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Lecture 5 Early National Period

The Early Nationalist Period in American literature occurred between 1775-1828, directly following the American Revolution. Literature produced during this time began to develop a distinctly American style and identity, though still written in English. Notable historical events included the Declaration of Independence and growth of the anti-slavery movement. Characteristics of Early Nationalist literature included a focus on establishing a national identity through themes of love, democracy, and slavery in novels, poetry, and slave narratives. Representative writers were William Hill Brown, Washington Irving, James Fenimore Cooper, and Susanna Rowson.

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696 views2 pages

Lecture 5 Early National Period

The Early Nationalist Period in American literature occurred between 1775-1828, directly following the American Revolution. Literature produced during this time began to develop a distinctly American style and identity, though still written in English. Notable historical events included the Declaration of Independence and growth of the anti-slavery movement. Characteristics of Early Nationalist literature included a focus on establishing a national identity through themes of love, democracy, and slavery in novels, poetry, and slave narratives. Representative writers were William Hill Brown, Washington Irving, James Fenimore Cooper, and Susanna Rowson.

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University 8 May 1945 Guelma Year 2020/2021

Department of English Second Year, groups 4/5/6


Literature Mrs. Boursace Houda

Early National 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 Context

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.

Characteristics of Literature

 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”.

 The first “truly American” works were created. The novel became more popular, during this time. This was
astonishing because almost no American novels were written before the revolution. In the early days of

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independence, American novels served a useful purpose. Unlike poetry, the language of these novels spoke
directly to ordinary Americans. They used realistic details to describe the reality of American life. They
helped Americans see themselves as a single nation.
 The first American novel, William hill Brown’s Power of sympathy (1789), was suppressed as a ‘morally
dangerous’ soon after it was published. As a result, novelists tried hard to make their books acceptable.
They filled them with moralistic advice and religious sentiments.

 Poetry was flourishing as did slave narratives. 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 of this period were: Love, Real life, 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.

Representative Writers of the Early Nationalist Period:

William Hill Brown: his novel- The Power of Sympathy (1789)

Washington Irving: Short story- “The Legend of sleepy Hollow” (1820); Biography: A History of the Life and
Voyages of Christopher Columbus (1828)

James Fenimore Cooper: Novel- The Last of the Mohicans (1826); Series of Novels: The Leatherstocking
Tales (1827 – 1841)

Susanna Rowson’s Charlotte Temple (1791), a bestseller of the time.

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