Introduction

– Like other literature from other countries and continents, literature from the
Americas was shaped by the history and diverse culture of the continents that
produced it. Welcome to Crash Course Literature, and today we will be
discussing The Literature of North and Latin America.
 History
– To begin our story, long before Christopher Columbus docked his ships in the free
land and long before the European settlers arrived, the Americas – North, South,
Central, and the Caribbean, were comprised of natives with different cultures. In
time, the Spanish claimed half of South America, Caribbean and Central America,
while the English claimed the North.
 History

– The languages and culture from the first people in

America died out – resulting in a take-over of European
languages, such as English, French, and Spanish. These
languages are still used to this day to create literary
works, while traditional languages are still used by the
indigenous groups that remain.
ETYMOLOGY

– It was said that the Americas were named by German

cartographers Martin Waldseemüller and Matthias
Ringmann after the famous Italian explorer, Amerigo
Vespucci. Vespucci explored South America between
1497 and 152, and suggested that the Americas were not
from the East, but a different landmass unknown to
Europeans in the West.
ETYMOLOGY

– Waldseemüller used the Latinized version of Vespucci’s

name (Americus Vespucius) and changed it to its
feminine form, America – following the examples of
Europa, Asia, and Africa
THE NORTH AND
SOUTH AMERICA
North America
– North America | is a continent found within the Northern
Hemisphere and Western Hemisphere. It is the northern
subcontinent of the Americas. North America covers about 4.8% of
the earth’s total surface. It is the third largest continent, and
fourth most populated continent.
• North America was reached by its first human populations during
the Ice Age. After that, the arrival of European settlers brought
about tools and written languages and influenced their culture to
the natives. North America’s cultural and ethnic patterns up to
date reflect the interaction of European colonists, Native
Americans, African slaves that arrived in the Americas due to a
slave trade, and other descendants.
North America

– As of today, European influences dominate the northern

parts of North America, while native and African
influences are stronger in the south. Because of
colonialism, North Americans speak English, Spanish and
French, and societies commonly reflect Western
traditions – which are values, customs, beliefs, and
political systems that originate from Europe.
Latin America
– Latin America | South America, Central America, the Caribbean, and Mexico all
comprise Latin America. It is a group of countries and territories in the Americas
where Spanish and Portuguese languages are predominant. This was suggested
by French Sain-Simonian Michel Chevalier, who suggested that a part of the
Americas was inhabited by people of a Latin race, and can makes allies with
Latin Europe
 Latin America
– It is called Latin America by the French in the 19th century for the Spanish,
Portuguese and French-speaking territories in the Americas (excluding French
Canada and modern French Louisiana). The term was also used by Chilean
politician Francisco Bilbao at a conference in 1896. He called for alliance of Latin
American republics in order to gain defense and prosperity without political or
economic barriers.
Literature of North America

Present - oldest
AMERICAN LITERATURE

– American Literature |It is the literature written in the English language

produced in 13 English colonies and continuing in present-day United States.
COLONIAL PERIOD
LITERATURE
– American literature began when English adventurers and colonists in the New
World. All of their writings were based on spirituality, politics, and promotion of
settlements.
– Michael Wrigglesworth, Anne Bradstreet, and Edward Taylor wrote poetry.
– Captain John Smith, John Winthrop, and William Bradford wrote journals in
their expeditions.
– Examples: Bay Psalm Book (1640) – the first work published in the Puritan
colonies
REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD
LITERATURE
– The approach of the American Revolution was a time of intellectual activity as
well as social and economic change. This was the time when the colonies
decided to break away from England and become a new independent nation.
Writing at this time was concentrated on politics and political philosophy.
– Benjamin Franklin became a publisher and founder of newspaper media, which
encouraged a lot of literary aspirants.
– Thomas Paine, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington
were involved in political writing and studied the nature of society.
REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD
LITERATURE
– Examples: Poor Richard’s Almanack (1732) by Benjamin Franklin. We have Poor
Richard to thank for such lasting sayings as: "Eat to live, and not live to eat"; "He
that lies down with Dogs, shall rise up with fleas"; "Little strokes fell big oaks";
and "Early to bed and early to rise/Makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise."
THE NEW NATION
LITERATURE
– After gaining independence, writers made efforts to make native literature that
truly identifies American. This was the period of fiction, poetry and drama in
America. The writings still describe of reflected patriotic passion and moral
sincerity.
THE NEW NATION
LITERATURE
– However, in the 1830’s, literature was used to address the problem of slavery of
2 million African-Americans in the US. Reform characterized American literature
at this time.
– Examples: Sketch Book (1890-20) by Washington Irving. Leatherstocking Tales
(1823-41) by James Cooper. Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Stowe was the most
influential literary piece addressing antislavery.
MID-19TH CENTURY
LITERATURE
– This period has been called the American Renaissance. It is the beginning of a
truly independent American literature, and more masterpieces were written at
this time.
– Examples: Friendship by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Cask of Amontillado by Edgar
Alan Poe.
Literature from the Second
Half of the 19th Century
– As the nation revived from the Civil War, many writers found inspiration for
fiction and poetry in their surroundings. By the end of the century, writers
wrote about life as it is and not as it is imagined it could be – this is described as
realism.
– Examples: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
MODERN PERIOD
LITERATURE
– In the 20th century, poetry, drama, and prose fiction had come of age artistically.
The Great Depression and both world wars inspired writers to create literature
that reflected the reactions to such circumstances.
– Other writers view the same harsh reality with hope for the future. They write
about human endurance, human value, and the strength of the human spirit.
– Modernism as a literary movement developed, where writers only suggested
meanings and only implied rather than state themes in their works. Readers had
to draw their own conclusions from symbolisms, point of views, and the like.
– Examples: Cat in the Rain by Ernest Hemingway. A Rose for Emily by William
Faulkner. The Pearl by John Steinbeck. Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams.
CANADIAN LITERATURE

– Canadian Literature is the body of written works produced by the people of

Canada. It reflects the country’s dual origin and its bilingualism. Canadian
literature is split in two major divisions: English and French.
– In 1860 up to 1920, French-Canadian and English-Canadian writings were
largely regional – meaning, Canada’s two language groups knew little of each
other’s poetry. However, the rise of short stories and novels helped bridge the
gap between French and English Canadian since it can be translated from
French to English and vice-versa.
ENGLISH-CANADIAN
LITERATURE
– English-Canadian poets limited themselves to patriotic songs and hymns,
topographical narratives, and celebrations of pioneer life.
– Historical romance was the most popular genre in the second half of the 19th
century.
– Contemporary urban life and relationships were dissected in English-Canadian
literature in the 1960s to ‘70s.
– Parodies, feminism, and black humor were the main characteristics of a
Canadian novel in the ‘70s to ‘80s.
– Examples: Life of Pi by Yann Martel
FRENCH-CANADIAN
LITERATURE
– French-Canada was concentrated mainly in the province of Quebec, making it
slower for build a literary tradition than English-Canada. However, Quebec’s
modernization in the 1960s to ‘70s stimulated cultural self-awareness, resulting
in writing literary pieces.
– Poetry in French-Canada engaged in politics, freedom of expression, and an
authentic sense of identity.
– Fiction in French Canada has evolved into an intense and experimental body of
writing.
– Examples: L'influence d'un livre by Philippe-Ignace-Francois Aubert de Gaspé
LITERATURE OF LATIN
AMERICA

– Latin American Literature

– Pre-Columbian Literature
– Colonial Literature
– 19th-Century Literature
– Resistance Literature
– Post Boom and Contemporary Literature