Introduction: What makes a country's literature?

This introduction was the most insightful to me. Most of us are familiar with the time period, at least better than the previous ones, and so the history lessons were less necessary. However, I found it important to see how American Literature came into itself. The times from 1820-1865 are so momentous in American history, and so full of conflict that it is hard to not think about it in terms of the beginning of America's existance. This may seem like a given to the majority of people, but then why was it so difficult to invent and realize such a thing as American Literature?

I think the most important part was the realization that we (America) wanted our own literature. It seems that in America, and all newly forming countries, by possessing an individual literature one possesses an individual way of expression, thinking, and life. It is a way of breaking free and truly being oneself.

By focusing on this time period, American authors were able to bring something new to the collective world literature table. But the distinctness of America's travel narratives and convent captivity novels and war stories were not enough. Why? The author of the introduction says that American literature was not created until authors looked back to the previous time periods (Puritan and Enlightenment) and claimed them to be American. And, thus, provided a "continuously unfolding of national history and literature."

I tend to agree. I think the only way a nation can have a distinct literature is for all the major authors to come together and decide that their history is indeed theirs. And then draw on the events of that history for their writings. A quote provided in the introduction stuck out to me. Literature certainly is not the most important freedom for a nation, but the recognition of a nation on an intellectual level is perhaps one of the proudest.

"The proudest freedom to which a nation can aspire, not excepting even political independence, is found in complete emancipation from literary thralldom." --Solyman Brown