Early American literature

Early American literature refers to the writings produced by Native Americans and European settlers from the 16th to the late 18th century. It includes explorers’ journals, religious texts, colonial narratives, and poems that reflect the experiences, beliefs, and struggles of America's earliest inhabitants and settlers. This body of work often explores themes of discovery, survival, faith, identity, and the relationship between humans and nature. It provides insight into the foundations of American culture and attitudes, shaping the nation's literary and historical development during its formative years.