Part 1 Early American Literature: Colonial Period to 1815I.TheLiteratureoftheNewWorlda. Christopher Columbus (1451-1506)b. Captain John Smith (1580-1631)Captain John Smith (15801631)Arealadventurer,hehadfoughttheTurksinHungary,wherehewas wounded and taken prisoner. He was sold as a slave andescaped by killing his master. In 1607, he helped to set upJamestown,thefirstEnglishcolonyinAmerica.SmithsentalettertotheVirginiaCompanyinLondon,defendingthehandlingofthesettlementandproclaimingthemeritsofthenewland.In1608,mostpartofhisletterwaspublished,underthetitleA True Relation of Such Occurrences and Accidents of Note as Hath Happened in Virginia Since the First Planting of That Colony. Thus, Captain John Smith became the first Americanwriter.True Relation of Virginia (1608)Description of New England (1616)ForwardGeneral History of Virginia, New England, and the Summer Isles (1624)Captain John Smith (1580-1631)His descriptions of America were filled with themes,myths,images,scenes,characters,andeventsthatwereafoundationasalandofendlessbounty.HisvisionhelpedtolurethePilgrimsandthePuritanswhosawthemselvesas new saints with a spiritualmission to fleethe OldWorldandcreateaNewIsrael,aNewPromisedLand.Wecanlookonhisdescriptionasakindoffascinating“advertisements” which try to persuade the reader tosettleintheNewWorld(1).True Relation of Virginia (1608)Description of New England (1616)ForwardBackCaptain John Smith (1580-1631)General History of Virginia, New England, and the Summer Isles (1624)Twogreatstoneswerebroughtbefore Powhattan (the Indian “king”): then as many ascoulddraggedhim(Smith)tothem, and thereon laid hishead, and being ready withtheir clubs, to beat out hisbrains,Pocahontas,theKingsdearestdaughter,gothisheadinherarms,andlaiddownherown (head) upon his to savehim from death: whereat theKingwascontentedheshouldlive.Backa. Origin Storiesb. SongsAcharacteristicoriginstoryistheEarth-Diverstorythattypicallytellsofagreatfloodwhichoncecoveredtheearth.Originstoriesarethosedramatizingtribalinterpretationsofhowtheearthoriginatedorofhowpeopleestablishedrelationshipswithplants,animalsandthecosmos.SincemostNativeAmericanstorieswereorallypassedon,thesetalesthenhaveaperformativedimension:theyarenotonly“told”,theyarealso“sung”aschantsandsongs,anddramatizedinritualdances.DiscussionA.WhatisAmericanPuritanism?Howwasitformed?WhatisitssignificanceinAmericanliteratureandAmericanspirit?B.WhatarethecharacteristicsofthecolonialAmericanliterature?II.TheLiteratureofColonialAmerica:1620-1763A. American PuritansThe first settlers came to America out of various reasons:1. religious controversy;2. an urge for religious freedom and determination;3. fleeing from religious and political oppression and persecution;4. human thirst for greater economic opportunity, for land, and for adventure.B. American Puritanism American Puritanism predestinationoriginal sintotal depravitylimited atonement from Gods grace. The first settlers were called “Puritans”, so named after those who wished to “purify” the religious practice in the church. They soon established their own religious and moral principles known as American Puritanism which became one of the most enduring influences in American thought and American literature.hardworkthriftpietysobriety “Original sin” God & Adam Adam was to enjoy eternal happiness in the Garden of Eden on the condition that he should completely obey God. “grace” God & AbrahamThe puritans believed that they were descendants of Abraham: they were the “elect” group redeemed by the suffering of Jesus Christ and chosen to receive Gods “grace”. a. Puritanism is a highly strict religious doctrine. The Puritans were determined to find a place on the new continent where they could worship God in the way they thought true Christians should. b. Puritanism also has its practical aspect. The Puritans had to work hard in order to make a living and be ready for any misfortunes and tragic failures that might lie in wait for them. C. Characteristics of the Colonial American Literaturea.American literature, in a sense, was a literary expression of the pious idealism of the Puritan request. b. The Puritans metaphorical mode of perception brought American literary symbolism into being. c.The Puritan style of writing was characterized by simplicity. The use of metaphors was only to explain the writers opinions rather than to decorate. D. Representatives:a.WilliamBradford(15901657)thePilgrimGovernorofMassachusetts Of Plymouth Plantation (spiritualpursuitinAmerica)b.AnneBradstreet(ca.16121672)thefirstnotablepoetinAmerica“domestic”poems Contemplationsc.EdwardTaylor(ca.16421729)meditativepoetmeditativepoetryisacontemplationofselfandexpressionofhoped-forunionwithGodorwithatranscendentreality. Meditations Huswifery Upon a Spider Catching a Fly Forward1.AnneBradstreet(1612-1672)thefirstnotedpoetessincolonialperiodthefirstnotedpoetessincolonialperiod1.Anne Bradstreets Works“SomeversesontheBurningofOurHouse”“TheSpiritandtheFlesh”The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America2.Anne Bradstreets Life* ShewasbornandeducatedinEngland.*Attheageof18,shecametoAmericain1630withherfatherandhusband.*Shehad8children.*Shebecameknownasthe“TenthMuse”whoappearedinAmerica.thefirstcollectionpublishedbyEnglishcolonistslivinginAmericaAnne Bradstreet (1612-1672)The Complete Works of Anne BradstreetTenth Muse Lately Sprung Up In America (1650)Several Poems Compiled with Great Wit and Learning(1678).“To My Dear and Loving Husband”If ever two were one, then surely we. If ever man were loved by wife, then thee; If ever wife was happy in a man, Compare with me, ye women, if you can. I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold Or all the riches that the East doth hold. My love is such that rivers cannot quench, Nor ought but love from thee, give recompense. Thy love is such I can no way repay, The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray. Then while we live, in love lets so persevere That when we live no more, we may live ever.BackEdward Taylor (1645-1729)HuswiferyMakeme,OLord,thySpinningWheelecompleat;ThyHolyWordemyDistaffmakeformee.MakemineAffectionsthySwiftFlyersneate,AndmakemySoulethyholySpooletobee.MyConversationmaketobethyReele,AndreeletheyarnthereonspunofthyWheele.MakemethyLoomethen,knitthereinthisTwine:AndmakethyHolySpirit,Lord,windequills:ThenweavetheWebthyselfe.Theyarnisfine.ThineOrdinancesmakemyFullingMills.ThendythesameinHeavenlyColoursChoice,AllpinktwithVarnishtFlowersofParadise.ThencloaththerewithmineUnderstanding,Will,Affections,Judgment,Conscience,Memory;MyWordsandActions,thattheirshinemayfillMywayeswithgloryandtheeglorify.ThenmineapparellshalldisplaybeforeyeeThatIamCloathdinHolyrobesforglory.BackJonathan Edwards d.CottonMather(16631728) Wonders of the Invisible Worlde.JonathanEdwards(17031758)Freedom of the Will The Nature of True Virtue The Doctrine of Original Sin Defended Personal NarrativeJonathan Edwards (1703-1758)-HebelievedintheinwardcommunicationofthesoulwithGod.-Hehadametaphoricalmodeofperception,i.e.,asymbolicwayoflookingatthings.ForwardGreat AwakeningGreat Awakening is a series of religiousrevivalsthatsweptovertheAmericancoloniesaboutthemiddleofthe18thcentury.Itresultedindoctrinalchangeandinfluencedsocialandpolitical thought. In New England it wasstarted(1734)by the rousing preaching ofJonathanEdwards.FeaturesofColonialPoets1.TheywereservantsofGod.2.TheyfaithfullyimitatedandtransplantedEnglishliterarytraditions.InEnglishstylePuritanpoetsPuritanisminAmerica1.TheyfollowtheideasofthereligiousreformerJohnCalvin.2.Doctrines:-Predestination-Originalsinandtotaldepravity(humanbeingsarebasicallyevil.)-Limitedatonement(ortheSalvationofaselectedfew)3.Puritanvalues(creeds):Hardwork,thrift,piety,sobriety,simpletastes.Puritansaremorepractical,tougher,andtobeeverreadyforanymisfortuneandtragicfailure.Theyareoptimistic.PuritanisminAmerica4.WhydidPuritanscometoAmerica?-toreformtheChurchofEngland-tohaveanentirelynewchurch-toescapereligiouspersecution*Godschosenpeople*ToseekanewGardenofEden*Tobuild“CityofGodonearth”PuritanisminAmerica5.Influence-AmericanPuritanismwasoneofthemostenduringshapinginfluencesinAmericanthoughtandAmericanliterature.-Americanliteratureisbasedonamyth,i.e.theBiblicalmythoftheGardenofEden.-PuritanismcanbecomparedwithChineseConfucianism.III.LiteratureandtheAmericanRevolution:(1776-1815)General Background:1.The Great Awakening-Jonathan Edwards2.The Enlightenment-Benjamin Franklin3.The War of IndependenceJonathanEdwardsOutstandingrepresentativeofPuritanismHislifeHisworksHispositionHislifeBornintoaveryreligiousfamilyEnteredYaleat13AssistanttoministerofthechurchofNorthampton,Massachusetts1726BetheministerofthatchurchhimselfAdvocatedtheGreatAwakeningLeftforStockbridge,Mass.asapastorMeditatedandwrotehisgreatestworksHisworksPersonal Narratives 自述Freedom of the Will 意志的自由The Doctrine of Original Sin Defended 原罪说辩The Nature of True Virtue 真正美德的本质Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God 发怒的上帝手中的罪人Images or Shadows of Divine Things 神灵的形影Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God 发怒的上帝手中的罪人上帝憎恨你们，把你们抓起来放在地狱之火上烘烤，就像一个人在火堆上烧着一只蜘蛛或令人作呕的昆虫一样。Hisposition1.He was the last great voice that was ever heard in America to reassert the Calvinist stance so as to bring the people back to its fold.2.He was in part instrumental in bringing about the Great Awakening.3.He was the first modern American and the countrys last medieval man.III.LiteratureandtheAmericanRevolution:(1776-1815)A. Historical OverviewEnlightenmentThe 18th-century American Enlightenment was a movement marked by an emphasis on rationality rather than tradition, scientific inquiry instead of unquestioning religious dogma, and representative government in place of monarchy. Enlightenment thinkers and writers were devoted to the ideals of justice, liberty, and equality as the natural rights of man.TheAmericanCultureAs it is significant to our sense of literary history, Puritan influential declined in the period, partly due to the challenge of Enlightenment ideas, and partly because the rise of Philadelphia, Hartford, New York gained these cities the status of literary capitals paving the way for the appearance of modern American novel and drama. The Significance of the American RevolutionThe hard-fought American Revolution against Britain was the first modern war of liberation against a colonial power. Military victory fanned nationalistic hopes for a great new literature. NoahWebster“美国在政治上独立了，在文学方面也必须独立；美国以军事著称，也必须以艺术著称世界。”-1783BenjaminFranklin(1706-1790)His lifeHis positionHis lifea.General IntroductionBenjaminFranklincamefromaCalvinistbackground.Hewasbornintoapoorcandle-makersfamily.Hehadverylittleeducation.Helearnedinschoolonlyfortwoyears,buthewasavoraciousreader.At12,hewasapprenticedtohiselderhalf-brother,aprinter.At16,hebegantopublishessaysunderthepseudonym“SilenceDogood”.At17,heranawaytoPhiladelphiatomakehisownfortune.Hesethimselfupasanindependentprinterandpublisher.In1727hefoundedtheJuntoclub.His position1.Socialreformer2.Scientist3.Politician4.WriterSocialreformerJuntoClubSubscriptionlibraryPennsylvaniaHospitalUniversityofPennsylvaniaAmericanPhilosophicalSocietyScientistEffectivestreetlighteningEfficientheatingdevicesFranklinstoveBifocalglassesLightening-rodPolitician1.AmemberofPennsylvaniaAssembly2.DeputyPostmaster-Generalforthecolonies3.RepresentativeofthecoloniesinLondonfor18years4.AdelegatetotheContinentalCongress5.AmemberofthecommitteetowriteThe Declaration of Independence6.Instrumental in bringing France into an alliance withAmericaagainstEngland7.PlayedadecisiveroleattheConstitutionalConvention8.The only American to sign the four documents thatcreatetheUnitedStatesThe four documentsThe Declaration of Independence独立宣言The Treaty of Alliance with France联法条约The Treaty of Peace with England美英和约The Constitution美国宪法WriterPoor Richards AlmanacPopularforaquarterofacenturyExpanditsliteraryparttoreadersThe AutobiographyPoor Richards AlmanacContent:1.Poems2.Essays3.AdagesandcommonsensewitticismsSources1.Borrowfromotherwriters2.Writerhimself3.RewriteExamplesGod help those who help themselves.The Autobiography1.Its writing2.Its style 3.Its significance4.Comments on itItsWritingFourpartswrittenatfourdifferenttimes1stpart:1771;seeminglyalettertohisson;about80pages;hislifebeforetheageof25;2ndpart:1784;hislifebetweentheageof25and42;3rdpart:1788;hissocialandscientificlife;4thpart:1790;hislifebetweenhisretirementanddeathThestyleofThe AutobiographyIt is the pattern of Puritan simplicity,directness,andconcision.Theplainnessofitsstyle,thehomelinessofimagery,thesimplicityofdiction,syntaxandexpressionaresomeofthesalientfeatures.突出的WhyishisAutobiographyimportant?1.ItisthefirstofitskindinAmericanliterature.2.Itisapuritandocument.3.ItistheillustrationofAmericandream.4.Itisthebestexampleofplainstyle.CommentsonThe Autobiography1.AutobiographyrealisticallydescribedthelifeofFranklinwhoserags-to-richesexperiencesbecametheprototypeofmanyAmericansdreamofsuccess.2.The prototype characterized by self-culture, self-improvement, self-reliance, self-cultivation, faith in theprogressofsocietyandtheidealsofthefuture,practicaland optimistic attitude toward life, and final successhavebeeninspiringgenerationsofAmericans.3.ItshowsthatFranklinwasspokesmanfortheneworderof 18th century Enlightenment that man is basicallygood and free by nature, endowed with certaininalienablerightsoflibertyandthepursuitofhappiness.ItcelebratesthefulfillmentoftheAmericandream.The Thirteen Virtues:The Thirteen Virtues:1.Temperance.Eat not to dullness; Drink not to elevation.2. Silence.Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling Conversation.3. Order.Let all your Things have their Places. Let each part of your Business have its Time.4. Resolution.Resolve to perform what you ought. Perform without failing what you resolve.5. Frugality. Make no Expense but to do good to others or yourself. i. e. Waste nothing. 6. Industry.Lose no Time. Be always employd in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary Actions.7. Sincerity.Use no hurtful Deceit. Think innocently and justly and, if you speak, speak accordingly.8. Justice.Wrong none, by doing Injuries or omitting the Benefits that are your duty.9. Moderation.Avoid Extremes. Forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.10. Cleanliness.Tolerate no Uncleanliness in Body, Cloths or Habitation. 11. Tranquility.Be not disturbed at Trifles, or at Accidents common or unavoidable.12. Chastity.Rarely use Venery but for Health or Offspring; Never to Dullness, Weakness, or the Injury of your own or anothers Peace or Reputation.13. Humanity.Imitate Jesus or Socrates.AndnowIspeakofthankingofGod,IdesirewithallhumilitytoacknowledgethatIowethementionedhappinessofmypastlifetohiskindprovidence,whichledmetothemeansIusedandgavethemsuccess.Mybeliefofthisinducesmetohope,thoughImustnotpresume,thathesamegoodnesswillstillbeexercisedtowardme,incontinuingthathappiness,ofenablingmetobearafatalreverse,whichImayexperienceasothershavedone;thecomplexionofmyfuturefortunebeingknowntoHimonlyinwhosepoweritistoblesstousevenourafflictions.现在我要感谢上帝，我虔诚万分，由于上帝的慈现在我要感谢上帝，我虔诚万分，由于上帝的慈爱，爱， 我过去才获得了幸福，取得了成功。这样的我过去才获得了幸福，取得了成功。这样的信仰给我希望，尽管我不能奢望以后幸福还会继信仰给我希望，尽管我不能奢望以后幸福还会继续降临在我身上，或者我的命运会发生扭转，就续降临在我身上，或者我的命运会发生扭转，就像其他人曾经经历的一样。只有上帝才知道我未像其他人曾经经历的一样。只有上帝才知道我未来的命运，只有他才能决定我们的幸福和痛苦。来的命运，只有他才能决定我们的幸福和痛苦。That felicity, when I reflected on it, hasinducedmesometimestosaythatwereitoffered to my choice I should have noobjection to a repetition of the same lifefrom its beginning, only asking theadvantages authors have in a secondeditiontocorrectsomefaultsofthefirst.每当我回顾那种幸运时，有时我就这样说，要是让我选择的话，我倒不反对再从头照样生活一次，只要求享有作家在重版时改正初版中某些错误的方便条件。RogerWilliamsReligiousleaderandoneofthefoundersofRhodeIslandPreachedforcivilandreligiouslibertyHequestionedtherightofthecoloniststotaketheIndianslandWorks:The Bloody Tenet of Persecution for the Cause of ConscienceJohnWoolman1.A preacher2.Traveling far and wide in America;3.Teaching goodness and piety;4.Speaking against total depravity, original sin and limited atonement;5.Attacking all forms of iniquity6.Some Considerations on the Keeping of NegroesA Plea for the Poor-pleadfortherightsofallmenandfortheabolitionoftheslaverysystemThe Journal-recordinghisspiritualexperienceC. Thomas Paine(17371809)Fight for the rights of manHelp to spur and inspire two greatest revolutions of his agemainworks:a. Common Sense 常识常识1.denouncedmonarchiesandadvocatedrepublicanism;2.arguedthatthecolonistsshouldnotbeconsideredEnglish;3.advocatedtobuildanewcountry(freedomprevails&immigrantsarewelcome)b. The American Crisis 美国危机美国危机l“Thesearethetimesthattrymenssoul”,itdeclared.“Thehardertheconflict,themoregloriousthetriumph.”C. The Rights of Man 人的权力人的权力D.The Age of Reason理性时代理性时代D. Thomas Jefferson(17431826)The Declaration of Independence 独立宣言独立宣言 five sectionsIntroduction（导入）（导入）:在人类事务发展的过程中，当一个民族必须解除同另一个民族在人类事务发展的过程中，当一个民族必须解除同另一个民族的联系，并按照自然法则和上帝的旨意，以独立平等的身份立于世界列国之林时，的联系，并按照自然法则和上帝的旨意，以独立平等的身份立于世界列国之林时，出于对人类舆论的尊重，必须把驱使他们独立的原因予以宣布。出于对人类舆论的尊重，必须把驱使他们独立的原因予以宣布。 Preamble（序言）（序言）:我们认为下述真理是不言而喻的：人人生而平等，造物主赋予他们我们认为下述真理是不言而喻的：人人生而平等，造物主赋予他们若干不可让与的权利，其中包括生存权、自由权和追求幸福的权利。为了保障这些若干不可让与的权利，其中包括生存权、自由权和追求幸福的权利。为了保障这些权利，人们才在他们中间建立政府，而政府的正当权利，则是经被统治者同意授予权利，人们才在他们中间建立政府，而政府的正当权利，则是经被统治者同意授予的。的。Indictment of King George III（查理三世的控告）（查理三世的控告）Denunciation of the British people（英国人民的谴责）（英国人民的谴责）Conclusion（结语）（结语）: 因此我们这些在大陆会议上集会的美利坚合众国的代表们，以各因此我们这些在大陆会议上集会的美利坚合众国的代表们，以各殖民地善良人民的名义，并经他们授权，向世界最高裁判者申诉，说明我们的严重殖民地善良人民的名义，并经他们授权，向世界最高裁判者申诉，说明我们的严重意向，同时郑重宣布：我们这些联合起来的殖民地现在是，而且按公理也应该是，意向，同时郑重宣布：我们这些联合起来的殖民地现在是，而且按公理也应该是，独立自由的国家；我们对英国王室效忠的全部义务，我们与大不列颠王国之间大不独立自由的国家；我们对英国王室效忠的全部义务，我们与大不列颠王国之间大不列颠一切政治联系全部断绝，而且必须断绝。作为一个独立自由的国家，我们完全列颠一切政治联系全部断绝，而且必须断绝。作为一个独立自由的国家，我们完全有权宣战、缔和、结盟、通商和采取独立国家有权采取的一切行动。我们坚定地信有权宣战、缔和、结盟、通商和采取独立国家有权采取的一切行动。我们坚定地信赖神明上帝的保佑，同时以我们的生命、财产和神圣的名誉彼此宣誓来支持这一宣赖神明上帝的保佑，同时以我们的生命、财产和神圣的名誉彼此宣誓来支持这一宣言。言。Allmenarecreatedequal,thattheyareendowedbytheirCreatorwithcertainunalienableRights,thatsamongtheseareLife,LibertyandthePursuitofhappiness.人人生而平等，他们都从“造物主”那边被赋予了某些不可转让的权利，其中包括生命权、自由权和追求幸福的权利。PhilipFreneauUsehistalentstoservehisnationWritingversesfortherighteouscauseofhispeopleexposingBritishcolonialsavageriesRepresentativeofdawningnationalismPointedforwardtotheintellectualandlibertyindependenceE. Philip Freneau(17521832)thefatherofAmericanPoetrythefounderoftheNational GazetteThe Wild Honey Suckle野忍冬花野忍冬花The Rising Glory of America 美国荣誉的崛起美国荣誉的崛起 TheWildHoneySuckleByPhilipFreneauFair flower, that dost so comely grow,Hid in this silent,dull retreat,Untouched thy honeyed blossoms blow,Unseen thy little branches greet: No roving foot shall crush thee here, No busy hand provoke a tear.By Natures self in white arrayed,She bade thee shun the vulger eye,And planted here the guardian shade,And sent soft waters murmuring by; Thus quietly thy summer goes, Thy days declining to repose.Smit with those chams,that must decay,I grieve to see your future doom;They died-nor were those flowers more gay,The flowers that did in Eden bloom; Unpitying frosts,and Autumns power Shall leave no vestige of this flower.From morning suns and evening dewsAt first thy little being came:If nothing once,you nothing lose,For when you die you are the same; The space between,is but an hour, The frail duration of flower.野忍冬花野忍冬花菲利浦菲利浦弗瑞诺弗瑞诺(黄杲炘译黄杲炘译)美好的花呀，你长得：这么秀丽，美好的花呀，你长得：这么秀丽，却藏身在这僻静沉闷的地方却藏身在这僻静沉闷的地方甜美的花儿开了却没人亲昵，甜美的花儿开了却没人亲昵，招展的小小枝梢也没人观赏；招展的小小枝梢也没人观赏；没游来荡去的脚来把你踩碎，没游来荡去的脚来把你踩碎，没东攀西摘的手来催你落泪。没东攀西摘的手来催你落泪。大自然把你打扮得一身洁白，大自然把你打扮得一身洁白，她叫你避开庸俗粗鄙的目光，她叫你避开庸俗粗鄙的目光，她布置下树荫把你护卫起来，她布置下树荫把你护卫起来，又让潺潺的柔波淌过你身旁；又让潺潺的柔波淌过你身旁；你的夏天就这样静静地消逝，你的夏天就这样静静地消逝，这时候你日见萎蔫终将安息。这时候你日见萎蔫终将安息。那些难免消逝的美使我销魂，那些难免消逝的美使我销魂，想起你未来的结局我就心疼，想起你未来的结局我就心疼，别的那些花儿也不比你幸运别的那些花儿也不比你幸运虽开放在伊甸园中也已凋零，虽开放在伊甸园中也已凋零，无情的寒霜再加秋风的威力，无情的寒霜再加秋风的威力，会叫这花朵消失得一无踪迹。会叫这花朵消失得一无踪迹。朝阳和晚露当初曾把你养育，朝阳和晚露当初曾把你养育，让你这小小的生命来到世上，让你这小小的生命来到世上，原来若乌有，就没什么可失去，原来若乌有，就没什么可失去，因为你的死让你同先前一样；因为你的死让你同先前一样；这来去之间不过是一个钟点这来去之间不过是一个钟点这就是脆弱的花享有的天年。这就是脆弱的花享有的天年。6-line tetrameter stanzasababcchyperboleOthereminent18thcenturynovelistsoftransitionFrancisHopkinson:A Pretty StoryWilliamHillBrown:The Power of Sympathy (or The Triumph of Nature)HughHenryBrackenridge:Modern Chivalry GilbertImlay:The EmigrantsMrs.SusannaHaswellRowson:Charlotte TempleHomeworkReadingAssignment:WashingtonIrvingandRip Van Winkle