American Literary Movements

The Evolution of American Literature: A Guide to Literary Movements

What sets apart the writings of Ernest Hemingway from those of Edgar Allan Poe? What unites the works of Henry David Thoreau and Walt Whitman? The answer lies in understanding the diverse literary movements within American literature. As a young nation, the United States boasts a wide collection of influential literature from writers of varying styles. Exploring these movements can shed light on the development of American literature, as well as the exchanges and influences between writers.

A Timeline of American Literary Movements:

Here is a timeline outlining the duration of each American literary movement.

Pre-colonial: Native American Literature
1620-1750: Puritan Literature
1607-1775: Colonial Literature
1775-1783: Revolutionary Age
1775-1830: Early National Literature
1830-1865: American Romanticism
1865-1914: Naturalism
1914-1940: Modernism and Experimentation
1945-Present: Postmodernism

Defining an American Literary Movement

The term "American literary movement" refers to the periods of change and evolution in American literature, as well as the shared characteristics among texts of different eras. Factors that unite works within a specific movement may include writing style, recurring themes, and the impact of the societal and political climate of the time.

A Brief History of American Literary Movements

Here is a brief overview of the major literary movements throughout American history.

Native American Literature - Early National Literature (Pre-colonial-1830)

The earliest recognizable American literary movement is the pre-colonial period of Native American literature. Before the arrival of Europeans in the land that is now the United States, Native Americans had a rich tradition of oral storytelling. These stories held great cultural significance and often featured creation myths and folktales.

With the arrival of European settlers, the first period of English language literature began. As Puritans established themselves in New England, literature served a primarily religious purpose, exploring themes from the Bible. Puritan writings were predominantly non-fiction, including letters, diary entries, and descriptions of daily life.

During this time, literature also emerged in the American colonies. Unlike Puritan works, texts from this period focused more on non-fiction accounts of daily life. Writers like Captain John Smith wrote to inform Europeans back home about the process of colonization.

American independence in 1775 marked the beginning of the Revolutionary and Early National literary movements. This period was heavily influenced by the formation of the new nation and the fight for independence. As a result, much of the literature from this time had political undertones, including essays discussing the new government and propaganda supporting the revolutionary cause.

The notable writers of this era were also influential political figures, such as Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), and Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804).

Inspired by the Enlightenment in Europe, American authors during the Revolutionary and Early National periods also embraced the literary movement of Rationalism. A preference for logical thinking and deductive reasoning influenced texts of the era, such as The Declaration of Independence (1776) and Thomas Paine's The Age of Reason (1794).

American Romanticism and Naturalism (1830-1914)

In 1830, American Romanticism began, arguably the first uniquely American literary movement. This era gave rise to some of the most influential authors in American literature. With the American Revolution in the past, writers had the opportunity to contribute to the process of nation-building by creating literature that was truly American.

For the first time, American authors aimed to separate themselves from the literary traditions of Europe and Great Britain, paving the way for a distinct American literary voice.

American Literary Movements: Embracing Freedom and Individuality

America has a diverse and vibrant history of literary movements that have greatly influenced the country's literature and culture. Notable American authors such as Henry David Thoreau and Herman Melville were deeply inspired by the nation's landscape and the values of freedom and individuality. In this article, we will delve into the different literary movements that have played a significant role in shaping American literature.

The American Romanticism period saw the emergence of renowned writers like Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Herman Melville, and Emily Dickinson. This literary movement was the first in the United States to split into sub-movements, including Transcendentalism, Dark Romanticism, American Gothic, and the poetry of the Fireside Poets.

However, as the mid-19th century approached, American literature took a different turn from Romanticism. This change was influenced by the country's shifting mood after the devastating Civil War. Writers such as Stephen Crane and Mark Twain embraced Realism and Naturalism, seeking to depict life in its truest form, even its unpleasant and uncomfortable aspects. This was evident in the proliferation of slave narratives published after the Civil War, with notable works such as Harriet Jacobs' "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl" (June 1861).

In the latter part of the 19th century, Mark Twain played a pivotal role in the literary movement of regionalism, also known as local color fiction. In his novels, "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" (1876) and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" (1884), Twain delved into regional specificities, including dialect, landscape, and customs. It's no surprise that these slave narratives were often categorized under Naturalist literature.

Modernism, Experimentation, and the Modern Era (1914-Present)

At the turn of the 20th century, American literature took a sharp turn towards the Modernist literary movement. Prominent authors such as William Faulkner and Ernest Hemingway focused on structure and style, deliberately breaking long-established literary conventions. This paved the way for the emergence of the Experimental literature movement, with writers like Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston during the Harlem Renaissance, and Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald during the Lost Generation. The term "Lost Generation" was coined by Gertrude Stein to describe the young adults coming of age during World War I and also used to refer to a group of expatriate writers and artists living in Paris in the 1920s, including Hemingway and Ezra Pound.

After World War II, Modernism evolved into Postmodernism, a literary movement that rejected the notion of meaning and embraced chaos and fragmentation. Writers like Kurt Vonnegut and Philip K. Dick wrote unconventional, playful texts that often relied heavily on metafiction and intertextuality. By the mid to late 20th century, American literature had transformed into a diverse collection of works, representing diverse themes, styles, and genres.

American drama also gained prominence during this time, with the first performances of Tennessee Williams' "A Streetcar Named Desire" (1947) and Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman" (1949). Poets like Sylvia Plath and Allen Ginsberg also made notable contributions to the diverse literary movements, such as the San Francisco Renaissance, New Formalism, the Confessional Poets, and the Beat Generation. The desire to break literary conventions and experiment, which began during the Modernist and Experimental periods, continues to influence contemporary American literature, which encompasses a wide range of themes, styles, and genres.

What are some common themes and styles found in contemporary American literature?

Key Characteristics of American Literary Movements

Here are some essential characteristics that define each American literary movement:

Native American Literary Movement

Emphasis on oral storytelling traditions, songs, and poetry
Themes include creation stories, myths, and folktales
Examples include trickster myths featuring a coyote as a mischievous character and creation myths that explain the world's various aspects.Puritan Literature (1620-1750)
The literary landscape of early America was heavily influenced by religious beliefs and customs, particularly during the Puritan era (1620-1750). The focus of Puritan literature was mainly on religious subjects, with non-fiction materials such as journals, diaries, and letters being the primary form of expression. Instead of providing entertainment, Puritan literature served as a means of religious instruction. Notable works from this period include "Of Plymouth Plantation" (1651) by William Bradford and the poetry of Anne Bradstreet.
Colonial Literature (1607-1775)
The Colonial period (1607-1775) marked the beginning of the written documentation of the process of colonization and daily life in the colonies. Non-fiction forms such as journals, diaries, and letters became increasingly popular during this time. Examples of notable works include "A True Relation of Virginia" (1608) and "The Generall Historie of Virginia, New-England, and the Summer Isles" (1624) by John Smith.
Revolutionary Age (1775-1783)
The Revolutionary Age (1775-1783) brought about a shift in focus towards political ideology and the use of literature as a tool for promoting the cause of independence. Political essays and propaganda pamphlets were the popular forms of literature during this period. Notable works include "The American Crisis" (1776-1783) by Thomas Paine and "The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin" (1773).
Early National Literature (1775-1830)
The Early National Literature period (1775-1830) continued the focus on political ideology and the use of literature to build national identity. Political essays remained prevalent, and the majority of literature during this time was non-fiction. Notable works from this period include the "Federalist Papers" (1787-1788) and "The Declaration of Independence" (1776).
American Romanticism (1830-1865)
The American Romanticism movement (1830-1865) brought a significant shift in themes, with a focus on individualism, the beauty of nature, and conveying intense emotions. This period saw a rise in the popularity of novels and poetry, and sub-movements within American Romanticism emerged, including Transcendentalism, Dark Romanticism, American Gothic, and the Fireside Poets.
Transcendentalism
Transcendentalism was a sub-movement within American Romanticism that emphasized the inherent goodness of the individual and the belief in transcending the physical world. Notable works that embodied this belief include "Walden" (1854) by Henry David Thoreau and the poetry of Walt Whitman (1819-1892).
Dark Romanticism
Dark Romanticism, in contrast to Transcendentalism, focused on the fallibility of the individual and their tendency towards self-destruction. This movement believed that individuals could not transcend the world around them. Notable works that embody this belief include "Moby Dick" (1851) by Herman Melville and "The Scarlet Letter" (1850) by Nathaniel Hawthorne.
American Gothic
The American Gothic movement focused on the eerie and macabre, often incorporating supernatural elements into their works. Notable works from this movement include the short stories "The Fall of the House of Usher" (1839) by Edgar Allan Poe and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" (1820) by Washington Irving.
Fireside Poets
The Fireside Poets movement focused on themes of domesticity and national identity, using poetic conventions that made their work easy to memorize. Notable poets from this movement include William Cullen Bryant (1794-1878) and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882).
Naturalism (1865-1914)
Naturalism (1865-1914) was closely related to Realism and focused on depicting everyday life. This movement placed a heavy emphasis on determinism, including the effects of environment and circumstance on characters. Notable works that embody this movement include "Maggie: A Girl of the Streets" (1893) by Stephen Crane and "To Build a Fire" (1902) by Jack London.
Accounts by Enslaved Africans
One significant aspect of American literature during this period was the emergence of accounts written by enslaved Africans detailing their experiences. These works used straightforward language to realistically portray the horrors of slavery. Notable examples include "A Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave"(1845) by Frederick Douglass and "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl" (1861) by Harriet Jacobs.
The Evolution of American Literature: A Journey Through Its Various Movements
American literature has gone through significant changes over the years, with various movements shaping its evolution. These movements have influenced the style, themes, and structures of literary works, creating a diverse and dynamic literary landscape.
The Rise of Romanticism, Realism, and Naturalism
The 19th century saw the emergence of Romanticism, Realism, and Naturalism as major movements in American literature. Romanticism emphasized emotion, individualism, and nature in literary works, while Realism aimed to portray everyday life as accurately as possible. On the other hand, Naturalism explored the human condition and its interactions with the natural world.
Modernism and Experimentation (1914-1940)
The Modernism and Experimentation movement (1914-1940) brought about a significant shift in style and narrative techniques. Writers experimented with structure and point of view in their works, paving the way for sub-movements such as the Harlem Renaissance and the Lost Generation.
The Harlem Renaissance
The Harlem Renaissance movement focused on the African American experience and introduced innovative styles and structures. Poets like Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston used their works to express the struggles and achievements of the African American community.
The Lost Generation
The Lost Generation movement rebelled against traditional American cultural norms and values. Writers such as Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald captured the disillusionment and critiques of the American Dream in their works.
The Modern American Prose
After World War II, the Modern American Prose movement saw the publication of influential novels and essays. Writers of this period explored a wide range of themes and styles, often drawing inspiration from Postmodernism. Iconic works from this movement include "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee and "Beloved" by Toni Morrison.
The Modern American Drama
The Modern American Drama movement focused on plays that depicted realistic settings and explored the complexities of American society. Plays from this period, including "A Streetcar Named Desire" by Tennessee Williams and "Death of a Salesman" by Arthur Miller, challenged traditional theatrical conventions.
The Modern American Poetry
Poets in the Modern American Poetry movement experimented with various styles and themes. This period saw the rise of sub-movements such as the San Francisco Renaissance, New Formalism, Confessional Poetry, The New York School, the Beat Generation, the Black Mountain Poets, and Poetry Slam.
Exploring the Different Literary Movements in American Literature
Avant-garde poetry movements played a crucial role in shaping American literature. Poets in San Francisco, Manhattan, and Black Mountain College challenged traditional poetic styles and conventions, leading to the revival of traditional forms and the exploration of personal and intimate themes. Performance poetry also gained popularity, with poets known for their dynamic and high-energy performances.
Key Takeaways from American Literary Movements
The evolution of American literature is a result of various movements that have influenced and shaped it over the years. Some important takeaways from these literary movements include the impact of Romanticism, Realism, and Naturalism, the experimentation with style and point of view during the Modernist and Experimental periods, and the absence of a single defining literary movement in contemporary American literature.
Frequently Asked Questions about American Literary Movements
What are the major movements in American literature?
The major movements in American literature include Romanticism, Naturalism, and Modernism. Other significant movements include the Harlem Renaissance, the Lost Generation, and the avant-garde poetry movements of the 20th century.
Identifying Literary Movements in American Literature
American literature is rich and diverse, with a long history of literary movements that have shaped and defined it. From the earliest pre-colonial Native American literature to the present day, there are eight distinct literary movements that have emerged and influenced the American literary landscape. These movements are characterized by their unique styles, themes, and social and political contexts, and have contributed to the development of American literature as we know it.
The Name Game: Naming American Literary Movements
Every American literary movement has a specific name that helps to distinguish it from others. Some well-known examples include American Romanticism, Naturalism, and the Harlem Renaissance. These movements often had a specific focus, such as exploring themes of nature and emotion in American Romanticism, or portraying the realities of life for marginalized groups in Naturalism.
The Spirit of Experimentation in American Literature
In the early- to mid-20th century, American literature saw a period of experimentation and innovation through the Modernist and Experimental movements. These movements focused on pushing the boundaries of traditional writing styles and structures, and exploring new and diverse perspectives. This emphasis on experimentation sets Modernism and Experimentalism apart from other literary movements in American literature.
What Sets American Literary Movements Apart?
One may wonder, what really makes these literary movements in American literature different from one another? Each movement is characterized by a unique combination of writing style, themes, and the influence of historical, social, and political contexts of its time. These factors shape each movement in distinct ways and contribute to the rich tapestry of American literature.