Pretty much what the title says. I'm interested in knowing if there are any books that deal with the history of England or the US by linking it to each period's literary movements. Say, they link American humorism to the post-war need for a "national literature" in the US, or Arthurian literature to the mix of Saxon, Briton and Norman cultures in Medieval England.
Or would some book on the history of English and American literature do the job for me, as they already put each movement in its social and political context? If so, which titles would be good.
Thanks a lot.
hi! this may be worth x-posting to /r/AskLiteraryStudies
You could check out Lawrence Levine's Highbrow/Lowbrow. It might not be exactly what you are looking for, but Levine examines how America's highbrow and lowbrow cultures diverged in the 19th century from a singular universal cultural cannon. Literature-wise, he only discusses Shakespeare leaving most of the book to describe musical and theatrical trends, but there is a reoccuring theme dealing with the need for Americans to build a national identity separate from Europe. Might be worth checking out. Keep in mind, he doesn't discuss the South at all. The focus rests on Northern urban centers.