Colonial Origins
Columbus’s Letter of Discovery was addressed to whom, and why does that matter?
To King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain, to secure continued patronage for future voyages.
What central Puritan doctrine holds that God has already decided who is saved or damned?
Predestination
What was the central tenet of the Enlightenment?
Superiority of human reason and logic
What is sentimental literature designed to do?
Stir deep feelings (sympathy, pity, grief, moral outrage) and provide moral instruction.
Who became known as the “Protector of Indians” for his advocacy against Spanish cruelty?
Bartolomé de las Casas
John Winthrop’s famous phrase about the colony being “a city upon a hill” emphasizes...
The colony’s role as an example of moral and religious order to the world and the responsibility that comes with it.
In drafting the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson especially heavily drew on the ideas of which Enlightenment philosopher?
John Locke’s philosophy of natural rights
Seduction novels represent a specific subgenre of sentimental literature that...
Focuses on the dangers of temptation and the consequences of straying from the path of virtue.
How do Columbus and de las Casas differ in how they describe Indigenous peoples?
Columbus portrays them as naïve subjects to be converted/enslaved, while de las Casas depicts them as innocent victims of Spanish cruelty.
Which stylistic markers in Rowlandson’s Captivity Narrative often signal her “Patient Puritan” voice (name at least one)?
Biblical citations & references, emotional language, and attributing everything to God’s providence.
What strategies does William Apess use in "An Indian’s Looking-Glass for the White Man" to expose white hypocrisy (name at least one)?
Biblical references, rhetorical questions, a mix of rhetorical appeals (ethos, pathos, logos)
How does Rowson frame her book in the “Preface” to Charlotte Temple?
As "a tale of truth" that should serve as a moral lesson to her readers.
What rhetorical strategies does Columbus use in the Letter of Discovery to describe the New World (name at least one)?
He emphasizes abundance/fertility, exaggerates resources, and downplays Indigenous complexity.
How does Bradstreet’s poetry challenge expectations of Puritan writing?
By adopting a dual voice, that, on the one hand, confirms Puritan expectations for women but, on the other, subtly asserts women's intellectual capabilities and personal and emotional experiences.
What contradiction exists between Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence and Notes on the State of Virginia?
The Declaration promotes universal rights, but Notes embraces racial hierarchy and scientific racism.
How might Charlotte’s seduction and ruin be read as a metaphor for the young republic?
Just as Charlotte is vulnerable to corrupt influences, so too is the new nation—tempted, fragile, and in danger of collapse if it strays from virtue.