Research Paper on Early American Writers and Their Contribution

Introduction

Of all the works published globally, one can say that American literature is among the most recent ones. American authors during their entry into world literature had to come up with a distinct style and a sense of individuality to gain recognition. The always unique nature of American writing and the creativity seen in the publications of pioneering authors as Washington Irwin, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Edgar Allan Poe are regarded as the first literature of this land. Without the involvement of these three authors, American literature would not be the same or hold the identity they helped invent ahead of time (Smith 166). Despite living during a period of immense global politics, the three authors managed to create a trend out of politics that became the identity of American literature in history. They set their bars high enabling them to open the minds of readers. Washington Irwin, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Edgar Allan Poe had their distinct themes and style of writing that brought new concepts to the table and changed the course of American literature forever.

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Washington Irving is the earliest of the trio to start publishing stories living and writing during the first years of the new nation after the American Revolution. Irving changed the scene in American literature especially with his short stories like the famous The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. He is best remembered disregarding the British critics towards American literature and establishing a distinction from their literature with his creativity in the short stories field. Irving had a unique way of expressing humor with peculiar themes that varied from quirky and blithe to dark and romantic. A better way of describing Irvin's style of writing is as that of Rubinstein who labels it as gothic (24). Perhaps the book that can best illustrate this writing style is The Legend of Sleepy Hollow which is more horrifying with the headless horseman being the most gothic aspect of the short story. Besides, RIP Van Winkle equally has these supernatural elements with the lead character supposedly sleeping for twenty years waking up to a dead wife and a democratic nation (Dinshaw 12). Such aspects place Irving as the first American author to show a broad range ability to create a dramatic style in line with the effects he wants to portray in his narration. His works were not written for a specific audience but everyone who could deem them enjoyable. This is what places Irving among the most acknowledged writers in American history. He even attempted creating historical literature where he left a legacy as well. As a result, it is correct to mention that Washington Irving created a new style of writing that paved the way for other writers to compose original works characterized by the creativity that is reflected in the American progress.

Nathaniel Hawthorne as an early American writer equally had a distinct writing style with subject matter that is still reflected in the contemporary American literature. He is remembered for his creativity and choosing themes significantly touching on politics and defying the social norms. For instance, in The Scarlet Letter, the heroine is a woman who committed adultery. The uniqueness of Hawthorne extends to his involvement in the Salem witch trials at a personal level and writing about it in a controversial way that challenged what the society regarded as a norm by then. His writing on adultery and Salem trials and even challenging puritanism in a satirical way quickly helped Hawthorne make a name for himself. Wagenknecht mentions that Hawthorne had developed a writing style that would be loved for several years to come challenging the societal norms of his readers (13). The best expression of Hawthorne willingness to go beyond societal boundaries is best illustrated in The Scarlet Letter in his support for adultery. He quotes, "men should win the hand of women they want to. If a hand with a mightier touch can awaken a woman sensibility, the happiness imposed on her is the warm reality" (Hawthorne 83). Besides goings against societal norms, Hawthorne reintroduces the gothic style earlier pioneered by Washington Irving. In Young Goodman Brown, he portrays a character traveling to attend a satanic ceremony. His dark style would later influence another author Herman Melville who would dedicate his book, Moby Dick to Hawthorne's dark style. Hawthorn's work was influenced by his need to express real stories and offer a double perspective on the issues of the society. He achieved tremendous success in this style offsetting a new wave in societal literature that speaks the truth on controversial subjects.

Lastly, Allan Edgar Poe is also known for his captivating and outrageous macabre style and grotesque themes. Despite struggling with drugs, especially alcohol addiction, Poe developed a unique writing style that had never been seen in America earlier on. Poe is considered as the pioneer of detective stories for his creepy and mysterious narrations that captivated everyone on a global scale. He incorporated drama with strong romance, emotions and gothic poetry that captured the attention of readers never like before in America. The melodramatic extract from The Tell-Tale Heart displays creativity that is embodied in Poe's writing. According to Fisher Poe even wonders how ideas came to his mind and said that something just convinced and pressured him to compose the piece (20). Poe was a misunderstood man who took his disorders to his advantage creating gothic themes and plots that far surpasses those of writers of his time. His stories surrounded the subject of psychology with interest in madness with the use of narrators to explore the decline in the insanity of a protagonist and reflecting such issue on the society. This aspect is seen in The Black Cat where he investigates the darkness in human mind and heart. Poe inspires a genre that still carries on strongly to this date with readers enjoying the groundbreaking style several years after his death.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Irving, Hawthorne, and Poe were masters of their literary pieces that introduced new themes and writing styles not only in the American scenario but the entire world. These three writers made significant contributions to American literature that is still reflected in contemporary writings. With creativity, hard work and an ability to polish writing styles, each author created a new genre for the future. It is with no doubt that any writers could match the talent of these three at their respective times creating styles still remembered several decades after publication. The inspiration that Irving, Hawthorne, and Poe have offered to upcoming writers cannot be overlooked. Consequently, it can be said that the themes, form, and styles of Irving, Hawthorne, and Poe transformed earlier American literature creating a diverse gothic style of writing that is appreciated to date.

Works Cited

Dinshaw, Carolyn. How soon is now?: Medieval texts, amateur readers, and the queerness of time. Duke University Press, 2012.

Fisher, Benjamin Franklin. The Cambridge Introduction to Edgar Allan Poe. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, , 2008.

Hawthorne, Nathaniel. "The scarlet letter." 21st Century Voices." 2003.

Rubinstein, Annette T. American literature root and flower. NYU Press,, 2011.

Smith, Allan Lloyd. "Nineteenth-Century American Gothic." A New Companion to the Gothic (2012): 163-175.

Wagenknecht, Edward. Nathaniel Hawthorne: Man and Writer. Charles River Editors via PublishDrive, 2018.