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Colonial Period,
This period was at the very beginnings of America and it made way for the rest of the countries literature. One of the writers in this time period was Edward Taylor. Taylor was a Minister who studied at Harvard College, and whose works were never published by Taylor, himself, until they were discovered in 1930s. -
Age of Reason
This period was a time when authors were focused more on their own reasoning rather than simply taking what the church taught as fact. One of the authors in this time peorid is Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson is bets know for writing the Declaration of Independence. -
Romanticism
After the “Age of Reason” came to an end, the people of America were tired of reality; they wanted to see life as more than it was. This was the Era of Romantics. One of the authors is Washington Irving. Irving was the first “famous” American author; he’s also known as the “Father of American Literature.” He wrote travel books, short stories, and satires. -
Transcendentalism
This movement pushed America from the elaborate and fantasy like writings displayed in the period Romanticism, into a period of literature that stressed individualism, and mature and self-reliance. One of the authors during this time is Walt Whitman. Whiteman was born on Long Island, and was, for most of his job life, a carpenter; he was a man of the people. -
Anti-Transcendentalism
During the same time period when Transcendentalism was taking place, it’s opposite, Anti-Transcendentalism, was also happening. One of the authors during this time is Herman Melville. In his time Melville was not entirely recognized, however, in the more recent years he has been considered one of the most top rated novelist of all time. -
Realism
This literary movement took place during the Civil War; at a time when a war was taking place people were tired of Transcendentalism and Anti-Transcendentalism, for one thing they were both extremes of the same spectrum, one was nice and happy, and “frilly;” the other was dark and destructive. One of the authors during this time period is Mark Twain Twain is know by many as the greatest American humorist and one of our greatest novelists. -
Naturalism
The Naturalism literary movement that took place in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, tended to view people as hapless victims of immutable natural laws.one of the authors during this period is Sarah Orne Jewett.Jewett grew up with books all around her, it was only fitting she grow up to be a writer. The early years of her life were much like the story she wrote in A Country Doctor. -
Regionalism
Regionalism was a literary movement in which authors would write a story about specific geographical areas. By writing about regions the authors explore the culture of that area; including its languages, customs, beliefs, and history. One of the authors during this time period is Frank Norris. Norris studied in Paris, at the Univ. of California, and Harvard. He also spent several years as a war correspondent in South Africa, and cuba. -
Contemporary
In the years since the Modernism period, American authors have begun to write from a plethora of genres. Americans have realized that the best way to go is have many authors writing what ever it is they are best at. One of the authors from this time is Stephen King. King write novels that frighten people. Some of his major works are; Carrie published in 1974; The Shining, publishing in 1998; -
Modernism
This type of writing is one of the most experimental types. Modernist authors used of fragments, stream of consciousness, and interior dialogue. An author from this time would be John Steinbeck.Steinbeck wrote about the both the pains and joys of life. The Grapes of Wraith, published in 1939, his most well known work told the story of families ring to survive and stay together during the depression.
