Respond in a well-organized essay. Answer is written in complete sentences. In the middle of the 19th century, political philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville claimed, "The inhabitants of the United States have...properly speaking, no literature." Based on what you learned in Semester A, is this statement accurate? Evaluate the contributions of two or more writers in this semester to the development of uniquely American literature. What genres, subjects, themes, settings, or characters did these writers develop?
Alexis de Tocqueville's assertion that the inhabitants of the United States had no literature in the middle of the 19th century is not entirely accurate. While it is true that the United States did not have a long-standing literary tradition like countries such as England or France, there were still significant contributions made to the development of uniquely American literature during this period. In Semester A, we learned about the works of two writers who played a crucial role in shaping American literature – Nathaniel Hawthorne and Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Nathaniel Hawthorne is widely regarded as one of the most influential American writers of his time. His works, such as "The Scarlet Letter" and "The House of the Seven Gables," explored deeply psychological and moral themes that were distinctly American in nature. Hawthorne delved into the dark side of human nature and examined the consequences of guilt, punishment, and sin. He developed a unique blend of romanticism and realism in his writing, which set him apart from his European counterparts.
In "The Scarlet Letter," Hawthorne tackled the theme of sin and its consequences in Puritan society. The novel is set in the 17th century in a small New England town and centers around the protagonist, Hester Prynne, who is condemned to wear a scarlet letter 'A' for committing adultery. Hawthorne's exploration of the individual's struggle against societal norms and the role of guilt and redemption made this novel a powerful representation of American literature.
Ralph Waldo Emerson, on the other hand, was a transcendentalist philosopher and essayist who advocated for individualism and self-reliance. His essays, such as "Self-Reliance" and "Nature," explored the relationship between the individual and the natural world. Emerson rejected traditional religious and societal constraints, encouraging individuals to trust in their own intuition and experience. He emphasized the importance of self-exploration and personal growth, which resonated with many Americans during this time of social and political change.
Emerson's writings laid the foundation for the Transcendentalist movement, which was a key aspect of uniquely American literature. Transcendentalists emphasized the inherent goodness of humans and the potential for individual spiritual growth. They celebrated nature as a source of spiritual insight and encouraged readers to find their own truth through intuition and self-reflection.
In conclusion, Alexis de Tocqueville's claim that the United States had no literature in the middle of the 19th century is not entirely accurate. While the United States did not have a long-standing literary tradition like other countries, writers like Nathaniel Hawthorne and Ralph Waldo Emerson made significant contributions to the development of uniquely American literature. Hawthorne's exploration of psychological and moral themes and Emerson's emphasis on individualism and self-reliance laid the foundation for American literature in the 19th century. These writers developed new genres, themes, and settings that set them apart from European literature of the time, and their works continue to be celebrated as important pieces of American literature.