Transatlantic literary influences

Definition

Transatlantic literary influences refer to the exchange of ideas, themes, and styles between American and British writers, particularly during the 18th and 19th centuries. This cross-pollination significantly shaped both American literature and British literary traditions, fostering a dialogue that enriched their respective narratives and perspectives. Writers from both sides of the Atlantic drew inspiration from each other, leading to shared motifs, genres, and cultural reflections that bridged the gap between the two literary worlds.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. American writers such as Nathaniel Hawthorne and Edgar Allan Poe were influenced by British Romantic poets like Wordsworth and Byron, adopting similar themes of nature and the human experience.
2. The British author Mary Shelley inspired American writers with her Gothic elements in 'Frankenstein', leading to a distinct American Gothic tradition.
3. Writers like Henry James and Mark Twain critiqued British society through their works, reflecting a growing sense of national identity in America.
4. Transatlantic literary influences helped shape genres such as the novel and poetry, with American authors experimenting with forms they encountered in British literature.
5. The correspondence between authors across the Atlantic facilitated the spread of literary movements, as seen with Transcendentalism borrowing from European philosophical thought.

Review Questions

• How did American writers adapt British literary themes to create a unique American voice during the 18th and 19th centuries?
  • American writers adapted British literary themes by infusing them with local experiences and cultural nuances. For instance, they took Romantic ideals from British authors but focused on the American landscape and spirit. This blending allowed them to create works that resonated with American identity while still being influenced by established British literary traditions.
• In what ways did transatlantic literary influences contribute to the development of specific literary movements such as Romanticism and Transcendentalism?
  • Transatlantic literary influences played a crucial role in shaping movements like Romanticism and Transcendentalism by facilitating the exchange of ideas across the ocean. Romanticism was characterized by an emphasis on emotion and nature; American writers adapted these themes to reflect their unique landscapes and social conditions. Similarly, Transcendentalism borrowed from European philosophies while promoting individuality and self-reliance within an American context.
• Evaluate the impact of transatlantic literary influences on the evolving identities of both American and British literature in the 18th and 19th centuries.
  • The impact of transatlantic literary influences on evolving identities was profound for both American and British literature. As American authors sought to assert their independence from British literary norms, they adopted, reinterpreted, or critiqued various styles that reflected their own societal values. This dynamic led to the emergence of distinctly American genres while also influencing British writers to explore themes relevant to a changing world. The result was a rich tapestry of interconnected literature that highlighted both shared roots and individual growth.

Related terms

Romanticism: A literary movement that emphasized emotion, nature, and individualism, significantly influencing both American and British writers in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Transcendentalism: An American philosophical and literary movement that arose in the early 19th century, advocating for the inherent goodness of people and nature while drawing from European Romantic ideas.

Cultural Exchange: The mutual sharing of ideas, customs, and artistic expressions between cultures, which in this context refers to the interactions between American and British literature.