In this course, we are studying the way in which literature draws from and contributes to important debates and events in American life. Below I have listed several issues that were focal points of discussion in 19th century America, and indeed, which have generally continued to be topics which Americans debate today.Think about which of the following topics you would most enjoy reading, thinking, and writing about in the coming weeks. If possible, choose a question that matters to you—or one that may open up a new question in your mind. By developing an area of expertise, you will be able to make a particular contribution to our class discussions and research.
In most cases, we will be using the topic as a way of thinking about how literature functions as part of our cultural conversation about key issues. How can the works we read help us understand what issues were important in the period and why, how they were understood, and the way texts were used to support or change these American beliefs and behavior.
You will be able to use your topic as the focus of your logs and papers, and from time to time you will have the opportunity to meet for small group discussions with other members of the class who share your interests. If you wish, you may choose to collaborate with one or two “colleagues” on your papers. Scholars often find it useful—even necessary—to consult with their colleagues. You may find that exchanging information, ideas, and questions will enable you to move more deeply into your subject than you expected.
Gendered SpheresWhat were the particular limitations, responsibilities, and privileges of the “women’s sphere,” as it was understood in 19th century America and represented in 19th century American literature? Was there a unified understanding of woman’s role, or were there different ways of defining women’s it? How was masculinity defined in that period? What was “domesticity” in 19th century America, and why were domesticity and family roles important? And how were ideas of masculinity, femininity, and domesticity used by 19th century writers and speakers to promote arguments on other topics, such as slavery?
Racial StereotypesHow were African-Americans, Native-Americans, and other people of color represented in 19th century American literature? Where did these myths originate? Did the supporters and detractors of these groups agree or disagree about their characteristics? How did writers and speakers of color deal with these stereotypes? And how were these stereotypes treated in debates over slavery and other key issues?
Religion/Christianity as an Engine of ReformProbably nothing was so central to American life in the 19th century than religion. However, religion was undergoing huge changes during this period as Americans gradually moved from a focus on dogma to an interest in “practical Christianity.” There were also powerful tensions within and between different elements. The 19th century was the time of the second great awakening—a great evangelical movement – and the great reform movements of the 19th century were largely fueled by Christian principles and Christian organizations. The Quakers, in particular, were known as outspoken critics of slavery and other social ills. At the same time, southern clergymen often used the pulpit to condone slavery. Christian missionaries were responsible for eliminating many Native American cultural practices, and a 19th association of Protestant bishops formally chided a group of women for going beyond the boundaries of the women’s sphere by speaking out in favor of abolition. So it is useful to consider how literature represents the role played by religion and religious ideas in the important movements and debates of 19th century America.
Education, Civilization (Nature?)How important were education and cultivation to 19th century Americans, why was it important, and what determined whether an individual was regarded as civilized? Why do we encounter so many images of reading and books in 19th century literary works? What importance did ideas about education have in the debates over rights for women, Native Americans, African Americans, and others?
Work, Property, and the MarketplaceDoes our work define us? Does work have a moral value—in other words, are we better people if we work well or work in a particular way? Does the marketplace—what we are paid, or what price is placed on us—define our value? Is the marketplace the only thing or the primary thing that defines our value? If so, what gets left out of our lives? Is the domestic sphere, home and family life, as important as the marketplace? To what extent were 19th century Americans—or specific groups of Americans—defined primarily as commodities or products? If so, what does that say about American values? What happens when people are excluded from the marketplace; do they cease to have value? Do some kinds of work have a higher status than others? For example, does the work of the head matter more than the work of the hand? Does work in a business matter more than work in a home? What role has been played by American literature in the discussion of the meaning of work and worth? How did some 19th century American writers and speakers use notions of work, property, and the marketplace to promote reform?
Social Reform, Benevolence, American Exceptionalism
How do Americans go about the business of trying to make things better? Why do some groups feel so passionate about engaging in reform; what kinds of arguments or experiences inspire people to support reform movements? What kinds of claims do reformers use to promote reform and do those claims reflect particular visions of America and American values? Do reform movements reflect a particular view of America as exceptional and perfectible? Are we still trying to become that “shining citie on a hill”? How can you engage in debates over social change without disrupting the social order (or is it a good thing to disrupt the social order)? Are organized and outspoken reformers the "good guys" or busybodies? How are reformers and reform movements portayed in American literature? How has American literature contributed to the discussion of reform and the promotion or blocking of reform movements?
Genre/CanonicityHobomok is a classic romance, as is Uncle Tom’s Cabin. However, Uncle Tom’s Cabin is a step towards realism in novel-writing, and towards the end of the semester we will be reading “local color” stories. How can we use our understanding of these genres and their conventions to help us understand the novels and the culture in which they were written? Why were romances popular in the early part of the century, and why were local color stories emerging at the end of the century? And what works of literature should we include if we are going to define the 19th century American literary canon? Uncle Tom’s Cabin was considered very important, and then not important at all, and now it’s important again. And ever since its publication, people have argued about whether Huckleberry How should we decide what works it is most important to read? Finn is a racist work.
You may well have noticed that these questions overlap. That's good because it will mean that although people will be exploring different questions, our interests will intersect.