"Studies in Classic American Literature" by D.H. Lawrence offers a profound and often controversial analysis of key works in American literature. Lawrence, a British writer, provides an outsider's perspective on the American psyche through his critiques of authors such as Benjamin Franklin, James Fenimore Cooper, Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Herman Melville, and Walt Whitman. His essays delve into the moral and spiritual undercurrents of these authors' works, challenging the conventional views of American literature.Lawrence begins by examining Benjamin Franklin, whom he sees as the embodiment of the American ethos of practicality and industriousness. However, Lawrence criticizes Franklin's moral perfectionism, suggesting that it suppresses the darker, more instinctual aspects of human nature. This critique sets the tone for Lawrence's broader analysis of American literature, where he frequently contrasts the surface morality and idealism with underlying complexities and contradictions.In his analysis of James Fenimore Cooper, Lawrence focuses on the Leatherstocking Tales, particularly "The Last of the Mohicans." He praises Cooper for capturing the raw, untamed spirit of the American wilderness but also critiques the romanticized portrayal of Native Americans and frontiersmen. Lawrence argues that Cooper's works reflect the inherent conflict between civilization and the wild, a theme that he sees as central to the American experience. This dichotomy, according to Lawrence, reveals the American struggle to reconcile progress with the loss of primal freedom.Edgar Allan Poe's work receives a mixed appraisal from Lawrence. He acknowledges Poe's genius in exploring the macabre and the irrational aspects of the human psyche but criticizes his detachment from the natural world. Lawrence suggests that Poe's emphasis on the gothic and the grotesque reflects a disconnection from the vitality of life. This disconnection, Lawrence argues, is symptomatic of a broader malaise in American culture, which he sees as overly cerebral and estranged from the primal forces of nature.Nathaniel Hawthorne is praised for his exploration of moral complexity and the dark undercurrents of Puritanism. Lawrence's analysis of "The Scarlet Letter" highlights Hawthorne's ability to portray the inner conflicts and hypocrisies of his characters. He commends Hawthorne for his nuanced depiction of sin and redemption, which he sees as a more authentic reflection of human experience than the moral absolutism found in Franklin. However, Lawrence also notes Hawthorne's tendency to retreat into allegory and symbolism, which he believes can obscure the raw emotional power of his narratives.Herman Melville's "Moby-Dick" is lauded as a masterpiece of American literature, with Lawrence emphasizing its epic scope and philosophical depth. He interprets Captain Ahab's obsession with the white whale as a symbol of the American quest for dominance and control. Lawrence sees Ahab as a tragic figure whose monomaniacal pursuit of the whale ultimately leads to his destruction, reflecting the destructive potential of unchecked ambition and the hubris of trying to conquer nature. This, Lawrence argues, is a central theme in the American narrative: the tension between individual will and the vast, indifferent forces of the universe.Walt Whitman is celebrated by Lawrence for his exuberant embrace of life and his vision of a democratic, egalitarian society. In "Leaves of Grass," Lawrence finds a vibrant, life-affirming spirit that contrasts sharply with the more somber tones of other American writers. Whitman's poetry, with its celebration of the body, nature, and the collective human experience, embodies the ideal of a harmonious existence. However, Lawrence also cautions against Whitman's uncritical optimism, suggesting that it can gloss over the deeper struggles and contradictions inherent in the American experience.Throughout "Studies in Classic American Literature," Lawrence's interpretations are deeply personal and often provocative. He challenges readers to reconsider the moral and psychological dimensions of these classic works, offering a perspective that is both critical and appreciative. By highlighting the tensions between idealism and reality, civilization and nature, Lawrence provides a rich, nuanced understanding of American literature and its reflection of the broader American ethos. His essays remain a significant contribution to literary criticism, prompting ongoing debates about the meanings and implications of these foundational texts.
