文档介绍：A General Introduction to American Literature Discussions ? China, experts agree, is the nation of the future [ …] mercial and intellectual ess its emigrants have enjoyed in nations from Malaysia to the United States all augur ( 预示) impending global dominance. In literature, however, the Chinese mainland, as far as Western ears go, is pretty quiet. […] Bookstores, the Times reports, are bustling, but nearly half the purchases consist of textbooks and half the translations are of American books. ?— John Updike: “ Bitter Bamboo ”? What is the implication of Updike ’ ment ? Do you agree with him? ? What ’ s your understanding about American literature and culture at present? ? Do you know the reason for the year of 1620 to be an important mark in American history? Why is the United States also called the New World by some people? Core Doctrines of Puritanism ? will of God (Bible ) ? Sin (total depravity) ? and limited atonement (the elect) American Puritans ? American Puritans believed they were chosen by God to build an munity in America by leading a moral, simple and hardworking life. ? They were intolerant and strictly punished drunks, adulterers, violators of the Sabbath and other religious believers different from themselves. Influence of American Puritanism upon American literature ? 1. Two major undercurrents in American literature : moods of optimism and frustration ? 2. writing style: ? A) distinctively American symbolism: in relation to the Puritan ’ s metaphorical mode of perception about the world — the phenomenal world is nothing but a symbol of God. ? B) Simple, fresh, direct, plain, a touch of nobility ? Periodization of American Literature ? Key Themes in American Literature Periodization of American Literature ? 1. Early American Literature (17 th century and 18 th century) 1) The Literary Scene in Colonial America (- 1765) 2) Literature of E