Apocalyptic Sentimentalism

Love and Fear in U.S. Antebellum Literature

Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism, American
Cover of the book Apocalyptic Sentimentalism by Kevin Pelletier, University of Georgia Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Kevin Pelletier ISBN: 9780820347738
Publisher: University of Georgia Press Publication: January 15, 2015
Imprint: University of Georgia Press Language: English
Author: Kevin Pelletier
ISBN: 9780820347738
Publisher: University of Georgia Press
Publication: January 15, 2015
Imprint: University of Georgia Press
Language: English

In contrast to the prevailing scholarly consensus that understands sentimentality to be grounded on a logic of love and sympathy, Apocalyptic Sentimentalism demonstrates that in order for sentimentality to work as an antislavery engine, it needed to be linked to its seeming opposite—fear, especially the fear of God’s wrath. Most antislavery reformers recognized that calls for love and sympathy or the representation of suffering slaves would not lead an audience to “feel right” or to actively oppose slavery. The threat of God’s apocalyptic vengeance—and the terror that this threat inspired—functioned within the tradition of abolitionist sentimentality as a necessary goad for sympathy and love. Fear, then, was at the center of nineteenth-century sentimental strategies for inciting antislavery reform, bolstering love when love faltered, and operating as a powerful mechanism for establishing interracial sympathy. Depictions of God’s apocalyptic vengeance constituted the most efficient strategy for antislavery writers to generate a sense of terror in their audience.

Focusing on a range of important antislavery figures, including David Walker, Nat Turner, Maria Stewart, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and John Brown, Apocalyptic Sentimentalism illustrates how antislavery discourse worked to redefine violence and vengeance as the ultimate expression (rather than denial) of love and sympathy. At the same time, these warnings of apocalyptic retribution enabled antislavery writers to express, albeit indirectly, fantasies of brutal violence against slaveholders. What began as a sentimental strategy quickly became an incendiary gesture, with antislavery reformers envisioning the complete annihilation of slaveholders and defenders of slavery.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In contrast to the prevailing scholarly consensus that understands sentimentality to be grounded on a logic of love and sympathy, Apocalyptic Sentimentalism demonstrates that in order for sentimentality to work as an antislavery engine, it needed to be linked to its seeming opposite—fear, especially the fear of God’s wrath. Most antislavery reformers recognized that calls for love and sympathy or the representation of suffering slaves would not lead an audience to “feel right” or to actively oppose slavery. The threat of God’s apocalyptic vengeance—and the terror that this threat inspired—functioned within the tradition of abolitionist sentimentality as a necessary goad for sympathy and love. Fear, then, was at the center of nineteenth-century sentimental strategies for inciting antislavery reform, bolstering love when love faltered, and operating as a powerful mechanism for establishing interracial sympathy. Depictions of God’s apocalyptic vengeance constituted the most efficient strategy for antislavery writers to generate a sense of terror in their audience.

Focusing on a range of important antislavery figures, including David Walker, Nat Turner, Maria Stewart, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and John Brown, Apocalyptic Sentimentalism illustrates how antislavery discourse worked to redefine violence and vengeance as the ultimate expression (rather than denial) of love and sympathy. At the same time, these warnings of apocalyptic retribution enabled antislavery writers to express, albeit indirectly, fantasies of brutal violence against slaveholders. What began as a sentimental strategy quickly became an incendiary gesture, with antislavery reformers envisioning the complete annihilation of slaveholders and defenders of slavery.

More books from University of Georgia Press

Cover of the book Architecture of Middle Georgia by Kevin Pelletier
Cover of the book Through the Arch by Kevin Pelletier
Cover of the book Coming to Pass by Kevin Pelletier
Cover of the book Gravity's Rainbow, Domination, and Freedom by Kevin Pelletier
Cover of the book A Sense of Regard by Kevin Pelletier
Cover of the book Ruin Nation by Kevin Pelletier
Cover of the book Vibration Cooking by Kevin Pelletier
Cover of the book Tinged with Gold by Kevin Pelletier
Cover of the book On Slavery's Border by Kevin Pelletier
Cover of the book The Faiths of the Postwar Presidents by Kevin Pelletier
Cover of the book Singing to the Dead by Kevin Pelletier
Cover of the book Copy Cats by Kevin Pelletier
Cover of the book A Late Encounter with the Civil War by Kevin Pelletier
Cover of the book Wars of Disruption and Resilience by Kevin Pelletier
Cover of the book Womanpower Unlimited and the Black Freedom Struggle in Mississippi by Kevin Pelletier
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy