How the American sense of self and the change thereof is ref

American civilization has undergone many changes over the past few centuries. From the first settlement to present day, our country has seen numerous wars, reformations, religious and social movements. These changes directly impacted the American citizens’ sense of self in relation to society. One of the best ways of monitoring these changes is through American literature.

The following are some literary examples from various periods in American history. While some may be fictious, they all embody the values and lifestyles of the time in which they were written and are reflections of the American sense of self during the time.

The Puritans were a group of people who left England for America in 1628 because they were unhappy with the church of England. They were deeply religious people, though they had an immense desire for independence and freedom. They put much emphasis on education and literacy. Their main source of literature, other than the bible, were sermons, which were preached in front of congregations.

Their ideas on religion are much different than ours are today. Puritans held

On her sixteenth move, Rowlandson found herself walking through ice cold water, tired, hungry, and in pain. While the Indians were mocking her slow, staggering steps, she quotes Isaiah (p.51) “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee.”

So, while Rip Van Winkle may have a romantic, fairytale appeal, it is definetly a testimony to the American sense of self, in relation to the changing society of the time. Americans were in awe of their new independence. Some may have felt like they simply fell asleep and woke up in a different time, while others were fully in touch with the changes felt the need to aggressively establish a new America.

Rowlandson was held captive for close to three months (11 weeks, 5 days). The only thing that gave her hope was her faith in God. She blamed herself for her captivity, as if it were a means of punishment administered by God for an evil deed she did not recall committing; but acknowledged that God may have considered something a sin when she did not.

The Age of Reason was characterized by the ridding of ancient authority and conventions. From the 1750’s to around 1810, Americans were reforming their old ways of thinking, primarily in regards to the control of religion over self. It was during the time of the Declaration of Independence and America was searching for a sense of unique identity.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) was a man of the Age of Reason. Listing his numerous accomplishments and biographical information does not suit the purpose of my thesis, however, both may be referenced when appropriate.

"There was, as ususal, a crowd of folk about the door, but none that Rip recollected. The very character of the people seemed changed. There was a busy, bustleing, disputatious tone about it, instead of the accustomed phlegm and drowsy tranquillity. He looked in vain for the sage Nicolas Vedder..."

Romanticism was a literary movement in response to the Age of Reason (as well as to Enlightenment). It was during the early 1800’s and lasted through the early 1860’s and America was still striving for a unique identity. France, Germany, and Italy were big influences, but this became a literature of our own.

The Age of Enlightenment is often called “The Age of Reason.” It occurred between 1660-1798. The literature from this time was quite different from Romanticism, as it focused more on the use of modern science, rather than superstition, to explain the issues surrounding nature and humankind. The writers believed in progress and self-reliance and understood that progress

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