Literature Network » Ralph Waldo Emerson

'The best of nations'? Race and imperial destinies in Emerson's English Traits.(Critical Essay)

Content courtesy of

From: Yearbook of English Studies
Date: 20040101
Author:Castillo, Susan

ABSTRACT

This articles analyses Ralph Waldo Emerson's English Traits, with particular emphasis on Emerson's ideas on race and national identity. It begins with a discussion of the transatlantic critical reception of Emerson's text and goes on to discuss the structure of English Traits and how it conforms to and diverges from the conventions of nineteenth-century travel writing. It then examines the impact of theories of race as set forth by writers such as Robert Chambers and Robert Knox on Emerson's thought regarding the development of American national character.

...

Read the rest of this article with a Free Trial at HighBeam Research.

Other Articles on Ralph Waldo Emerson

About Our Articles: We've partnered with Highbeam Research to provide these article excerpts for your research needs. However, due to copyright laws, we cannot publish the whole article. To view these articles in full length you'll need to use the link above to access the free trial at Highbeam.