Literature
During the Antebellum period, Americans wanted to read about American themes. A literature was created that was distinctly American. Instead of relying on Europe for literature, America began to create it's own style which included the short story genre. The literature reform created nationalism. The new American genre and nationwide motivation to create original American literature brought the country together. The most popular and highly read authors included:
Edgar Allen Poe:
James Fenimore Cooper:
Washington Irving:
Americans seemed to prefer poetry because of its elevated themes.
Edgar Allen Poe:
- The Raven (1845) (Poem)
- The Masque of the Red Death (1850) (Short story)
- The Tell-Tale Heart (1850) (Short story)
- The Scarlet Letter (1850) Questioned intolerance and conformity in American life.
- The House of Seven Gables (1851) (Short story)
James Fenimore Cooper:
- Leatherstocking Tales (1824-1841): The Last of the Mohicans, The Pathfinder and The Deerslayer. These short stories glorified frontiersman as nature's nobleman.
Washington Irving:
- Geoffrey Crayon (1819-1820):Rip Van Winkle andThe Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Americans seemed to prefer poetry because of its elevated themes.