Which of the following statements about Early American and Colonial literature is true?
a. Early American and Colonial literature did not exist before the printing press
b. The literature primarily centers on religious themes
c. The voices of women and minorities are absent from this period
d. Different authors share similar purposes and genres.
b. The literature primarily centers on religious themes
The correct statement about Early American and Colonial literature is b. The literature primarily centers on religious themes.
To determine which statement about Early American and Colonial literature is true, we need to analyze each option and eliminate any false statements.
a. Early American and Colonial literature did not exist before the printing press: This statement is false. Early American and Colonial literature existed before the printing press, mainly in the form of oral tradition and handwritten manuscripts.
b. The literature primarily centers on religious themes: This statement is generally true. Early American and Colonial literature heavily focused on religious themes, reflecting the strong influence of Puritanism on the culture and society of the time.
c. The voices of women and minorities are absent from this period: This statement is partially true. While the majority of early American and Colonial literature was produced by white male authors, there were also some works by women and minorities. However, their voices were often marginalized or underrepresented in comparison to the dominant white male perspectives.
d. Different authors share similar purposes and genres: This statement is true. Early American and Colonial literature often featured shared purposes and genres among different authors. These included religious sermons, historical narratives, captivity narratives, and poetry.
Based on the analysis, the correct answer is option d. Different authors share similar purposes and genres.