ASSIGNMENT #2

Colonial literature was developed in America in the colonial times, that is, in the post-Conquest, between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries. In general, writers took the literary patterns existing in Europe at the time, and most of them were adapted to the local vocabulary because the dominance of the English language was hardly predictable. 

The writings of the colonial period are very important because they are the first step in literature of that period. It would not be fair to talk about bad writing by the quality or items containing in the books, because men probably had more important work to do before making or writing books. It must be taken into account, when the English people came to America were faced with extreme and a little exciting conditions for them. In fact, they were faced with unknowns things like flora, fauna, Indians, and in general to a new world that opened the doors to its culture. Probably, it was this kind of thing which stimulated their intellectual power and motivated them to write and tell to the world about their experiences.

Furthermore, America began its history around 1607 when a group of English sailors travelled to an unknown land and landing in a city which is now known as Virginia, at that time called Jamestown. At first, these trips were inspired by Spanish settlers who had found gold in South America, so the Englishmen thought that with this trip they would have the opportunity to get rich. 

However, they had a big disappointment because gold was not found there and they just came to a hostile environment that discouraged them but John Smith was who changed that idea and so everyone could be saved from devastating famine. Then, around 1619 the Africans, who were mostly slaves, travelled in inadequate and extreme conditions, but in order to look for a better quality of life they decided to accept those trips and they came to America. 

Besides, in 1620 a ship called Mayflower transported 102 English Pilgrims from England to America. They decided to renounce to the Church of England and they came with a different point of view, they kept in mind an special mission, they were called Puritans; this group of men and women were headed by William Bradford. In addition, in the ship mentioned before, it was signed an agreement on November 11, it was called The Mayflower Compact. It was a social agreement in which the settlers at New Plymouth followed the rules stipulated there and it regulated everything for the sake of survival. 

On the other hand, since the establishment of Jamestown American culture has been heavily influenced by English culture. A good example is the literature. In 1700 the output of English literature took an important role, which was developed gradually. The early writings were mostly religious texts, and even produced some of Puritan literature. 

Finally, it is important to mention that "The state of American literature in 1700, consisting of only about 250 published works, reflects the pressing religious, security, and cultural concerns of colonial life. Printing presses operated in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Annapolis, and colonists could also acquire works published in England". (Ramirez, B.). The first American author was Captain John Smith with his works: A True Relation of Such Occurrences and Accidents of Noate as Hath Happened in Virginia (1608) and The Generall Historie of Virginia, New England, and the Summer Isles (1624). Some examples of works in colonial period are: John Winthrop made the first entry in his Journal on board the ship Arbella (on March 29, 1630), Bay Psalm Book (1640), Journal called "History of Plymouth Plantation" (1620-47), Wonder-Working Providence (1654),), Day of Doom (1662), Magnalia Christi Americana (1702), History of the Dividing Line run in the Year (1728), etc. 

References:

Canada, M. (2001). Colonial America: 1607 – 1783. Retrieved April 11, 2013 from http://www.uncp.edu/home/canada/work/allam/16071783/index.htm 

·   W.W Norton & Company (2007) Overview: Beginning to 1700. Retrieved April 12, 2013 from http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/naal7/contents/A/welcome.asp#1

   Ramirez, B. (unknown). American Literature: Beginning to 1700. Article to Cultura Estadounidense a través de la literatura. Católica del Maule University: Chile.

·   Wikipedia Foundation, Inc (2013). American Literature. Retrieved April 13, 2013 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_literature