《美国文学》课程教学大纲 The Course Syllabus of American Literature -、课程基本信息(Basic Course Information) 课程代码：16034202 6034202 Course name:American Literature 课程类别：专业课 Periods:64 学分：4 Credits:4 适用对象：英语语言文学专业学生 s:Undergraduates majoring in English 考试 Assessment:Examination 先修课程：英美社会与文化、英国文学 Preparatory courses:British and American Societies and Cultures 二、课程简介(Brief Course Introduction) 本课程为专业知识基础课，在第四学期开设，是培养英语专业本科二年级学生文 学修养、人文素质和社会主义核心价值观的重要课程。结合美国历史发展进程介 绍各时期的重要作家及其代表作，重点阅读自十九世纪初至现当代的小说、诗歌 和戏刷作品，帮助学生熟悉重要文学作品，提高文学鉴赏能力、语言水平和批判 性思维，对西方社会与文化形成客观的认识。 "American literature"is a compulsory course to be offered in the fourth semester to sophomores who major in English.It is a significant part of the program that aims to enhance their literar understanding.humanistic ality,and socialist core values.It introduces the n lite in their respective historical contexts,with the focus on fiction,poetry and drama from the early nineteenth century to the contemporary.Students are encouraged to read, analyze and discuss the literary texts,to participate in poetry recitals and dramatic performances,and to appreclate relted classical movies By these means.the course helps them ma ster the b owledge of literatu ther ith literary texts,and improves their literary underst anding,language proficiency and critical perspective,so that they may acquire an objective comprehension of Western society and culture
1 《美国文学》课程教学大纲 The Course Syllabus of American Literature 一、课程基本信息（Basic Course Information） 课程代码：16034202 Course code: 16034202 课程名称：美国文学 Course name: American Literature 课程类别：专业课 Course type: Specialty course 学时：64 Periods: 64 学分：4 Credits: 4 适用对象：英语语言文学专业学生 Target students: Undergraduates majoring in English 考核方式：考试 Assessment: Examination 先修课程：英美社会与文化、英国文学 Preparatory courses: British and American Societies and Cultures 二、课程简介（Brief Course Introduction） 本课程为专业知识基础课，在第四学期开设，是培养英语专业本科二年级学生文 学修养、人文素质和社会主义核心价值观的重要课程。结合美国历史发展进程介 绍各时期的重要作家及其代表作，重点阅读自十九世纪初至现当代的小说、诗歌 和戏剧作品，帮助学生熟悉重要文学作品，提高文学鉴赏能力、语言水平和批判 性思维，对西方社会与文化形成客观的认识。 “American Literature” is a compulsory course to be offered in the fourth semester to sophomores who major in English. It is a significant part of the program that aims to enhance their literary understanding, humanistic quality, and socialist core values. It introduces them to prominent writers and masterpieces of American literature in their respective historical contexts, with the focus on fiction, poetry and drama from the early nineteenth century to the contemporary. Students are encouraged to read, analyze and discuss the literary texts, to participate in poetry recitals and dramatic performances, and to appreciate related classical movies. By these means, the course helps them master the basic knowledge of literature, familiarizes them with the major literary texts, and improves their literary understanding, language proficiency and critical perspective, so that they may acquire an objective comprehension of Western society and culture
三、课程性质与教学目的 本课程通过对文学作品的阅读、分析、讨论以及诗歌朗诵、戏剧表演等多种形式， 旨在帮助学生掌握文 学基本常识 熟悉重要文学作品及其相关历史语境 ,提高文 学鉴赏能力和语言水平，对美国社会与文化形成较为深入的理解，并帮助学生形 成良好的世界观、人生观，培养中国情怀和国际视野，提高批判性思维能力和思 相消德水平。 四、教学内容及要求 Lecture One Colonial Beginnings (一)目的与要求 了解美洲殖民地时期文学的概况： 2.研究清教主义及其对美国价值观的影响。 3.帮助学生了解西方文化的发展脉络，培养学生全球视野、独立观察和批判性 思维. (■) 教学内容 1主要内容 I.beginning of American literature-the early 1600s 1.Englishmen describing the English exploration and colonization of the New World (America) 2.Tales ofadventure and excitement;facts+fantasy II Captain John Smith (1580-1631) 1.a real adventurer,helped found Jamestown in 1607(the first English colony in America) 2.True Relation of Virginia (1608)and Description of New England (1616). fascinating "advertisements"which try to persuade the reader to Settleln the New World: 3.General History of Virginia,New England and the Summer Isles(1624);the first famous tale from American literature. III.Differences between the Southern:and the New England colonies 1.In the South,enormous farms or plantations used the labor of black slaves to grow tobacco.The rich and powerful plantation owners were slow to develop a literature of their o wn.They ferred hooks i orted from England 2.In New England,the Puritan settlers had come to the New World in order to form a society based on strict Christian beliefs.Therefore they had a far stronger sense of unity and of a "shared purpose".This was one of the reasons why culture and literature developed much faster than in the South.Harvard,the first college in the colonies,was founded near Boston in 1636 in order to train new Puritan ministers The first printing press in Americ was started there in 1638,and America's first newspaper began in Boston in 1704 IV.Puritan culture 1.New England histories (1)the most interesting works of New England Puritan literature
2 三、课程性质与教学目的 本课程通过对文学作品的阅读、分析、讨论以及诗歌朗诵、戏剧表演等多种形式， 旨在帮助学生掌握文学基本常识，熟悉重要文学作品及其相关历史语境，提高文 学鉴赏能力和语言水平，对美国社会与文化形成较为深入的理解，并帮助学生形 成良好的世界观、人生观，培养中国情怀和国际视野，提高批判性思维能力和思 想道德水平。 四、教学内容及要求 Lecture One Colonial Beginnings （一） 目的与要求 1. 了解美洲殖民地时期文学的概况； 2. 研究清教主义及其对美国价值观的影响。 3. 帮助学生了解西方文化的发展脉络，培养学生全球视野、独立观察和批判性 思维. （二） 教学内容 1. 主要内容 I. beginning of American literature — the early 1600s: 1. Englishmen describing the English exploration and colonization of the New World (America) 2. Tales of adventure and excitement; facts + fantasy II. Captain John Smith (1580-1631) l. a real adventurer; helped found Jamestown in 1607 (the first English colony in America) 2. True Relation of Virginia (1608) and Description of New England (1616); fascinating “advertisements” which try to persuade the reader to Settle1n the New World; 3. General History of Virginia, New England and the Summer Isles (1624); the first famous tale from American literature. III. Differences between the Southern: and the New England colonies 1. In the South, enormous farms or plantations used the labor of black slaves to grow tobacco. The rich and powerful plantation owners were slow to develop a literature of their own. They preferred books imported from England 2. In New England, the Puritan settlers had come to the New World in order to form a society based on strict Christian beliefs. Therefore they had a far stronger sense of unity and of a “shared purpose”. This was one of the reasons why culture and literature developed much faster than in the South. Harvard, the first college in the colonies, was founded near Boston in 1636 in order to train new Puritan ministers. The first printing press in America was started there in 1638, and America's first newspaper began in Boston in 1704. IV. Puritan culture 1. New England histories (1) the most interesting works of New England Puritan literature
(2)To the Puritans,history developed according toGod'splan" -New England:thePromised Land"of the Bible -the central drama of history:the struggle between Christ and Satan 2.Of Plymouth Plantation by William Bradford (1590-1657) (1)the most interesting of the Puritan histories. (2)subject matters the Puritans'difficult relations with the Indians;their difficulties 1 ring the first winter,when half of the sm died.(Thanksgiving Day) (3)writing style;the wonderful present the "clear light of truth to uneducated readers,Puritan writers avoided elegant language.The examples they used were drawn either from the Bible or from the everyday life of farmers and fishermen. (4)The e:God directsev ng that ha The History of N Winthrop(1588-1649) (1)Also in the "plain style,but far less cheerful (2)Winthrop-the first governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony and a minister all his life (like most of the Puritan writers) (3)Writing style:rather cold m He rarely shows shock or sadness,even when he describes scenes of great unhappiness.Sometimes,the dryness of hisplain very effective (4)Theme:Most events could be seen as a sign from God 4.The first Puritans were not very democratic. (1)harsh church laws: (2)Believers in other forms of Christianity were called "snakes"or even worse names (3)Puritan society was a"theocracy-the laws of society and the laws of religion were the same. 5.Writers struggling hard against the Puritan theocracy (1)Anne Hutchir n(1590-1643)and Roger Williams(1603-1683)both desired a environment (2)Roger Williams'Bloudy Tenent (1644):a famous statement of the desire for religious freedom-Freedom was not only good in itself",it was a necessary condition for"the growth and development of the soul". 6.newer Puritan ideas by the beginning of the 1700s-important to the development of 7.The New Englanders were quite successful at keeping the absolute"purity"of Puritanism during the early,difficult days of settlement.But when the Indians were no longer a danger,the dark forests had become farmland,and more comfortable settlements had grown up,Puritan strictness began to relax.The change was very slow and was no asily ized by New Englanders at the time .The great witche raft panic in the 1690s (1)In the town of Salem,Massachusetts,young girls and lonely old women were arrested and put on trial as witches.A number of these people were put to death for “selling their souls'”to the Devil. (2)The"Salem witch trials"showed the psychological environment of the time and
3 (2) To the Puritans, history developed according to “God's plan”: -New England: the “Promised Land” of the Bible -the central drama of history: the struggle between Christ and Satan 2. Of Plymouth Plantation by William Bradford (1590-1657) (I) the most interesting of the Puritan histories, (2) subject matters the Puritans' difficult relations with the Indians; their difficulties during the first winter, when half of the small colony died. (Thanksgiving Day) (3') writing style; the wonderful “plain style” which the Puritans admired -In order to present the “clear light of truth” to uneducated readers, Puritan writers avoided elegant language. The examples they used were drawn either from the Bible or from the everyday life of farmers and fishermen. (4) Theme: God directs everything that happens. 3. The History of New England by John Winthrop (1588-1649) (1) Also in the “plain style”, but far less cheerful (2) Winthrop-the first governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony and a minister all his life (like most of the Puritan writers) (3) Writing style: rather cold m He rarely shows shock or sadness , even when he describes scenes of great unhappiness. Sometimes, the dryness of his “plain style” is very effective. (4) Theme; Most events could be seen as a sign from God. 4. The first Puritans were not very democratic. (l) harsh church laws; (2) Believers in other forms of Christianity were called “snakes” or even worse names; (3) Puritan society was a “theocracy”-the laws of society and the laws of religion were the same. 5. Writers struggling hard against the Puritan theocracy (1) Anne Hutchinson (1590-1643) and Roger Williams (1603-1683) both desired a freer religious environment. (2) Roger Williams' Bloudy Tenent (1644): a famous statement of the desire for religious freedom-Freedom was not only good in itself”, it was a necessary condition for “the growth and development of the soul”. 6. newer Puritan ideas by the beginning of the 1700s- important to the development of democracy 7. The New Englanders were quite successful at keeping the absolute “purity” of Puritanism during the early, difficult days of settlement. But when the Indians were no longer a danger, the dark forests had become farmland, and more comfortable settlements had grown up, Puritan strictness began to relax. The change was very slow and was not easily recognized by New Englanders at the time. 8. The great witchcraft panic in the 1690s (1) In the town of Salem, Massachusetts, young girls and lonely old women were arrested and put on trial as witches. A number of these people were put to death for “selling their souls” to the Devil. (2) The “Salem witch trials” showed the psychological environment of the time and
the Puritans,strange beliefs:to many Puritans of the time,witchcraft and other forms (1)Anne Bradstreet(1612-1672) -the first real New England poet -Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up In America(1650):containing the first New World s published in E nd x1645-1729 -his poetry written during the last years of the Puritan theocracy;some of the finest poetry written in Colonial America -Taylor hoped for a“rebirth”of the“Puritan Way” 10.Sudden explosions of religious emotion throughout American history,even in the mird scinee the sdy of od'mterial srton (1)Edwards developed this idea further-He said that there was a close relation between knowledge of the physical world and knowledge of the spiritual world. (2)This idea created a bridge between the old:strict puritan society and the new free later,with its scientific study of the world New England histories;Puritanism 3.问题与应用 What are the main ideas of Puritan thought in colonial America? (三)思考与实践 help shape the American Value today? 教学方法与手 1.教学方法：课堂讲授与讨论相结合 2.教学手段：多媒体课件 Lecture Two The Birth of a Nation (一)目的与要求 1.讲解早期英国民族迁徒和族裔构成对美国文学的影响，培 养学生的全局思维和观察能力 2.了解美 开国之 之”的思想和理念： 3.研究富 克林、佩恩的代表作： 4.解读《独立宜言》（节选）。 5.引导学生客观认识美国社会、政治制度的形成和发展 西方议会民主制度形成批判性理解： (二)教学内容 1.主要内容 I.the Founding Fathers 1.the most memorable writing in 18th century America 2.the Revolution of 1775-1783(the War for Independence) 3.the Constitution of 1789 4.Practical philosophers:their political pamphlets
4 the Puritans, strange beliefs: to many Puritans of the time, witchcraft and other forms of evil were an absolutely real part of everyday life. 9. Religious themes of the poems of the earliest Puritans (1) Anne Bradstreet (1612-l672) -the first real New England poet -Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up In America (1650) : containing the first New World poems published in England. (2) Edward Taylor (1645-1729) - his poetry written during the last years of the Puritan theocracy; some of the finest poetry written in Colonial America -Taylor hoped for a “rebirth” of the “Puritan Way”. 10. Sudden explosions of religious emotion throughout American history, even in the 20th century 11. The Puritans admired science as the study of God's material creation”. (1) Edwards developed this idea further-He said that there was a close relation between knowledge of the physical world and knowledge of the spiritual world. (2) This idea created a bridge between the old: strict Puritan society and the new, freer culture which came later, with its scientific study of the world. 2. 基本概念和知识点 New England histories; Puritanism 3. 问题与应用 What are the main ideas of Puritan thought in colonial America? （三）思考与实践 How does Puritanism help shape the American Value today? （四）教学方法与手段 1. 教学方法：课堂讲授与讨论相结合 2. 教学手段：多媒体课件 Lecture Two The Birth of a Nation （一） 目的与要求 1.讲解早期英国民族迁徙和族裔构成对美国文学的影响，培 养学生的全局思维和观察能力； 2. 了解美国“开国之父”的思想和理念； 3. 研究富兰克林、佩恩的代表作； 4. 解读《独立宣言》（节选）。 5. 引导学生客观认识美国社会、政治制度的形成和发展， 对西方议会民主制度形成批判性理解； （二） 教学内容 1.主要内容 I. the Founding Fathers 1. the most memorable writing in 18th century America 2. the Revolution of 1775-1783 (the War for Independence) 3. the Constitution of 1789 4. Practical philosophers: their political pamphlets
pean“Age of Reason'”or“Enlightenment understand both nature and man:unlike the Puritans-who saw man as a sinful failure the Enlightenment thinkers were sure that man could improve himself (3)Wanted to create a happy society based on justice and freedom II.Benjamin Franklin (1706W1790) 1.his writings:show the Enlightenment spirit in America at its best and most optimistic 2.His style:quite modern;a return to the Puritans'"plain style' 3.Poor Richard's Almanac (1732-1757): -moral advice(praising honesty and attacking drunkenness.etc aying ng money and working hard 4.The Way to Weath(17)a collection ofthe bes 5.An energetic man with wide interests 6.invented one type of short prose which greatly influenced the development of a story-telling form in America called the"hoax",or the "tall tale"(later made famous by Mark Twain) 7.Franklin's only real book:Autobiography -the first part:an entertaining description of his life up toearly manhood -the second part:more serious-writing about himself"for the improvement of other" -As the autobiography of"the father of the Yankees",it is a book of great value. III.Thomas Paine(1737-1809) 1.the greatest pamphlet-writer of the Am erican Revolutio 2.Common Sense(1776):the most historically important pamphlet in American histor 3.The American Crisis:a series of thirteen pamphlets 4.The Rights of Man(1791-1792):a famous defense of the French Revolution(1789) IV.Thomas Jefferson(1743-1826) 1.the on y one as imp nt a writer for the American cause as Paine 2.the chief author of the Declaration of Independence 3.Declaration ofIndependence: (1)Thanks to Jefferson's beautiful style,the most important document in the political history of the United States is also a fine work of literature ten du time in the war,the Declaration is surprisingly free from emotional appeals (3)It is a clear and logical statement of why America wanted its independence. (4)The Declaration was revised 86 times before it was finally signed on July 14. 1776 4.Notes on the State of Virginia(17847-1785) (1)one of the best descriptions ofearly America (2)attacking the slavery system 5.deeply influenced by the ideas of the Enlightenment (1)Man does not have to depend on God to improve the world,and should use his own wisdom to do the improving by himself
5 (1) Admired and were active in the European “Age of Reason” or “Enlightenment”; (2) Shared the Enlightenment belief that human intelligence (or “reason”) could understand both nature and man: unlike the Puritans-who saw man as a sinful failure the Enlightenment thinkers were sure that man could improve himself. (3) Wanted to create a happy society based on justice and freedom II. Benjamin Franklin (1706W1790) 1. his writings: show the Enlightenment spirit in America at its best and most optimistic 2. His style: quite modern; a return to the Puritans' “plain style” 3. Poor Richard's Almanac (1732-1757) : -moral advice (praising honesty and attacking drunkenness, etc.) -many “sayings” about saving money and working hard 4. The Way to Wealth (1757): a collection of the best of his sayings” 5. An energetic man with wide interests 6. invented one type of short prose which greatly influenced the development of a story-telling form in America called the “hoax”, or the “tall tale” (later made famous by Mark Twain) 7. Franklin's only real book: Autobiography -the first part: an entertaining description of his life up to early manhood -the second part: more serious-writing about himself “for the improvement of other” - As the autobiography of “the father of the Yankees”, it is a book of great value. III. Thomas Paine (1737-1809) 1. the greatest pamphlet-writer of the American Revolution 2. Common Sense (1776): the most historically important pamphlet in American history 3. The American Crisis: a series of thirteen pamphlets 4. The Rights of Man (1791-1792): a famous defense of the French Revolution (1789) IV. Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) 1. the only one as important a writer for the American cause as Paine' 2. the chief author of the Declaration of Independence 3. Declaration of Independence: (1) Thanks to Jefferson's beautiful style, the most important document in the political history of the United States is also a fine work of literature. (2) Although it was written during a difficult time in the war, the Declaration is surprisingly free from emotional appeals. (3) It is a clear and logical statement» of why America wanted its independence. (4) The Declaration was revised 86 times before it was finally signed on July 14, 1776. 4. Notes on the State of Virginia (17847-1785) (1) one of the best descriptions of early America; (2) attacking the slavery system 5. deeply influenced by the ideas of the Enlightenment (1) Man does not have to depend on God to improve the world, and should use his own wisdom to do the improving by himself
(2)All humanity is naturally good:"Nature has implanted in our breasts a love of other of duty to then ,a moral instinc -afraid that the commercial pressure of city life would destroy this goodness-saw another threat to American democracy in the thinking of the "Federalists (Jefferson's extreme democracy) 2.基本概今和知识点 the Founding Fathers;Declaration of Independence;Benjamin Franklin,Thomas s Jefferson What are the beliefs and ideas of the Founding Fathers? (三)思考与实践 How does the declaratio 《四)教学方法与手段 n of Independence help shape the American Value today? 1.教学方法：课堂讲授与讨论相结合 2.教学手段：多媒体课件 Lecture Three The rise of a national Literature (一)目的与要求 了解美国民族文学的形成过程 2 研究欧文、库伯和布莱恩特的代表作 (二)教学内容 1.主要内容 I.three different points of View about how American literature should grow 1.call for an 2.a new branch of English literature 3.a universal literature II.the greatest American writers 1.combined the best qualities ofthe:literature of the Old and New Worlds ve ther works the univ II Novels-the first popular literature of the newly independent United States 1.The first American novel;William Hill Brown,Power of Sympathy(1789). 2.The first important American novel:Modern Chivalry (1792-1815)by Hugh Henry Brackenridge (1748-1816) IV.The"Knickerbocker era"(1810-1840)of American literature 1.Washington Irving(1783-1859) (1)A History of New York,by Diedrick Knickerbocker(1809) -gives the region of New York City a special"local color". -a masterpiece of comedy which laughs at the Puritans and at New York's s early Dutch governors (2)The Sketch Book(1819) 32 stories in all,including two of the best-loved stories from American literature: Rip Van Winkle and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow -The plots of both stories are based on old German folk tales,but Irving fills them with the "local color"of New York's Hudson River Valley. 6
6 (2) All humanity is naturally good: “Nature has implanted in our breasts a love of others, a sense of duty to them, a moral instinct” -afraid that the commercial pressure of city life would destroy this goodness-saw another threat to American democracy in the thinking of the “Federalists” (Jefferson’s extreme democracy) 2. 基本概念和知识点 the Founding Fathers; Declaration of Independence; Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson 3.问题与应用 What are the beliefs and ideas of the Founding Fathers? （三）思考与实践 How does the Declaration of Independence help shape the American Value today? （四）教学方法与手段 1. 教学方法：课堂讲授与讨论相结合 2. 教学手段：多媒体课件 Lecture Three The Rise of a National Literature （一） 目的与要求 1. 了解美国民族文学的形成过程； 2. 研究欧文、库伯和布莱恩特的代表作。 （二） 教学内容 1. 主要内容 I. three different points of View about how American literature should grow: 1 . call for a national literature 2. a new branch of English literature 3. a universal literature II. the greatest American writers 1 . combined the best qualities of the: literature of the Old and New Worlds 2. gave their works the universality of great literature III . Novels-the first popular literature of the newly independent United States 1. The first American novel; William Hill Brown, Power of Sympathy (1789). 2. The first important American novel: Modern Chivalry (1792-1815) by Hugh Henry Brackenridge (1748-1816) IV. The “Knickerbocker era” (1810-1840) of American literature 1. Washington Irving (1783-1859) (1) A History of New York, by ‘Diedrick Knickerbocker (1809) -gives the region of New York City a special “local color". . -a masterpiece of comedy which laughs at the Puritans and at New York's s early Dutch governors (2) The Sketch Book (1819) -32 stories in all, including two of the best - loved stories from American literature: Rip Van Winkle and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow - The plots of both stories are based on old German folk tales, but Irving fills them with the “local color” of New York's Hudson River Valley
-European subjects,mostly English (3)the first Ar erican to ear his living through literature 2.Neither Washington Irving nor any of the other Knickerbockers really tried to speak for the whole country.For them,the American world tended to stop at the borders of New York State. V.James Fenimore Cooper(1789-1851) 1."the e American Walter Scott much thoughtful criticism of American society-In over 30 novels and several works of non-fiction,he pointed out the best parts of American society and the American personality,and severely criticized the worst parts 2.Although many of Cooper's best-known works are also set in New York State.their characters are"Americans"not simply"New Yorkers representative works (1)The Spy(1821)-his first successful novel (2)Cooper's“Leatherstocking”series -set in the exciting period of America's movement westward -Natty Bumppo(who.is often called Leatherstocking)appears in all of the novels in the seri one of the best-known characters in American literature; a tvpical American pioneer figure. a master of all the skills needed to live and hunt in the forest has an unusually deep love for nature and is afraid of destroying it: unusual s athy for all people. including the Indians a constant theme throughout the series:race conflict,especially between whites and Indians battle scenes between whites and Ind ians -Cooper's two types of Indians: *the“good”on loyal and affectionate ◆the "bad"。 ones filled with evil:cannot be trusted always a sadness in Cooper's depiction of the Ind ians. "a dying race,sacrificed to the advance of white culture Cooper seems to be warning all of humanity that this could be the fate of other -The Pioneers(1823) the first novel of this famous serie *Natty in his old age,and Chingachgook,now a drunkard,both have lost the grace and nobility of their youth The novel has beautiful scenes describing the seasons and life in a frontier village. combines hist adventur e and local ustoms into what he calls“a descriptive tale The Last of the Mohicans (1826) *one of America's most famous novels
7 -European subjects, mostly English (3) the first American to earn his living through literature 2. Neither Washington Irving nor any of the other Knickerbockers really tried to speak for the whole country. For them, the American world tended to stop at the borders of New York State. V. James Fenimore Cooper (1789-1851) 1. “the American Walter Scott”: much thoughtful criticism of American society-In over 30 novels and several works of non-fiction, he pointed out the best parts of American society and the American personality, and severely criticized the worst parts. 2. Although many of Cooper's best-known works are also set in New York State, their characters are “Americans”, not simply “New Yorkers”. 3. representative works: (1) The Spy (1821) -his first successful novel (2) Cooper's “Leatherstocking” series - set in the exciting period of America's movement westward -Natty Bumppo (who. is often called Leatherstocking) appears in all of the novels in the series: * one of the best - known characters in American literature; * a typical American pioneer figure; * a master of all the skills needed to live and hunt in the forest; * has an unusually deep love for nature and is afraid of destroying it; * unusual sympathy for all people, including the Indians - a constant theme throughout the series: race conflict, especially between whites and Indians - battle scenes between whites and Indians - Cooper's two types of Indians: * the “good” ones; loyal and affectionate; * the “bad” ones : filled with evil; cannot be trusted - always a sadness in Cooper's depiction of the Indians; * a dying race, sacrificed to the advance of white culture * Cooper seems to be warning all of humanity that this could be the fate of other races. - The Pioneers (1823) * the first novel of this famous series * Natty in his old age, and Chingachgook, now a drunkard, both have lost the grace and nobility of their youth. * The novel has beautiful scenes describing the seasons and life in a frontier village. * Cooper combines history, adventure and local customs into what he calls “a descriptive tale”. - The Last of the Mohicans (1826) * one of America's most famous novels * shows Natty at a much younger age * an exciting story, full of action: Characters fight and are taken prisoner, then escape
or are rescued Unas,the Mohican,is the last of his tribe -The Prairie(1827) Nattytoofor eroism But Cooper makes him seem like Moses in the Bible as he guides a group of settlers to their new homeland *His beloved forests have all been cleared and are now farmland. To escape he must now live on the treeless plains The Pathfinder(1840) Natty as a young man He almost marries a girl called Mabel Dunham,but decides to return to his life in the wilderness also changes his hero's manner of speaking,making him a kind of back-woods philosophe .The Deerslaver (1841) Natty in his early twenties *His essential goodness is contrasted with the Indian haters *Natty's fec ng of sadness about the past (3)Cooper's strengths as a writer beautiful description of the victory of time and "civilization over the wilderness most successful in scenes of violent action or of nigh-time terror and mystery (4)Cooper's weaknesses as a writer -character descriptions,often unsatisfactory descriptions of women characters,especially wea (5)Cooper's sea stories one of the first writers of sea stories in america elements of both romanticism and realism: a romantic when describing the sudden changes of weather,the beauty of the ocean, s ships and s a realist be se of his personal knowledge of the sea -The Pilot (1824) set in Revolutionary times *a kind of Leatherstocking tale set on the sea,with fierce battles,narrow escapes and a wise old sailor similar to Natty Bumppo in his old age The Red Rover(1827) *a tale of pirate adventures also set in Revolutionary times (6)Cooper's later writings -seven years in Europe(1826-1832): ◆angered by the 81 shme oke unfavorably about his country: wrote Notions ofthe Americans(1828)in defense -became a political conservative back in America *His family had been part of the farming aristocracy and he wrote the "Littlepage Trilogy"to support this group-The Chainbearer(1845),Satanstoe (1845)and The 8
8 or are rescued. * Uncas, the Mohican, is the last of his tribe. - The Prairie (1827) * Natty in his eighties, too old for heroism * But Cooper makes him seem like Moses in the Bible as he guides a group of settlers to their new homeland. * His beloved forests have all been cleared and are now farmland. * To escape “civilization”, he must now live on the treeless plains. - The Pathfinder (1840) * Natty as a young man * He almost marries a girl called Mabel Dunham, but decides to return to his life in the Wilderness. * Cooper also changes his hero's manner of speaking, making him a kind of back-woods philosopher. - The Deerslayer (1841) * Natty in his early twenties * His essential goodness is contrasted with the Indian haters . * Natty's feeling of sadness about the past (3) Cooper's strengths as a writer. - beautiful description of the victory of time and “civilization” over the wilderness - most successful in scenes of violent action or of nigh-time terror and mystery (4) Cooper's weaknesses as a writer - character descriptions; often unsatisfactory - descriptions of women characters; especially weak (5) Cooper's sea stories - one of the first writers of sea stories in America - elements of both romanticism and realism: * a romantic when describing the sudden changes of weather, the beauty of the ocean, and the mysterious ships and seamen * a realist because of his personal knowledge of the sea - The Pilot (1824) * set in Revolutionary times * a kind of Leatherstocking tale set on the sea, with fierce battles, narrow escapes and a wise old sailor similar to Natty Bumppo in his old age - The Red Rover (1827) * a tale of pirate adventures * also set in Revolutionary times (6) Cooper's later writings - seven years in Europe (1826-1832): * angered by the way Englishmen spoke unfavorably about his country; * wrote Notions of the Americans (1828) in defense - became a political conservative back in America *His family had been part of the farming aristocracy and he wrote the “Littlepage Trilogy” to support this group-The Chainbearer(1845), Satanstoe (1845) and The
Red-skins(1846) Cooper depicts the greed of the"common man"in a democracy;regrets the passing of America's landowning aristocracy and the rise of a new class,the "money- grabbers” VI.William Cullen Bryant(1794-1878) 1.the poet with a third important voices in the era of Irving and Cooper 2.hsphiosophy:democraticandliberal disliked the old neoclassical style -agreed with the Romantic poets of Europe The new poetry"should not simply copy the forms and ideas of the ancient classics. Rather,it should break away fro old pattem *The new kind of poetry should help the reader to understand the world through his emotions. For Bryant,like other Romantics,"the great spring of poetry is emotion",and its aim is to find a new,"higher"kind of knowledge. 4.analysis of Bryant's representative poems (I)Thanatopsis (1817) his first great poem. -shows the deep Romantic spirit of Bryant in his youth -Nature and death are described with a gentle sadness. -The life of man is part of the wonderful life of nature as a whole: The individual so is not alone but part of"the soul of this wide universe"(A Forest Hymn,1825) Almost all of his poetry expresses his excitement at the idea of being part of something so vast. (2)The Prairies (1832) ription of the huge flatlandsofthe American Mid West (③)The Flood ofY and The Lapse of Tim -Bryant's response to the hugeness of time with similar emotions (4)The Indian Girl's Lament and The African Chief -praises the qualities that unite all people (5)his nature poetry way for theTan cendentalist writers who would soon bring American S.a writer with a deep social conscience 2.基本概念和知识点 es Fe nimore Cooper called"the American Walter Scott" What are the three different points of view about how American literature should grow? (四)教学方法与手段 9
9 Red-skins (1846) * Cooper depicts the greed of the “common man” in a democracy; regrets the passing of America's landowning aristocracy and the rise of a new class, the “moneygrabbers”. VI. William Cullen Bryant (1794-1878) 1. the poet with a third important voices in the era of Irving and Cooper 2. his philosophy: democratic and liberal 3. his ideas about poetry: - disliked the old neoclassical style - agreed with the Romantic poets of Europe * The new poetry “should not simply copy the forms and ideas of the ancient classics. * Rather, it should break away from the old patterns. * The new kind of poetry should help the reader to understand the world through his emotions. * For Bryant, like other Romantics, “the great spring of poetry is emotion”, and its aim is to find a new, “higher” kind of knowledge. 4. analysis of Bryant's representative poems (I) Thanatopsis (1817) -his first great poem. -shows the deep Romantic spirit of Bryant in his youth -Nature and death are described with a gentle sadness. -The life of man is part of the wonderful life of nature as a whole: * The individual soul is not alone but part of “the soul of this wide universe” (A Forest Hymn, 1825). * Almost all of his poetry expresses his excitement at the idea of being part of something so vast. (2) The Prairies (1832) -an emotional description of the huge flatlands of the American Mid West (3) The Flood of Years and The Lapse of Time -Bryant's response to the hugeness of time with similar emotions (4) The Indian Girl's Lament and The African Chief -praises the qualities that unite all people (5) his nature poetry -prepared the way for the Transcendentalist writers who would soon bring American literature to the attention of the world 5. a writer with a deep social conscience 2. 基本概念和知识点 Washington Irving; James Fenimore Cooper; William Cullen Bryant 3.问题与应用 Why is James Fenimore Cooper called “the American Walter Scott”? （三）思考与实践 What are the three different points of view about how American literature should grow? （四）教学方法与手段
1.教学方法：课堂讲授与讨论相结合 2数学手段，名媒体课件 Lecture Four American Renaissance (一)目的与要求 1了解弟国文梦复兴时期的文学思湖，讲解欢州文艺复兴村羊国文艺复兴时阳 文学的影响，英国文艺复兴和美国文艺复兴之间的关系，相同点和不同点，培养 生的全局观念和批判性思维： 2 研究艾默生 梭罗、霍桑、梅尔维尔、爱伦坡和朗费罗的代表作。 )教学内容 1.主要内容 I Intellectual excitement and activity in the 1830s and 1840s era" theyoung intellectuals of Boston 1.dissatisfied with the old patriotism 2.not interested in America's power and wealth.but in the inner life instead -studied the Greek,German and Indian philosophers -kept diaries about their lives and feelings,or became vegetarians or nudists III.the Transcendentalists -formed a movement of feelings and beliefs rather than a system of philosophy -ejected both the conservative Puritanism of their ancestors and the newer,liberal faith of Unitarianism,seeing both religions as"negative,cold,lifeless" tried to find the truth through feeling and intuition rather than through logic 1 Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) (1)Nature(1836):the clearest stat ment of Transcendentalist ideas (2)The American Scholar(1837):Emerson's famous speech at Harvard University (3)Self-Reliance(1841);filled with memorable lines,familiar to most Americans 2.Henry David Thoreau(1817-1862) -Emerson:wrote about nature in the abstract Thor au:his ruest disciple.putting into pra ctice ma of Emerson's theories;an experienced woodsman whose works are filled with details about plants,rivers and wildlife (1)Civil Disobedience(1849) about his experience in iail in 1846 -theme:"we should be me n first and subjects afterward" -great influence on Tolstoy,Gandhiand Martin Luther King the best-known American essay outside the United States (2)Walden(1854) -about his stay in the hut (1845-1847)he built for himself on the north shore of Walden Pond ne of the greatest works of -a completely Transcendentalist work IV.Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864) 1.attacked the Transcendentalists for their ignoring those doubts which"darken o'er the world
10 1. 教学方法：课堂讲授与讨论相结合 2. 教学手段：多媒体课件 Lecture Four American Renaissance （一）目的与要求 1. 了解美国文艺复兴时期的文学思潮；讲解欧洲文艺复兴对美国文艺复兴时期 文学的影响，英国文艺复兴和美国文艺复兴之间的关系，相同点和不同点，培养 学生的全局观念和批判性思维； 2. 研究艾默生、梭罗、霍桑、梅尔维尔、爱伦坡和朗费罗的代表作。 （二）教学内容 1. 主要内容 I. Intellectual excitement and activity in the 1830s and 1840s II. the “new spiritual era”: the young intellectuals of Boston 1. dissatisfied with the old patriotism 2. not interested in America’s power and wealth, but in the inner life instead -studied the Greek, German and Indian philosophers -kept diaries about their lives and feelings, or became vegetarians or nudists III. the Transcendentalists -formed a movement of feelings and beliefs rather than a system of philosophy -ejected both the conservative Puritanism of their ancestors and the newer, liberal faith of Unitarianism, seeing both religions as “negative, cold, lifeless” - tried to find the truth through feeling and intuition rather than through logic 1. Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) (1) Nature (1836): the clearest statement of Transcendentalist ideas (2) The American Scholar (1837): Emerson's famous speech at Harvard University (3) Self-Reliance (1841); filled with memorable lines, familiar to most Americans 2. Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) - Emerson: wrote about nature in the abstract - Thoreau; his truest disciple, putting into practice many of Emerson's theories; an experienced woodsman whose works are filled with details about plants, rivers and wildlife (1) Civil Disobedience (1849) - about his experience in jail in 1846 -theme: “we should be men first and subjects afterward” -great influence on Tolstoy, Gandhi and Martin Luther King - the best-known American essay outside the United States (2) Walden (1854) -about his stay in the hut (1845-1847) he built for himself on the north shore of Walden Pond -one of the greatest works of American literature -a completely Transcendentalist work IV. Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864) 1. attacked the Transcendentalists for their ignoring those doubts which “darken o'er the world
