Susanna Rowson stands as a significant figure in early American literature. As an 18th Century American poet, novelist, and educator, she contributed meaningfully to the development of American poetry and literature during a time when the young nation was forging its identity. Rowson’s works reflect the social, cultural, and political contexts of late 18th-century America, while also bridging literary traditions inherited from Europe with emerging American voices.
This article explores Susanna Rowson’s life, literary contributions, and place in the broader landscape of 18th-century American poetry. We will also compare her with other American poets of her time to highlight her unique role and influence in shaping early American literary culture.
Susanna Haswell
Susanna Haswell was born in 1762 in Portsmouth, England, to a family with roots in colonial America. Her early life was marked by transatlantic experiences, as her family moved between England and America during her childhood. These movements exposed her to both British literary traditions and the developing culture of the American colonies.
In 1782, Susanna married William Rowson, and by the mid-1780s, she had established herself in the United States, engaging with American literary circles and educational institutions. Her cross-cultural background provided her with a unique perspective, allowing her to contribute to American poetry while remaining conversant with British literary trends.
Susanna Rowson as an 18th Century American Poet
Literary Works and Themes
Susanna Rowson’s literary output spans poetry, novels, plays, and educational writings. Among her contributions to American poetry, she is best remembered for poems that deal with themes such as morality, domestic life, religion, and patriotism. Her verse often reflects the didactic tone common in the late 18th century, aiming to instruct as well as entertain.
One of her early poems, “The Female Patriot,” exemplifies her interest in promoting American national identity and virtue, both critical themes in post-Revolutionary America. The poem encourages women to engage in the civic life of the new republic, emphasizing the role of women as moral guardians and educators within the family.
Rowson’s poetic style is generally straightforward, employing simple clauses and clear language. This accessibility made her works popular among a broad audience, including women and young readers, groups often neglected in literary production at the time.
Comparison with Contemporary Poets
As an 18th Century American poet, Rowson’s work aligns with, yet also differs from, that of her contemporaries. For example, Philip Freneau, often called the “Poet of the American Revolution,” wrote patriotic and politically charged poetry that celebrated liberty and republican ideals. His style was often more rhetorical and infused with classical references.
In contrast, Rowson’s poetry tends to be more domestic and moralistic, focusing on the everyday lives of women and the cultivation of virtue. This difference highlights the diversity within early American poetry—while male poets like Freneau articulated the public and political aspirations of the nation, women poets like Rowson articulated private, social, and educational concerns.
Other contemporaneous women poets, such as Hannah Griffitts and Phillis Wheatley, also contributed distinct voices. Wheatley, notably, was the first African American woman to publish poetry, often addressing themes of faith and freedom, blending Christian piety with abolitionist undertones. Rowson’s work, while less radical, was important in carving space for female voices in a largely male-dominated literary culture.
Susanna Rowson’s Influence on American Literature
The Novel and Drama
While Rowson is remembered as a poet, her influence extends beyond verse. She authored “Charlotte Temple” (1791), one of the best-selling novels in early America. This novel, a sentimental narrative about a young woman’s fall and redemption, was widely read and shaped early American notions of morality and female virtue.
Her dramatic works, including plays and theatrical adaptations, contributed to the early development of American theater. Through her educational writings and her role as a teacher, Rowson helped nurture a generation of readers and writers in the new republic.
Educational Contributions
Susanna Rowson was also a pioneering educator. She founded a school for young women in Boston and later operated a successful academy in Philadelphia. Her emphasis on female education was progressive for the time and aligned with Enlightenment ideals about reason and moral development.
Her writings, including poetry, often carried educational messages designed to uplift and instruct, reflecting her commitment to shaping character and intellect.
The Role of Gender and Identity in Rowson’s Work
Female Authorship in the 18th Century
Rowson’s career as an 18th Century American poet was remarkable given the limited opportunities available to women writers. Female authors often faced criticism and social restrictions. Rowson navigated these challenges by combining moral instruction with entertainment, appealing to socially acceptable themes such as family, virtue, and religion.
Her success helped pave the way for future women writers and poets in America, demonstrating that women could participate meaningfully in the literary culture.
Representation of Women
Rowson’s poetry and fiction often focus on women’s experiences, including themes of innocence, temptation, and redemption. Her works reflect contemporary anxieties about women’s roles in society but also suggest a vision of female moral agency.
The Broader Context of 18th Century American Poetry
Characteristics of 18th Century American Poetry
The 18th century in America was a formative period for national literature. Poetry was often marked by influences from British neoclassicism, with an emphasis on reason, order, and moral didacticism. Poets engaged with themes of patriotism, religion, and social virtue.
Poetry was a means to cultivate national identity and educate citizens. Within this context, Rowson’s contributions helped shape the moral and cultural fabric of early American society.
Other Notable 18th Century American Poets
Besides Rowson and Freneau, other important poets include Anne Bradstreet (though earlier, mid-17th century, but influential), Philip Morin Freneau, and Joel Barlow. While Bradstreet’s Puritan verse laid early groundwork, poets of Rowson’s time sought to develop a more secular and patriotic American voice.
Joel Barlow’s epic poem The Columbiad celebrated American independence and ambition, presenting a grand national narrative. Rowson’s work, while smaller in scale, complemented this by focusing on personal and social virtues.
Conclusion
Susanna Rowson’s role as an 18th Century American poet is notable for her literary versatility, educational contributions, and pioneering female voice. She enriched American poetry by bringing moral reflection, national consciousness, and female experience into early American letters.
Her career illustrates the complex dynamics of gender, culture, and politics in the formative years of the United States. By comparing her work with that of her contemporaries, we see a richer, more diverse picture of early American poetry, one that includes not only public and political themes but also private and social dimensions.
Rowson’s legacy remains important for understanding the evolution of American literature and the contributions of women writers in shaping the nation’s literary heritage.
