Why a National Literature Cannot Flourish in the United States of North America

In Short

This book is a critical survey of the cultural landscape of the United States in 1845. The author argues that American literature fails to thrive because of an obsession with religious fanaticism, a lack of international copyright protections, and an unhealthy reliance on foreign models. By blending social commentary with earnest moral philosophy, the text attempts to goad the young nation toward a more mature intellectual life. It remains a fascinating historical artifact, capturing the anxieties and contradictions of a burgeoning republic grappling with its own identity and its place within the broader Western tradition.

The Story

The narrative arc begins with a direct challenge to the common mid-19th-century assumption that America was simply too young a country to produce a classical literature. The author dismisses this "youth" argument, pointing out that American settlers brought the full weight of European history, laws, and religious traditions with them across the Atlantic. From this opening premise, the book broadens into a wide-ranging critique of American society. The author shifts his focus to the pervasive role of religious sectarianism, which he believes diverted intellectual energy away from the arts and sciences, leading to social violence and civil unrest. He contends that an over-reliance on the Bible as a substitute for rigorous secular education stunted the development of a truly modern, critical consciousness.

As the argument progresses, the author turns his ire toward the press. He depicts American newspapers as largely unprincipled, arguing that "low scribblers" used their platforms to destroy reputations and degrade the quality of the English language itself. He views this journalistic decay as a symptom of a larger, systemic lack of civility, lamenting that political discourse had devolved into petty caricatures and public vitriol. This leads to a discussion of travel writing, where the author scrutinizes how Americans and foreigners alike misinterpret each other's cultures. He highlights the "chilling pride" often mistaken for dignity, suggesting that Americans and Europeans alike would benefit from a more charitable, unprejudiced view of foreign customs, provided they are willing to critique their own nations with the same honesty.

The latter portion of the book focuses on the practical barriers to literary growth. The author argues that the lack of an international copyright law was the primary culprit, as it allowed publishers to flood the market with cheap, reprinted European works while leaving domestic authors to starve. Without financial protection or social encouragement, the "American genius" remained stifled. The author concludes by calling for a more expansive, cosmopolitan identity. He proposes the term "Unitedstatians" to better define the nation’s citizens and urges his readers to move beyond provincialism. He argues that a true national literature requires the support of virtuous, liberal-minded citizens who value the arts as the highest glory of a republic. The final plea is for a synthesis of global wisdom—a move toward becoming a "World’s nation"—where the pursuit of perfection and moral integrity finally allows American writers to speak with an authentic, inspired voice.

How It Unfolds

The challenge of youth The author refutes the idea that America is too young to possess a classical literature, noting that the country possesses the full cultural heritage of Europe. He asserts that American soil may be new, but the people who inhabit it are as ancient and experienced as their European counterparts.

Religious and political critiques The text pivots to the dangers of religious fanaticism, which the author links to social instability and the neglect of secular science. He argues that a functional republic requires arts and sciences to take precedence over divisive religious debates.

The degradation of the press The narrative moves into a sharp condemnation of unprincipled newspaper editors who prioritize sensationalism over honor. The author laments the use of "strong words" and caricatures, which he claims degrade the quality of public discourse and threaten individual reputations.

The failure of infrastructure The author identifies the lack of an international copyright law as a fatal flaw that prevents domestic authors from earning a living. By favoring reprints of established foreign works, the market effectively kills the chance for a new American Milton to emerge.

A vision for the future The conclusion acts as a call to arms for the "Unitedstatians" to abandon provincialism. The author envisions a future where the nation embraces its role as a moral leader, supported by a literature that reflects the virtues of a truly free society.

The People

The author, Joseph Rocchietti, serves as the primary, guiding voice throughout the text. He is a man of strong convictions and high moral standards, identifying himself as an outsider—a European intellectual observing the American experiment. He wants the United States to fulfill its potential as a beacon of liberty, but he is consistently frustrated by what he perceives as the nation’s lack of artistic maturity and moral focus.

He contrasts the ideal "republican patriot" against the "low scribbler" and the "dandy." The scribbler is the antagonist of the literary world, a dishonest operator who destroys reputations for profit. The dandy represents a shallow, materialistic class that prizes appearance over substance. The author also features the "credulous father," a cautionary figure who chooses to ignore the reality of human character and phrenology, often leading to his own ruin.

The author holds a special regard for the "American lady," whom he views as more intellectually curious than her male counterparts. He frequently portrays her as an individual of superior sensibility who is nonetheless held back by a society that treats her as a decorative object rather than an intellectual equal. By the end, these figures represent the raw materials of a young nation—some trapped by prejudice and vanity, others capable of the "virtuous enthusiasm" required to build a great, lasting culture.

In Its Own Voice

"The american soil is new; but, the american people is not younger than the european people."

The author counters the excuse that the United States is too young to compete with the literary history of Europe.

"If from smoke we argue it must be some fire; from fanaticism we must expect civil wars."

The author warns that religious extremism will inevitably lead to the breakdown of civil order.

"The man of genius being a mere child in business, he will always be the victim of the wily book merchant, though there are gentlemen among all professions."

The author advocates for structural changes to the publishing industry to protect the livelihoods of creative writers.

What It's Really About

At its core, this book is a meditation on the conditions required for a nation to achieve intellectual independence. The author argues that a true national literature cannot exist in a vacuum; it requires a bedrock of shared moral values, economic protections for artists, and a cosmopolitan willingness to learn from other cultures. The underlying tension is between the author’s idealistic vision of a republic—where the pursuit of virtue and excellence is the highest goal—and the reality of a commercially driven, sectarian, and often superficial society. The work questions whether a country can truly call itself a republic if it permits "despotical laws" to suppress the high-minded and if it prioritizes profit over the "blessings" of cultural progress.

Why Read It Today

Readers interested in the history of American thought, the early 19th-century publishing industry, or the evolution of American identity will find this book deeply rewarding. Reading it feels like sitting across from an earnest, occasionally irascible, and deeply passionate observer who is trying to explain his adopted home to itself. The tone is bracingly direct; the author does not mince words regarding his disdain for the "scribblers" or the hypocrisies he observes in American social life.

However, modern readers should be prepared for the author’s idiosyncratic views—particularly his reliance on phrenology as a gauge of human character—and his occasionally dense, Victorian prose. Some of the specific grievances regarding 1840s political figures and religious tensions may require a basic knowledge of the era to fully appreciate. Yet, the persistent relevance of his questions—about the health of the press, the importance of protecting the arts, and the danger of allowing national pride to curdle into provincialism—remains striking. It is not an easy, breezy read, but for those who enjoy historical polemics that challenge the status quo, this book offers a unique and intimate window into the growing pains of a young nation. The author’s sincere, if flawed, attempt to envision a more perfect society lingers long after the final page.