A History of American Literature (Classic Reprint)

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Excerpt from A History of American Literature This book attempts to trace within reasonable compass the course of literary development in America, and to present the most significant facts regarding American authors and their works. It places greatest emphasis on general movements because American literature is first of all important as an expression of national life. There are few American writings that require careful analysis and merit intensive study as masterpieces. But in a nation where education has from the first been so generally diffused, literary attempts of slight artistic merit may reflect not only the obvious changes in national life and ideals, but subtler tendencies and aspirations. For this reason attention is given not only to the few greater writers, but to many others whose works, though less important in themselves, are sometimes even more significant. The plan of the book and the decision what to include and what to exclude have been influenced by the authors experiences with college classes, but an attempt has been made to meet the wants of the general reader as well as those of the systematic student. In tracing tendencies and movements it has been necessary to adopt a geographical classification of authors, and this has sometimes been carried beyond the point where it is significant. It is a matter of the greatest importance whether an author represents the spirit of Puritan New England or the spirit of Cavalier Virginia, it is of little importance whether he chances to write in New Hampshire or in Vermont. For convenience, however, smaller as well as larger groupings have been made on the basis of residence. In adopting this plan the author wishes to disclaim any intention of over-emphasizing sectional differences. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully, any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.