Introduction:
The Colonial and Early National Period is the first section of American Literature. The period spans from the very beginnings to 1830. Since this period was the very start of American Literature the authors of this time had to define what the literature of America would be like. Since the authors from the Colonial and Early National Period were the beginners they did not have any guidelines to go off of. The authors wrote about what Americans were dealing with at that time in history. Therefore, some common themes were defining themselves as Americans, exploration, individualism, and religion. The theme of exploration is obviously evident in the exploration writings of that time. The theme of defining themselves as Americans are also evident in the exploration writings. The Americans were trying to set themselves apart from Britain as they discovered new territory and more about themselves. The Puritan writings and poetry reflected the theme of religion and religious freedom. Puritan Poetry and sermons such as "Sinners in the hand of an angry God" reflected a newly formed nation with a focus on God. During the Colonial and Early National Period many journals and autobiographies were written. Many journals were written due to the exploration of that time. The journals and autobiographies reflect the theme of individualism as the people were writing their opinions and their own experiences. During this time there were also many political writings since a new nation was being developed. The writings that came out of the earliest period of American Literature were the beginning shaping points for what all American Literature would be based off in years to come. The literature from the Colonial and Early National Period developed America as a nation, and developed a sense of unity as well as individualism within the country.
Jonathan Edwards:
Jonathan Edwards was a very popular and influential figure from the Colonial and Early National Period. Edwards is remembered as being a very outspoken theologian, and is considered to be one of the most important authors from the early time period of literature.
Edwards was born October 5, 1703 in Connecticut. He got his religious background from both of his parents, as his father was a minister and his mother was the daughter of one. He grew up in a very large household, as he was the fifth of eleven children. He received his schooling and preparation for college from his father and older sisters. Edward's was a very brilliant child. He entered Yale in 1716 at the age of thirteen. While at Yale he discovered John Locke's essay "Concerning Human Understanding". Locke's essay and thoughts had a deep impact on Edwards. Throughout college he kept notebooks influenced by Locke called "The Mind", "Natural Science", "The Scriptures", and "Miscellanies". He was valedictorian of his class at Yale at age seventeen. Edwards studied theology for two more years after he graduated, but was still fascinated by nature. He viewed nature as evidence of God. He often retreated to the woods to pray and admire the beauty of nature.
Edwards was fascinated with science as well as theology. He studied philosophy and natural science and wrote many essays on the subjects before he began his career of full time ministry. For eight months he was a stand in pastor for a Presbyterian Church in New York City. He then followed in his father's steps and became one of two tutors at Yale. In 1727 he became an ordained minister at Northhampton. Also in 1727 he married Sarah Pierpont who was the seventeen year old daughter of the founder of Yale. Edwards, like his own parents, had eleven children.
Jonathan Edwards was a prominent figure of the Great Awakening. In 1732 he first preached about God's complete sovereignty and good grace. He recorded details of the conversions from the revival in "A Faithful Narrative of the Surprising Work of God in the Conversion of Many Hundred Souls in Northampton". The following year he released a collection of the five most influential sermons he had preached so far in the Great Awakening. In the later years of the revival some people began to be frightened by Edwards messages, rather than be converted by them. The people were afraid of the damnation Edwards preached about them receiving. In 1741 in Enfield, Connecticut, Edwards preached "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God". Even though many people viewed his teachings as frightening and "fire and brimstone" type preaching he still converted many people through the years of the Great Awakening.
Towards the end of his life Edwards began to take in many people who needed his help. In 1747 he bought a young slave girl and took good care of her. After he "retired" from preaching he went to teach and share the gospel with a tribe of Mohican Indians. In 1758 he contracted smallpox and died from the disease. Edwards was a very influential writer and figure during the Colonial and Early National Period. Today we continue to talk about him and study his works.
Key Historical Events and Timeline of this time period:
- The first colony was settled at Jamestown-1607
- The first meeting at the House of Burgesses-1619
- The Pequot War-1637
- The Salem Witch Trials-1691
- The Mayflower-1620
- Jonathan Edward's "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God"-1741
- The sugar,stamp, and quartering acts were passed-1764,1765,1765
- Boston Massacre-1770
- The Boston Tea Party: 1773
- The American Revolution-1775
- The Declaration of Independence-1776
- Washington inaugurated-1789
- Bill of Rights-1789
- French Revolution begins-1789
- First Great Awakening-1790
- Louisiana Purchase-1803
- Missouri Compromise-1820
- Erie Canal Opens-1825
Key Themes of the Colonial and Early National Period:
The Colonial and Early National Period were all about exploration, defining America as a nation, and individualism. The time period was during when the first people began to explore America. Stories like "A Journey Through Texas" and "Boulders Taller than the Great Tower of Seville" reflect the exploration of this time period. The political documents such as The Constitution, The Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights reflect the development of America becoming a nation. The individualism of the Early National Period is shown throughout the narratives and autobiographies written during this time. The themes from this early time period reflect what the people were going through and what was important for them to develop during that time.