Cambridge Introduction To Early American Literature, The

Description:
The Cambridge Introduction to Early American Literature offers students a literary history of American writing in English between 1492 and 1820, as well as providing a concise social and cultural history of these three centuries. Emory Elliott traces the impact of race, gender, and ethnic conflict on early American culture, and explores the centrality of American Puritanism in the formation of a distinctively American literature. Elliott provides an overview of the oral and written literature of the Europeans who explored, settled and colonised the North American continent. He goes on to focus on the New England Puritans and demonstrates the lasting impact of their thought and writing on early American literature. Elliott traces the evolution of forms and genres that have come to be seen as quintessentially American. This highly engaging and comprehensive study will be essential reading for students of the literature, history and culture of early America.

Review:
'...a testimony of the scholar's breadth of mind and openness to fresh ideas...a sign that the academic movement of 'remapping' the 'conventionally outlined borders' of the American literary continent has reached its turning point. Elliott's unbiased approach to the New England heritage is an event of all-American national importance.' American Studies International

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments; Preface; 1. Brave New World; 2. The language of Salem Witchcraft; 3. The dream of a Christian utopia; 4. Personal narrative and history; 5. Poetry; 6. The Jeremiad; 7. Reason and revivalism; 8. Toward the formation of a United States; Afterword; Bibliography.

Author Biography:
Emory Elliott is University Professor of the University of California, Distinguished Professor of English at the University of California at Riverside, and Director of the Center for Ideas and Society.