11.1 The influence of British literature on American writers

The influence of British literature on American writers was profound during the 18th and 19th centuries. British authors served as models and inspirations, shaping the tastes and expectations of American readers and writers alike.

As American literature developed, it began to diverge from its British roots. Writers like Emerson, Hawthorne, and Whitman crafted a distinct American voice, celebrating unique experiences and perspectives that reflected the nation's growing cultural independence.

Transatlantic literary exchange

• The exchange of literary ideas, themes, and styles between Britain and America during the 18th and 19th centuries had a profound impact on the development of both nations' literatures
• This transatlantic literary exchange was facilitated by increased travel, communication, and publication opportunities between the two countries
• The influence flowed in both directions, with British writers inspiring American authors and American writers leaving their mark on British literature

British influence on American writers

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• British literature served as a foundation and inspiration for many American writers, particularly in the early stages of American literary development
• American writers often looked to British models for guidance on literary forms, techniques, and themes
• The works of British authors were widely read and admired in America, shaping the tastes and expectations of American readers and writers
• Examples of British influence can be seen in the works of American writers such as Washington Irving (inspired by Sir Walter Scott) and Edgar Allan Poe (influenced by Gothic literature)

American influence on British writers

• As American literature gained recognition and popularity in the 19th century, it began to exert its own influence on British writers
• American writers introduced new themes, perspectives, and styles that captured the attention of British audiences and inspired British authors
• The works of American writers such as James Fenimore Cooper, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Herman Melville were widely read and admired in Britain
• Examples of American influence on British literature can be seen in the works of authors such as Charles Dickens (influenced by American social novels) and Robert Louis Stevenson (inspired by American adventure stories)

British literary movements

• The 18th and 19th centuries saw the emergence and development of several major literary movements in Britain that had a significant impact on both British and American literature
• These movements reflected the changing social, political, and cultural landscape of Britain and introduced new literary styles, themes, and philosophies

Romanticism in Britain

• Romanticism emerged in Britain in the late 18th century as a reaction against the rationalism and classicism of the Enlightenment
• British Romantic poets such as William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and John Keats emphasized emotion, imagination, and individualism in their works
• Romantic writers celebrated nature, the sublime, and the power of the human spirit
• The Romantic movement had a profound influence on American writers, particularly the Transcendentalists (Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau)

Victorian literature

• Victorian literature refers to the literary works produced during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901)
• Victorian literature was characterized by a focus on realism, social commentary, and moral earnestness
• Victorian writers such as Charles Dickens, George Eliot, and Thomas Hardy explored themes of social reform, class divisions, and the challenges of modern life
• The Victorian novel, with its emphasis on character development and social critique, had a significant impact on American writers such as Henry James and William Dean Howells

American literary movements

• The 18th and 19th centuries witnessed the emergence of distinctly American literary movements that reflected the unique experiences, values, and aspirations of the young nation
• These movements showcased the growing confidence and independence of American writers as they sought to establish a literary identity separate from British influences

American Renaissance

• The American Renaissance refers to a period of literary flourishing in the United States from the 1830s to the 1860s
• Writers such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Herman Melville, and Walt Whitman produced works that explored uniquely American themes and experiences
• The American Renaissance marked the emergence of a confident and distinctive American literary voice
• Works of the American Renaissance often celebrated individualism, self-reliance, and the beauty of the American landscape

Transcendentalism

• Transcendentalism was a philosophical and literary movement that emerged in New England in the 1830s and 1840s
• Transcendentalist writers such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau emphasized the importance of individual experience, intuition, and self-reliance
• Transcendentalists believed in the inherent goodness of both humans and nature, and sought to transcend the limitations of society and materialism
• The Transcendentalist movement had a significant impact on American literature, promoting a spirit of individualism and a reverence for nature

Realism in American literature

• Realism emerged as a dominant literary movement in American literature in the late 19th century
• American Realist writers such as Mark Twain, Henry James, and William Dean Howells sought to depict the realities of American life, often focusing on the experiences of ordinary people
• Realist writers rejected the idealism and romanticism of earlier literary movements in favor of a more objective and accurate portrayal of society
• The Realist movement in American literature was influenced by the social and economic changes brought about by industrialization, urbanization, and the aftermath of the Civil War

British authors inspiring Americans

• Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, British authors had a profound influence on American writers, serving as models, inspirations, and sources of literary techniques and themes
• The works of British authors were widely read and admired in America, shaping the tastes and expectations of American readers and writers

Shakespeare's enduring influence

• William Shakespeare's plays and poetry had a lasting impact on American literature, inspiring generations of writers
• American writers such as Washington Irving, Edgar Allan Poe, and Herman Melville drew inspiration from Shakespeare's works, adapting his themes, characters, and techniques to their own writing
• Shakespeare's influence can be seen in the works of American poets such as Walt Whitman, who admired Shakespeare's free-flowing verse and celebration of the human spirit

Milton's impact on American poets

• John Milton, the 17th-century English poet and author of "Paradise Lost," had a significant influence on American poets of the 18th and 19th centuries
• American poets such as Philip Freneau, Joel Barlow, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow drew inspiration from Milton's epic style, religious themes, and use of blank verse
• Milton's influence can be seen in the works of American poets who sought to create a distinctly American epic, such as Barlow's "The Columbiad" and Longfellow's "The Song of Hiawatha"

Romantic poets and American writers

• British Romantic poets such as William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and John Keats had a profound influence on American writers of the 19th century
• American writers such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Walt Whitman were inspired by the Romantic emphasis on emotion, imagination, and individualism
• The influence of British Romantic poetry can be seen in the works of American Transcendentalists, who celebrated nature, intuition, and the power of the human spirit

American authors inspired by Brits

• Many American writers of the 18th and 19th centuries were deeply influenced by British authors, drawing inspiration from their works, themes, and literary techniques
• These American writers adapted British influences to their own unique experiences and perspectives, creating a distinctly American literary voice

Emerson and Carlyle

• Ralph Waldo Emerson, a leading figure of the American Transcendentalist movement, was greatly influenced by the works of Scottish essayist and historian Thomas Carlyle
• Emerson admired Carlyle's emphasis on individualism, heroism, and the power of the human will, and incorporated these themes into his own essays and lectures
• The influence of Carlyle can be seen in Emerson's works such as "Self-Reliance" and "Heroism," which celebrate the importance of individual experience and self-determination

Hawthorne's British influences

• Nathaniel Hawthorne, one of the key figures of the American Renaissance, was influenced by a range of British authors, including John Bunyan, Sir Walter Scott, and Gothic novelists such as Horace Walpole and Ann Radcliffe
• Hawthorne's works, such as "The Scarlet Letter" and "The House of the Seven Gables," reflect the influence of British Gothic literature, with their emphasis on moral allegory, psychological depth, and the exploration of the dark side of human nature
• Hawthorne's use of historical settings and his interest in the Puritan past of New England also reflect the influence of Sir Walter Scott's historical novels

Henry James and the British novel

• Henry James, a key figure in the development of the American novel, was deeply influenced by British novelists such as George Eliot, Anthony Trollope, and Thomas Hardy
• James admired the British novel's emphasis on character development, social realism, and moral complexity, and sought to incorporate these qualities into his own works
• The influence of the British novel can be seen in James's works such as "The Portrait of a Lady" and "The Ambassadors," which explore the psychological and social complexities of his characters' lives

Shared transatlantic themes

• Despite the differences between British and American literature, there were many shared themes and concerns that emerged in the works of writers on both sides of the Atlantic during the 18th and 19th centuries
• These shared themes reflect the common experiences, values, and anxieties of the period, as well as the cross-cultural exchange of ideas and influences

Nature in British vs American lit

• Both British and American writers of the 18th and 19th centuries were deeply interested in the theme of nature, but their approaches often differed
• British Romantic poets such as Wordsworth and Coleridge celebrated nature as a source of spiritual renewal and aesthetic inspiration, emphasizing the sublime and the picturesque
• American writers such as Emerson and Thoreau, influenced by Transcendentalism, saw nature as a source of spiritual truth and a means of escaping the corrupting influences of society
• American writers also tended to emphasize the wildness and vastness of the American landscape, seeing it as a symbol of national identity and a source of moral and spiritual regeneration

Gothic elements across the Atlantic

• Gothic literature, with its emphasis on the supernatural, the macabre, and the psychological, was a popular genre on both sides of the Atlantic during the 18th and 19th centuries
• British Gothic novelists such as Horace Walpole, Ann Radcliffe, and Mary Shelley explored themes of terror, transgression, and the dark side of human nature
• American writers such as Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Herman Melville adapted Gothic elements to their own works, often using them to explore uniquely American anxieties and concerns
• The influence of Gothic literature can be seen in works such as Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher," Hawthorne's "The House of the Seven Gables," and Melville's "Moby-Dick," which use Gothic elements to probe the depths of the human psyche and the mysteries of the natural world

Social issues in 19th century lit

• Both British and American writers of the 19th century were deeply concerned with social issues and the challenges of modern life, using their works to explore themes of poverty, injustice, and the impact of industrialization and urbanization
• British Victorian novelists such as Charles Dickens and Elizabeth Gaskell wrote works that exposed the harsh realities of poverty and social inequality in industrial Britain, calling for reform and compassion
• American Realist writers such as Mark Twain and Henry James explored the social and moral complexities of American life, often critiquing the corrupting influence of wealth and power
• The influence of social issues can be seen in works such as Dickens's "Oliver Twist" and "Hard Times," Gaskell's "North and South," Twain's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," and James's "The Bostonians," which use fiction to expose and critique the social ills of their time

Transatlantic literary circles

• The 18th and 19th centuries saw the emergence of transatlantic literary circles, as writers, intellectuals, and artists from Britain and America traveled, corresponded, and collaborated with one another
• These transatlantic connections facilitated the exchange of ideas, influences, and friendships, creating a rich and dynamic literary community that spanned the Atlantic

Expatriate American writers in Britain

• Many American writers of the 19th century spent time living and working in Britain, drawn by the country's literary and cultural heritage, as well as the opportunities for publication and recognition
• Writers such as Washington Irving, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Henry James spent extended periods in Britain, immersing themselves in the country's literary scene and drawing inspiration from its culture and traditions
• The experience of living in Britain had a profound impact on the works of these expatriate American writers, as they sought to bridge the gap between American and British literary traditions

British literary celebrities in America

• British writers and intellectuals were also frequent visitors to America during the 18th and 19th centuries, often embarking on lecture tours or extended stays in the country
• Writers such as Charles Dickens, William Makepeace Thackeray, and Oscar Wilde were celebrated as literary celebrities in America, drawing large crowds to their lectures and readings
• The visits of British literary figures to America helped to promote transatlantic cultural exchange and foster a sense of shared literary heritage between the two countries

Transatlantic literary correspondences

• The 18th and 19th centuries saw a flourishing of transatlantic literary correspondences, as writers, intellectuals, and artists from Britain and America exchanged letters, ideas, and works-in-progress
• These correspondences helped to create a sense of shared literary community and fostered the exchange of influences and ideas across the Atlantic
• Notable examples of transatlantic literary correspondences include the letters exchanged between Ralph Waldo Emerson and Thomas Carlyle, as well as the correspondence between Henry James and his British friends and colleagues

Divergence of American voice

• As American literature developed over the course of the 18th and 19th centuries, it began to diverge from its British roots, establishing a distinct American literary voice and identity
• This divergence was driven by a range of factors, including the unique experiences and perspectives of American writers, the influence of American culture and values, and the desire to create a national literature that reflected the country's growing sense of independence and self-determination

Emergence of distinct American style

• American writers of the 18th and 19th centuries began to develop a distinct literary style that set them apart from their British counterparts
• This style was characterized by a more direct and colloquial language, a focus on American themes and experiences, and a rejection of the formality and conventionality of British literary traditions
• The emergence of a distinct American style can be seen in the works of writers such as Mark Twain, whose use of vernacular speech and humor reflected the unique character of American culture

Celebration of American experience

• As American literature diverged from its British roots, it began to celebrate the unique experiences and perspectives of American life
• American writers such as Walt Whitman and Ralph Waldo Emerson celebrated the beauty and grandeur of the American landscape, seeing it as a source of spiritual renewal and national identity
• Other writers, such as Frederick Douglass and Harriet Beecher Stowe, used their works to expose the injustices of American society and call for social and political reform
• The celebration of the American experience in literature helped to establish a sense of national identity and pride, and contributed to the growing cultural independence of the United States

Formation of American literary identity

• The divergence of American literature from its British roots culminated in the formation of a distinct American literary identity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries
• This identity was characterized by a rejection of European literary traditions, a focus on American themes and experiences, and a commitment to social and political engagement
• The formation of an American literary identity can be seen in the works of writers such as Mark Twain, Henry James, and William Dean Howells, who sought to create a literature that was uniquely American in its language, themes, and values
• The establishment of an American literary identity helped to cement the cultural independence of the United States and paved the way for the emergence of modernist and postmodernist movements in the 20th century