The black and white word of American literature has had a potent affect on the American culture. Every aspect of it from, early Puritan literature to contemporary writing has influenced several portions relating to choices America has made in history. These portions include not only politics and theology, but the value and morals of the country as a whole. Our early American literature history before 1865 can be separated into four different categories, where different famous authors' writings can fall. First, the early puritan era effected the country's basic beliefs and, second, the revolutionary era introduced us to writers that immediately set high standards for American patriotism. Third, romantic writers questioned our thoughts and broadened our horizons creating a deeper understanding of some enlightened opinions. Fourth, transcendentalists were against the traditional worships and explored a different side of a natural spiritual life. These four categories of writing were key factors in the success of our diverse country.
             The early stages of literature was in the puritan time period, and the role it played was imperative to emerging our country's politics and theology. One of the first writers fall into the puritan time period and not only was he a huge political leader but an important beginning author as well. This author is William Bradford and he made his account of the Plymouth Rock landing of pilgrims. He wrote about the unsympathetic winter in Of Plymouth Plantation, and the ability of the people to survive through all odds. This is his most famous work because he incorporated the message of laws being a stronghold foundation of liberty. He was also known for conveying religion as being simple and not mixed with the invention of man's mind (Emerson 12). The majority of authorized American literature critics believe that Bradford found a way to unite political points-of-views includ...