The Cambridge Introduction to Early American Literature [Paperback]

A literary history of American writing between 1492 and 1820.The Cambridge Introduction to Early American Literature offers students a literary history of American writing in English between 1492 and 1820, as well as providing a concise social and cultural history of these three centuries. Emory Elliott traces the impact of race, gender, and ethnic conflict on early American culture, and explores the centrality of American Puritanism in the formation of a distinctively American literature. This highly engaging and comprehensive study will be essential reading for students of the literature, history and culture of early America.The Cambridge Introduction to Early American Literature offers students a literary history of American writing in English between 1492 and 1820, as well as providing a concise social and cultural history of these three centuries. Emory Elliott traces the impact of race, gender, and ethnic conflict on early American culture, and explores the centrality of American Puritanism in the formation of a distinctively American literature. This highly engaging and comprehensive study will be essential reading for students of the literature, history and culture of early America.Presenting a literary history of American writing (from 1492 to 1820) and a concise social and cultural history, Emory Elliott traces the impact of race, gender, and ethnic conflict on early American culture. He explores the centrality of American Puritanism in the formation of a distinctively American literature. This highly comprehensive study is essential reading for students of the literature, history and culture of early America.Acknowledgments; Preface; 1. Brave New World; 2. The language of Salem Witchcraft; 3. The dream of a Christian utopia; 4. Personal narrative and history; 5. Poetry; 6. The Jeremiad; 7. Reason and revivalism; 8. Toward the formation of a United States; Afterword; Bibliography. ...a testimony of the scholar's breadth of mind and openness to fresh ideas.lã(