Early American Literature: Indigenous, Colonial, and Puritan
Native American Oral Traditions
Native American literature before colonization was entirely oral. Knowledge, beliefs, and history were transmitted by storytellers, who adapted the tales freely, creating multiple versions. Many stories were lost after the extermination and displacement of Indigenous peoples. The narratives served two main purposes: entertainment and didactic instruction, teaching proper behavior, cultural values, and the tribe’s worldview.
These stories usually take place in a mythical past when humans and other beings were not clearly separated, reflecting the belief in a shared connection among all forms of life. They explore universal themes such as the origin of the world, the nature of human beings, social order, and the tension between good and evil. Characters are not described in detail because the focus lies on ideas and values, not on individual psychology. Nature is sacred: every element has a spirit, and although many spiritual beings appear, there is a single creative force underlying everything.
Stylistic Features and Narrative Patterns
Stylistically, these narratives use repetition, enumeration, and sometimes archaic language to aid memorization and oral transmission. A common narrative pattern appears across tribes: an initial state of harmony, a disruption, attempts to restore balance, and finally harmony regained.
Recurring Characters and Creation Myths
Several recurring character types appear:
- The Trickster: A mischievous, chaotic figure—often a coyote—who can be humorous or destructive and can change shape.
- The Culture Hero: Teaches rituals, language, and traditions, improving the world for humans.
- Creators, gods, and spirits: Represent the sacred dimension of the stories.
- Animals: Often speak or act like humans, emphasizing the closeness between people and nature.
- Twins: Symbolize opposing forces.
The stories cover many topics, especially creation myths. There are four main types of creation stories: Earth Diver, Deity Fall, Emergence, and the Great Spirit.
Literature of European Exploration
Exploration literature refers to texts written by European explorers who traveled to America from the late 15th to the 17th century. After Columbus’s arrival in 1492, European nations began competing for influence in North America. The first permanent English colony was Jamestown (1607), founded by the Virginia Company of London.
These writings had an economic purpose: they were addressed to monarchs and investors, often idealizing America as a land of abundance. This contributed to the early formation of the American Dream. Explorers often described Native Americans as pagan savages, ignoring the diversity of Indigenous cultures. A few voices, such as Las Casas and Cabeza de Vaca, denounced European cruelty.
John Smith and the Virginia Colony
John Smith is one of the most important figures of this tradition. His works include A True Relation (1608) and The General History of Virginia (1624), which recounts the story of Pocahontas. His writing mixes fact and fiction, reflecting the European belief in Manifest Destiny.
Puritan Literature and Beliefs
Puritans were English Protestants who sought to purify the Church of England. Their doctrines were influenced by John Calvin, focusing on predestination, human depravity, and limited atonement. They founded the Plymouth Colony (1620) and the Massachusetts Bay Colony (1630), viewing America as a new Eden and a “City upon a Hill.”
Puritan literature followed the plain style, aiming to guide readers spiritually. Key genres included:
- Sermons: Used to teach doctrine and practical application.
- Jeremiads: Interpreted disasters as signs of God’s displeasure.
- Diaries and autobiographies: Focused on self-examination.
Colonial Poetry and Captivity Narratives
Anne Bradstreet, the first American poet, shifted from English imitation to a distinctly American voice. Her work reflects the tension between her public Puritan identity and her private emotions, a process known as the weaning of affections.
Puritan captivity narratives, such as Mary Rowlandson’s A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration (1682), described forced life among Native Americans. These narratives followed a structure of separation, torment, transformation, and redemption, interpreting the experience through the lens of divine providence.