Sacvan Bercovitch is a prominent literary critic and scholar known for his work on American literature. He has written numerous books on the subject, focusing on the theme of American exceptionalism and its impact on literary writing.
Sacvan Bercovitch Books in Order
- The American Jeremiad
- The Puritan Origins of the American Self
- The Rites of Assent: Transformations in the Symbolic Construction of America
- The Office of The Scarlet Letter
- The Cambridge History of American Literature, Volume 1: 1590-1820
- Ideology and Classic American Literature (Cambridge Studies in American Literature and Culture, Series Number 16)
- Reconstructing American Literary History
- The Cambridge History of American Literature 8 Volume Set
- The Cambridge History of American Literature, Volume 3: Prose Writing, 1860–1920
- The Cambridge History of American Literature, Volume 2: Prose Writing, 1820-1865
Overview of Sacvan Bercovitch Books in Order
The American Jeremiad
“The American Jeremiad” by Sacvan Bercovitch is a book that explores the tradition of the American Jeremiad, a form of literary and political expression that dates back to the Puritans. Bercovitch delves into the history and development of the American Jeremiad, tracing its roots to the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah and examining its evolution in American culture and literature. He argues that the American Jeremiad has been a powerful rhetorical tool used to critique and challenge prevailing social and political structures, while also reinforcing a sense of national identity and shared purpose.
Bercovitch’s analysis of the American Jeremiad covers a wide range of texts and historical periods, offering insights into how this literary form has been used to address issues such as slavery, westward expansion, and the American Revolution. He also discusses the ways in which the Jeremiad has been utilized by a diverse array of voices, including Native Americans, African Americans, and women, highlighting its versatility and enduring relevance in American society. Ultimately, Bercovitch’s book provides a comprehensive and thought-provoking examination of the American Jeremiad’s enduring impact on American culture and politics, shedding light on its ongoing significance as a tool for both criticism and affirmation.
Overall, “The American Jeremiad” offers a compelling and nuanced analysis of a distinctive form of American political and literary expression, shedding light on the ways in which the Jeremiad has shaped and reflected the nation’s evolving identity and values. Bercovitch’s scholarship is thorough and insightful, making this book a valuable resource for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the role of the American Jeremiad in shaping American history and culture.
The Puritan Origins of the American Self
“The Puritan Origins of the American Self” by Sacvan Bercovitch is a seminal work that explores the influence of Puritan ideology on the development of the American identity. Bercovitch argues that the Puritan belief in individualism, self-reliance, and the pursuit of success shaped the American self-concept, laying the groundwork for the country’s unique national character. The book traces the evolution of these ideas from the early colonial period to the present day, examining their impact on literature, politics, and culture.
Bercovitch’s analysis highlights the tension between the Puritan emphasis on individual responsibility and the communal values that emerged in response to the challenges of the new world. He also delves into the ways in which Puritan theology shaped American attitudes towards race, gender, and social hierarchy. By drawing connections between historical events and literary works, Bercovitch offers a comprehensive understanding of the complex interplay between Puritanism and the American self.
Overall, “The Puritan Origins of the American Self” provides a thorough and thought-provoking exploration of the Puritan influence on the American psyche. Bercovitch’s incisive scholarship sheds light on the enduring legacy of Puritanism and its impact on the national character, making this book essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the roots of American identity.
The Rites of Assent: Transformations in the Symbolic Construction of America
“The Rites of Assent: Transformations in the Symbolic Construction of America” by Sacvan Bercovitch is a scholarly exploration of the ways in which America has been symbolically constructed throughout its history. Bercovitch argues that the American identity is based on a series of rites of assent, or rituals of affirmation, that have evolved over time. He examines how these rites have been shaped by factors such as religion, politics, and art, and how they have influenced the way that Americans think about themselves and their nation.
Bercovitch’s book is divided into four sections, each of which focuses on a different aspect of American culture. The first section looks at the role of religion in shaping American identity, while the second section examines the impact of politics. The third section delves into the influence of literature and art, and the final section explores the way that these various influences have come together to create a distinctive American identity. Throughout the book, Bercovitch demonstrates how these rites of assent have been used to construct and reinforce a sense of American exceptionalism, and how they have been employed to uphold various power structures.
Overall, “The Rites of Assent” offers a thought-provoking analysis of how America’s sense of identity has been shaped by a series of cultural rituals. Bercovitch’s book is an important contribution to the study of American culture and history, and it provides valuable insights into the ways that symbolic constructions have shaped the American nation. It is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complex and dynamic nature of American identity.
The Office of The Scarlet Letter
The content is being updated …
The Cambridge History of American Literature, Volume 1: 1590-1820
The content is being updated …
Ideology and Classic American Literature (Cambridge Studies in American Literature and Culture, Series Number 16)
“Ideology and Classic American Literature” by Sacvan Bercovitch is a comprehensive exploration of the relationship between ideology and literature in the context of classic American literature. Bercovitch examines the ways in which ideological concerns, particularly the idea of American exceptionalism, have shaped the development of American literature. By analyzing the works of classic American authors such as Nathaniel Hawthorne, Herman Melville, and Harriet Beecher Stowe, Bercovitch demonstrates how literature served as a crucial site for the negotiation and expression of ideological struggles in American society. Through his analysis, Bercovitch aims to provide a deeper understanding of the ways in which ideology has influenced the formation of American literary tradition.
Bercovitch also addresses the role of literature in reflecting and challenging dominant ideological paradigms. He argues that classic American literature has played a significant role in both reinforcing and critiquing prevailing ideologies, particularly in relation to issues of race, gender, and national identity. Bercovitch’s examination of these themes offers valuable insights into the ways in which literature has functioned as a battleground for ideological contestation in American society.
Overall, “Ideology and Classic American Literature” offers a compelling analysis of the complex interplay between literature and ideology in the development of American culture and identity. Bercovitch’s work provides a critical framework for understanding the ways in which classic American literature has both reflected and shaped ideological debates, making it a valuable resource for scholars and students of American literature and culture.
Reconstructing American Literary History
The content is being updated …
The Cambridge History of American Literature 8 Volume Set
The content is being updated …
The Cambridge History of American Literature, Volume 3: Prose Writing, 1860–1920
The content is being updated …
The Cambridge History of American Literature, Volume 2: Prose Writing, 1820-1865
“The Cambridge History of American Literature, Volume 2: Prose Writing, 1820-1865” by Sacvan Bercovitch is a comprehensive exploration of the literary landscape of the United States during the period of 1820 to 1865. The book delves into the diverse range of prose writing during this era, including fiction, essays, and other forms of non-fiction. Bercovitch provides a thorough analysis of the cultural, political, and social contexts that shaped American literature during this time, offering insights into the influential themes and ideas that emerged in the writings of prominent authors.
Bercovitch’s examination of this crucial period in American literature sheds light on the ways in which writers grappled with the issues of the time, such as racial tensions, westward expansion, and the struggle for national identity. The book also discusses the impact of key historical events, such as the Civil War, on the development of American prose writing. With its comprehensive coverage and insightful analysis, “The Cambridge History of American Literature, Volume 2” offers a valuable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in the rich literary heritage of the United States.
“The Cambridge History of American Literature, Volume 2: Prose Writing, 1820-1865” presents a nuanced and in-depth examination of the diverse range of prose writing during this formative period in American literary history. Bercovitch’s meticulous research and insightful analysis make this book an essential resource for understanding the evolution of American literature and the complex cultural and political forces that shaped it. This volume serves as a valuable contribution to the field of literary studies, providing a comprehensive overview of the works and writers that helped to define the American literary tradition during the first half of the 19th century.
About Sacvan Bercovitch
Sacvan Bercovitch, a Canadian literary and cultural critic, dedicated much of his life to teaching and writing in the United States. He earned his B.A. at Sir George Williams College (now Concordia University) in 1958 and went on to complete his Ph.D. at Claremont Graduate School (now Claremont Graduate University) in 1965. Throughout his career, Bercovitch taught at various prestigious institutions such as Brandeis, the University of California-San Diego, Princeton, and Columbia. Finally, he spent the last years of his teaching career at Harvard, where he held the Powell M. Cabot Professorship in American Literature until his retirement in 2001.
In conclusion, Sacvan Bercovitch’s books offer a comprehensive exploration of American literature and culture, providing valuable insights into the ideological underpinnings of American identity. Through his analyses of individual authors and their works, Bercovitch elucidates the ways in which American literature reflects and shapes national ideologies, contributing to a richer understanding of the complexities of American society. His groundbreaking scholarship offers a compelling framework for critically engaging with the cultural and ideological legacies that continue to inform the American experience.
FAQs about author Sacvan Bercovitch
The content is being updated …
