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?
In assessing the accuracy of Alexis de Tocqueville's claim that the United States had no literature in the middle of the 19th century, it is clear that this statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that the United States had not yet produced a wealth of literary works on par with those of European countries, there were certainly American writers who were making significant contributions to the development of uniquely American literature. Two such writers from this semester's A module are Edgar Allan Poe and Nathaniel Hawthorne. These writers explored various genres, including gothic fiction and romanticism, and developed themes, settings, and characters that reflected the distinct American experience.
Edgar Allan Poe is a prime example of an American writer who made important contributions to the development of uniquely American literature. His works, such as "The Fall of the House of Usher" and "The Tell-Tale Heart", fall into the genre of gothic fiction. Poe's stories often explore themes of death, madness, and the supernatural, and his settings are often dark and eerie, reflecting a brooding and mysterious atmosphere. Additionally, Poe's characters are often tormented and haunted individuals who struggle with their own inner demons. This emphasis on psychological exploration and the darker side of human nature was a departure from the more optimistic and idealistic themes prevalent in European literature at the time, making Poe's work uniquely American.
Nathaniel Hawthorne is another writer who played a pivotal role in the development of American literature during this time period. His most famous work, "The Scarlet Letter", falls into the genre of romanticism. Hawthorne's novel explores themes of sin, guilt, and redemption, particularly in the context of Puritanical New England society. The setting of the novel, a small town in Massachusetts, is also significant as it reflects the historical and cultural context of early American society. Hawthorne's characters, such as Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale, are complex individuals who are forced to grapple with the consequences of their actions, further highlighting the uniquely American themes explored in his work.
Both Poe and Hawthorne, through their exploration of different genres, themes, settings, and characters, helped to establish a distinctly American literary tradition. Their works emphasized the darker, more introspective aspects of human nature, reflecting the complexities and contradictions of the American experience. By moving away from the more traditional themes and styles of European literature, they paved the way for the emergence of an American literary tradition that would continue to evolve and expand in the years to come. Therefore, it is clear that Tocqueville's claim that the United States had no literature in the middle of the 19th century is inaccurate, as writers like Poe and Hawthorne were actively contributing to the development of uniquely American literature.