Tracing The Evolution Of Early American Literature: Historical Survey

The benefits of living in a society driven to growth are undeniable. The internet has made it possible to access the world today. Nowadays, it is rare to find yourself in a library looking for books. The internet doesn’t cover everything related to our history. It doesn’t consider that writing is a theory language. Literature has been used to communicate ideas for many years, across various countries and societies. However, it is easy to see the rich history of every piece of early American literature. We also can see how our society has grown as we look at it from other perspectives. Many themes that are common to American literature have been revealed by this class. These traits include religion, alienation, loneliness, relationships with nature and societies, societal structures and ideas, as well as aspects of religion and freedom (either slavery, sexism, free thinking, etc.). The common thread that unites all these diverse traits is the American journey. Every author is on the path to discovering themselves and uncovering key components of the society they live in.

History is full of consistent efforts towards improvement. If we review all the topics discussed and combine them, you will see that there has been constant effort to improve the lives of the public as well as the government. Since the inception of America, this constant improvement has been evident. The American journey’ began with 1620’s pilgrims who left England. They left their country in search for greater religious freedom and settled in New England. William Bradford wrote about the founding of New England’s first government. The Pilgrims were determined and bold in their pursuit of a better life. They also tried to improve upon their experiences in England. The 17th century’s one and only author on improvement is a good example. Anne Bradstreet questioned the norms of her day by expressing herself on any topic she wanted, including personal considerations, reflections and feelings. Bradstreet was one of the most prominent scholars in early American writing to express her views on issues close to home. This could be described as a major improvement in writing. You can get a good idea of Mrs. Bradstreet’s style by looking at her work. Unmistakably, she stated her conclusion to those who challenged her composition: “I’m obnoxious towards each carping tongue / Who says that my hand is a better fit? Bradstreet refused to let go of her desire to compose, even if it meant that she was in conflict with anyone in her region, including religious pioneers. Bradstreet did not find her compositions offensive, even though she made a joke about herself. She doesn’t seek fame or reward for her writings. She is humble even after her work has been published. She simply gives her writing to the world. Bradstreet was an unusual writer. Bradstreet was a different writer than the average one. Benjamin Franklin’s Remarks Concerning North American Savages is another source that shows America’s growth. Franklin’s essay discusses multiple topics and shows that Native Americans can be civilized. Benjamin Franklin seemed to have tried to show people that Native Americans were not barbarians by opening their eyes. He states that “perhaps, if the manners are compared of different nations with an impartial eye, there should be no one so rude as to lack some vestiges of rudeness”. Due to differences in the rules and behaviour of the Native Americans, they were once called “savages”, or “barbaric” originally. Native Americans had their own culture of common civility that was very different from American culture. They had differing religions and laws. For the most parts, Indians were very civilized. Benjamin Franklin helped lift the blinds on the eyes of ‘new societies’ and sent some Natives to college. He said, “If the gentlemen from Virginia will send us twelve of their (i.e. The Native’s sons will be educated, instructed in all they know, and made MEN by us. Franklin says, “The politeness shown by these savages when conversing is indeed carried out to an excessive degree, because it doesn’t allow them to dispute or deny what is being said in their presence.” Truely, we can see how Benjamin Franklin played a role in society’s early growth by trying to promote diversity and increase cultural boundaries. This helped us become more diverse as individuals. His writings could have been the catalyst for new developments in American civilization. Emerson’s essay titled Nature is the last to clearly highlight America’s advancements over time. This essay emphasizes the uniqueness of everyone and emphasizes that there is no one like you. Emerson set out to help people overcome their preconceptions about science, social practice, and rational thought. Emerson tried to improve society through his philosophy based on individual experience and intuition. Nature is where he found these insights. Emerson states that freedom and individual truth must be considered in order for one to discover their true self and have a healthy relationship with the natural world. Emerson writes in Nature that the mind does not need to seek out objects if it is well-prepared for such study. Emerson was a pioneer in helping people accept themselves and consider their own personal experiences. Emerson was the first to discuss individualistic tendencies in our society. Ralph Waldo Emerson sought to identify people who had a tendency to follow the crowd and ignore individual needs. Each person’s experiences are unique and have made our society more welcoming, flexible, and open to all. All kinds of growth and improvement have been witnessed in America’s writings. Our society has faced many challenges, including slavery and racism. We have come a long way to overcome all adversities and promote diversity. Although many points have been made and many writers have contributed to the conversation, early American literature was consistent in its ability to continue development and a desire for a better world. Our country and way of living are not defined by one document. History has many layers including language, religion, and culture. This means that the nation has always sought to be more diverse and inclusive of all social classes. The United States is now able rely on confidence and self-realization for all its citizens. This creates unique options for lifestyle choices and provides an opportunity for people to choose their own paths. Our history and the growth of our past have made them all possible.

We have seen that each writer has contributed to different aspects of our country’s growth throughout its history. The American people are resilient in every aspect of success or failure, and Emerson and Franklin’s beliefs in individualism continue to be relevant. The remarkable examples of American Literature include Remarks Concerning North America’s Savages, Nature, and Of Plymouth Plantation. Each one of these books demonstrates both the promise of learning and growth throughout history, while still retaining remnants from our past. We have taken the advice of each author to help us overcome social and racial barriers in our society. Our country as a whole has grown and changed, making it a better place for all people. There are still some problems in our modern world. But, as time shows, most of these issues can be solved for the betterment and benefit of the whole world.

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  • dariuschen

    Darius Chen is a 35-year-old blogger and teacher who specializes in educational topics. He has been blogging for over 10 years and has a wealth of knowledge to share with his readers. Darius is also an experienced teacher, and he enjoys helping others learn new things.