Nowadays American literature is considered to be original national literature. The reason is the fact that America was settled by Englishmen. Consequently, American literature traces its roots back to the English literary tradition.
Peculiarity of American literature is stipulated by the peculiarities of nation’s forming and the country’s historical development. The background of American literature is neither national epos nor folklore. In contrast to other nations, American literature had been developing in written form from the very outset.
In the beginning of the XVII century in the American continent first English colonies appeared. They were settled not only by Englishmen but also by Europeans. According to this geographic factor American literature didn’t develop as an independent form of art. It was a kind of imitation of other nations’ literature, indeed. This genre of American literature of the colonial period can be characterized by peculiar syncretism without any mythological or legendary discourse.
The first genres of American literature of the colonial period were different travel notes, memoirs, diaries, and geographical descriptions. Thus, these genres of American literature combine the features of annals, geographical essays, religious treatises, myths and folklore of colonists. One of the representatives of such genres is English writer and sailor John Smith. He was a founder of the first British colony within the territory of the modern United States of America. One of the earliest descriptions of the English colony of the Western World came from his pen.
Among other things, we can observe the features of elephantine humor and witty remarks in American literature of the colonial period. For instance, Nathaniel Ward tried to protect puritanical dogmas with the help of grim humor.
Let’s make a conclusion. So, American literature in general is very difficult to be analyzed in the aspect of national culture. Its development was influenced greatly by the geographic factor. I mean the fact, that American literature is based on religion and puritanical phenomenon. In the works of American authors one can distinguish the ideas of providence, innocence, worthiness, freedom, and equality.