The first steps of American poetry

Abstract

The article traces the path of American poetry of the 17th century from the first poetic
experiments to the appearance of such prominent representatives of this literature as Anne Bradstreet and
Edward Taylor. The first colonists, due to objective difficulties in the new place and their low educational
level, could not engage in poetry. At that time, the main type of poetry was epitaphs – headstone inscriptions.
These were created by people who did not apply to any other form of poetry, and they themselves did not
consider these writings as works of art, because Puritan morality accepted the function of art only as advice.
By the middle of the century, the first historical poems and theological poems appeared. By the second half
of the century, a certain experience was accumulated and the first poets appeared who laid the foundations of
American poetry proper. The first poetic examples created under difficult conditions were the first steps of
American poetry, and the characteristics of this poetry began to emerge.