American Literary Movements - Characteristics of the Periods
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American Literary Movements - Characteristics of the American Literary Movements student activity
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- AMERICAN LITERARY MOVEMENTS
- Native American (Tradition)
- SETTING
- HOMES
- PEOPLE
- TECHNOLOGY / ADVANCEMENTS
- Puritanism or Colonial(1620-1750)
- The primary setting for Native American literature is in, or around, nature.
- Indian homes varied depending on geography. Tepees were common in the north and plains region as the people followed changing of seasons or movement of a herd.
- Native Americans were known for living off the land and for their rich spiritual traditions.
- There were many technological advancements made by American Indians such as ingenious homes created to withstand the varying climates, pottery, farming, cooking technique, weaponry and more.
- The most popular colonial settings were the colonies of Plymouth Plantation in Massachusetts and Jamestown, Virginia. These early settlers colonized the east coast.
- Homes were traditional wood or stone structures. Often kitchens would be located on top of a small stream for easy water access. They would also include a hearth for cooking.
- Puritans were a religious group who left England, seeking to purify the church. Most were devout Christians making the church the center of the settlement.
- The colonists were farmers who raised crops and livestock to survive. In some narratives, colonists worked with Native Americans, who taught them basic skills for survival.
- Revolutionary, Age of Reason, Enlightenment (1750-1800)
- Common Sense
- Romanticism, American Gothic (1800-1865)
- Many of the American settings in this era center around large cities such as Boston and Philadelphia.
- Colonial style architecture became more common as the population grew.
- The people of this time focused on understanding and knowledge. During the Enlightenment, men looked at science to better understand the world.
- As part of the Revolutionary period, important advances included expansion of shipping trade and establishment of government.
- Transcendentalism (1840-1860)
- This genre's focus is on the macabre or supernatural. Settings ranged geographically. Exploration of time and space were innovations in fiction.
- During this period, home styles were differentiated by setting. Urban homes were commonly townhouse style, while rural homes remained farm oriented.
- During this period, there was a large increase of female writers. People during this time became consumers of literature as well as goods.
- Magazines, books, and other printed sources became widespread, as printing and distribution to the masses became easier.
- The primary setting focused on spirituality and nature.
- Homes during this period were traditional, with the added notion that it should be close to nature, and that it was built or kept by dignity of manual labor.
- This era had many philosophical beliefs: the need for intellectual companions, closeness with God, democracy, individuality, and finding knowledge through intuition.
- This movement coincided with the height of the Industrial Revolution and the lead-up to Civil War. Social advances for women and the abolition of slavery were important subjects.
- Realism, Naturalism Regionalism (1865-1930)
- Modernism (1914-1945)
- Settings are frequently remote and inaccessible. They were very segregated by geographic location, the North vs. the South for example.
- Homes were traditional and mimicked the values and customs of the area. Depending on location homes varied, but remained stereotypical examples of homes in the region.
- People of this time were often seen as stereotypes of their region. They typically follow traditions, adhere to dialect, and exhibit expected personality traits.
- The reconstruction of the US after the Civil War and the continual growth of industry were major advancements.
- Jazz Age, 20’s Harlem Renaissance (1917-1937)
- Settings varied and were often chosen because of connections with the audience.
- Homes of this era begin to resemble modern houses in many places. Single family homes in small towns are common.
- During this time WWI WWII both began and ended. American's had a sense of national pride, mixed with disillusionment from these large-scale wars.
- A new advancement in science was the study of psychology. It appears frequently throughout the era's writing.
- Major settings include large cities.
- Homes were portrayed as lavish and prime for hosting over-the-top parties. During this time prohibition outlawed drinking, therefore, many people frequented speakeasies.
- Women in this era were often depicted with short bobbed haircuts, smoking, and drinking alongside men. Sex and sexuality were no longer such taboo subjects.
- Despite the effects of the Great Depression, Americans were manufacturing and creating infrastructure that are still in place today.
- Beat Generation (1950-1965)
- Contemporary/Postmodernism(1950-Present)
- Settings during this era included college campuses and coffee shops. Quaint, small settings for collaboration and intimacy were valued.
- Homes of this time period differed by region and location. However, by the end of this movement cookie-cutter style homes in communities were being established rapidly.
- People during this period saw themselves as individuals, breaking away from they stereotypes of previous generations. Sex and sexuality also became a common topic.
- During this time, technology changed rapidly. Advancements were in electronics, such as the introduction of the transistor radio, the computer chip, and fiber-optics.
- Settings range broadly from fictional and fantastic, to natural or traditional places.
- Homes became centers for immediate family and child rearing. Suburban communities expanded significantly.
- After the devastation of two world wars, many became less religious or traditional. They embraced irony and believed that innovation in literature was finished.
- Technology in postmodernism was heavily geared towards the consumer. Inventions like the TV, internet, and cell phones connected people while also isolating them.
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