Years: pre-1607 

Major Historical Events: introduction of European colonialism, Puritanism, slaves brought to America 

Major authors: Tribes of the Sioux and Arapaho 

Time Period: Pre-Colonial  

Dates: published in 1894 and set in 1607

Point of View: first person 

Themes: religion, didactic, Indian revival, cross cultural cooperation, destruction  

The “Ghost Dance Songs” by the tribe, Sioux, connects to the introduction of European colonialism. The tribe openingly invites the settlers: “when at first I liked the whites” (Arapaho, 1). At the end of the poem, the tribe states, “The whole world is coming…a nation is coming” (21). These two views demonstrate the Natives Americans' development of seeing the destruction of European control. Even though both groups were religious, the natives believed in the connections with spirits, taking only what was needed. The Europeans took mass materials to establish industries. Shown when stated,“The yellow-hide, the white-skin(man)”(Sioux 18). 

Years: 1607-1775

Major Historical Events: John Winthrop founded Massachusetts Bay Colony (1628), Virginia became the first British colony in 1607, the pilgrims came to America on the Mayflower 

Major authors: William Bradford, John Winthrop, Johnathan Edwards

Foner, Eric. Give Me Liberty!: An American History. 6th ed, W.W. Norton & Company, 2019.

Time Period: Romanticism 

Dates: published in 1850 and set in the 1640s

Point of View: third person omniscient 

Themes: sin, human fallibility, self-destruction, independance, judgment

Connection: The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorn had many components that challenged society's views, one of them being women's independence. She demonstrates when Hawthorne states, “She repelled him, by an action marked with natural dignity… by her own free will” (45). During the romanticism time period includes the emphasis of individualism and solitary. Women were viewed to subdue and be perfect within society. In the beginning of the book the reader is introduced to Hester's sin, which commits adultery where she has to deal with the consequences of her actions “The symbol was…red-hot with infernal fire”(chapter 5).

Years: 1840s-1860s

Major Historical Events: 

Women rights, abolition movement, Ralph Waldo Emerson published "Nature" in 1863. 

Major authors: 

Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Emily Dickinson

Time Period: Transcendentalism

Dates: based and set in 1841

Point of View: second person 

Themes: individual/free thought, civil disobedience, rebellion, self resilience, nature

Connection: The document of “Self-Reliance” by Ralph Waldo Emerson, expresses that one's true self must follow their own conscience. Emerson's belief that one should conform to society's views which follows the theme of individual thought.This supports the ideas of women's rights by stating “Absolve you to yourself, and you shall have suffrage for the world…” (line 30). People must trust their own thoughts and feel free to change their judgment as they please. Emerson offers his own view by stating “to be great is to be misunderstood” (line 39). Symbolizing that people like this are great thinkers. 

Years: 1820s-1865

Major Historical Events: Paternalistic/Christianity, the Civil War, the 13th Amendment

Major authors: Henry Louis Gates Jr, Fredrick Douglass, Sojourner Truth 

Foner, Eric. Give Me Liberty!: An American History. 6th ed, W.W. Norton & Company, 2019

Time Period: Slave Narritive 

Dates: published 1845 and set 1818-1845

Point of View: first person

Themes: loss of innocence, realization of alternatives to bondage, escaping, freedom obtained, activism 

Connection: Frederick Douglass produced an autobiography known as “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass” whose intended audience was northern white Chiristans. In hopes where he could convenience them the damaging effects of slavery. In his appendix Douglass clarifies that he is not antithetical to religion, just those of Christainty slave holders. “The Bible denies me the right of learning to read the name of God who made me” (72). Douglass aimed to move abloshment of slavery one step closer. He states, “Sincerly and earnestly hoping that this little book may do something torward…the American slave system” (159).  

Years: 1901-1950

Major Historical Events: World War I (1914-1918), The Great Depression (1929-1939), Harlem Renaissance (1918-1937).

Major authors: F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ralph Ellison, Ernest Hemingway

Time Period: Modernism

Dates: published in 1925 & set in 1922 

Point of View: first person

Themes: power, American dream, isolation, disillusionment, light vs. dark

Connection:  The novel, “The Great Gatsby”, by F. Scott Fitzgerald connects very deeply with the theme of the American dream. Fitzgerald states, “He stretched out his arms toward the dark water…distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far away” (50). With the events of the Great Depression people had new expectations of what economic circumstances. Gastby was known all over for his adnormous house which accepted the new idea of frugality. Nick states, 'The one on my right was a colossal affair by any standard”().