E-Book Overview
The Romantic movement led to some of the greatest works of 19th-century American literature. Written expressly for students, this book offers succinct introductions to 10 of the most important works of American Romanticism, many of which reflect the social, political, and historical concerns of the era. Included are chapters on Emerson's essays, Poe's The Raven and selected stories, Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin, and several other major texts or collections. Each chapter provides biographical information, a review of the author's critical reception, and a discussion of characters, plot, themes, language, and other topics. The volume closes with a bibliography of primary and secondary sources.Romanticism significantly influenced American literature in the 19th century and led to what has sometimes been called the American Renaissance. The Romantic movement and the period roughly contemporaneous with the Civil War gave birth to some of the most creative and enduring poems, novels, short fiction, and essays. These works are among the most imaginative and challenging pieces of American literature and hold a central place in the curriculum. In addition to their value as literary works, they chronicle the enormous social, political, and historical changes taking place in America. Written expressly for high school students, this book conveniently introduces the major works of American Romanticism.
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MASTERPIECES OF AMERICAN ROMANTIC LITERATURE
Melissa McFarland Pennell
GREENWOOD PRESS
MASTERPIECES OF AMERICAN ROMANTIC LITERATURE
Recent Titles in Greenwood Introduces Literary Masterpieces Masterpieces of French Literature Marilyn S. Severson Masterpieces of Modern British and Irish Drama Sanford Sternlicht Masterpieces of 20th-Century American Drama Susan C. W. Abbotson Masterpieces of Classic Greek Drama Helaine L. Smith Masterpieces of Philosophical Literature Thomas L. Cooksey
MASTERPIECES OF AMERICAN ROMANTIC LITERATURE
Melissa McFarland Pennell
Greenwood Introduces Literary Masterpieces
GREENWOOD PRESS Westport, Connecticut • London
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Pennell, Melissa McFarland. Masterpieces of American romantic literature / Melissa McFarland Pennell. p. cm. — (Greenwood introduces literary masterpieces, ISSN 1545–6285) Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and index. ISBN 0–313–33141–3 (alk. paper) 1. American literature—19th century—History and criticism. 2. Romanticism— United States. I. Title. II. Series. PS217.R6P46 2006 810.9'145—dc22 2006007011 British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data is available. Copyright © 2006 by Melissa McFarland Pennell All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, by any process or technique, without the express written consent of the publisher. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2006007011 ISBN: 0–313–33141–3 ISSN: 1545–6285 First published in 2006 Greenwood Press, 88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881 An imprint of Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc. www.greenwood.com Printed in the United States of America
The paper used in this book complies with the Permanent Paper Standard issued by the National Information Standards Organization (Z39.48–1984). 10
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For Sue best sister ever
Contents Preface
ix
Acknowledgments
xi
Introduction
1
1
James Fenimore Cooper, The Last of the Mohicans (1826)
9
2
Ralph Waldo Emerson, Selected Essays
29
3
Edgar Allan Poe, “The Raven” and Selected Stories
43
4
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Evangeline (1847)
63