Apocalyptic Sentimentalism: Love and Fear in U.S. Antebellum Literature PDF
Preview Apocalyptic Sentimentalism: Love and Fear in U.S. Antebellum Literature
Apocalyptic Sentimentalism This page intentionally left blank Apocalyptic Sentimentalism Love and Fear in U.S. Antebellum Literature Kevin Pelletier The University of Georgia Press Athens and London © 2015 by the University of Georgia Press Athens, Georgia 30602 www .ugapress .org All rights reserved Set in Adobe Caslon Pro by Graphic Composition, Inc. Printed and bound by Thomson Shore, Inc. The paper in this book meets the guidelines for permanence and durability of the Committee on Production Guidelines for Book Longevity of the Council on Library Resources. Most University of Georgia Press titles are available from popular e-book vendors. Printed in the United States of America 18 17 16 15 14 c 5 4 3 2 1 Library of Congress Cataloging- in-Publication Data Pelletier, Kevin, 1975– Apocalyptic sentimentalism : love and fear in U.S. antebellum literature / Kevin Pelletier. pages cm Includes bibliographical references and index. isbn 978-0-8203-3948-1 (hardback) — isbn 978-0-8203-4773-8 (e- book) 1. American literature—19th century—History and criticism. 2. Slavery in literature. 3. Antislavery movements in literature. 4. Apocalyptic literature. 5. African Americans in literature. 6. Emotions in literature. 7. Literature and society—United States—History—19th century. I. Title. II. Title: Love and fear in U.S. antebellum literature. ps217.s55p45 2015 810.9'003—dc23 2014021694 ISBNfordigitaledition:978-0-8203-4773-8 British Library Cataloging- in-Publication Data available For Kendra This page intentionally left blank Contents Acknowledgments ix Introduction: The Sentimental Apocalypse 1 part one. Black Abolition and the Ideological Roots of Apocalyptic Sentimentalism One. David Walker, Nat Turner, and the Logic of Sentimental Terror 35 Two. “The Wrath of the Lamb”: Maria W. Stewart and the Domestication of Apocalypse 59 part two. Salvation through Motherly Vengeance: The Sentimentality of Harriet Beecher Stowe Three. Uncle Tom’s Cabin and the Fictionalization of Apocalyptic Sentimentalism 97 Four. “Can Fear of Fire Make Me Love?”: Dred and the Incarnation of Apocalypse 120 part three. John Brown and the Legacy of Apocalyptic Sentimentalism Five. Sentimental John Brown 153 Coda: The Civil War and Modern Apocalyptic Sentimentalism 181 Notes 193 Bibliography 229 Index 245 This page intentionally left blank Acknowledgments Having spent so long thinking and writing about vengeance and wrath and ter- ror, I am relieved finally to be able to express my affection and gratitude for the colleagues, teachers, students, family, and friends that helped make this book possible. I began to develop this project at suny Buffalo, and I received expert guid- ance from many gifted teachers, especially Neil Schmitz, Robert Daly, and Stacy Hubbard. I am particularly indebted to Carrie Tirado Bramen, who pro- vided indispensable instruction and support as this project evolved. I hope this book lives up to her expectations. I could not have completed this manuscript without generous financial sup- port from the University of Richmond and the intellectual support of my in- credible department. My thanks to Suzanne Jones who, as my department chair, always made sure I had enough time to research and write, and to Bert Ashe, Laura Browder, Abigail Cheever, Daryl Dance, Terryl Givens, Libby Gruner, Brian Henry, Ray Hilliard, Peter Lurie, Joyce MacAllister, Anthony Russell, Ilka Saal, Louis Schwartz, Julietta Singh, Nathan Snaza, David Stevens, Louis Tremaine, Nicole Sackley, Eric Yellin, and Doug Winiarski, who have all en- hanced my intellectual life and selflessly provided emotional sustenance when I needed it. My ideas for this book were sharpened over many lunches (and even more desserts) with Rob Nelson. He is a valued friend and dependable interlocutor. Thanks to Marcia Whitehead, Lucretia McCulley, and the entire library staff at the University of Richmond for locating and retrieving essential documents. I have taught some extraordinary students at the University of Richmond. However, my fall 2012 U.S. Apocalyptic Literature and Culture seminar— which included Scott Rockensies, Miles McKemy, Denise Parker, Austin ix
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