Tiresian Dilemma Representation of the Past in Early American Narratives

Abstract

The early American narratives were replete with the conflicting attitudes that the American newlinemind had towards its past and present. The reason for such attitudes was Americans newlinechanging perception of their past due to the division of their national mind between Europe newlineas history and America as contemporaneity. When the Europeans settled in America, they newlinehad envisioned developing a city on the hill that was based on the model of a Biblical newlinemyth. But the socio-cultural circumstances of America were not conducive for Puritans to newlinesustain this myth. Establishing a colony in New England with its adverse condition was newlinechallenging. Despite various obstacles such as prevailing diseases, confrontation with the newlinenative population, alienation from Europe, Europeans continued their mission because they newlinethought of these circumstances as the trail for their redemption from sin their ancestors newlinecommitted. newline