Why a National Literature Cannot Flourish in the United States of North America

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About this eBook

Author Rocchietti, Joseph
Title Why a National Literature Cannot Flourish in the United States of North America
Credits Ralph Janke and the Online Distributed
Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. (This book was
produced from scanned images of public domain material
from the Google Print project.)
Summary "Why a National Literature Cannot Flourish in the United States of North America" by Joseph Rocchetti is a critical treatise exploring literature and cultural identity written in the mid-19th century. The book delves into the reasons behind the absence of a robust national literature in America, arguing that the American populace, composed largely of European descendants, possesses the same potential for artistic greatness as their antecedents. Rocchetti contends that the literary landscape is stifled not by the youth of the nation, but rather by prevailing attitudes and practices that undervalue traditional forms of literature and fail to encourage true artistic expression. At the start of the work, the author introduces his thesis by refuting the notion that America's lack of classical writers is due to its 'young' status as a nation. Instead, he asserts that the American identity is steeped in the cultural and literary heritage of Europe. Rocchetti emphasizes that a genuine national literature can only emerge when Americans are encouraged to appreciate and strive for higher standards of literary output, rather than indulging in light, superficial works. He critiques the current fashionable literature that trivializes serious themes through humor and sarcasm, indicating that a return to classical standards would cultivate profound artistic talent in the U.S. This opening sets the stage for a more expansive discourse on the interplay of culture, identity, and literature in America. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Language English
LoC Class PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature
Subject American literature
Subject United States -- Social life and customs
Category Text
EBook-No. 31777
Release Date
Most Recently Updated Jul 20, 2023
Copyright Status Public domain in the USA.
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