LITR 4231 Early American Literature Research Posts 2014 (research post assignment) Research Post 1

Matthew Trcezinski

Charles Brockden Brown: Father of the American Novel

          Before this class I had no idea who Charles Brockden Brown was. Yet just listening to the professor talk about how he was Poe before Poe was born intrigued me. And seeing as he lived a short life like Poe and that during his life he was an influential writer for future generations. Because of his widespread influence he achieved in his short life he seems like an interesting writer not unlike Edgar Allan Poe. And who is seen as the father of the American novel and also could be the father of the American gothic novel.

          Alan Axelrod’s book on Charles Brockden Brown tells that while his works are flawed in most aspects, it is the flaws or imperfections in his works that impress the most. And saying that Brockden Brown had an effect on Poe is touched upon by Axelrod saying that Poe borrowed from Brockden Brown in the “Pit and the Pendulum” and various other ways as in parts of Edgar Huntly. And it wasn’t just Poe that he influenced it is interesting that the list also includes Hawthorne and Melville as well.

          Aside from just novels, Brockden Brown also wrote for magazines and though they failed at the time it was an endeavor to try and reading Warfel’s description of Brockden Brown on why he was not popular sounds similar to Poe in that he wasn’t humorous, but unlike his successors Brockden Brown didn’t have the literary skills or the control to be a success within his lifetime. Yet looking at his works, be it in his novels, pamphlets or critiques now his devotion helped shape American literature for future generations to come.

          Looking over David Lee Clark’s book, it tells that like many American authors, Brockden Brown was recognized in Europe before garnering any notice in America. His works were translated into French and German and he was referred to as the greatest American novelist since Hawthorne and even in England he garnered a lot of interest as well. It is sad that he had to be known worldwide before gaining any interest at home.

          With little knowledge of who Charles Brockden Brown was, going into this research assignment I did not know what to expect when looking up information on him. It was interesting to find out how influential he was on future authors and how he was essentially the father of the American novel and the American gothic novel. This in turn makes me want to read some of his novels and see how they influenced other influential authors.

Bibliography

Axelrod, Alan. Charles Brockden Brown, an American Tale. Austin. University of Texas Press, 1983. Print

“Charles Brockden Brown." Encyclodaedia Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica Online Academic Edition. Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc, 2014 Web. 25 Mar 2014

Clark, David Lee. Charles Brockden Brown: American Pioneer Voice of America. Durham, North Carolina: Duke University Press, 1952. Print.

Warfel, Harry R. Charles Brockden Brown: American Gothic Novelist. Gainsville: University of Florida Press, 1949. Print.