The American Renaissance celebrated specific authors who came to epitomize the era's intellectual and artistic achievements. However, amidst this literary resurgence, the significant contributions of Jane Johnston Schoolcraft have regrettably been marginalized and excluded from mainstream discourse. While Edgar Allan Poe's dark tales earned him a central position in the canon, Schoolcraft's culturally rich and insightful work has been unjustly overlooked by later critics who shaped the American literary canon during the mid-20th century. This essay argues that such omission represents a disservice to the American Renaissance's literary heritage. Schoolcraft's writings offer a unique perspective on historical issues, particularly the impact of European colonization on Native American communities and the struggle for indigenous cultural preservation. By examining Schoolcraft's work alongside Poe's, this essay aims to rectify her neglect and advocate for reevaluating her within 19th-century American literature.
Edgar Allan Poe's life was marked by personal tragedies that profoundly influenced his literary endeavors during the American Renaissance. Born in 1809 to traveling actors, Poe experienced early loss with the deaths of his mother and later his foster mother (Brown & McGowan, 2018). These experiences of abandonment and grief permeated much of his work, contributing to the sad and dark themes that define his writing. Poe's financial struggles compounded his tumultuous personal life, fostering anxiety and fear that found expression in tales like The Tell-Tale Heart and The Fall of the House of Usher. These struggles, combined with his keen intellect and mastery of language, propelled Poe to the forefront of American literature, securing his place in the canon.
In contrast, Jane Johnston Schoolcraft's life was shaped by her Ojibwe and Scots-Irish heritage. Born in 1800 to a prominent Ojibwe chief and an Irish mother, Schoolcraft navigated the complexities of her dual identity and the cultural clash brought about by European colonization (Cavalier, 2013). Her writings reflect a unique perspective on the impact of colonialism on Native American communities and the struggle for cultural preservation. Exposed to Ojibwe oral traditions and Western literary education, Schoolcraft bridged her cultural heritage with the English-speaking world. Despite challenges and differing scholarly opinions on her husband Henry Rowe Schoolcraft's influence over her work (Cavalier, 2013; Corbman, 2016), Schoolcraft's literary contributions notably preserved Ojibwe legends and folklore, becoming one of the earliest Native American literary figures to write in English.
The end of the 19th century marked a period of profound social, political, and cultural change. Edgar Allan Poe's commentary on societal upheavals during the American Renaissance centered on the decay of aristocracy, reflected in his gothic tales like The Fall of the House of Usher. In contrast, Jane Johnston Schoolcraft's writings provide a nuanced perspective on the consequences of European colonization on indigenous communities. Her works articulate displacement, cultural erosion, and the urgent need for cultural preservation, challenging prevailing narratives like manifest destiny.
One of Schoolcraft's poignant works, Lines Written at Castle Island, Lake Superior, vividly illustrates societal decay amid manifest destiny and westward expansion. The poem, infused with reflections on European colonization's impact, is a timeless testament to Native American struggles during a transformative era in American history. Another example of Jane Johnston Schoolcraft's work that highlights the unfair treatment of her people is her poem A Vision of Poesy. In this poem, Schoolcraft delves into the cultural and societal challenges faced by Native Americans, emphasizing the injustices and struggles brought about by European colonization. Here's an analysis of the poem and how it portrays the unfair treatment of her people:
A Vision of Poesy by Jane Johnston Schoolcraft is a poignant exploration of the Native American experience amidst the tumultuous changes wrought by European colonization. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, Schoolcraft presents a vision that encapsulates the struggles and injustices faced by her people. The poem opens with a depiction of a once pristine and harmonious natural world, symbolizing the traditional life and cultural richness of Native American communities. However, this idyllic scene is soon disrupted by the arrival of "strangers," representing the European colonizers whose presence brings turmoil and discord. Schoolcraft uses stark contrasts between the peaceful past and the disruptive present to underscore the impact of colonization on Native American societies.
One of the central themes in A Vision of Poesy is the loss of autonomy and cultural degradation experienced by Native Americans. Schoolcraft laments the "spoiled haunts" and "wasting fields," metaphorically depicting the destruction of indigenous lands and the erosion of traditional ways of life. The imagery of "a blasted heath, where the wild flow'rets once so thickly grew" vividly conveys the devastation wrought by colonization, where once-thriving landscapes are reduced to desolation. Moreover, Schoolcraft critiques the Eurocentric perspective that devalues Native American culture and knowledge. She challenges the notion of progress imposed by colonizers, highlighting the wisdom and beauty inherent in her people's traditions. The lines "The song of birds has lost its tone, / The woodnote of the waters flown" symbolize not just the environmental impact of colonization but also the loss of cultural vibrancy and spiritual connection with the natural world. The poem serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by Native American communities and the enduring resilience of their cultural heritage in the face of adversity.
Comparing Edgar Allan Poe and Jane Johnston Schoolcraft within the American Renaissance context reveals their distinct contributions to exploring societal decay. While Poe delves into the decline of traditional aristocracy, Schoolcraft sheds light on Native American cultural erosion due to colonization. Recognizing Schoolcraft's importance alongside Poe enriches our understanding of diverse narratives shaping American literature during this pivotal era.
References
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Cavalier, C. R. (2013). Jane Johnston Schoolcraft’s Sentimental Lessons: Native Literary Collaboration and Resistance. MELUS, 38(1), 98–118. https://doi.org/10.1093/melus/mls001Â
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Corbman, K. (2016, December 12). The two identities of Jane Johnston Schoolcraft: Native American Life & Womanhood Collide in the Nineteenth Century. Virginia Lucas Poetry Scrapbook. https://scalar.usc.edu/works/lucas-collection-poetry-scrapbook/the-two-identities-of-jane-johnston-schoolcraft-native-american-life--womanhood-collide-in-the-nineteenth-century
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Silvernail, D. (2023, April 4). The poetry of Jane Johnston Schoolcraft. Women & the American Story. https://wams.nyhistory.org/expansions-and-inequalities/westward-expansion/poetry-of-jane-johnston-schoolcraft/