American writers and the picturesque tour
Book Description
In the decades following the War of 1812, a profound shift occurred in American consciousness as writers and readers embraced the transformative power of travel literature. This scholarly exploration reveals how the nation's emerging literary voices discovered spiritual and moral awakening through the practice of picturesque touring.
Drawing from a rich tradition that predated the Romantic movement, American authors began crafting their own version of the celebrated British Grand Tour, but with a distinctly New World perspective. Rather than simply seeking European cultural validation, these writers found profound meaning in exploring their own continent's scenic landscapes and natural wonders.
The book examines how major literary figures of the early nineteenth century contributed to this evolving genre, each bringing unique insights to the relationship between travel and personal growth. From Edgar Allan Poe's humorous contributions to Washington Irving's observations, these writers helped establish a uniquely American approach to travel writing that went beyond mere description.
Most significantly, the work explores how authors like Henry David Thoreau viewed the picturesque tour as a vehicle for moral and spiritual development, while figures such as Margaret Fuller added their own perspectives to this growing literary movement. Through detailed analysis of guidebooks and travel accounts, this study illuminates how the American picturesque tour became both a literary tradition and a pathway to deeper self-understanding.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~6 hours)
📄 Length: 211 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore History and criticism
- ✓ Explore General
- ✓ Explore LITERARY CRITICISM
- ✓ Explore Écrits de voyageurs américains
- ✓ Explore Travelers
- ✓ Explore National characteristics, American, in literature
- ✓ Explore National characteristics in literature
- ✓ Explore Prose américaine
