Puritan myth – American thought of themselves as of nation with mission. They believed the concept of improving of themselves and the power of money, they are chosen, special people. Functions of Puritans’ literature: -it didn’t have much literary value -written in plain language, -literature was of utilitarian character to show, to instruct. Johnatan Edwards – very well educated man, he was a pastor, very good speaker, famous for his sermons: “Sinners in the hands of an angry God” (wszyscy sa skazania na piekło) People are always exposed to destruction, this is the sadden, people can fall in it anytime and God decides when, people are going to fall. People are sinful, they deserved punishment. God decides whether people go to hell or not. In this sermon author uses very strong words, his sermons invoked a lot of emotions. Edwards refers many times to devil. He contrasts great power of God with insignificant power of man, uses image of people sinking, people can’t fell safe, everybody is committed sin and devil is waiting for us. God is supreme infinite and strict, he is not a friendly being. Conclusion: he tries persuaded people to change their life. THE AGE OF REASON AND REVOLUTION Crèvecoeur –very well educated, came to America from Canada, with his family. He have to leave America, he was expected of being monarchist, when he returned to America he found his wife killed, house burn, children adopted. He wrote “Letter from an American farmer”, he describe America and he wanted to show it as a chosen country. He work presents America in exaggerated style too positive to be true. He describe 3 major region of America: seaside, in land, great woods. He wanted to show how living in particular place influences somebody character. He believed that our personality depends on place, air, climate, government, religious, atmosphere of our work influence. He describe those people who live at the seaside as: are more courageous, not afraid, not tied to the land, good businessman. In land: they depend on the farming, are proud, obstinate, careful, hardworking, tied to the land. Live in great woods: were like an animals, were savages, barbarous, driven by primary instincts. They lived close to nature. The author wanted to show difference between Europe and America. Europe is a closed society, land is controlled, you can get land by heritage. People don’t work for themselves, but for their lord. In America situation is difference, there no social classes, there is no aristocracy, no dominated religious. Land is easily available, government is democratic, there are 3 major rights:1-right to life, 2-right to freedom, 3-right to property He raises several question in his work: Who is an American? – American is any European who has came to America and had left behind him all his habits. This is the first mention about “melting pot” Why do people come to America – because of economical reason in search of bread. There are 3 conditions to be successful in America: 1-hard work, 2-saving money, 3-being honest - America is beneficial for everybody. There are 3 conditions for happiness 1-natural resources, 2-working for ourselves, 3-competition that should be related to production The problem of American frontier which is great woods because in these territory isn’t proper low. There aren’t principle regulations, people’s behavior is based on survival instinct, they are similar to animals. Creveceour also notices that Indians are better than those living in woods, Indians have got their own rules. People living in woods are the embodiment of American cowboys. He also built up his idea of good American who is hardworking, honest and sober. Mary Rowlandson – she wrote down some autobiographical memories, she was kidnapped by Indians and she wrote down her experiences. She was kept by Indians for 11 weeks and she was extremely puritan. She was very religious so she compares Indians to the devil. In her diary she presents the fight between good and evil. Her work is symbolic. She doesn’t complain, she just suffers silently. She accepts it because it was God’s decision. She also quotes the Bible. In her work there are several adjectives describing Indians: inhumane creatures, savages, barbarous creatures. There is one moment when she tells good thing, when they buried her dead child. Finally she was exchanged by 20 pounds by her husband. She thought that God made her free. She completely relies on God.	ENLIGHTENMENT – OŚWIECENIE The age of reason that’s the second name of Enlightenment. John Lock - didn’t believed in inborn knowledge. He said that all knowledge comes from our senses. It’s called empiricism. He also emphasizes natural, basic rights of man. He also rejects the power of the King and refers to the democracy. He created the principles of modern democracy. Isaac Newton – rationalism. He thought that you get the knowledge without outside world. According to him universe is seem as a harmonic system, God is helpful so people should help each other. A man is in harmony with universe. His assumptions led to the development of deism according to which God is like a clockmaker, who sets the machine and observes us. Man is good by nature, by its spoiled by evil institutions. FRENCH SOURCES OF ENLIGHTENMENT J.J. Rousseau and Voltaire – they mainly underline freedom of thought, feelings, conscious. Native roots of Enlightenment: The Declaration of Independence The Constitution The Slow Formation of the Nation Literature (pamphlets, political speeches and non-fiction literature) Their aims were to instruct, enlighten and to make people think. Slow disintegration of Puritanism. Benjamin Franklin – he was born in Boston in very big family as the 15th child. He worked in his brother’s shop then he left for Philadelphia. He used to read a lot of books, he became a Deist, a politician and he participated in drawing a Declaration of Independence. He represented USA abroad. He was also a scientist and he was involved in scientific research. He established the first public library. He was a Democrat , thought that the best government should be controlled by people. His two major purposes in life are: to do good for people and to develop himself. His major work is ”Autobiography”. The first part was written when he was 65 and he wanted to show what life he used to lead. He described his ups and downs. Part 2 was written when he was 78, part 3 when he was 82. In part 2 he established tabulation of system values: Temperance, Silence, Order, Resolution, Frugality, Industry, Sincerity, Justice, Moderation, Humility Cleanliness, Tranquility, Chastity, He made a little book and one page was for one virtue. On the pages he marked how many times he didn’t follow them. He also used to plan his day. In the morning he asked himself: What good shall I do today? In the evening he asked: What good have I done today? Puritan elements of his plan: Hard work Every moment of your life should be spend on particular purpose Franklin is the embodiment of American myth. Points of American myth: America was an exceptional nation. He believed of the concept of self improvement, everybody is equal in America so this is the example of democracy = everybody can achieve success in America. The point of American myth according to Franklin, Jefferson, Crèvecoeur: 1.the concept of progress 2.hard work, all of them believed it is necessary. What is more, Franklin is an embodiment of hard work. 3.America is a place where everybody can be successful – Jefferson is related to the democracy of independence. According to Crèvecoeur, in America every nation is equal, this an example of melting pot. Franklin proved, that everybody can be successful by his own life. 4.equality of people, Jefferson thought for the equality of black people. Franklin wrote, there were no social classes in America 5.significance of land, Jefferson believed in sociological agrarianism. Franklin thought that commerce is cheating, the only honest way of life is agriculture. 6.believe in democracy- which is natural rights of the man. 7.believe that government comes from the concern of people.	Washington Irving – he is consider either as the representative of Enlightenment or Romanticism. He used to adopt European stories to the American settings, American geography, landscapes. He used mostly German and Dutch tales. His works are extended anecdotes. He wrote: “Rip Van Winkle” “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” “Rip Van Winkle” Romantic elements of this story: 1.the description of nature 2.no clear colours, everything is misty 3.reference to the past 4.dream of independence 5.the main hero is alienated from the whole society 6.everything exists between reality and magic 7.some gothic elements in the story. - this is the story of Dutch man, who doesn’t like working and his wife was angry with him. He loved children and nature. He used to spent a lot of time with nature and tells story to children. He was very lazy. One day he met a strongly looked person, who gave him some liquid, Rip drank the liquid fall asleep and when he woke up he saw a totally different country. It’s turned up that America gained independence. Rip Van Winkle is a kind of folk figure, he is very passive in his action, he doesn’t want to grow up. But the whole society changes after going the independence. People are more active, they are busy. Their change their attitude because the political situation changed so they are independent now. Rip realized that he is citizen of the USA. Rip’s wife is a typical wife, takes care of children, she wants her husband to be more obedient, she represents England, she is not satisfied what Rip does. Rip represents America. When the story begin the atmosphere is lazy, sleepy and symbolizes the independence on England, after waking up people are active. “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”, Romantic elements in the story: 1.refference to the past, legends 2.description of the nature 3.gothic elements 4.dreamy atmosphere 5.misty colours 6.reference to the supernatural 7.use of some words, like: misty, dreamy, sleepy, fearful. the story takes place in Tarry Town, small place which name means to do nothing. In this town there was very popular legend of “Headless Trooper”. The whole story centers around him. One of the heroes of the story Ichabad Crane, he was liked be people, good talker and good eater. He fell in love with the girl Katrina, but he had a rival. One day Katrina organized party and invited many people, Ichabad also joined the party, during which people talked the legend about “Headless Trooper”. At the party Ichabad was ridicule by his rival and he left, but nobody could find him later. People thought that he was kidnapped by Headless Trooper or he went to New York and made a political career. Both works of the Irving are full of humorous, it’s makes tales attractive. Irving was first American literary humorist. He earned money for his writing. In his tales we can also find elements of American myth: 1.the believe that everybody can be successful 2.independence, progress, improvement. James Cooper 5 novels are connected by one character Natty. 1.”Pioneers” - In this Natty is 70 2.”The Last of Mohicans”- in this – 40 3.”The Praire” - In ”The Praire” – 19 4.”The Pathfinder”- In this – 40 5.”The Deerslayer”- In this – 23 The main subject of these 5 works is the American frontier at the beginning of 18^th century. The main topics are: 1.disappearing of wildness 2.colonialism 3.frontier moving West 4.Cooper’s nostalgia for childhood 5.the sense that something has been lost in America In this work Cooper asks the question: What is more valuable: civilization or wildness? In the second novel, Natty is a mixture of civilization and wildness. He is not an Indian but he is kind of link between Indians and Americans. Questions: 1.Natty is a representative of wildness, he is self reliant, he doesn’t have any property, he is untied to anybody and anything. He is ability to live in the forest, doesn’t depend on food from anybody. He is lonely, he knows Indian customs. Indians are his companions. 2.Natty as a member of wild man civilization. He doesn’t follow Indian custom, he, for example: wouldn’t take a scalp. He can objectively evaluate white man behavior which is not typical for Indian. He is a prototype of American cowboy, lonely fighter, he speaks English, express his thoughts in the way typical for white people. 3.Natty is embodiment of the American myth, he express Cooper’s dream about America which is which is self reliance, independence and reluctance to accept any ties. Nobody can force him to do something. He doesn’t belong to any church, he has very individual understanding of religion according to which individual conscience is the best guide, he treats wildness as his home. 4.His attitude is different from Puritan attitude. Puritan treated wildness as something bad, as hell, while Natty treats it as a home. 5.Indians shown by Cooper – the description is superficial, the characters are either good or bad. Only one side of human character is presented. Cooper’s way of presenting Indians is very schematic, those who support French are bad and those who support England are good. 6.A drawback of the novel: -style: Cooper’s style is very artificial, the language is very sophisticated. 7.Cooper’s cultural relativism, he states that different cultures have different ethics, for example: it’s natural for Indians to take scalps, but it wouldn’t be natural for white people or killing a sleepy enemy is OK for Indians but not for white people. 8.Cooper’s merits, he is the author of American mythology. He made an attempt to write a historical novel. He wrote the first epic romance and he showed objectively people of different races, which is called cultural relativism. 9.How does Natty handle the tension between wildness and civilization? He is resolving the tension, he is a kind of mediator, he knows the two worlds very well. He explains that they are differences between various cultures. He is an alienated man. If you are extremely independent you are alienated.