Studying American literature from the early colonial period through the American
Renaissance/Romantic period significantly impacts an individual looking for answers about our
nation's history. Learning these times from a Christian worldview perspective is highly beneficial
because it allows the reader to see how drastically our times have changed and evolved to where
we are now as a civilization and Christians. Early literature can impact a reader's beliefs by
shedding light on times when we can consider some of the practices unethical while deeply
rooting the engaged reader in becoming more faith-oriented and deepening their spiritual
connection to the words of God.
Belasco stated, “From its earliest history, the complex society that developed in North
America was multilingual and culturally diverse.” (Belasco, 2019). When explorers initially
reached our nation, they faced different tribes with other languages, tribal customs, historical
artifacts, etc., passed down from generation to generation to solidify who they were. Which, in
turn, is the same for the voyagers who arrived on the continent. (Belasco, 2019). Reading the
course material can fill the gap between what we don’t know and what we already know to
enhance our abilities when determining exactly where we received our information from when
we pick up a bible, history book, or another means of education when we seek to clarify our own
beliefs and questions.
Imagine living during those times and not knowing about certain aspects of the world
when explorers established settlements in your area. With new knowledge and advances in
technology adherent to that specific time frame. While all of this was beneficial to some,
ultimately, thousands paid the price with enslavement and various diseases being introduced to
their land by foreign entities. The historical data we read significantly impacted my point of
view. Learning where we came from while remembering our past is extremely important to our
existence and spirituality when serving each other and our Lord. And while some neglect to look
that far back, we as humans face the challenge of maintaining our advances in the right direction
and possibly repeating history in its worst forms.
References
Susan, B. (2019). The Bedford Anthology American Literature, Volume 1, Second
Edition, Liberty University.
https://libertyonline.vitalsource.com/reader/books/9781319324414/pageid/79
