Developing American Identity

Developing the American Identity
In this essay I will discuss the development of an American Identity which is evident in writing. Leading up to the American Revolution there were three periods. First exploration which led into colonialism, second the Puritan period, and last the Age of Reason which was actually responsible for the formation of a united America. Though each period was different, it wasn’t until the Age of Reason that America started to form its own identity.
In 1492 Christopher Columbus sailed from Spain to what he thought would be a shortcut to India. In reality he landed on a Bahamian island in the Caribbean. Europe was civilized living in cities and towns as well as having forms of writing. Natives of North and
English explorer John Smith seemed to “spice up” his ordeal with the Indians. He speaks of them as savages when it seems they actually treated him very well.
The next phase in American literature started in 1620 with the arrival of the Pilgrims. Unlike the Puritans, the Pilgrims wanted nothing to do with the English church. Like the explorers before them they make recordings of their journeys and events that happened. Throughout the Puritan period most of their writings are influenced by their religion. Anything that happens, be it good or bad, was caused by God. When William Bradford comes across Squanto he calls him “a special instrument sent of God for their good beyond their expectation” (Badford 87). Something as good as a friendly English speaking Indian had to be God’s doing.
In Mary Rowlandson’s writing she blames herself for being taken captive by Indians. She thought that she hadn’t been a good Christian and that’s why she was taken. At this time the early Americans hadn’t become enlightened so the only thing they could think of to answer things is that God had to cause it. If bad things happened God must be testing you. If good things happened God was showing you good favor. Rowlandson said, “we must rely on God himself, and our whole dependence must be upon him.”(MR
He said “Savages we call them, because their manners differ from ours, which we think the perfection of civility; they think the same of theirs”(Remarks Concerning the Savages 227). Until this point, Indians were considered uncivilized because their culture was different than European culture. After a Swedish minister told some Indian chiefs the Christian creation story they told him theirs. The
Thomas 4 minister responded “what I delivered to you were sacred truths; but what you tell me is mere fable, fiction, and falsehood.” A chief answered “ My brother, it seems your friends have not done you justice in your education; they have not well instructed you in the rules of common civility. You saw that we, who understand and practice those rules believed all your stores; why do you refuse to believe ours?” (229). Franklin understood that different doesn’t mean uncivil.
Later Franklin wrote what he considered moral virtues “Temperance, Silence, Order, Resolution, Frugality, Industry, Sincerity, Justice, Moderation, Cleanliness, Tranquility, Chastity, Humility.” (The Autobiography Part II 285). They tend to go along with thoughts of an educated man. A Puritan would have simply said trust in