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Colonial Literature analysis of Pleasures of an American Farmer by St. John de Crevecoeur . By Grant Janke and Wes Howard . Pleasures of an American Farmer. Published in 1782 Most popular book written by De Crevecoeur About an American farmer, which is his life aspiration
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Colonial Literature analysis of Pleasures of an American Farmer by St. John de Crevecoeur By Grant Janke and Wes Howard
Pleasures of an American Farmer • Published in 1782 • Most popular book written by De Crevecoeur • About an American farmer, which is his life aspiration • Progresses into an opposition of slavery with each letter • Creates a persona named James who is writing to his friend in Europe
Epistolary Novel? • A Epistolary Novel is written in a series. • The most common form is in letters. • The Pleasures of an American Farmer is a series of pretend letters sent to a man in Europe by a man in America. • De Crevecoeur uses the letters as a literary device to pose as a American farmer.
De Crevecoeur's definition of American/s • De Crevecoeur envies the American farmer. • He also wants to be one. • He believes Americans are the “Pilgrims of the west”. He idolizes American farmers for their simple though respectful life.
“American Dream” • His view of the “American Dream” was to be a farmer who was married, owned land, who worshipped, had children, and lived in simplicity in a new world. • His emphasis on having a respectful and good name is evident throughout the book.
The Revolution’s Effects • He would not take sides with Britain nor America. He was imprisoned for 3 months as a American spy. • When he returned to America, he found that his farm was destroyed and his wife died. • His children were taken away and he eventually regained custody of them.
“Melting-Pot” • De Crevecoeur also created the well known metaphor for America as “Melting-Pot” . • “Here individuals of all nations are melted into a new race of men, whose labors and posterity will one day cause great changes in the world” • He talks about how America is were multiple cultures live together in harmony and order.
Works Cited • "Michel-Guillaume-Saint-Jean de Crevecoeur." Encyclopedia Britannica. 2010. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. 02 Nov. 2010 <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/142841/Michel-Guillaume-Saint-Jean-de-Crevecoeur>. • De Crevecoeur, St. John. Pleasures Of a American Farmer. 1782. Print. • Ellis-Christensen, Tricia. "What is an Epistolary Novel?." wiseGeek. N.p., 08 September 2010. Web. 2 Nov 2010. <http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-epistolary-novel.htm>. • Mrs. Tomblin