Childhood During Early American Literature - 1447 Words

Brent Beebe Dr. Cari Keebaugh Lit-210-OL1 10/06/2017 Childhood in early American literature: In the early part of American history literature played a significant role in defining on how America would be shaped and molded. For the Puritans, coming to America provided the opportunity to express their opinions and beliefs. This opportunity was what they had been striving for and finally had the chance to implement. The Puritans took full advantage of this opportunity and utilized literature to provide values and rules to be followed. The literature written heavily influenced how people lived and made decisions as they went about their daily lives. Most importantly, the Puritans recognized that if they wanted to sustain what they had created†¦show more content†¦Children were constantly reminded of the impending doom that would overtake them if they did not listen to the rules or follow the Puritan beliefs. Literature was an instrumental tool used in teaching those beliefs and values to children. The texts children read provided a pathway and an understanding of what w as expected of them to their roles amongst society. The first texts written for Children and about Childhood were rigid and were more focused on religion. For example, In the New England Primer â€Å"Verses for Little Children† the value of loyalty is taught. More specifically is that absolute loyalty to God is required. â€Å"He gives me life, he gives me breath, And he can save my soul from death. By Jesus Christ, my only Lord, Aecordingr to his holy word† (New England Primer). The lesson being taught is that God controls your destiny and that one must remain faithful if one wants to remain in good standing with God. This lesson is further reinforced by the following passage â€Å"Though I am young, yet I may die, And hasten to eternity. There is dreadful fiery hell, Where wicked ones must dwell. There is a heaven, full of joy, Where godly ones will always stay (New England primer). Another value that was taught was the importance of productivity and hard work. As mentioned before children needed to be productive othe rwise the likelihood of a family not succumbing to failure was very low. In the New England Primer â€Å"Verses forShow MoreRelatedEssay on The Innovators of American Literature1066 Words   |  5 PagesThe Innovators of American Literature From their critical assessments on how to improve themselves and to the American public that they influenced by their writings, Jonathan Edwards and Benjamin Franklin illustrate American themes in their personal narratives that quintessentially make part of American Literature. Although they lived in different times during the early development of the United States of America and wrote for different purposes, they share common themes. 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