Abstract:
ABSTRACT
The present dissertation is intended to examine the theme of American National Identity in
Crevecoeur’s Letters from an American Farmer. It aims at providing a historical background
about the era in which the work was achieved. It focuses on portraying Crevecoeur’s view of
major enlightenment principles. This study reflects a positive image given by the author
concerning the new man “American” by tackling the meaning of Personal and National
Identity. Throughout the letters, the sense of nationalism for European Countries had
disappeared, so American Nationalism as a concept is discussed as well as in this work. A
deep analysis is given to the third letter “What is an American”, all the way through giving
much importance to how American National Identity was built in the new found land by
applying New Historicism theory. In order to find answers to the proposed research questions,
Historical and Analytical approaches are to be used. The result of this study shows that John
de Crevecoeur’s third letter is a true representation of the reflection of the American
Enlightenment basis: Deism, liberation, republicanism and toleration. As a writer, Crevecoeur
might have succeeded in his presentation of depicting American National Identity along with
Nationalism during the Enlightenment era. Besides.
