Early Nationalist Period (Deja, Saga / Essi, Meija, Mikael)

The Early Nationalist Period

1775-1828

The early nationalist period occurred between the years 1775-1828, which was first sparked by the American Revolution (1775-1776). Due to the revolution and the formation of what is now known as "The United States of America", people were at the peak of patriotism and having nationalistic views. People wanted to be as American as possible, after finally breaking out of the British rule. 

 

During this time a body of distinctive American literature began to form. Inspired by the American Revolution, the new kind of literature could only be referred to as extremely nationalist and extremely American. The texts, however, were all still written in English style but the settings, themes and characters were all American. The literature written then was like a small window showing the world what it was like to live and be American. 

Historical events

The most influential historical event that took place during this period was the declaration of American independence on July 4, 1776, and the American Revolution preceding it. Another series of historical events that took place during this time was the Anti-Slavery movements that began around the turn of the century. Other historical events took place during this period, but they are not as visible in the literature of this time as clearly as the Revolution and the Anti-Slavery movements.

Characteristics

During this period, America was a very young country and still trying to establish its independence as a single nation. This struggle to unify the country is also visible in the literature of this period. Although the language and style used was still quite similar to that used in the Colonial period, the topics, themes, and characters were now clearly more “American”. Thus, the first “truly American” works were created. The novel became more popular, as did slave narratives. Poetry was flourishing as well. Literature also became more imaginative than in the Colonial period. As the literacy in America increased, so did the amount of works being published. The size of the publishing world increased significantly, too, which meant that literary works could spread around the world more easily, and that authors could get a better income than before. An example of this is Washington Irving, who is said to have been the first author in America to make a living completely from his writing. Some common topics were democracy, slavery, and nationalism. Political themes were very common after the revolution, but soon died down as authors began to focus on using literature to strengthen and define the national identity. 

Writers of the Early nationalist period in United States of America

1.       Washington Irwing:       

Short story: The Legend of sleepy Hollow 1820,

Biography: A History of the Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus 1828

2.       Edgar Allan Poe

Poems: The Raven 1845, Lenore 1843

Short stories: The Cask of Amontillado, The Black Cat 1843

3.       James Fenimore Cooper

Novel: The Last of the Mohicans 1826

Series of Novels: The Leatherstocking Tales 1827 - 1841

4.       Charles Brockden Brown

Novels: Wieland 1798 and Sky - walk (never published, completed in 1798)

5.       William Hill Brown

Novel: The Power of Sympathy 1789

6.       Royall Tyler

Play: The Contrast 1787

Novel: The Algerine Captive 1797

7.       William Cullen Bryant

Poems: Thanatopsis 1817, To a Waterfowl 1818

8.       Olaudah Equiano

Autobiography: The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano 1789

Main topics of the Early nationalist period

• Slavery
• Love
• Real life
•  Exploration
• democracy
• nationalism

EDGAR ALLAN POE

Edgar Allan Poe is one of the most well-known writers of all time. He has been called the "Father of Detective stories" and the one who gave a whole new meaning to mystery and thriller in the world of literature. Poe was an American author, poet, editor and literary critic. He wrote mainly short-stories and poems that could only be classified under  horror and mystery. He was an excellent writer who had mastered the art of macabre. His short-story "The Raven" was his breakthrough in literature and after 1830 he turned to full-time writing. He is a true American icon and his legacy can still be seen to this day in all drama and mystery literature.

The Raven - The Simpsons (Treehouse of Horror)

http://dotsub.com/view/58591756-7128-488c-bfe9-22463d46d907

James Fenimore Cooper

James Fenimore Cooper is one of the most recognized authors of the early nationalist period. He wrote about the life of the Indians in the early days of the United States. He also wrote some historical romances, which were all part of his main genre, the historical fiction. These works had great impact on the unique form of American literature. His personal life influenced substantially to his works. James attended the University of Yale, but got expelled due misbehaviour. Before establishing his career as a writer, he served in the U.S. Navy. He his best recognized as a novelist, who wrote numerous historical and sea-related stories. Historical novels were called as the Letherstocking tales. His masterpiece is the romantic novel, The Last of the Mohicans, which was published in 1826. It is the second book of the Letherstocking tales, and it is set in 1757 during the French Indian war.

Staying Power

Many of the works from Early Nationalist period have stood the test of time and became classics that are still read in terms of education and even for fun. This is due the events during the Early Nationalist Period that are vitally important for the formation of the American style and many of the works of this period can also be considered as historical documents. Works of the writers of the period are still setting the standard for modern literature.

Sources

http://classiclit.about.com/c/ht/00/07/How_Categorize_American_Literature0962934779.htm

http://wps.pearsoncustom.com/pcp_mylitlab_1_master/37/9657/2472207.cw/index.html

http://www.daimon.org/education/english/american_literature_history_chart_summary.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_United_States_(1776%E2%80%9389)

http://www.bartleby.com/226/0602.html

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/essays/1801-1900/the-role-of-philosophy-and-literature/history-and-literature.php

Historical context:

This was during the Age of Enlightenment, and Rationalism (idea of reason).

The American Revolution was a big event influencing this period, when the Thirteen American colonies fought the British, and gained Independence. Thus, this literary period is shaped by the efforts to establish this new nation. There was also the War of 1812, a conflict between the US and Britain, over trade rights. This period is sometimes called the Federalist period after the conservative federalists in power at the time. Documents such as the Constitution and Declaration of Independence were written.

 (Notice the 13 stars)

 Characteristics:

•  American Romantic Gothic literature
•  Imaginative literature emerged
• Novels, poetry, essays and Sketches
• Frontier-style accounts
• Slave narratives were increasingly published

Significant writers from this period include:

• Charles Brockden Brown
• James Fenimore Cooper
• Washington Irving
• William Cullen Bryant
• Edgar Allan Poe

Washington Irving (1783- 1859) was an American author, biographer, historian, and diplomat. He is best known for his short stories "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip Van Winkle" published in 1819 and 1820. He is often credited for creating distinctly American literature and was one of the first writers to earn his living by writing. 

Sources:

http://www.cobbk12.org/pope/Academics/EOCT%20Review/EOCT%20American%20Lit%20timeline%20study%20guide.pdf

http://cmed.faculty.ku.edu/private/classical.html

How_Categorize_American_Literature0962934779

http://www.daimon.org/education/english/american_literature_history_chart_summary.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanticism#North_America

http://prezi.com/3sgskay3yqnd/early-national-period-1775-1828/