From Puritanism to Postmodernism: A History of American Literature (Routledge Classics)

Description

Widely acknowledged as a contemporary classic that has introduced thousands of readers to American literature, From Puritanism to Postmodernism: A History of American Literature brilliantly charts the fascinating story of American literature from the Puritan legacy to the advent of postmodernism. From realism and romanticism to modernism and postmodernism it examines and reflects on the work of a rich panoply of writers, including Poe, Melville, Fitzgerald, Pound, Wallace Stevens, Gwendolyn Brooks and Thomas Pynchon. Characterised throughout by a vibrant and engaging style it is a superb introduction to American literature, placing it thoughtfully in its rich social, ideological and historical context. A tour de force of both literary and historical writing, this Routledge Classics edition includes a new preface by co-author Richard Ruland, a new foreword by Linda Wagner-Martin and a fascinating interview with Richard Ruland, in which he reflects on the nature of American fiction and his collaboration with Malclolm Bradbury. It is published here for the first time. Cover Title Copyright Dedication Contents PREFACE TO THE ROUTLEDCE CLASSICS EDITION FOREWORD TO THE ROUTLEDGE CLASSICS EDITION PREFACE PART I THE LITERATURE OF BRITISH AMERICA 1 The Puritan Legacy 2 Awakening and Enlightenment PART II FROM COLONIAL OUTPOST TO CULTURAL PROVINCE 3 Revolution and (In)dependence 4 American Naissance 5 Yea-saying and Nay-saying PART III NATIVE AND COSMOPOLITAN CROSSCURRENTS: FROM LOCAL COLOR TO REALISM AND NATURALISM 6 Secession and Loyalty 7 Muckrakers and Early Moderns PART IV MODERNISM IN THE AMERICAN GRAIN 8 Outland Darts and Homemade Worlds 9 The Second Flowering 10 Radical Reassessments 11 Strange Realities, Adequate Fictions EPILOGUE — AMERICAN LITERARY HISTORY IN 1998: A CONVERSATION WITH JOSEF JAŘAB AND RICHARD RULAND IN PRAGUE INDEX