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LITR 4231 Early American Literature |
Final Exam Essays 2014 Sample answers
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Danielle Meza
Essay 2a: The Adaptation of Literature Throughout the Ages
Many
people consider literature to be restricted to stories of fiction where a
character attempts to achieve some sort of goal while overcoming some type of
adversity.
However, this has not always been the case.
The concept of literature has evolved over many
eras from oral traditions to written documents.
It is important to examine the nature of the
changes literature has undergone through the ages.
This class covered the transformation of literature
from the Renaissance era to the Romantic era.
During the Renaissance era, the focus of
exploration is a common element of Renaissance literature.
The
Two Letters from Columbus,
which we read in class, are a great example of the exploratory nature of the
European culture.
Columbus depicts the land he discovered,
Hispaniola, and people as beautifully rich land with generous people.
His accounts of his travels demonstrate historicism
through the elucidation concerning the condition of the environment during that
time.
Although the letters do not read as a novel, they are
important in understanding the circumstances that led to the origin of country.
Additionally, these letters also contain elements
of the Romantic spirit which is conveyed through Columbus’ romanticizing of the
land and culture of the native people.
These letters are a prime example of the
reoccurring themes of historicism and exploratory nature throughout literature.
The Baroque style takes place during the
conflicting restructuring of the Protestant and Catholic Reformation.
One of Anne Bradford’s poems,
In Reference to her
Children contains a Baroque style which uses
elements of extended metaphor in order to express her love and affection toward
her family. The
distinguishing aspect of her poems is that they are easily relatable, even in
modern era.
Her wording, while simple, creates beautiful imagery for
the reader’s enjoyment. Bradford
is easily able to convey her emotions through her expressive language.
Though she uses metaphor in her poem, her meaning
is not easily lost.
The Baroque style of her poem provides her poem
with a memorable quality.
As the Protestant Reformation and Catholic
Counter-Reformation ends the era transforms from the Baroque style into the
Enlightenment era.
Many of the historical documents like the
Constitution and the Declaration of Independence arise from the Enlightenment
era.
These documents are not what most people consider as
“literature”.
However, these documents structure the ideology of
the future generation of America.
These documents, while not what many people would
read for fun, are instrumental in understanding the emergence of what we now
consider modern institutions and principles.
Instead of emotions and feeling, the Enlightenment
era focuses on the economical and pragmatic ideologies as the foundation for
society.
The Romantic era is the time period which most
people recognize the writing as literature.
During this era, more documents focus on conflicts
and situations that the reader can more easily relate to.
Unlike the Enlightenment era, these documents also
use less sophisticated language which allows the reader to understand more
easily. Edgar
Huntly,
the novel by Charles Brockden Brown is an example of a Romantic novel.
While this novel does contain the growing
relationship between Mrs. Lorimer and Sarsefield, it is not overly romantic is
the sense of love between a couple.
Instead, this novel focuses more on its gothic tone
which emphasizes on fantasy rather than realism.
During the novel, many scenes take place at night
or in dark settings.
Edgar embraces the unrefined and isolated nature of
the wilderness.
The Native Americans also strike fear within Edgar
as he views them as savages whom he considers a threat based on their
involvement in the death of his parents.
Additionally, the revelation of Clithero’s secrets
creates intrigue and exposes the misdeeds of others.
The exposure of these secrets also causes Edgar to
experience sympathy, horror, and regret often at the same time.
These factors contribute to the Romantic spirit of
book.
While the characteristics which define these eras
differ from one another, they all contain elements which we can recognize in our
modern literature.
Each generation of writers influences the next.
By focusing on the different characteristics of
literature during multiple eras, it is easier to recognize the patters which
many writers fall into.
While some may not enjoy the development of
literature during all four of the mention eras, these progressions provide their
own unique impression that distinguishes their generation and shapes the later
generations to come.
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