1. 18th and 19th Century Literature
American Gothic
18th and 19th Century
Literature

2. 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

3. 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“Old World” and traditional was outdated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

4. 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

5. 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