Overview

""The Development of the American Short Story"" is a comprehensive historical and critical analysis of a uniquely American literary form. Written by Fred Lewis Pattee, often considered the first professor of American literature, this seminal study traces the evolution of the short story from its early roots in the works of Washington Irving to its peak in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Pattee examines the social, cultural, and artistic forces that shaped the genre, providing in-depth critiques of major figures such as Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Bret Harte, and O. Henry. The work explores how the short story became a vehicle for expressing American identity, local color, and psychological depth. By cataloging the technical shifts and thematic preoccupations of various eras, Pattee offers readers a thorough understanding of how the short story transitioned from simple sketches to complex, structured narratives. This study remains an essential resource for students of American literature and literary history. It highlights the significance of the short story as a distinct art form and documents its rapid rise within the American publishing landscape. Pattee's scholarly approach combined with his engaging prose makes this a foundational text for anyone interested in the development of American prose fiction and the masters who defined its trajectory. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

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9781025596655

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