Awakening on American Literature
2 min read•july 22, 2024
The Great Awakening shook up colonial American literature. This religious revival sparked new writing styles and themes, with authors exploring personal faith and salvation in .
The movement's impact went beyond religion. It helped shape a unique American voice in literature, emphasizing and accessibility. These ideas would influence later movements like American Romanticism.
The Great Awakening and Colonial American Literature
Great Awakening's literary influence
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- Sparked renewed interest in religious themes and ideas in literature
- Writers explored topics like personal salvation, , and the role of faith in daily life
- Encouraged more emotional and introspective writing style
- Authors conveyed intensity of religious experiences and inner struggles of the soul
- Popularized use of plain, accessible language in literature
- Writers used and avoided complex rhetorical devices to reach wider audience
- Emphasis on individual spirituality led to rise in autobiographical and
- Authors shared personal testimonies and spiritual journeys through memoirs and diaries (' "", 's "Journal")
New genres of religious literature
- became popular genre during Great Awakening
- Stories chronicled individual's spiritual transformation and acceptance of divine
- Examples: Jonathan Edwards' "Personal Narrative", 's ""
- , a type of sermon lamenting societal decline and calling for repentance, gained prominence
- Jeremiads critiqued moral failings of colonies and urged return to religious devotion
- Famous example: Jonathan Edwards' ""
Themes in 18th century writing
- Great Awakening encouraged writers to explore themes of , grace, and power of faith
- Authors aimed to inspire spiritual renewal and convey transformative nature of religious experiences
- Movement influenced more direct and
- Writers used vivid imagery and passionate language to evoke strong feelings and convictions in readers
- Emphasized importance of personal and self-examination
- Authors delved into inner workings of human heart and struggles of the soul
- Purpose of many writers shifted towards and spiritual edification
- Literature became tool for promoting religious values and encouraging righteous living ('s "", 's "Poor Richard's Almanack")
Legacy for American literature
- Helped establish distinctly American literary voice
- Writers explored uniquely American experiences and perspectives, laying foundation for national literature
- Emphasis on individualism and personal spirituality influenced development of American Romanticism
- Focus on emotion, introspection, and power of individual resonated with later Romantic writers (Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau)
- Contributed to democratization of American literature
- Use of and made literature more appealing to broader audience
- and moral ideals shaped American
- Movement's values, like personal responsibility and pursuit of righteousness, became ingrained in American ethos
The Great Awakening's Enduring Legacy
Key Terms to Review (39)
A Narrative of the Lord's Wonderful Dealings with John Marrant, A Black: This narrative is an autobiographical account by John Marrant, a former slave who experienced a profound religious conversion during the Great Awakening. It details his spiritual journey, including his encounters with various communities and how he became a preacher, highlighting the intersection of race and religion in early America. Marrant's story reflects the broader impact of the Great Awakening on American literature, showcasing personal transformation and the quest for faith amidst social challenges.
A Narrative of the Lord's Wonderful Dealings with John Marrant, a Black: This narrative is an autobiography by John Marrant, detailing his spiritual journey and experiences as an African American during the 18th century. It reflects the broader context of the Great Awakening, which emphasized personal religious experience and emotional conversion, significantly influencing the development of American literature by showcasing the voices of marginalized individuals.
Accessible themes: Accessible themes refer to the universal ideas and messages within literary works that resonate with a wide audience, making the content relatable and understandable. These themes often address fundamental human experiences, emotions, and moral questions, allowing readers from diverse backgrounds to connect with the text on a personal level.
Autobiographical writing: Autobiographical writing is a genre of literature where the author narrates their own life story, reflecting on personal experiences, thoughts, and emotions. This form of writing often includes elements of introspection and self-analysis, allowing the author to convey their unique perspective and insights into their life events. It became increasingly significant during movements like the Great Awakening, where personal faith and individual experiences were emphasized.
Benjamin Franklin: Benjamin Franklin was a prominent American polymath, statesman, and writer of the 18th century, known for his contributions to American thought, politics, and literature. He was a leading figure in the Enlightenment movement in America, advocating for reason and scientific inquiry while also reflecting on American identity through wit and humor.
Colonial literature: Colonial literature refers to the body of written works produced during the period of European colonization, particularly in North America. This genre encompasses a variety of forms, including poetry, sermons, diaries, and narratives, reflecting the experiences and beliefs of colonizers as well as their interactions with Indigenous peoples. It often explores themes such as religion, identity, and the challenges of life in a new land.
Confessional writing: Confessional writing is a literary style that emphasizes personal experience and introspection, often revealing the author's innermost thoughts, feelings, and struggles. This form of writing can foster a deep emotional connection between the author and the reader, allowing for raw honesty and vulnerability. It became prominent in American literature during the Great Awakening, as writers sought to express their spiritual awakenings and moral dilemmas.
Conversion experience: A conversion experience refers to a profound and transformative moment in which an individual undergoes a significant change in belief or spirituality, often leading to a renewed commitment to faith. This concept is especially important in the context of religious movements, where such experiences can spark deep emotional responses and motivate individuals to engage actively with their faith communities, shaping both personal identities and broader cultural dynamics.
Conversion narrative: A conversion narrative is a personal account that describes an individual's transformative spiritual experience, typically involving a shift from a state of sin or non-belief to one of faith and commitment to God. These narratives often highlight the struggles and emotions involved in the process, reflecting the broader religious fervor of movements such as the Great Awakening, which emphasized personal piety and emotional expression.
Cotton Mather: Cotton Mather was a New England Puritan minister, prolific author, and pamphleteer known for his influential sermons and writings in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. He played a crucial role in the religious and social life of colonial America, particularly during the time of the Great Awakening, where his theological ideas and writings shaped the beliefs and practices of many in the Puritan community.
Cultural identity: Cultural identity refers to the shared characteristics, values, beliefs, and practices that define a group of people and distinguish them from others. It plays a crucial role in shaping individual and collective experiences, influencing storytelling, traditions, and the preservation of cultural heritage.
Divine Grace: Divine grace is a theological concept referring to the unearned and unconditional love and assistance granted by God to humanity. It emphasizes the belief that salvation and spiritual growth are not earned through human effort, but rather are freely given by God, often associated with the Protestant Reformation and influential in shaping early American religious thought.
Emotional Appeals: Emotional appeals are persuasive techniques that evoke strong feelings in the audience to sway their opinions or actions. These appeals often leverage emotions like fear, hope, anger, or love to connect deeply with readers and motivate them to adopt a particular stance or take action. In literature and rhetoric, these techniques play a crucial role in engaging readers and driving home key messages.
Emotional Writing Style: Emotional writing style refers to a way of expressing thoughts and feelings that evoke strong emotional responses from readers. This style often employs vivid imagery, personal anecdotes, and passionate language to create a connection between the writer and the audience, making the content more relatable and impactful. In American literature, particularly during periods of religious fervor like the Great Awakening, emotional writing became a powerful tool to inspire and move people.
Essays to Do Good: Essays to Do Good refers to a genre of writing that encourages moral reflection and ethical behavior, often aiming to inspire readers to engage in charitable actions and improve society. This form of essay often blends personal narrative with persuasive argumentation, emphasizing the importance of social responsibility and the role of individuals in fostering a more just community.
George Whitefield: George Whitefield was an influential Anglican preacher and evangelist in the 18th century known for his role in the Great Awakening, a religious revival that swept through the American colonies. His powerful oratory and charismatic style attracted large crowds and inspired a new wave of religious fervor, connecting various colonies and promoting a sense of shared faith across different regions.
Grace: Grace refers to the unmerited favor and love of God toward humanity, often emphasized in Christian theology as a gift that offers salvation and redemption. In the context of the Great Awakening, grace became a pivotal concept that influenced not just religious belief but also the emotional expression and literary themes emerging during this transformative period in American history.
Great Awakening Revival Meetings: Great Awakening Revival Meetings were large gatherings held during the early to mid-18th century in America, aiming to promote spiritual renewal and emotional religious experiences among attendees. These meetings, characterized by passionate preaching and an emphasis on personal conversion, played a significant role in reshaping the religious landscape and influencing social and cultural developments in early America.
Individualism: Individualism is a social and philosophical concept that emphasizes the moral worth and autonomy of the individual over the collective. It advocates for personal freedom, self-reliance, and individual rights, often celebrating unique perspectives and personal expression. This idea became particularly influential during significant cultural movements, shaping literature and thought, as writers began to explore the importance of the self in relation to society.
Introspection: Introspection is the examination of one’s own thoughts, feelings, and emotional states. This self-reflective practice often leads to deeper understanding and insight into personal experiences, motivations, and beliefs. It plays a crucial role in various literary works, serving as a means for characters or poets to delve into their inner lives and explore complex emotional landscapes.
Jeremiad: A jeremiad is a literary work that laments the state of society, often expressing a sense of moral decline and a call to reform. This term is rooted in the biblical prophet Jeremiah, who mourned the sins of Israel and warned of impending doom. In American literature, jeremiads became a prominent form used during times of social upheaval, urging audiences to reflect on their behaviors and return to moral principles, particularly during the Great Awakening when religious fervor surged and moral introspection was emphasized.
John Marrant: John Marrant was an early African American minister and preacher known for his conversion experience during the Great Awakening in the 18th century. His narrative highlights the transformative power of religious revival and emphasizes the significance of personal faith, social mobility, and the role of African Americans in early American religious life.
John Woolman: John Woolman was an 18th-century American Quaker, abolitionist, and writer known for his deep commitment to social justice and equality. His writings, particularly 'Some Considerations on the Keeping of Slaves,' challenged the morality of slavery and urged others to adopt a more compassionate way of living. Woolman’s beliefs and literary works were significantly influenced by the Great Awakening, which emphasized personal religious experience and social reform.
Jonathan Edwards: Jonathan Edwards was a prominent American theologian, preacher, and philosopher in the early 18th century, best known for his role in the First Great Awakening. His fiery sermons emphasized personal salvation and the dangers of sin, deeply influencing religious thought and the emotional aspects of faith during this period, while also leaving a lasting mark on American literature through his vivid imagery and rhetorical style.
Moral instruction: Moral instruction refers to the process of teaching individuals about ethical principles and values, emphasizing the distinction between right and wrong. This concept became particularly significant during the Great Awakening, where literature and sermons aimed at instilling a sense of morality and spiritual awareness among the audience, promoting personal piety and social responsibility.
Personal narrative: A personal narrative is a first-person account that tells a story about an individual's life experiences, emotions, and reflections. It often highlights significant moments that shape the author’s identity and perspective, allowing for a deep connection between the writer and the reader. This type of writing emphasizes authenticity and often serves to illustrate broader themes relevant to culture, belief systems, or personal growth.
Plain language: Plain language is a style of writing that emphasizes clarity, simplicity, and straightforwardness to effectively communicate ideas and messages. It avoids jargon, complex vocabulary, and convoluted sentences, making the text more accessible to a wider audience. This approach became particularly significant during the Great Awakening, as it reflected a shift towards more relatable and emotionally engaging forms of communication in American literature.
Plain Language: Plain language refers to writing that is clear, straightforward, and free of jargon or complex vocabulary, making it easily understandable to a wide audience. This approach emphasizes simplicity and accessibility in communication, which was significantly influenced by the religious and emotional fervor of the Great Awakening, pushing writers to connect more directly with their readers.
Redemption: Redemption refers to the concept of being saved or rescued from sin or evil, often linked with the idea of atonement and spiritual renewal. This theme has been central to various religious beliefs and is prominently featured in American literature, where it highlights the journey from despair to hope and moral transformation. The exploration of redemption often reflects a deeper struggle with one's moral identity and the possibility of reconciliation with the divine or community.
Redemption: Redemption refers to the act of being saved from sin, error, or evil, often implying a restoration to a state of grace or moral purity. This concept is deeply tied to themes of personal transformation and divine grace, emphasizing the possibility of overcoming one's past failures. It serves as a key theme in various forms of literature, reflecting both individual struggles and collective experiences, especially in the context of religious belief and existential contemplation.
Religious fervor: Religious fervor refers to an intense and passionate devotion to religious beliefs and practices, often characterized by emotional expressions and a strong commitment to faith. This concept played a significant role in shaping religious movements and the spiritual landscape of early America, particularly during periods of revivalism and reform, influencing both personal piety and communal religious experiences.
Religious fervor: Religious fervor refers to intense and passionate devotion to religious beliefs, often characterized by enthusiasm, zeal, and emotional intensity. This fervor can lead to transformative experiences among individuals and communities, often resulting in a collective awakening or revitalization of faith. The impact of such fervor can be profound, influencing social behaviors, cultural expressions, and artistic endeavors within a society.
Religious Revivalism: Religious revivalism refers to a movement characterized by a renewed interest in spiritual and religious practices, often leading to large gatherings, emotional preaching, and a call for personal transformation and commitment to faith. This phenomenon gained significant traction during the 18th and early 19th centuries in America, especially during the Great Awakening, which emphasized individual piety and a direct relationship with God, often challenging established religious norms and institutions.
Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God: This is a sermon delivered by Jonathan Edwards in 1741 that emphasizes the precariousness of human existence and the wrath of God towards sinners. It became one of the most famous sermons in American history, reflecting the intense religious fervor of the Great Awakening, which aimed to awaken a sense of urgency about personal salvation and repentance.
Spiritual autobiography: A spiritual autobiography is a personal narrative that reflects an individual's spiritual journey, emphasizing moments of revelation, transformation, and the development of faith. This genre often intertwines personal experiences with broader religious themes and philosophies, making it a significant expression of identity and belief.
Spiritual awakening: Spiritual awakening refers to a profound transformation in an individual's perception and understanding of their place in the universe, often leading to a deepened sense of connection to the divine or a higher power. This experience can foster personal growth, increased awareness, and a shift in values and priorities, often characterized by a search for deeper meaning in life. In the context of the Great Awakening, this movement significantly influenced American religious practices, societal values, and literary expressions during the 18th century.
Theological discourse: Theological discourse refers to the structured conversation and exploration of religious beliefs, practices, and doctrines, particularly as they relate to understanding the nature of God, faith, and morality. This form of dialogue has played a crucial role in shaping religious thought and literature, providing a framework for discussing fundamental questions about existence, purpose, and ethical living.
Transatlantic religious movements: Transatlantic religious movements refer to the significant shifts in religious beliefs and practices that occurred across the Atlantic Ocean, primarily between Europe and North America, during the 17th and 18th centuries. These movements included various revivals, denominations, and interpretations of Christianity, shaping the spiritual landscape of the American colonies and influencing cultural, social, and literary developments. The Great Awakening, a key event in this context, emphasized personal faith and emotional experience over established religious authority, fostering a sense of individualism that permeated American literature.
Vernacular speech: Vernacular speech refers to the everyday language spoken by a particular group of people, often including regional dialects and colloquialisms. This form of language emphasizes authenticity and local culture, making it accessible and relatable to the common person. In American literature, especially during and after the Great Awakening, vernacular speech became crucial for expressing individual and community experiences, allowing writers to connect more deeply with their audiences.