Seventeenth-Century American Literature

Seventeenth-Century American LitSeventeenth-Century American Literature erature

長庚大學長庚大學 2012/1/32012/1/3

Wesley XiWesley Xi

National Taiwan UniversityNational Taiwan University

1584 1584 明神宗萬歷十二年明神宗萬歷十二年

Captains Philip Amadas and Arthur BCaptains Philip Amadas and Arthur Barlow led the first English expedition tarlow led the first English expedition to the New World. o the New World.

1584 1584 明神宗萬歷十二年明神宗萬歷十二年 Barlow: Barlow:

““The soil is the most plentiful, sweet, fruitfThe soil is the most plentiful, sweet, fruitful and wholesome of the whole world,” anul and wholesome of the whole world,” and “the people the most gentle, loving and fd “the people the most gentle, loving and faithful, void of all guile and treason, and saithful, void of all guile and treason, and such as live after the manner of the golden uch as live after the manner of the golden age.” age.”

1587 1587 明神宗萬曆十五年明神宗萬曆十五年

The Roanoke colony mysteriously disThe Roanoke colony mysteriously disappeared.appeared.

1588 1588 明神宗萬曆十六年明神宗萬曆十六年

Thomas Hariot: Thomas Hariot: A Brief and True RepoA Brief and True Report of the New-Found Land of Virginiart of the New-Found Land of Virginia iin Richard Hakluyt’s n Richard Hakluyt’s The principall naviThe principall navigations, voyages, traffiques and discogations, voyages, traffiques and discoveries of the English nationveries of the English nation..

1588 1588 明神宗萬曆十六年明神宗萬曆十六年

The English defeated the Spanish ArmThe English defeated the Spanish Armada, solidifying English control of Nortada, solidifying English control of North American shipping lanes.h American shipping lanes.

1607 1607 明神宗萬曆三十五年明神宗萬曆三十五年

Jamestown colony established. Jamestown colony established.

Catholicism → Catholicism →

ProtestantismProtestantism → →

CalvinismCalvinism / / Puritanism (SeparatiPuritanism (Separatists, Non-separatists)sts, Non-separatists)

ProtestantismProtestantism Three main doctrines of Protestantism:Three main doctrines of Protestantism:

1.1. salvation justified by the grace of God througsalvation justified by the grace of God through faith alone h faith alone ←→←→ Catholic emphasis on salvCatholic emphasis on salvation through “good works”ation through “good works”

2. the supremacy of holy scripture in matters of fa2. the supremacy of holy scripture in matters of faith (ith (sola scriptulasola scriptula) ) ←→←→ Catholic emphasis on Catholic emphasis on the infallible authority of the Popethe infallible authority of the Pope

3. access to the divine without the intercession of 3. access to the divine without the intercession of clergy clergy ←→←→ Catholic emphasis on pastoral mCatholic emphasis on pastoral mediation between God and the faithfulediation between God and the faithful

CalvinismCalvinism

The Five Points of John Calvin:The Five Points of John Calvin:

1.1. Total depravityTotal depravity. The natural man is . The natural man is vile, for “in Adam’s fall we sinned alvile, for “in Adam’s fall we sinned all.” No human being has any capabil.” No human being has any capability whatsoever to achieve his own lity whatsoever to achieve his own salvation.salvation.

CalvinismCalvinism

2. 2. Predestined electionPredestined election: From the begi: From the beginning of time God has determined nning of time God has determined that the “elect” of His choice shall bthat the “elect” of His choice shall be saved, and all others shall be dae saved, and all others shall be damned to perdition. Faith and good mned to perdition. Faith and good works are equally powerless to savworks are equally powerless to save someone doomed by the deity to e someone doomed by the deity to the flames of hell.the flames of hell.

CalvinismCalvinism

2. 2. Limited atonementLimited atonement: Christ’s sacrific: Christ’s sacrifice upon the cross assures salvation e upon the cross assures salvation solely to the “elect.” solely to the “elect.”

3. 3. Irresistible graceIrresistible grace: The saving, transf: The saving, transforming power of God is freely bestorming power of God is freely bestowed and can neither be earned nowed and can neither be earned nor refused. or refused.

CalvinismCalvinism

5. 5. Perseverance of the saintsPerseverance of the saints: The “el: The “elect” will proceed undeviatingly to thect” will proceed undeviatingly to their full reward of bliss. If man could eir full reward of bliss. If man could be saved and then later choose to be saved and then later choose to defy God, he would prove more podefy God, he would prove more powerful than God, a logical impossibwerful than God, a logical impossibility to Calvinism.ility to Calvinism.

(The above five points are q(The above five points are quoted fromuoted from A Handbook of American Lit A Handbook of American Literatureerature, Martin S. Day), Martin S. Day)

The Puritan heritage and its variatiThe Puritan heritage and its variationsons

Rigid morality.Rigid morality.

Material success.Material success.

Self-reliance.Self-reliance.

Democratic liberty.Democratic liberty.

Learning.Learning.

A messianic complex.A messianic complex.

Conscience stirrings. Conscience stirrings.

((A Handbook of American LiteratureA Handbook of American Literature, , Martin S. Day)Martin S. Day)

Edward Winslow (1595-1655)Edward Winslow (1595-1655)

Our harvest being gotten in, our goOur harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, thvernor sent four men on fowling, that we might after a special manner at we might after a special manner rejoice together after we had gatherejoice together after we had gathered the fruit of our labors. The four red the fruit of our labors. The four in one day killed as much fowl as . .in one day killed as much fowl as . . . served the company almost a we . served the company almost a week. ek.


. . . At which time, amongst oth. . . At which time, amongst other recreations, we exercised our arer recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the Indians coming ams, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest of tmongst us, and among the rest of their greatest king Massasoit, with sheir greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three dome ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted. . . .ays we entertained and feasted. . . .


. . . And although it be not always s. . . And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time wito plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by h us, yet by the goodness of Godthe goodness of God, , we are so far from want that we oftwe are so far from want that we often wish you partakers of our plenty.en wish you partakers of our plenty. (1621) (1621)

John Smith (1580-1631)John Smith (1580-1631)

From From General History of Virginia, New General History of Virginia, New England, and the Summer IslesEngland, and the Summer Isles (1624) (1624)

Smith little dreaming of that accideSmith little dreaming of that accident, being got to the marshes at the nt, being got to the marshes at the river’s head twenty miles in the desriver’s head twenty miles in the desert, had his two men slain as is supert, had his two men slain as is supposed sleeping by the canoe, while posed sleeping by the canoe, while himself by fowling sought them victhimself by fowling sought them victual, ual,


who finding he was beset with 200 who finding he was beset with 200 savages, two of them he slew, still savages, two of them he slew, still defending himself with the aid of a defending himself with the aid of a savage his guide, whom he bound savage his guide, whom he bound to his arm with his garters and useto his arm with his garters and used him as a buckler, yet he was shot d him as a buckler, yet he was shot in his thigh a little, and had many ain his thigh a little, and had many arrows that stuck in his clothes but nrrows that stuck in his clothes but no great hurt, till at last they took hio great hurt, till at last they took him prisoner. m prisoner.


who finding he was beset with 200 who finding he was beset with 200 savages, two of them he slew, still savages, two of them he slew, still defending himself with the aid of a defending himself with the aid of a savage his guide, whom he bound savage his guide, whom he bound to his arm with his garters and useto his arm with his garters and used him as a buckler, yet he was shot d him as a buckler, yet he was shot in his thigh a little, and had many ain his thigh a little, and had many arrows that stuck in his clothes but nrrows that stuck in his clothes but no great hurt, till at last they took hio great hurt, till at last they took him prisoner. m prisoner.


. . . Thinking thus to have returned . . . Thinking thus to have returned to his boat, regarding them, as he to his boat, regarding them, as he marched, more than his way, [he] smarched, more than his way, [he] slipped up to the middle in an oozy lipped up to the middle in an oozy creek and his savage with him, yet creek and his savage with him, yet dared they not come to him till beindared they not come to him till being near dead with cold he threw awg near dead with cold he threw away his arms. . . . ay his arms. . . .


. . . then as many as could, laid hands . . . then as many as could, laid hands on him, dragged him to them, and thereon him, dragged him to them, and thereon laid his head and being ready with ton laid his head and being ready with their clubs to beat out his brains, heir clubs to beat out his brains, PocahPocahontasontas, the King’s dearest daughter, whe, the King’s dearest daughter, when no entreaty could prevail, got his hean no entreaty could prevail, got his head in her arms and laid her own upon his d in her arms and laid her own upon his to save him from death, whereat the Eto save him from death, whereat the Emperor was contented he should live. . .mperor was contented he should live. . . . .

John Smith (1580-1631)John Smith (1580-1631) From From A Description of New England A Description of New England (1(1

616)616) What so truly suits with honor and honeWhat so truly suits with honor and hone

sty, as the discovering things unknown?sty, as the discovering things unknown? Erecting townes, peopling countries, in Erecting townes, peopling countries, informing the ignorant, reforming things uforming the ignorant, reforming things unjust, teaching virtue; and gain[ing] our njust, teaching virtue; and gain[ing] our native mother country a kingdom to attnative mother country a kingdom to attend her; find[ing] employment for those end her; find[ing] employment for those that are idle . . . ?that are idle . . . ?

William Bradford (1590-1657)William Bradford (1590-1657) From From Of Plymouth PlantationOf Plymouth Plantation

There was a proud and very profanThere was a proud and very profane young man, one of the seamen, e young man, one of the seamen, of a lusty, able body, which made hof a lusty, able body, which made him the more haughty; he would alwim the more haughty; he would always be condemning the poor peoplays be condemning the poor people in their sickness and cursing thee in their sickness and cursing them daily with grievous execrations; m daily with grievous execrations;

William Bradford (1590-1657)William Bradford (1590-1657) From From Of Plymouth PlantationOf Plymouth Plantation

and did not let to tell them that he hand did not let to tell them that he hoped to help to cast half of them ovoped to help to cast half of them overboard before they came to their jerboard before they came to their journey’s end, and to make merry ourney’s end, and to make merry with what they had. with what they had.

William Bradford (1590-1657)William Bradford (1590-1657)

. . . But . . . But it pleased Godit pleased God before they before they came half seas over, to smite this ycame half seas over, to smite this young man with a grievous disease, oung man with a grievous disease, of which he died in a desperate maof which he died in a desperate manner, and so was himself the first tnner, and so was himself the first that was thrown overboard. hat was thrown overboard.


. . . in a mighty storm, a lusty youn. . . in a mighty storm, a lusty young man called John Howland, coming man called John Howland, coming upon some occasion above the gg upon some occasion above the gratings was, with a seele of the shiratings was, with a seele of the ship, thrown into sea; but p, thrown into sea; but it pleased Git pleased God thatod that he caught hold of the topsa he caught hold of the topsail halyards which hung overboard ail halyards which hung overboard and ran out at length. nd ran out at length.


Yet he held his hold (though he waYet he held his hold (though he was sundry fathoms under water) untis sundry fathoms under water) until he was hauled up by the same rol he was hauled up by the same rope to the brim of the water, and thepe to the brim of the water, and then with a boat hook and other meann with a boat hook and other means got into the ship again and his lifs got into the ship again and his life saved. e saved.

John Winthrop (1587-1649)John Winthrop (1587-1649)

From From A Model of Christian CharityA Model of Christian Charity (1630) (1630)

We shall find that the God of Israel We shall find that the God of Israel is among us, when ten of us shall is among us, when ten of us shall be able to resist a thousand of our be able to resist a thousand of our enemies; when He shall make us a enemies; when He shall make us a praise and glory that men shall say praise and glory that men shall say of succeeding plantations, “the Lorof succeeding plantations, “the Lord make it like that of New England.d make it like that of New England.” ”

John Winthrop (1587-1649)John Winthrop (1587-1649)

For we must consider that we shall For we must consider that we shall be as be as a city upon a hilla city upon a hill. The eyes o. The eyes of all people are upon us, so that if f all people are upon us, so that if we shall deal falsely with our God iwe shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken, an this work we have undertaken, and so cause Him to withdraw His pnd so cause Him to withdraw His present help from us, we shall be mresent help from us, we shall be made a story and a by-word through ade a story and a by-word through the world. the world.

Anne Bradstreet (1612?-1672)Anne Bradstreet (1612?-1672)

My head, my heart, mine eyes, my life,My head, my heart, mine eyes, my life, nay, more, nay, more,

My joy, my magazine of earthly store,My joy, my magazine of earthly store,

If two be one, as surely thou and I,If two be one, as surely thou and I,

How stayest thou there, whilst I at IpsHow stayest thou there, whilst I at Ipswich lie?wich lie?

. . . . . .


In this dead time, alas, what can I moreIn this dead time, alas, what can I moreThan view those fruits which through thy Than view those fruits which through thy hehe

atat I bore? I bore?. . . . . . I wish my Sun may never set, but burnI wish my Sun may never set, but burnWithin the Cancer of my glowing breast,Within the Cancer of my glowing breast,The welcome house of him my dearest gueThe welcome house of him my dearest gue

st.st.

““A Letter to Her Husband, Absent upon Public EA Letter to Her Husband, Absent upon Public Employment” (1678) mployment” (1678)


Thou ill-formed offspring of my feeble brain,Thou ill-formed offspring of my feeble brain,

Who after birth didst by my side remain.Who after birth didst by my side remain.

Till snatched from thence by friends, less wTill snatched from thence by friends, less wise than true,ise than true,

Who thee abroad, exposed to public view, Who thee abroad, exposed to public view,

Made thee in rags, halting to th’ press to truMade thee in rags, halting to th’ press to trudge,dge,

. . . . . .


I washed thy face, but more defects I I washed thy face, but more defects I saw,saw,

And rubbing off a spot still made a flaAnd rubbing off a spot still made a flaw.w.

I stretched thy joints to make thee eveI stretched thy joints to make thee even feet,n feet,

Yet still thou run’st more hobbling than Yet still thou run’st more hobbling than is meet.is meet.


In better dress to trim thee was my miIn better dress to trim thee was my mind,nd,

But nought save homespun cloth i’ th’ But nought save homespun cloth i’ th’ house I find. house I find.

In this array ’mongst vulgars may’st thIn this array ’mongst vulgars may’st thou roam.ou roam.

In critic’s hands beware thou does not In critic’s hands beware thou does not come. . . .come. . . .


In better dress to trim thee was my miIn better dress to trim thee was my mind,nd,

But nought save homespun cloth i’ th’ But nought save homespun cloth i’ th’ house I find. house I find.

In this array ’mongst vulgars may’st thIn this array ’mongst vulgars may’st thou roam.ou roam.

In critic’s hands beware thou does not In critic’s hands beware thou does not come. . . . come. . . .

“ “The Author to Her Book” (1678) The Author to Her Book” (1678)

Edward Taylor (1645-1729)Edward Taylor (1645-1729)

UnkeyUnkey my Heart; unlock Thy Wardrobe: bri my Heart; unlock Thy Wardrobe: bringng

Out royal Robes: adorn my Soul, Lord: so, Out royal Robes: adorn my Soul, Lord: so,

My Love in rich attire shall on my KingMy Love in rich attire shall on my King

Attend, and honor on Him well bestow.Attend, and honor on Him well bestow.

In Glory He prepares for His a placeIn Glory He prepares for His a place

Whom He doth all Whom He doth all beglorybeglory here with Grace. here with Grace.

““Meditation 42” (1691, 1939) Meditation 42” (1691, 1939)


UnkeyUnkey my Heart; unlock Thy Wardrobe: bri my Heart; unlock Thy Wardrobe: bringng

Out royal Robes: adorn my Soul, Lord: so, Out royal Robes: adorn my Soul, Lord: so,

My Love in rich attire shall on my KingMy Love in rich attire shall on my King

Attend, and honor on Him well bestow.Attend, and honor on Him well bestow.

In Glory He prepares for His a placeIn Glory He prepares for His a place

Whom He doth all Whom He doth all beglorybeglory here with Grace. here with Grace.

““Meditation 42” (1691, 1939) Meditation 42” (1691, 1939)


But Oh! A glorious hand from glory caBut Oh! A glorious hand from glory cameme

Guarded with Angels, soon did crop thGuarded with Angels, soon did crop this floweris flower

Which Which almost tore the root up of the salmost tore the root up of the sameame,,

At that unlooked for, Dolesome, darksAt that unlooked for, Dolesome, darksome hour. . . .ome hour. . . .


But pausing o’t, this sweet perfumed But pausing o’t, this sweet perfumed my thought:my thought:

Christ would in Glory have a Flower, CChrist would in Glory have a Flower, Choice, Prime,hoice, Prime,

And having Choice, chose this my braAnd having Choice, chose this my branch forth brought.nch forth brought.

Lord take’t. I thank Thee, Thou tak’st oLord take’t. I thank Thee, Thou tak’st ought of mineught of mine::


. . . . . .

The which the former hand soon got aThe which the former hand soon got away,way,

But Oh! the tortures, Vomit, screechinBut Oh! the tortures, Vomit, screechings, groans,gs, groans,

and six week’s Fever and six week’s Fever would pierce hewould pierce hearts like stonesarts like stones..


. . .. . .

That as I said, That as I said, I say, take, Lord, they’re ThiI say, take, Lord, they’re Thine.ne.

I piecemeal pass to Glory bright in themI piecemeal pass to Glory bright in them..

In joy, may I sweet flowers for glory breed,In joy, may I sweet flowers for glory breed,

Whether thou get’st them green, or lets theWhether thou get’st them green, or lets them seed. m seed.

“ “Upon Wedlock, and Death of ChilUpon Wedlock, and Death of Children” (1682, 1939) dren” (1682, 1939)

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Seventeenth-Century American Literature