Colonial Period

Native Americans,

Explorers, Slaves

CA Content Standards

• Reading 3.5--Analyze recognized works of American literature-Trace the development of Amer. Lit. from the colonial period onward-Contrast the major periods, themes, styles, and trends-Evaluate the influences of the historical period that shaped the characters, plots, an settings

So, how do we meet this standard?

• Students Will:

• Learn the background information for each literary period

• Review the history of the time period

• Read literature from the major authors of each period

As you take notes, look for

• Social, political climate of U.S., including religious beliefs and immigration

• General characteristics of literature (writing style)• Major writer and most important works• Major ideas, subjects, themes• Significance/application/definition of American Dream as

seen in literature, in society, in daily lives• Influence on today’s literature and society• Changes in social, political , literary climate that led into

next period

Native Americans

• No written literature

• Oral tradition—changes over time

• Songs, lyrics, legends, folk tales, myths

• Subjects: creation accounts, migration tales, wonders of nature, interconnectedness of nature to spirit world

• Style: poetic

Nat. Amer. Literature

• The Earth on Turtle’s Back—Onondaga

• When Grizzlies Walked Upright—Modoc

• The Navajo Origin Legend—Navajo

• The Iroquois Constitution—Iroquois

Explorers

• Journals, narrative

• Subjects: potential of land, bountiful and harsh wilderness

Explorers

• A Journey Through Texas—de Vaca

• Boulders Taller Than the Great Tower of Seville—de Cardenas

• Journal of the First Voyage to America– Christopher Columbus

Slaves

• Autobiography

• Subject: slavery, slave journey

• Style: vivid and horrifying

Slave literature

• The Interesting Life of Olaudah Equiano