American literature of the Vietnam war is essentially colonial in form Essay

American literature of the Vietnam war is essentially colonial in form and focus. You may use examples from poetry, science fiction and other forms (such as mus - Essay Example rsonal aims declared a few months after his election for President: â€Å"I do not want to be the President who built empires, or sought grandeur, or extended dominion. I want to be the President who educated young children to the wonders of the world. I want to be the President who helped to feed the hungry †¦ the poor to find their own way†¦ who helped to end hatred among his fellowmen and who prompted love among the people of all races and all religions and all parties. I want to be the President who helped to end war among the brothers of this earth† (â€Å"An Outline of American History†, United States Information Agency, 87-203 (165), p.173, 174). As to many writers who have been writing about the American war in Vietnam, it seems to me President Johnson’s words have nothing in common with reality. It is not up to me to criticize US politics; however, it is the politics that is responsible for the writings of these writers, in both positive and ne gative terms, since many of the writers have actually fought in this war. And their works seem to be colonial in form and focus? If I had fought the Vietnamese War and wrote my poetry in the trenches, would my poetry have been colonial in form and focus? One thing is certain, though: I would have put all my prayers in my poetry, and aren’t prayers among the many things that characterize the American colonial period literature? Speaking of prayers, we must highlight the influence of Puritanism on literature. Although American literature begins with the Native Americans’ oral narratives, myths, legends, songs, during the colonial period it is strongly influenced by the Puritans, considered the most educated and religious people who worshipped God and praised Him and Christian religion in their writings. Puritans wrote mainly of the spiritual dangers of the soul in the form of complex metaphysical poetry, religious history, lyrics, sermons, theological tracts, etc., but always about the constant battle between