Literature as a Way to Explore Nations : Hawthorne and Poe
| Autoři | |
|---|---|
| Rok publikování | 2024 |
| Druh | Další prezentace na konferencích |
| Fakulta / Pracoviště MU | |
| Citace | |
| Popis | Between 1629 and 1775, the New World witnessed the settlement of four distinct waves of English-speaking immigrants. These communities, marked by unique characteristics that defined their identities, can be viewed as distinct nations. Scholars have previously observed the limited relevance of federal borders in capturing the essence of a particular region. Sacvan Bercovitch, for instance, argued that a nation is essentially a “system of ideas and beliefs designed to fortify and further a certain way of life”. This presentation will delve into the process of formulating these ideas. In the context of North America, it is crucial to note that the inception of this process occurs beyond the specific territorial boundaries occupied by the nation. These nations were established by individuals who arrived with specific purposes, expectations, and diverse visions for future development; they may be referred to as individual pilgrims. Eventually, these individual pilgrims were sidelined as the communities evolved into what I shall call a nation. The evolution of a nation is chronicled by writers, reflected through the perspectives of characters, narrators, and authors themselves, whether consciously or subconsciously. This paper shall aim to explore the nations formed through the migration of English Puritans and gentry to the areas of New England and Virginia. The primary focus will be on Nathaniel Hawthorne and Edgar Allan Poe, who represent distinct regions and, consequently, different nations. The works of literature, as a way to explore nations, shall be mainly selected short stories by the two writers. |
| Související projekty: |