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Which subjects were most common in 17th-century American writing?
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American literature
Map of Virginia from John Smith's The Generall Historie of Virginia, New England, and the Summer Isles, 1624.
Seventeenth-century American writing was primarily utilitarian, focusing on practical needs and the religious concerns of the early colonists. Because of a widespread prejudice against fiction and drama, the most common subjects included:12
- Colonial Promotion: Many works were written to describe the colonies to Englishmen, often praising America as a land of economic promise to encourage settlement.1
- Religion and Theology: Religion was a central concern, with many texts addressing the relationship between church and state, the formation of theocracies, and the defense of Puritan ideals.12
- History and Biography: Authors documented their experiences in the New World, including journals, histories of the colonies, and accounts of voyages.12
- Sermons and Treatises: Given the importance of preaching, religious instruction and theological arguments were prevalent.13
While some poetry was produced—ranging from popular verse like the Bay Psalm Book to the more personal lyrics of Anne Bradstreet and Edward Taylor—the content and form of this literature remained heavily influenced by British traditions.1