THE BEGINNINGS OF AMERICAN LITERATURE.

Read the following extracts and think of an adjective for each:

Extract 1
…the God that holds you over the pit of hell, much as one holds a spider or some loathsome insect over the fire, abhors you, and is dreadfully provoked: His wrath towards you burns like fire. He looks upon you as worthy of nothing else but to be cast into the fire … you are ten thousand times more abominable in His eyes than the most hateful venomous serpent is in ours. You have offended Him infinitely more than ever a stubborn rebel did his prince…(J. EDWARDS, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”, 1733)

Extract 2
Thus shall they lie, and wail, and cry,
tormented, and tormenting
Their galled hearts with poisoned darts
but now too late repenting.
There let them dwell i’th’flames of hell;
there leave we them to burn,
And back again unto the men
whom Christ acquits, return.

The saints behold with courage bold,
and thankful wonderment,
To see all those that were their foes
thus sent to punishment:
Then do they sing unto their King
a song of endless praise:
They praise His name, and do proclaim
that just are all His ways.
(MICHAEL WIGGLESWORTH,
“The Day of Doom”, 1662)
Extract 3
If ever two were one, then surely we.
If ever man were loved by wife, then thee;
If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me, ye women, if you can.
I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold
Or all the riches that the East doth hold.
My love is such that rivers cannot quench,
Nor ought but love from thee, give recompense.
Thy love is such I can no way repay
The heavens reward thee manifold I pray.
Then while we live, in love let’s so persevere.
That when we live no more, we may live ever.
(ANNE BRADSTREET, “To My Dear and
Loving Husband” , 1678)


Extract 4
What is then the American, this new man? He is either a European or the descendant of a European, hence that strange mixture of blood, which you will find in no other country… He is an American, who, leaving behind him all his ancient prejudices and manners, receives new ones from the new mode of life he has embraced, the new government he obeys, and the new rank he holds. He becomes an American by being received in the broad lap of our great Alma Mater. Here individuals of all nations are melted into a new race of men, whose labors and posterity will one day cause great changes in the world … The American is a new man, who acts upon new principles; he must therefore entertain new ideas, and form new opinions.
(J. HECTOR ST. JOHN DE CRÈVECOEUR Letters from an American Farmer, 1782)

Extract 5
We hold these truths to be self evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with inherent and inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new governments…
(THOMAS JEFFERSON, The Declaration of Independence, 1776)