In this historical era, three
dominant perspectives shaped debates about American literature identity and
development. The first view advocated for the creation of a new, independent
American literature that would express the distinct character of the emerging
nation. Supporters of this idea believed that American writers should break
away from European influences and produce works that reflected the unique
political, social, and cultural experiences of the United States. The second perspective suggested
that American literature was still too young to declare its independence from
the established British literary tradition. According to this view, the
literary culture of the United States lacked the maturity, sophistication, and
historical depth of Britain’s canon. As a result, early American writers often
imitated British styles, genres, and standards of literary excellence, seeking
validation within a familiar cultural framework while slowly developing their
own traditions. A third viewpoint held that great
literature, regardless of its national origins, should be universal in its
themes and artistic achievement. Advocates of this belief argued that the
primary goal of American writers should not necessarily be the construction of
a distinctly national literature, but rather the exploration of universal human
experiences that transcend political and cultural boundaries. In this
framework, American authors were encouraged to engage with global literary
traditions and produce works that represent broader human truths, contributing
meaningfully to the international literary conversation. (High 27-28) According to Peter High, American
literature, from its early stages, combined qualities from both Old and New
Worlds. As an independent nation began to emerge, American writers attempted to
define a distinctive cultural and literary identity while inevitably drawing
upon European influences. During the colonial period, there were no
major novels produced in America before independence. This absence can be
attributed to the Puritan suspicion of novels, which they viewed as a source of
dangerous and immoral ideas. However, in England, the novel as a literary form
was flourishing. Notable examples include John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s
Progress (1678), Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe (1719) and Samuel
Richardson’s Clarissa (1748). These English works influenced American
novelists as they began to develop their own national literature in the
post-independence period. After American independence, the nation’s
novelists began to develop a distinct literary voice characterized by simple
and direct language. In this regard, American novelists focused on a realistic
portrayal of life in the new republic, emphasizing themes and concerns that
were immediately relevant to their readers. Many novels of this period carried
a strong element of moral advice. Alongside this moralism, religious sentiment
was a common feature, reflecting the continuing influence of religious thought
on American culture and society. American novelists were generally careful
and cautious in their writing, aware that novels were still viewed by many as
morally suspect. Indeed, the first American novel, The Power of Sympathy
(1789) by William Hill Brown, was intended to offer a moral lesson but was
ironically regarded by some as morally dangerous because of its treatment of
sensitive topics like seduction and scandal. Another significant early work was
Modern Chivalry (1792) by Hugh Henry Brackenridge. It is a satirical
novel that depicted the many adventures of its characters across the American
frontier. Brackenridge used humor to criticize America’s "backwoods"
culture, while also critiquing religious groups, Native Americans, and the
institution of slavery (High 28). In Gilbert Imlay’s novel The Emigrants,
he portrays American culture as more natural and simple compared to the old,
rigid traditions of Europe. The novel shows that family members who are able to
adapt to American society find happiness and success, while those who cling to
the old English values face failure. An example of horror novels was written
by Charles Brockden Brown. In Wieland, he creates a psychological Gothic
novel centered around fear and delusion. His novel Ormond presents the
character of an evil seducer. Arthur Mervyn follows a gothic style, but
by the end of the story, it shifts toward a moralistic message. In Edgar
Huntly, Brown delves into themes of murder, sleepwalking, and insanity. Royal Tyler’s The Algerine Captive
uses the story of an American captured by pirates as a vehicle to criticize the
American government’s support of slavery. Through the experiences of the
protagonist, Tyler highlights the contradictions between the nation's ideals of
freedom and the practice of slavery. These early novels often featured awkward
structures and dialogue, as authors struggled with the newness of the form and
the challenges of adapting European literary traditions to the American
experience. Despite these imperfections, the novels were important pillars in
American literature, blending moral seriousness with humor and criticism (High
28).
