American Literature and History Study Notes

Posted on Mar 7, 2026 in English Studies

Literary Terms and Definitions

Allusion: An indirect reference to a person or place.
Archaic Language: Words or phrases that were once in common use.
Archetypes: Character types from different cultures.
Audience: The intended readers of a piece of writing.
Creation Myth: A myth that describes how the universe began.
Emotional Appeals: Messages that persuade by creating feelings.
Extended Metaphor: A comparison between two essentially unlike things.
Figurative Language: Language that communicates ideas beyond the literal.
Folk Literature: Folk tales, myths, and fables.
Historical Context: Ideas from the author’s time that influence a work.
Historical Narratives: Accounts of real-life historical experiences.
Inverted Syntax: Sentence structure that does not follow traditional patterns.
Memoir: Autobiographical writing sharing personal experiences and observations of historical events.
Metaphor: A figure of speech comparing two things with common traits.
Myth: A traditional story, usually involving supernatural beings.
Primary Sources: Materials created by people present at events.
Purpose: To inform, entertain, or express oneself.
Secondary Sources: Accounts by people not directly involved in the events.
Structure: The arrangement of parts in a literary work.
Trickster Tale: A folk tale featuring a character who engages in deceit, violence, and magic.

Defeating the British: Troops from all states must join together.
Surrender: States that surrender arms suffer hostility from other Americans.
The King: Compared to a thief trying to take what is not theirs.
Paine’s Intent: Describing the consequences of surrender.
Metaphor: “Coal can never expire” signifies that liberty is a persistent virtue.
Loaded Language: “The blood of his children will curse his cowardice” creates a negative impression.
Pathos: The “blood of his children” appeal.
Parallelism: “Mutual fear… chain of mutual love.”
Declaration of Independence: Authored by Thomas Jefferson; addressed to King George.
Unalienable Rights: Rights inherent to birth; the core reason for separation from Britain.
Age of Reason: Shifted focus from religion to a worldly, rational style. Thomas Paine is known as the “Father of the Revolution.”

Puritan Communion: The Lord’s Supper.
Native American Literature: Rooted in oral performance.
Exploration: Europeans brought wheat, onions, radishes, and sugar cane.
Literacy: Europeans used a written alphabet, unlike traditional Native record-keeping (shellwork, painted hides).
Bartolomé de las Casas: Known for the “Literature of Witness.”
John Smith: Wrote action-oriented propaganda; used 3rd person to gain government favor.
Pocahontas: Saved Smith by offering her life in Powhatan’s court.

Anne Bradstreet: First American poet; themes include faith, family, and the rejection of worldly attachments.
“To My Dear and Loving Husband”: Claims her relationship is the best ever.
“Huswifery” (Edward Taylor): Uses the metaphor of a spinning wheel to describe faith as an everyday activity.
Taylor’s Work: Discovered at Yale 200 years later; addressed to God and Christ.
Faculties of the Soul: Memory, Understanding, and Will.