American Literature – Before 1860

Unit 1 – Native American Oral Traditions & Myths

Unit 2 – Colonial Literature: Puritan Encounters

Unit 3 – Colonial Captivity Tales and Verse

Unit 4 – Great Awakening & Enlightenment in America

Unit 5 – Revolutionary Era: Political Pamphlets

Unit 6 – Early Republic: Federalist vs Anti-Federalist

Unit 7 – Early American Fiction: Rise of the Novel

Unit 8 – Emerson & Thoreau: American Romantics

Unit 9 – Gothic Lit: Poe and Hawthorne in America

Unit 10 – Slave Narratives & Abolitionist Writing

Unit 11 – Women's Lit & Domestic Fiction in Early America

Unit 12 – Antebellum South: Plantation & Local Color

Unit 13 – Whitman & Dickinson: American Poetry Icons

Unit 14 – Melville's Maritime Literature

## What do you learn in American Literature Before 1860

You'll explore early American writing from colonial times to the Civil War. Expect to read works by Puritans, Native Americans, and famous authors like Poe, Emerson, and Hawthorne. You'll analyze how historical events and cultural shifts influenced literature, and how American identity developed through writing.

## Is American Literature Before 1860 hard?

It can be challenging, especially if you're not used to older writing styles. The language can be dense and the cultural context might feel unfamiliar. But don't worry, most profs break it down and make it accessible. Once you get into the rhythm of the texts, it's actually pretty interesting to see how American lit evolved.

## Tips for taking American Literature Before 1860 in college

1. Use [Fiveable Study Guides](https://fiveable.me/cram-mode) to help you cram. 🌶️
2. Keep a timeline of major historical events to contextualize the literature.
3. Don't just read, but engage with the texts. Annotate and ask questions.
4. Join a study group to discuss and debate interpretations.
5. Watch "The Scarlet Letter" (1995) movie to visualize Hawthorne's world.
6. Listen to podcasts like "Backstory" for historical context.
7. Practice close reading skills on shorter texts like poems.

## Common pre-requisites for American Literature Before 1860

1. Introduction to Literary Analysis: Learn the basics of analyzing and interpreting literature. You'll develop critical reading skills and practice writing about various literary elements.

2. American History to 1865: Get a solid foundation in early American history. This course covers the colonial period through the Civil War, providing context for the literature you'll study.

## Classes similar to American Literature Before 1860

1. British Literature Before 1800: Dive into early English literature from Beowulf to the 18th century. You'll see how British lit influenced early American writers.

2. American Literature After 1860: Continue the American lit journey from the Civil War to modern times. It's like a sequel to your pre-1860 class.

3. Native American Literature: Focus specifically on works by Indigenous authors. You'll explore oral traditions, contemporary fiction, and everything in between.

4. Transcendentalism and American Renaissance: Deep dive into the mid-19th century literary movement. You'll read lots of Emerson, Thoreau, and their contemporaries.

## Majors related to American Literature Before 1860

1. English Literature: Focuses on analyzing and interpreting literature from various periods and cultures. Students develop strong writing and critical thinking skills.

2. American Studies: Examines American culture, history, and society through an interdisciplinary lens. Literature plays a big role in understanding the American experience.

3. History: Explores past events, cultures, and societal changes. Early American literature provides valuable insights into historical periods and mindsets.

4. Cultural Studies: Analyzes how cultural products, including literature, reflect and shape society. Early American lit offers rich material for understanding cultural dynamics.

## What can you do with a degree in American Literature Before 1860?

1. Teacher or Professor: Educate others about early American literature and its historical context. You could work in high schools or universities, depending on your degree level.

2. Museum Curator: Develop exhibits and educational programs related to early American culture and literature. You'd work with historical artifacts and documents to bring history to life.

3. Editor: Work in publishing, helping to shape and refine written works. Your deep understanding of language and literary traditions would be valuable in this field.

4. Archivist: Preserve and organize historical documents, including early American manuscripts. You'd help maintain important cultural artifacts for future generations.

## American Literature Before 1860 FAQs

1. Do we only read fiction in this class? No, you'll also encounter non-fiction like essays, autobiographies, and political writings. It's a mix of genres that reflects the literary landscape of the time.

2. How much writing is typically involved? Expect to write several analytical essays throughout the semester. You might also have shorter response papers or discussion posts.

3. Are there any field trips associated with this course? Some professors organize trips to historical sites or special library collections. It depends on your location and the prof's preferences.

Literature

1.1 Native American Oral Traditions and Storytelling Techniques

1.2 Creation Myths and Origin Stories

1.3 Cultural Significance and Themes in Native American Literature

2.2 Puritan Theology and its Influence on Colonial Writing

2.4 Early American Poetry

2.3 Sermons and Religious Texts

2.1 Early Exploration Narratives and Contact Literature

3.1 Captivity Narratives: Themes and Cultural Significance

3.2 Anne Bradstreet and Early American Women's Poetry

3.3 Edward Taylor and Metaphysical Poetry in America

4.1 The Great Awakening: Religious Revival and Its Literary Impact

4.2 Enlightenment Philosophy in American Literature

4.3 Benjamin Franklin and the American Enlightenment

5.1 Thomas Paine and Revolutionary Rhetoric

5.2 The Declaration of Independence as Literature

5.3 Political Satire and Revolutionary-era Poetry

6.1 The Federalist Papers and Constitutional Debates

6.2 Early American Political Philosophy

6.3 Nation-Building Narratives and Patriotic Literature

7.1 The Gothic Novel in America: Charles Brockden Brown

7.2 Sentimental and Seduction Novels

7.3 Early American Short Fiction

8.1 Ralph Waldo Emerson and American Transcendentalism

8.4 Utopian Communities and Social Reform Literature

8.2 Henry David Thoreau and Nature Writing

8.3 The American Scholar and Self-Reliance

9.1 Edgar Allan Poe: Poetry and Short Fiction

9.2 Nathaniel Hawthorne's Short Stories and Novels

9.3 Symbolism and Allegory in American Gothic Literature

10.2 Abolitionist Literature and Rhetoric

10.3 Pro-Slavery Arguments and Southern Responses

10.1 Slave Narratives: Frederick Douglass and Harriet Jacobs

11.1 The Cult of Domesticity and Sentimental Fiction

11.2 Women's Rights and Early Feminist Writing

11.3 Louisa May Alcott and the Transformation of Domestic Fiction

12.1 Plantation Novels and the Myth of the Old South

12.2 Local Color Writing and Regional Dialects

12.3 Southern Gothic Elements in Antebellum Literature

13.1 Walt Whitman's "Leaves of Grass" and Free Verse

13.2 Emily Dickinson's Poetry: Themes and Stylistic Innovations

13.3 Comparative Analysis of Whitman and Dickinson

14.2 Melville's Short Fiction and Novellas

14.1 Herman Melville's "Moby-Dick": Themes and Symbolism

14.3 Maritime Literature and the American Experience

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