Poe With Irving and Hawthorne Contribution to the American Literature - Research Paper Example

Washington Irving, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Edgar Allan Poe contribution to the American literature Washington Irving, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Edgar Allan Poe made tremendous contributions in the American literature, and their legacies are still living. They were very dedicated to focusing on the themes in regards to what the society experienced at that time. Therefore, most of their works were in connection to the social problems and cultural practices at that time. Specifically, the three authors based their writings on the dark side of the society as most characters used were struggling with the societal problems and rules of maintaining order at that time. This research paper will outline the contributions and major themes of the three fiction writers. Edgar Allan Poe is regarded as a major figure in the world literature because of his ingenious and profound poetry, short stories and critical theories that established an influential rationale for short form ion fiction and literature. He is known in the handbooks and literary histories as the architect of the modern short story. He was also once the principal forerunner of "art for arts sake" movement in the 19th century European literature. In most of his work, he demonstrated brilliant command of language, techniques and as an inspired original imagination. Similarly, his poetry and short stories influenced French symbolists in the late 19th century hence altering the direction of modern literature (Poetry Foundation 3). Poe’s most contribution in the literature world comes from the analytical method which he practiced as a creative critic of the works of his contemporaries and as an author. He declared himself to formulate artistic ideals that concerned with utilitarian values of literature. His emphasis in literature linked to philosophical ideas because he believed that one could express a vision of truth through a calculated use of language that is essential for human existence (Poetry Foundation 4). He also believed that the mission can be achieved by creating unity of effect on the reader. Secondly, Poe themes are associated with psychological intensity, especially when he writes works related to horror, passion or terror. Some of these stories include, "the black cat," “The tell-tale heart" and "the cask of amontillado." The stories are told in first person narration where Poe, through his voice, probes the working of character’s psyche. In some of his gothic tales, Poe used symbolic which are allegorical methods in works such as "Ligea" and "the fall of the house of Usher." His influence in the horror tales has been seen in the work of other artists such as Ambroce Bierce and Love craft (Poetry Foundation 5). Besides his achievements as the architect of the modern horror tales, he is considered as the parent of the two modern genres: detective story and science fiction. In the work such as, "Von Kempelen and his Discovery," Poe took advantage of the flourishing science and technology which emerged in the early 19th century to produce narratives that were not practiced until the 20th century (Poetry Foundation 6). The second influential writer in the American literature is Washington Irving. His influence on writing and literatures goes above his own works. He is not only considered as the father of the short story, but he can add his accomplishments to being the best international bestselling writer. The respect he earned made him take writing as a career rather than as a hobby to pursue influence and wealth. During his time, he fought very hard in establishing stronger laws aimed at preventing copyright infringement that todays writers owe him great gratitude in protecting the rights of authors. In his days, he served as a mentor to many American writers such as Herman Melville, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Edgar Allan Poe (Lathrop 6). Washington Irving is celebrated for his invention of the word, "Gotham." He used this word in describing the phrase, "the almighty dollar” and a large city in one of his works. Similarly, the cultural myth of Satan in a flying wagon is traced back to his 1820 edition of, “ A history of New York." His two famous short stories grew out of the folklore and the cultural practices of Dutch settlers who had established their colonies in the Hudson River valley (Lathrop 6). Moreover, his iconic imagery of the headless horseman chasing the erstwhile Ichabod crane has remained and continued to endure in the American Halloween tradition and folklore. The above description implies that Irving was inspired by what he saw in the society he lived, and they also influenced his works that have remained a legacy. Washington Irvin has also made a contribution to the American literature by being the first writer to set fictional works in America. He sets most of his narratives in west America and mostly talks on the way Native Americans came to be portrayed in literature. He has focused on racial inequality that has formed more on his works. In many of his essays, he has advocated fair and equal treatments of American natives (Lathrop 8). He believes the white men who came to America during colonization wronged the natives hence bringing inequality in land ownership. The natives were disposed of their hereditary by the use of warfare and mercenary. The impacts of Irving on the American literature are irrefutable and tremendous. He has entertaining stories that are woven in the everyday American culture and vernacular. Similarly, his contribution to the American literature is outstanding, making him one of the most influential American writers (Lathrop 8). The last influential writer who contributed to the American literature is Nathaniel Hawthorne. Born in 1804 in Salem, it was possible for him to explore the American darker history. His ancestors were the first colonialist with some of them being involved in witch trials. These facts made him develop an interest in the Puritan period as most of his short stories and novels deals with themes central to this period (Smith 4). Therefore, his writing focused on the major themes associated with puritan period and the tradition of the romanticism. There is a particular theme that come out from Nathaniel Hawthorne work, the employment of supernatural and the association of his name with romanticism. He together with other writers such as Mary Shelley with her work, “Frankenstein” explores the themes of romanticism. Classification of his work under this theme is not difficult, and it is also possible to find a solid way of describing his works because many of them tend to explore his favorable topics such as sin. He has also focused on different complexities and plotting making him one of the interesting and widely read American literature authors in the modern times (Smith 6). The second symbolic work of Nathaniel Hawthorne is the novel, "the scarlet letter." It has its setting during the Puritan period in the American history. The novel deals with many subjects with the most notable being the short story, "The Ministers black veil" with its theme of sin, more so, secret sin. In his work, “The Scarlet Letter”, Hawthorne fascinated the idea of sin and punishment where he wore the embroidered letter itself and covertly through minor characters as Roger Chillingworth, who were eaten by sin (Smith 7). He also uses characters such as Esther to show how sin troubles them. Hawthorne has also focused the themes of nature and humankind. He has explored the push for human imagination and creativity limits in trying to describe humankind. He has employed literally style of supernatural occurring in his work in different extents. In his work, “The house of the Seven Gables”, Hawthorne employs supernatural to explore the human psyche. There are many questions regarding the nature of reality where things are contrary to what they are supposed to be (Smith 7). In conclusion, Poe, Irving and Hawthorne have made a tremendous contribution in the American literature. They have used different literary styles in portraying their themes that have in turn left their legacy in the American literature. Their themes were characterized by what was happening in the society at their time as it is what influenced them. Works cited Lathrop, G. P. Poe, Irving and Hawthorne. 2014. Online Poetry Foundation. Edgar Allan Poe. 2014. Online Smith, Nicole. Nathaniel Hawthorne: an overview of the author and thematic analysis. 2011. Online Read More