The Politics of Anxiety in Nineteenth-Century American Literature

Justine S. Murison delves into the intricate relationship between anxiety and literature in nineteenth-century America, unfolding the political dimensions of this emotional landscape. The exploration provides a nuanced examination of how authors responded to the societal anxieties of their time, revealing the interplay between individual narratives and broader cultural tensions.

Murison effectively argues that anxiety was not merely a personal affliction but a collective experience that shaped literary production. Through a variety of texts and contexts, she uncovers how writers navigated the fears and uncertainties surrounding issues such as identity, social change, and national unity. This analysis illuminates the ways in which literature served as both a reflection and a critique of the era’s anxieties, ultimately shaping the American literary canon.

By placing anxiety at the forefront of her study, Murison challenges readers to rethink the role of emotions in literature. Her work emphasizes the significance of historical context in understanding literary texts, inviting a deeper engagement with the cultural and political undercurrents that permeate American literature from this period.