11.4 Comparative studies of British and American literature

The 18th and 19th centuries saw a vibrant exchange of literary ideas between Britain and America. This transatlantic flow shaped the development of literature in both countries, influencing writers, genres, and themes.

Key figures like Benjamin Franklin and Charles Dickens played crucial roles in this exchange. The rise of the novel, evolution of poetry movements, and growth of the publishing industry further strengthened literary connections across the Atlantic.

Transatlantic literary influences

• The exchange of literary ideas, styles, and genres between Britain and America during the 18th and 19th centuries significantly shaped the development of literature in both countries
• Transatlantic literary influences were facilitated by the shared language, cultural heritage, and intellectual traditions of Britain and America
• The flow of literary influences across the Atlantic was not unidirectional but rather a dynamic and reciprocal process, with writers from both sides drawing inspiration and engaging in creative dialogue

British influences on American writers

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• British literary traditions, particularly those of the Enlightenment and Romanticism, had a profound impact on the development of American literature
• American writers often looked to British models for inspiration, emulating and adapting genres such as the novel, poetry, and essays to suit their own cultural and social contexts
• The works of British authors like Shakespeare, Milton, and Pope were widely read and admired by American writers, who drew on their themes, techniques, and stylistic innovations
  • For example, the influence of Shakespeare's plays can be seen in the works of American dramatists like William Dunlap and James Nelson Barker

American influences on British writers

• As American literature began to develop its own distinct voice and identity, it increasingly captured the attention of British writers and readers
• The unique American experience, characterized by the frontier, democracy, and social mobility, provided fresh subject matter and perspectives that intrigued British authors
• American writers like Washington Irving, James Fenimore Cooper, and Edgar Allan Poe gained popularity in Britain, influencing the works of their British contemporaries
  • For instance, Irving's "Sketch Book" and Cooper's "Leatherstocking Tales" inspired British writers to explore themes of nature, adventure, and cultural identity

Comparative themes and motifs

• The 18th and 19th centuries saw the emergence of several key themes and motifs that resonated across both British and American literature
• These shared themes and motifs reflect the common cultural, intellectual, and social concerns of the time, as well as the ongoing transatlantic literary dialogue
• Comparative analysis of these themes and motifs reveals both similarities and differences in how British and American writers approached and interpreted them

Nature and the frontier

• The natural world and the concept of the frontier played a central role in both British and American literature of the period
• In British literature, nature was often depicted as a source of spiritual renewal and moral instruction, as exemplified by the works of Romantic poets like Wordsworth and Coleridge
• American writers, on the other hand, tended to portray nature as a wild and untamed force, symbolizing the challenges and opportunities of the American experience
  • The frontier, with its vast landscapes and promise of adventure, became a defining motif in American literature, as seen in the works of Cooper, Irving, and Thoreau

Reason vs romanticism

• The tension between reason and emotion, or Enlightenment rationalism and Romantic sensibility, was a key theme in both British and American literature of the 18th and 19th centuries
• British writers like Pope and Swift championed the ideals of reason, wit, and social satire, while the Romantic poets emphasized imagination, individuality, and the sublime
• American literature also grappled with this dichotomy, with writers like Franklin and Paine representing the rational, pragmatic spirit of the Enlightenment, and figures like Emerson and Whitman embodying the Romantic ethos
  • The interplay between reason and romanticism can be seen in the works of authors like Hawthorne and Melville, who explored the psychological and moral complexities of the human experience

Individual vs society

• The relationship between the individual and society, and the tensions that arise from this relationship, was a central concern in both British and American literature of the period
• British writers often explored the theme of the individual's struggle against social conventions and expectations, as seen in the works of Austen, Dickens, and the Brontë sisters
• American literature, with its emphasis on self-reliance and individualism, frequently portrayed the individual as a heroic figure, standing apart from or in opposition to society
  • This theme is evident in the works of Emerson, Thoreau, and Whitman, who celebrated the power and potential of the individual spirit
  • At the same time, American writers also grappled with the challenges of forging a cohesive national identity and reconciling individual freedom with social responsibility

Genres in transatlantic context

• The 18th and 19th centuries witnessed significant developments and innovations in literary genres, with British and American writers both contributing to and drawing from these evolving forms
• The transatlantic exchange of ideas and influences played a crucial role in shaping the development of genres like the novel, poetry, and non-fiction prose
• Comparative analysis of these genres reveals how British and American writers adapted and transformed them to suit their own cultural, social, and aesthetic purposes

Rise of the novel

• The novel emerged as a dominant literary form in the 18th century, with British writers like Defoe, Richardson, and Fielding establishing the genre's conventions and techniques
• American writers quickly adopted and adapted the novel form, using it to explore uniquely American themes and experiences
  • Early American novels, such as Brown's "Wieland" and Rowson's "Charlotte Temple," often focused on the challenges and opportunities of life in the New World
• As the novel evolved in the 19th century, British and American writers continued to innovate and experiment with the form, pushing its boundaries and exploring new subjects and styles
  • British novelists like Austen, Dickens, and Eliot perfected the realist novel, while American writers like Hawthorne, Melville, and James developed the romance and the psychological novel

Poetry movements

• The 18th and 19th centuries saw the rise of several major poetry movements, each reflecting the changing cultural, intellectual, and aesthetic currents of the time
• In Britain, the Augustan Age of Pope and Johnson gave way to the Romantic revolution of Wordsworth, Coleridge, Byron, and Keats
  • These poets emphasized imagination, emotion, and the sublime, challenging the neoclassical ideals of reason and order
• American poets also participated in these movements, with figures like Bryant, Longfellow, and Whitman drawing on both British and uniquely American influences
  • Whitman, in particular, revolutionized American poetry with his free verse and celebratory vision of the American experience
• The transatlantic exchange of poetic ideas and techniques enriched and diversified the poetry of both nations, fostering a vibrant and innovative literary culture

Essays and non-fiction

• The 18th and 19th centuries also witnessed the flourishing of non-fiction prose, with essays, treatises, and other forms of expository writing playing a vital role in shaping public discourse and opinion
• British essayists like Addison, Steele, and Johnson established the essay as a popular and influential genre, using it to comment on a wide range of social, cultural, and intellectual topics
• American writers also made significant contributions to the essay form, with figures like Franklin, Emerson, and Thoreau using it to articulate uniquely American ideas and values
  • Franklin's "Autobiography" and Emerson's "Self-Reliance" became canonical texts, embodying the spirit of American individualism and self-reliance
• The transatlantic exchange of ideas through non-fiction prose helped to foster a shared intellectual culture and to shape the development of political, social, and philosophical thought in both Britain and America

Key transatlantic literary figures

• The 18th and 19th centuries produced a number of key literary figures whose works and ideas had a significant impact on both sides of the Atlantic
• These writers, through their travels, correspondence, and literary productions, played a crucial role in facilitating the transatlantic exchange of ideas and influences
• Comparative analysis of these figures reveals the complex ways in which they navigated and contributed to the evolving literary and cultural landscapes of Britain and America

Benjamin Franklin

• Benjamin Franklin, a quintessential Enlightenment figure, made significant contributions to both American and British literary culture
• As a printer, publisher, and essayist, Franklin played a key role in shaping the early American literary marketplace and in promoting the ideals of reason, practicality, and self-improvement
  • His "Autobiography," published posthumously, became a classic of American literature and a model for the self-made man
• Franklin's travels to Britain and his extensive network of British correspondents and collaborators helped to strengthen the transatlantic intellectual and literary community
  • His work as a diplomat and statesman also contributed to the growing cultural and political ties between Britain and America

Washington Irving

• Washington Irving, one of the first American writers to achieve international fame, played a significant role in promoting American literature abroad and in fostering transatlantic literary exchange
• Irving's "Sketch Book," which included stories like "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," was widely read and admired in both America and Britain
  • These stories, with their blend of American settings and European literary techniques, helped to establish a distinctly American voice in literature
• Irving's travels and residences in Europe, particularly in Britain, allowed him to absorb and adapt European literary influences and to serve as a cultural ambassador for American literature
  • His writings and personal connections helped to promote a greater understanding and appreciation of American culture and literature among British readers and writers

Charles Dickens in America

• Charles Dickens, the preeminent British novelist of the Victorian era, had a complex and influential relationship with American literary culture
• Dickens's novels, with their vivid characters, social criticism, and serialized publication format, were enormously popular in America and helped to shape the development of the American novel
  • American writers like Poe, Hawthorne, and Melville were deeply influenced by Dickens's techniques and themes, adapting them to their own literary purposes
• Dickens's American travels and his writings about American society, such as his travelogue "American Notes" and his novel "Martin Chuzzlewit," sparked both admiration and controversy among American readers and writers
  • These works, while critical of certain aspects of American culture, also helped to generate transatlantic dialogue and debate about social, political, and literary issues
• Dickens's enduring popularity and influence in America testify to the strength and vitality of the transatlantic literary relationship in the 19th century

Transatlantic publishing industry

• The 18th and 19th centuries saw the rapid expansion and professionalization of the publishing industry, with significant implications for the transatlantic literary marketplace
• Advances in printing technology, the growth of literacy and education, and the emergence of new distribution networks and business models transformed the production and circulation of books and periodicals
• The transatlantic publishing industry, with its complex web of economic, legal, and cultural relationships, played a crucial role in shaping the development of literature in both Britain and America

Copyright and piracy issues

• The lack of international copyright laws in the 18th and 19th centuries led to widespread piracy and unauthorized reprinting of British and American works on both sides of the Atlantic
• American publishers, in particular, often reprinted British works without permission or compensation, taking advantage of the lack of legal protections for foreign authors
  • This practice, while beneficial for American readers and publishers, was a source of frustration and financial loss for British writers and publishers
• Efforts to establish international copyright treaties and to protect the rights of authors and publishers were a major concern throughout the period
  • The Berne Convention of 1886, which established international standards for copyright protection, was a significant milestone in the history of transatlantic publishing

Serialization of novels

• The serialization of novels in magazines and periodicals was a common practice in both Britain and America during the 18th and 19th centuries
• Serialization allowed publishers to test the market for new works, to build anticipation and demand among readers, and to generate steady income through subscriptions and advertising
  • Many of the most popular and influential novels of the period, such as Dickens's "The Pickwick Papers" and Harriet Beecher Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin," were initially published in serialized form
• The transatlantic circulation of serialized novels helped to create a shared literary culture and to foster a sense of simultaneous readership and experience across national boundaries
  • American readers eagerly awaited the latest installments of British novels, while British readers followed the progress of American works with interest and anticipation

Magazines and periodicals

• Magazines and periodicals played a vital role in the transatlantic literary marketplace of the 18th and 19th centuries, serving as key venues for the publication and circulation of literature, criticism, and ideas
• British periodicals like the Edinburgh Review, the Quarterly Review, and Blackwood's Magazine were widely read and influential on both sides of the Atlantic
  • These publications helped to shape literary taste, to promote new writers and works, and to foster transatlantic intellectual exchange
• American magazines and periodicals, such as the North American Review, the Knickerbocker, and the Atlantic Monthly, also played a significant role in the development of American literature and in the promotion of transatlantic literary relations
  • These publications often featured works by both American and British writers, as well as reviews and commentaries on transatlantic literary trends and developments
• The transatlantic circulation of magazines and periodicals helped to create a shared literary culture and to facilitate the exchange of ideas and influences between British and American writers and readers

Comparative reception and criticism

• The reception and criticism of British and American literature in the 18th and 19th centuries was shaped by a complex set of cultural, social, and aesthetic factors
• The transatlantic circulation of literary works and ideas led to a rich and diverse body of critical discourse, with reviewers, essayists, and other commentators on both sides of the Atlantic engaging in lively debates and discussions
• Comparative analysis of the reception and criticism of British and American literature reveals the ways in which national identities, cultural values, and literary traditions intersected and diverged across the Atlantic divide

Contemporary reviews and reactions

• Contemporary reviews and reactions to British and American literature in the 18th and 19th centuries provide valuable insights into the ways in which these works were received and interpreted by their initial audiences
• British reviews of American literature often reflected a mix of admiration, curiosity, and skepticism, with critics grappling with the novelty and distinctiveness of the American literary voice
  • For example, early reviews of Emerson and Whitman were often characterized by a sense of bewilderment and ambivalence, as British critics struggled to make sense of their unconventional styles and themes
• American reviews of British literature, on the other hand, often reflected a sense of cultural deference and aspiration, with critics measuring American works against the standards and achievements of the British literary tradition
  • At the same time, American reviewers increasingly asserted the value and originality of American literature, challenging the notion of British cultural supremacy

Lasting critical legacies

• The critical legacies of British and American literature in the 18th and 19th centuries continue to shape our understanding and appreciation of these works today
• The ideas and interpretations of early critics and commentators have been absorbed into the larger fabric of literary history and scholarship, influencing subsequent generations of readers and scholars
  • For example, the early championing of Whitman by British critics like William Michael Rossetti helped to establish his reputation as a major American poet and to secure his place in the transatlantic literary canon
• At the same time, later critics and scholars have often challenged and revised earlier assessments of British and American literature, bringing new perspectives and approaches to bear on these works
  • The ongoing critical dialogue around these works reflects the enduring vitality and significance of the transatlantic literary tradition

Canonization of works

• The process of canonization, or the establishment of certain works and authors as central to the literary tradition, was shaped by a complex set of factors in the 18th and 19th centuries
• The transatlantic circulation of literature and ideas played a significant role in the canonization of British and American works, with critics, publishers, and other cultural arbiters on both sides of the Atlantic contributing to the process
  • For example, the canonization of Shakespeare in the 19th century was a transatlantic phenomenon, with American critics and scholars playing a key role in promoting and interpreting his works
• The canonization of American literature, in particular, was a contested and dynamic process, with advocates and detractors on both sides of the Atlantic debating the merits and significance of American writers and works
  • The eventual inclusion of figures like Emerson, Hawthorne, Melville, and Whitman in the American literary canon reflected the growing cultural confidence and assertiveness of the United States in the 19th century
• The ongoing debates and discussions around the literary canon reflect the enduring importance of the transatlantic literary tradition and its role in shaping our cultural and intellectual heritage