Questa prestigiosa serie offre analisi approfondite della letteratura e della cultura americana, esplorando una vasta gamma di prospettive critiche e argomenti cruciali. Presenta ricerche pionieristiche da parte di esperti leader nel settore. Ogni volume si addentra negli elementi fondamentali e nei paesaggi in evoluzione dell'espressione letteraria e culturale americana. Si pone come una risorsa essenziale sia per studiosi che per appassionati.
Pragmatism and Ethical Purpose in the Later Work
The book delves into Emerson's significant later writings, highlighting their evolving focus on a philosophy centered around the 'conduct of life.' Robinson examines how these works reflect Emerson's thoughts on personal ethics, self-reliance, and the practical application of philosophy in everyday living, revealing a deeper understanding of his intellectual journey.
Exploring the intersection of historical romance and early American literature, this 1997 study delves into the influence of Puritanism on narrative forms and themes. It examines how these historical contexts shaped romantic storytelling in the early republic, highlighting the cultural and ideological implications of Puritan values in literature. The work provides insights into the evolution of American identity through its romantic narratives, offering a unique perspective on the genre's development during this pivotal period.
Allegory in Nineteenth-Century American Fiction
By examining both fictional and non-fictional texts, the book explores how representations of labor in nineteenth-century America reveal the connections between aesthetic expression and economic discourse. It highlights the complexities of labor's portrayal, shedding light on the cultural and economic factors that influenced these narratives during the period.
The exploration of nineteenth-century American literature reveals that failure plays a crucial role in shaping the national experience, alongside success. Jones delves into the unconventional literary styles of this era, highlighting how these expressions of failure contribute significantly to the understanding of American identity and culture.
Focusing on Elizabeth Bishop's poetic evolution, this analysis categorizes her work into three key periods: early poetry, her Brazilian years, and late verse. Victoria Harrison utilizes extensive archival research, including unpublished letters and notebooks, to reveal how personal experiences shaped Bishop's themes of family, history, and identity. The book highlights Bishop's journey through various influences, showcasing her creative process with reproductions of drafts and notes, providing a comprehensive view of her intimate and evolving artistry.
Exploring the impact of the Civil War, this book delves into how the conflict influenced literary forms throughout the nineteenth century and beyond. It examines the imaginative interpretations and representations of the war in literature, highlighting its lasting effects on narrative styles and themes in the years following 1865. Through this lens, the book reveals the intricate relationship between historical events and literary evolution.
Focusing on Henry James's complex relationship with nineteenth-century feminism and women's literature, this critique reveals new documentation about his life and writings. It explores his father's unconventional views on free love and feminism, which significantly influenced James. Additionally, the book examines how James misrepresented his cousin Minnie Temple, whose assertive character inspired him, and highlights his contradictory stance towards American women writers, whose narratives he both criticized and drew from in his own works.
Literature, Politics, History, Religion, 1620 1860
Essential for historians and literary critics, this compelling work delves into the rich cultural and historical tapestry of New England. It offers insightful analysis and unique perspectives, making it a valuable resource for understanding the region's significance in American literature and history. Through its exploration of key themes and figures, the book illuminates the intricate connections between New England's past and its literary legacy.
The book offers a comprehensive exploration of a significant theme in early American culture and society, delving into its complexities and implications. Through rigorous analysis, it examines how this theme influenced various aspects of life during that period, providing insights into the social and cultural dynamics of early America. The study aims to enhance understanding of the historical context and its lasting impact on contemporary society.
The American Renaissance, Contests of Authority, and Seventeenth-Century English Culture
Exploring the connections between nineteenth-century literature and seventeenth-century culture, this study delves into how earlier cultural contexts influenced later literary works. It examines key themes, stylistic elements, and the interplay of ideas across time, revealing the intricate relationships that shape literary evolution. By analyzing various texts, the book highlights the significance of historical and cultural influences in understanding the development of literature during this period.
David Wyatt explores the rich mythology of California through its literature, delving into how these narratives shape and reflect the cultural identity of the region. The book analyzes various literary works, revealing the themes and symbols that define California's unique mythos, and offers insights into the interplay between place and storytelling.
This study offers a postmodern critical perspective on post-World War II poetry, questioning the common belief that experimental poetry represents political dissent while traditional forms are seen as conservative. It explores the complexities of poetic expression and political engagement, suggesting that the relationship between form and ideology is more nuanced than previously thought.
Focusing on the evolution of literature and literary institutions in New England, this study spans from the American Revolutionary era to the late nineteenth century. It explores how historical events and cultural shifts influenced literary expression and the establishment of a distinct literary identity in the region. Through an examination of key authors and works, the book highlights the significant contributions of New England to the broader American literary landscape.
Focusing on the evolution of sovereignty and democratic thought, this work examines how Hobbes' theories influenced early American literature and political ideas. It delves into the interplay between philosophical concepts and the formation of national identity, highlighting significant literary contributions that reflect these themes during the nascent stages of the United States. Through this lens, the book offers insights into the foundational beliefs that shaped American governance and societal values.
Focusing on the portrayal of women in literature aimed at young readers, this book explores how female characters are crafted to navigate and assert their social and cultural influence. It delves into the narratives that empower girls, showcasing the strategies these fictionalized women use to carve out their identities and challenge societal norms. Through analysis, the work highlights the significance of these stories in shaping the perspectives and aspirations of young female audiences.
The book explores a transformative change in post-war poetry, highlighting a shift from a focus on visual elements to an emphasis on oral expression. David Bergman delves into how this transition influenced the style and reception of poetry, examining the implications for both poets and audiences in a changing cultural landscape. Through insightful analysis, the author reveals the dynamics of this evolution and its impact on the poetic form.
Examining the rise of the girl figure in American literature from the mid-19th to the 20th century, the book delves into how girls' fiction shaped the narrative of "buying into womanhood." It highlights the interplay between consumerism and the portrayal of female characters, from Jo March to Nancy Drew, reflecting societal changes and tensions between rural and urban identities. By analyzing various works and authors, it offers insights into the cultural significance of girls' literature in negotiating modernity and femininity.
In Time, Tense, and American Literature, Cindy Weinstein examines canonical American authors who employ a range of tenses to tell a story that has already taken place. This book argues that key texts in the archive of American literature are inconsistent in their retrospective status, ricocheting between past, present, and future.
The study critiques the common belief that post-World War II experimental poetry represents political dissent, contrasting it with traditional forms deemed politically conservative. It explores the complexities of poetic expression and the political implications of various styles, suggesting that the relationship between form and political stance is more nuanced than previously thought. Through this analysis, the book invites readers to reconsider the boundaries of poetry and its potential for political engagement.
Focusing on the influence of nineteenth-century print culture, the book delves into how it shaped Edgar Allan Poe's literary contributions. Kevin Hayes explores the relationship between Poe's writings and the evolving media landscape of his time, highlighting the significance of print in shaping his themes and audience reception. Through this analysis, the work offers insights into the broader cultural context that informed Poe's creativity and legacy.
Cooper, Hawthorne, Stowe, and Melville
Examining antebellum American fiction through the lens of legal thought, this work reveals the interplay between literature and contemporary legal issues. Each chapter focuses on specific texts, such as Cooper's and Hawthorne's works addressing property law, Melville's explorations of slavery and worker exploitation, and Stowe's critique of societal norms. The analysis highlights how these literary pieces both reflect and challenge the legal ideologies of their time, culminating in a discussion of legal formalism's rise post-Civil War through Melville's "Billy Budd."
Exploring the theme of domesticity, this book examines how prominent American writers portray the household, domestic virtue, and the feminine or feminized hero. It delves into the significance of these images and their impact on literature, highlighting the ways in which these authors reflect and shape societal views on gender and home life. Through critical analysis, the work reveals the complexities of feminine identity within the context of American culture.
Race and Imperialism in Nineteenth Century America
The book explores Herman Melville's engagement with racial differences in 19th-century America, focusing on the portrayal of 'blackness' in his works. Through a detailed analysis, it reveals how Melville's fiction reflects and critiques the complexities of race during his time, offering insights into the cultural and societal implications of his narratives.
This volume explores the complex fiction of Thomas Pynchon within the context of 1960s counterculture. číst celé
Nineteenth-century sentimental literature is redefined through a critical examination that reveals its complexity beyond traditional interpretations. Cindy Weinstein expands the genre's archive by including popular yet overlooked authors, illustrating how canonical works gain new significance when contextualized within this broader framework. She highlights the aesthetic and political intricacies of sentimental novels and their influence on prominent writers like Stowe, Twain, and Melville, showcasing the genre's enduring impact on American literature.
Exploring the allure of the free market, this book delves into its representation in postwar literature, examining how economic themes shaped narratives and character development. It highlights the interplay between literature and economic thought, revealing how authors responded to and critiqued the capitalist landscape of their times. Through various literary works, the text uncovers the deeper implications of economic ideologies on society and individual identity, providing a rich analysis of the cultural context of postwar writing.
Exploring the intersection of legal thought and practice with literature, this book analyzes significant fictions from antebellum America. It delves into how legal concepts influenced the narratives and themes of the time, offering a unique perspective on the era's literary landscape. Through this lens, the work uncovers deeper meanings and societal reflections embedded in the fiction of the period.
Exploring the intersection of religion and sexuality, the book analyzes novels that portray the ministry as a setting for these complex tensions. Ann-Janine Morey delves into how these narratives reflect and dramatize the struggles faced by characters within religious contexts, offering insights into the broader implications of faith and desire. Through this examination, the work highlights the intricate relationships between spiritual beliefs and personal identities.
Exploring the intersection of literature and labor, this study delves into William Faulkner's works, highlighting how his narratives reflect the socio-economic challenges of the American South. It examines the portrayal of labor and its implications within Faulkner's storytelling, offering insights into the cultural and historical context of the region. Through a critical lens, the book reveals how Faulkner's characters navigate their realities, providing a deeper understanding of the complexities of Southern identity and labor dynamics.
Women and Public Speech in Nineteenth-Century American Literature and Culture
Exploring the interplay between women's speech and the literary culture of the nineteenth century, this work delves into how female voices shaped and were shaped by the era's literature. It examines the societal norms surrounding women's communication and the impact of these dynamics on literary expression, highlighting key figures and texts that reflect this relationship. The study offers insights into the broader cultural implications of women's speech during a transformative period in American history.
Exploring the intersection of Oriental influences and American modernist poetry, the book delves into the works of Emerson, Fenollosa, Pound, and Snyder. It argues that the quest for a natural poetic language mirrors the Renaissance's mythical "language of Adam." Kern contextualizes these literary figures within the broader cultural study of Orientalism and the evolution of linguistic theory, illuminating how these elements shape contemporary American poetry. The analysis reveals a rich tapestry of cultural and intellectual connections that redefine modernist expression.
Focusing on nineteenth-century literature, this book delves into the concept of the American Romantic ego, exploring how it shaped the literary landscape of the time. It analyzes various works and authors, highlighting the interplay between individualism and cultural identity in the context of American Romanticism. Through this examination, the book uncovers the deeper philosophical and emotional currents that influenced writers and their creations during this pivotal era.
Politics, Literature, and the American Language, 1776 1865
The book explores the evolution of American writing that links political turmoil with linguistic corruption from the Revolutionary War to the Civil War. Thomas Gustafson delves into the motivations behind this literary tradition, highlighting how historical events influenced the perception of language and its integrity in the face of political challenges. Through this examination, the work sheds light on the broader implications of language in shaping political discourse during a transformative period in American history.
Exploring the dynamics of radical individualism, Cary Wolfe examines its implications through the works of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Ezra Pound. The analysis delves into the cultural critiques these influential figures offer, highlighting the interplay between individual identity and broader societal contexts. Wolfe's insights illuminate how their philosophies challenge conventional norms and provoke thought on the nature of selfhood and its impact on culture.
Exploring a unique strain of American thought, the book builds on Stanley Cavell's revisionist perspective, emphasizing a distinctly American Romanticism. Russell Goodman delves into how this philosophical approach shapes cultural and intellectual landscapes, offering insights into the complexities of American identity and thought.
Focusing on the 1930s cultural landscape, the book highlights the often-overlooked multicultural diversity within key genres such as ethnography, documentary, journalism, and polemical fiction. It offers a fresh perspective on how these genres contributed to the era's cultural history, revealing the complex interplay of voices and narratives that shaped public discourse during that time.
This volume explores the way in which antebellum American writers perceived the political implications of modern philosophical skepticism.
Exploring the interplay between labor and literature, this book examines how fictional and nonfictional texts from nineteenth-century America reflect economic discourse and aesthetic representation. The author argues that allegory was critiqued similarly to mechanized labor, revealing a shared flatness in character portrayal that undermined traditional work ethics and American individualism. Through analyses of works by Hawthorne, Melville, Twain, and Henry Adams, the text redefines allegorical narrative as a complex medium for social commentary and authorial engagement.
Scottish and American Literature in the Nineteenth Century
Exploring the distinctive traits of Scottish and American literatures, this book offers a unique interpretation that highlights their cultural and thematic connections. It delves into the historical contexts and influences that shape these literary traditions, providing insights into their evolution and significance. Through comparative analysis, the author uncovers the shared values and divergent paths of these two rich literary landscapes.
Exploring the distinctive traits of Scottish and American literatures, this book offers a unique interpretation that highlights the cultural and historical influences shaping each literary tradition. Through comparative analysis, it delves into themes, styles, and the evolution of narratives, providing insights into how these two literatures reflect their respective societies. The work aims to deepen the understanding of the connections and divergences between Scotland's and America's literary landscapes.
Exploring the emergence of national literature in the United States, the book delves into the universalism of American literature as articulated by Emerson, Hawthorne, and Stowe. Theo Davis argues that their investigations of experience stem from a belief in abstract experience governed by typicality rather than individual subjectivity. By tracing these ideas back to Scottish common sense philosophy and early literary criticism, she analyzes how American prose embodies this art of abstract experience, prompting a reevaluation of literary form in contemporary studies.
Focusing on the evolution of gender politics and modern male homosexuality, this work explores Henry James's influence on Willa Cather, Gertrude Stein, and Ernest Hemingway. It examines American masculinity in fiction from 1875 to 1935, while also considering significant events like the Oscar Wilde trials in England. The study details James's engagement with sexual politics throughout his career and assesses how his legacy shaped Cather's portrayal of queer characters, Stein's literary theories, and Hemingway's self-image as a quintessential American author.
The book delves into the complex intellectual bond between Henry James and his father, examining how this relationship influenced James's literary development and perspectives. It highlights the impact of parental dynamics on James's work, revealing insights into his themes and characterizations. Through a detailed analysis, the author sheds light on the interplay of personal and artistic growth, offering readers a deeper understanding of one of literature's most significant figures.
Studies in Brockden Brown, Cooper, Hawthorne, and Melville
The book provides a historical analysis of the American romance genre, highlighting its significance to American culture from the founding of the republic through the Civil War. Robert Levine presents a fresh perspective, revealing how romance literature shaped societal values and reflected the evolving identity of the nation during this transformative period.
American Poetry and Theory in the Twentieth Century
Exploring the intricate connections between modernist and postmodernist American poetics, this comprehensive overview delves into the key themes of twentieth-century poetry. Jennifer Ashton highlights the complex influences that link contemporary poets to their modernist predecessors, offering fresh perspectives on their similarities and differences. This insightful analysis is essential for anyone engaged in American literature, particularly those focused on modernism and twentieth-century poetry scholarship.
The book delves into Melville's exploration of racial differences in 19th-century America, focusing on the concept of 'blackness' within his literary works. Freeburg provides a critical analysis of how Melville addresses themes of race, identity, and societal perceptions, offering insights into the complexities of racial dynamics during that era. Through this examination, the author sheds light on the broader implications of Melville's narratives in relation to contemporary discussions on race.
Literature, Politics, History, Religion, 1620-1860
Essential for historians and literary critics, this compelling work delves into the rich tapestry of New England's history and literature. It offers insightful analysis and context, making it a vital resource for understanding the region's cultural and historical significance. The book combines rigorous scholarship with engaging prose, inviting readers to explore the intricate connections between New England's past and its literary heritage.
The Poetics of Insecurity addresses a key concern of modern America - security - through close readings of American literary works. It combines literary studies with the philosophy of time and sociological theories of modernity, and provides new approaches to canonical American authors from the past two centuries.
The book explores the prevalence of postapocalyptic themes in early nineteenth-century American literature, analyzing how these narratives reflect societal anxieties and cultural shifts of the time. It delves into various texts that envision dystopian futures, revealing the underlying fears and hopes of the era. Through this examination, the author highlights the significance of these fantasies in understanding the American psyche and the historical context in which they were created.