Literature periods can be described as the time span in which literature enjoyed intellectual, religious and artistic effect on the population. Following literature’s evolution over time, scholars more often group pieces of literature from a specific time frame together and then label it as a period as discussed in this paper.
The Pre-settlement period was an interesting period because most stories were not written down due lack of papers and printing press. During this period, stories were passed from one generation to another mainly by word of mouth, that is, oral tradition (Reuben). Quality of the performance was emphasized on. Types of oral narratives performed included trickster tales and hero stories. Oral literature had been in existence for a very long time. Before writing system was introduced, stories were transmitted orally from one generation to another. The term Oral literature originated from here; during the early stages of human history, literary works were conserved by oral tradition. When later writing systems were invented and morality was replaced by literacy, such literature was eventually written down as fixed text form (Carpenter). This later ushered in the settlement period that saw the introduction of writing materials and most literal works in oral form were converted to their written forms and stored.
The years between 1625 and 1675 is known as the Puritan period because Puritan standards existed for a period in England. The other reason is that the greatest literary figure at that time was a Puritan called John Milton (Bremer). The age produced several writers including one of the greatest literary leaders in the world, a few immortal books were also written during this time. The literature of this time was very diverse in character. The age of enlightenment followed thereafter. During this age, works of literature reflected the importance of enlightenment and they started to emphasize on instinct instead of judgment and restraint.
The Romantic Period began towards the end of the 18th century and came to an end in the year 1832 (Reuben). Generally, the Romantic Literature can be described by its personal use of feelings, its excessive use of symbolism as a style and the general feeling of exploration of nature and the supernatural. By the beginning of 1836 Transcendentalism was introduced. The Transcendentalists were radical thinkers (Shields). They rejected many common ideas and practices, especially organized religion. They believed that literature was a platform to liberate the world. They also placed serious emphasis on imagination. As an author or booklover imagines, he transcends himself.
After the civil war, the American literature moved into the Realism Period. Here, the common literature produced in this period was realistic fiction. Most realistic writers’ uncovered political corruption, championed for human rights, talked about economic equity highlighting the difference between the wealthy few and a poor majority (Reuben). Realistic fiction makes emphasis on ordinary people as characters living in common places.
The Modern period majorly points to British pieces of literature written since the commencement of World War 1 in 1914. The pioneers of during and after the World War 2 between 1939 -1945, created Postmodernism that blends styles and literally genes. Postmodernism also balances literary genres, various styles and an effort to break from modernist forms (Reuben). Following World War 2 between 1939 -1945, the Postmodern Period of literature was developed. Postmodernism sought to bring together literary genres and style while trying to break free of modernists forms.
Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement of the African Americans in the 1920s and 1930s that was situated in Harlem, a neighbourhood in New York City (Carpenter). The renaissance involved writers and highbrows mostly associated with Harlem. It was during this time that for the first time, talented black writers managed to produce an extensive body of literature mostly an essay, art and poetry. On the other hand, Post-Modern literature developed after the World War 2 (Reuben). In a number of techniques, postmodern literary styles and ideas function to reject, argue, mock and reverse the principles of modernist literature.
In conclusion, the present day American literary scene is packed and varied with various pieces of literary works. These literature periods employed a technique that denotes a specific kind of subject matter being widely experienced the world over either rebuking or supporting the very subject.
Works Cited
Bremer, Francis J., and Tom Webster. Puritans and Puritanism in Europe and America: a comprehensive encyclopedia. Vol. 2. Abc-Clio, 2006.
Carpenter, Frederic I. “American literature and the dream.” (1955).
Jong, L. de. Depression in Non-fiction literature: An Exploration of The Effects on The Depressed Person and Significant Others Incorporating an Original Memoir. BS thesis. 2015.
Lucas, Stephen E. “The Enlightenment in America.” (1978): 59-63.
Reuben, Paul P. “Chapter 10: Late 20th C. and Postmodernism – An Introduction.” PAL: Perspectives in American Literature-A Research and Reference Guide. URL:http://www.paulreuben.website/pal/chap10/10intro.html 22 October 2016.
Reuben, Paul P. “Chapter 3: Early Nineteenth Century and Romanticism – A Brief Introduction ” PAL: Perspectives in American Literature-A Research and Reference Guide. WWW URL: http://www.paulreuben.website/pal/chap3/3intro.html 23 October 2016.
Reuben, Paul P. “Chapter 4: American Transcendentalism: A Brief Introduction.” PAL: Perspectives in American Literature- A Research and Reference Guide. URL: http://www.paulreuben.website/pal/chap4/4intro.html 25 October, 2016.
Reuben, Paul P. “Chapter 5: Late Nineteenth Century – American Realism – A Brief Introduction.” PAL: Perspectives in American Literature-A Research and Reference Guide. URL: http://www.paulreuben.website/pal/chap5/5intro.html 26 October 2016.
Reuben, Paul P. “Chapter 6: American Naturalism – A Brief Introduction.” PAL: Perspectives in American Literature-A Research and Reference Guide. URL: http://www.paulreuben.website/pal/chap6/6intro.html 26 October 2016.
Reuben, Paul P. “Chapter 7: Early Twentieth Century: American Modernism – An Introduction.” PAL: Perspectives in American Literature-A Research and Reference Guide. URL: http://www.paulreuben.website/pal/chap7/7intro.html 27 October 2016.
Shields Jr, E. Thomson. “The Literature of Exploration.” The Oxford Handbook of Early American Literature. 2008.
