Nineteenth-Century American
Literature I
Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literature University of Bucharest
,Contents
Romanticism................................................................................................................................................2
Transcendentalism......................................................................................................................................4
American Romanticism................................................................................................................................6
, Romanticism
Washington Irving's "Rip van Winkle" and J. F. Cooper's "The Pioneers"
American values and identity
The people in Cooper's work are a mishmash of diverse characteristics and personalities from
various backgrounds, all of which are designed to depict and build an American community on
the frontier. The variety of these personalities is astounding, yet the majority of them have
distinct American qualities, particularly in terms of ideals. The Templeton colony is led by Judge
Marmaduke Temple, who is at conflict with Natty Bumppo. In terms of the two of them, we can
see a clear metaphor of American cultural motives; in this respect, Natty Bumppo represents the
frontier, a location he strives to defend, whereas Judge Temple and his followers force the
frontier. Judge Temple is a persuasive and determined man who keeps the Templeton settlement
under control. He, along with his companions, represents the self-made man, those who push the
border in their attempt to tame and conquer the wilderness. Thus, they display specific American
beliefs and components, such as the frontier motif, which is used by both the character Natty
Bumppo and Judge Temples and his men on the opposite side of the barrier. When we consider
the romantic components in Cooper's work, we might return to the untamed landscape, the vast
wilderness, which had to be conquered and organized by the people who bravely force the
frontier. The romantic components of "The Pioneers" focus around the scenery and environment;
as previously said, we have untamed nature, individuals from various origins, such as Indians,
and people living on the border, free, according to their own laws and systems, such as Natty
Bumpo.
When we discuss Irving's characters, we may get a clear picture of the distinctive American
and specific British qualities through the lens of allegories that are connected through the two
primary characters, Rip van Winkle and his wife.At first look, the primary male figure does not
appear to exemplify any single Puritan value. We can detect a shift in American qualities and
ideals only after his return from the woods, after several years. He becomes an American citizen
and no longer has to fear his wife, who has served as an allegory representing Great Britain and
the old traditions throughout the novel. Rip is now a free and joyful citizen who lives with his
daughter till the end of his life, narrating his life tale. We find a mix of romantic aspects
throughout Irving's work. Ultimately, the entire work is enveloped by a sensation of the past,
with everything appearing to be a lovely setting, almost fairytale-like. The people live in unity
and tranquillity; everything is simple and has a distinct calmness. To all of this, nature is added,
rich, untamed, and unpossessed by man, having counted or given the picture of the towering
mountain that appears to dominate, for example, weather occurrences. „Every change of season,
every change of weather, indeed, every hour of the day, produces some change in the magical
hues and shapes of these mountains (…)” (Irving) This leads us to the next element, which is the
mysticism that dominates this landscape. These are amplified in the parts that depict Rip's
adventure, from the magnificent landscapes and seemingly living nature to his abduction by the
mysterious creatures and, eventually, his homecoming after 20 years. When we talk about
, American Puritanism elements, what is noticeable from the beginning is the behavior of Rip's
wife, the embodiment of Puritan values: „His wife kept continually dinning in his ears about his
idleness, his carelessness, and the ruin he was bringing on his family. Morning, noon, and night,
her tongue was incessantly going, and everything he said or did was sure to produce a torrent of
household eloquence.” (Irving)
Both works had a significant effect on American myths and culture. They establish basic
stereotypes, as well as unique characters. To begin with, Irving's work deals significantly with
stereotypes and myths, which are transposed through the behaviors of several characters. Thus,
we recall that Rip van Winkle's wife represents Britain and the kingdom that dominated the
colonies, whereas Rip represents the genuine American spirit, independence in every sense, and,
most importantly, separating with Britain. “(…) he had got his neck out of the yoke of
matrimony, and could go in and out whenever he pleased, without dreading the tyranny of Dame
Van Winkle. Whenever her name was mentioned, however, he shook his head, shrugged his
shoulders, and cast up his eyes; which might pass either for an expression of resignation to his
fate, or joy at his deliverance.” (Irving)
Cooper's art employs a variety of key figures that symbolize specific American motifs,
such as Indian, with a clear reference to the indigenous population, German, French, immigrants,
and those who would constitute the American population. Aside from the personage, the frontier
is a well-known myth in American culture, always pushed towards new horizons, new countries,
in order to build new settlements and tame the wild in all its aspects.
Literature I
Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literature University of Bucharest
,Contents
Romanticism................................................................................................................................................2
Transcendentalism......................................................................................................................................4
American Romanticism................................................................................................................................6
, Romanticism
Washington Irving's "Rip van Winkle" and J. F. Cooper's "The Pioneers"
American values and identity
The people in Cooper's work are a mishmash of diverse characteristics and personalities from
various backgrounds, all of which are designed to depict and build an American community on
the frontier. The variety of these personalities is astounding, yet the majority of them have
distinct American qualities, particularly in terms of ideals. The Templeton colony is led by Judge
Marmaduke Temple, who is at conflict with Natty Bumppo. In terms of the two of them, we can
see a clear metaphor of American cultural motives; in this respect, Natty Bumppo represents the
frontier, a location he strives to defend, whereas Judge Temple and his followers force the
frontier. Judge Temple is a persuasive and determined man who keeps the Templeton settlement
under control. He, along with his companions, represents the self-made man, those who push the
border in their attempt to tame and conquer the wilderness. Thus, they display specific American
beliefs and components, such as the frontier motif, which is used by both the character Natty
Bumppo and Judge Temples and his men on the opposite side of the barrier. When we consider
the romantic components in Cooper's work, we might return to the untamed landscape, the vast
wilderness, which had to be conquered and organized by the people who bravely force the
frontier. The romantic components of "The Pioneers" focus around the scenery and environment;
as previously said, we have untamed nature, individuals from various origins, such as Indians,
and people living on the border, free, according to their own laws and systems, such as Natty
Bumpo.
When we discuss Irving's characters, we may get a clear picture of the distinctive American
and specific British qualities through the lens of allegories that are connected through the two
primary characters, Rip van Winkle and his wife.At first look, the primary male figure does not
appear to exemplify any single Puritan value. We can detect a shift in American qualities and
ideals only after his return from the woods, after several years. He becomes an American citizen
and no longer has to fear his wife, who has served as an allegory representing Great Britain and
the old traditions throughout the novel. Rip is now a free and joyful citizen who lives with his
daughter till the end of his life, narrating his life tale. We find a mix of romantic aspects
throughout Irving's work. Ultimately, the entire work is enveloped by a sensation of the past,
with everything appearing to be a lovely setting, almost fairytale-like. The people live in unity
and tranquillity; everything is simple and has a distinct calmness. To all of this, nature is added,
rich, untamed, and unpossessed by man, having counted or given the picture of the towering
mountain that appears to dominate, for example, weather occurrences. „Every change of season,
every change of weather, indeed, every hour of the day, produces some change in the magical
hues and shapes of these mountains (…)” (Irving) This leads us to the next element, which is the
mysticism that dominates this landscape. These are amplified in the parts that depict Rip's
adventure, from the magnificent landscapes and seemingly living nature to his abduction by the
mysterious creatures and, eventually, his homecoming after 20 years. When we talk about
, American Puritanism elements, what is noticeable from the beginning is the behavior of Rip's
wife, the embodiment of Puritan values: „His wife kept continually dinning in his ears about his
idleness, his carelessness, and the ruin he was bringing on his family. Morning, noon, and night,
her tongue was incessantly going, and everything he said or did was sure to produce a torrent of
household eloquence.” (Irving)
Both works had a significant effect on American myths and culture. They establish basic
stereotypes, as well as unique characters. To begin with, Irving's work deals significantly with
stereotypes and myths, which are transposed through the behaviors of several characters. Thus,
we recall that Rip van Winkle's wife represents Britain and the kingdom that dominated the
colonies, whereas Rip represents the genuine American spirit, independence in every sense, and,
most importantly, separating with Britain. “(…) he had got his neck out of the yoke of
matrimony, and could go in and out whenever he pleased, without dreading the tyranny of Dame
Van Winkle. Whenever her name was mentioned, however, he shook his head, shrugged his
shoulders, and cast up his eyes; which might pass either for an expression of resignation to his
fate, or joy at his deliverance.” (Irving)
Cooper's art employs a variety of key figures that symbolize specific American motifs,
such as Indian, with a clear reference to the indigenous population, German, French, immigrants,
and those who would constitute the American population. Aside from the personage, the frontier
is a well-known myth in American culture, always pushed towards new horizons, new countries,
in order to build new settlements and tame the wild in all its aspects.
