Between 1840 and 1910, the nation's far-flung hamlets and villages became a legitimate and even fashionable subject for literary scrutiny. The pages of America's newspapers, magazines and books began to overflow with new materials. Writers from all over the United States published lively vignettes depicting scenes from life in their corner of the country. By 1872, William Dean Howells was crowing proudly that "gradually, but pretty surely, the whole varied field of American life is coming into view in American fiction."* From investigating the evidence on this site, I think you'll see what he meant.
   These writers and texts, and the issues which they raise, are the subject of this site. All written materials here--unless otherwise specified-- are taken from Dottie Webb's dissertation "Particular Places: Regional Writing in the United States, 1880-1910," for the doctoral program in English Language & Literature at the University of Michigan.
   I have included a traditional Table of Contents; since I maintain this site in my spare time, this screen is your best guide to the materials I have posted.
"He looked curiously at his reflection"--
(Illustration to Bret Harte's story "Left Out on Lone Star Mountain,"
1889 edition.)





*The introductory quote is William Dean Howells, taken from his "Review of William Flagg, A Good Investment; a Story of the Upper Ohio," The Atlantic Monthly, 30 (October 1872): 487.


"Nineteenth-century Regional Writing in the United States" is the work of Dottie Webb, Ph.D.. For suggestions, complaints, cattle-rustling schemes or gossiping over the fence in neighborly fashion, send your e-correspondence to drdot@chartermi.net


This document was last modified 2/7/05.
I am moving myself and it.