All the Devils Are Here: American Romanticism and Literary Influence

The English literary influence on classic American novelists depictions of gender, sexuality, and race is explored in David Greven's book, All the Devils Are Here. He shows how Shakespeare and Milton were used by Herman Melville, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and James Fenimore Cooper to reflect an intertextual relationship and an ongoing engagement with gender and sexual politics. Greven focuses on male authors' treatment of femininity, arguing that the figure of woman functions as a multivalent signifier for artistic expression.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 05 April 2024
Publisher: University of Virginia Press

The profound influence of English literature on the depictions of gender, sexuality, and race in classic American novels is a subject that has been the focus of increasing scholarly attention. In his groundbreaking work, "All the Devils Are Here," literary scholar David Greven makes a significant contribution to this growing body of research. Through a meticulous analysis of the works of Herman Melville, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and James Fenimore Cooper, Greven uncovers a rich intertextual relationship between American Romanticism and the English literary tradition. He reveals how these authors, in their use of Shakespeare and Milton, engaged not only with each other but also with pressing gender and sexual politics of their time.

Greven's study is particularly insightful in its exploration of how Shakespeare's "Much Ado about Nothing" influenced Hawthorne's examination of patriarchy. He demonstrates how Hawthorne's portrayal of women in "The Scarlet Letter" was shaped by his understanding of the complex dynamics of power and gender in Shakespeare's play. Similarly, Greven shows how Melville's portrayal of "the step-mother world" of orphaned men in "Moby-Dick" was informed by his interpretation of the misogyny prevalent in Shakespeare's "King Lear."

Throughout his analysis, Greven focuses on the treatment of femininity by male authors. He argues that the figure of the woman functions as a multivalent signifier for artistic expression, allowing these writers to explore and comment on the complexities of gender roles and relationships. Greven's work demonstrates the ambitions of these writers to transcend their cultural and historical contexts and to make unique contributions to the history of Western literature and the future of art.

In conclusion, "All the Devils Are Here" is a groundbreaking study that sheds new light on the intricate relationship between English literature and the representation of gender, sexuality, and race in classic American novels. Through its meticulous analysis and insightful interpretations, Greven provides a valuable contribution to the field of literary studies and offers a deeper understanding of the rich literary heritage that has shaped American literature.

Weight: 492g
Dimension: 150 x 229 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780813951027