18th and 19th Century Literature American Gothic 18th and 19th Century Literature

Shifts in Perspective… Post Puritanism Colonists/Americans wanted to “rebel” from the norm Post Revolution Americans wanted to establish their own “personality” that was different from Europe

American Lit… Old vs. New Literary Hybrid “Old World” and traditional was outdated New Americans focused on bigger, better, faster, more Literary Hybrid “American” didn’t exist yet, so writers borrowed from Irish, Dutch, Native American, etc. Blended these cultures to make something new

American Lit… Focused on the basic human condition What made a person “tick”? Emphasis on fears, desires, phobias that were considered “inappropriate” to discuss in public Established the classic “scary” story Humans put into situations that no one could dream of experiencing No gore, just basic gut wrenching disgust, horror, and fear

American Writers… Wrote literary and social commentary on emerging American values/characteristics/tendencies Outcasting the “other” Superficial values Emphasis on logic and reason, rather than art and emotion Greedy, money hungry Establishment of, emphasis on the status quo