Life on the Prairie: depictions of landscape and identity in late nineteenth century and early twentieth century Great Plains literature

Abstract

This project analyzes how American literature from the late 19th to the early 20th century portrays rural life on the Great Plains of the Midwest. It suggests an allegorical connection between the landscapes depicted and the characters' identities. After the Civil War, in an America undergoing reconstruction, expansion, and industrialization, some authors and intellectuals expressed nostalgia for a rural, agrarian America, which was already in decline. Some idealized it as an alternative to the perceived wrongs of the modern world, while others remained more realistic, describing the hardships, pleasures, and challenges of daily life on the prairies. These landscapes are both a physical and psychological frontier for the burgeoning American society. The literature of this period shows varying tones, but it always takes place in the vast American plains. This theme is a precursor to the "Western" theme that is emblematic of American culture. The settlers who inhabit these landscapes are inseparable from them. The relationship between humans and nature is unique, as the appearance of one can shape the identity of the other. This paper explores and analyzes this relationship using concrete examples and extracts, as well as providing an overview of the relevant literature, including its history, context, characteristics, and reception.