Kelly Ross’s “Slavery, Surveillance, and Genre in Antebellum United States Literature” offers a compelling and insightful exploration of the intersection of slavery, surveillance, and genre in the antebellum United States literary landscape. Through meticulous research and engaging analysis, Ross delves into the complex ways in which these themes intertwine and shape the literary production of the era, shedding light on the multifaceted nature of antebellum American literature.
Ross’s analysis of the intersection of slavery and surveillance is particularly compelling. By examining a diverse array of literary texts, including fugitive slave narratives and gothic novels, Ross skillfully demonstrates how the pervasive system of surveillance in the antebellum period influenced the production and reception of literary works. Her nuanced exploration of the ways in which enslaved individuals navigated and resisted surveillance adds a crucial layer of understanding to the broader discourse on slavery and its impact on literary expression.
Furthermore, Ross’s examination of genre in antebellum literature is both broad and illuminating. She adeptly traces the evolution of genre conventions in response to the shifting sociopolitical landscape, particularly in relation to the abolitionist movement. By highlighting the distinct characteristics of fugitive slave narratives published before and after the rise of the institutional abolitionist movement, Ross offers valuable insights into the ways in which genre functioned as a tool for both individual expression and political advocacy. Her analysis of espionage tropes and their transformation within the context of slavery narratives is particularly noteworthy, showcasing the dynamic nature of the genre in response to changing historical and cultural forces.
In addition to her incisive analysis of literary texts, Ross’s work is underpinned by a sophisticated engagement with genre theory and its implications for the study of literature. Her nuanced approach to genre as a site of contestation and negotiation, rather than a rigid classification system, enriches the scholarly discourse on literary form and its relationship to broader cultural and institutional contexts. By foregrounding how genre reflects and shapes the experiences of authors, texts, and readers, Ross offers a compelling framework for understanding the dynamic interplay between literary production and sociopolitical forces.
Moreover, Ross’s meticulous attention to historical and institutional contexts provides a rich foundation for her analysis, allowing readers to appreciate the intricate web of influences that shaped antebellum American literature. Her exploration of the institutional abolitionist movement and its impact on the production of slave narratives offers a nuanced understanding of how broader political and social agendas shaped literary texts. This historical grounding lends depth and complexity to Ross’s exploration, situating the literary works she examines within their specific cultural and ideological milieus.
Ross’s work also sheds light on the ways in which surveillance and genre intersect in antebellum literature. By tracing the migration of surveillance from the literature of slavery to crime, gothic, and detective fiction, Ross argues for the existence of deep, often unexamined, interconnections between genre and race. Her analysis of slave narratives from the 1820s and 1830s, a transformational period during which US abolition activists began demanding immediate emancipation and developing national institutions, offers a compelling examination of the surveillance mechanisms within the slave system and the varied and creative ways enslaved people resisted this pervasive surveillance. Ross’s exploration of how these narratives tested out different ways to frame their stories within the context of the evolving abolitionist discourse provides valuable insights into the complex relationship between literary form and sociopolitical change.
Furthermore, Ross’s discussion of the genres constituting the literature of surveillance, including slave narratives and the African American gothic, as well as criminal confessions and detective fiction, offers a comprehensive analysis of the socially and historically specific conflict: the racial power dynamics of the antebellum slave system.
Her engagement with recent genre theorists, including Wai Chee Dimock, Jeremy Rosen, and Travis M. Foster, enriches her analysis, offering a nuanced understanding of the genre as a fluid set of conventions that make visible the social functions of literature and its role in articulating broader social and ideological formations. Ross’s work thus contributes to a deeper understanding of how literary genres change over time, fulfilling specific functions for their particular present and audience and fading once that function loses its urgency. Her analysis of these constellations of characteristics and the functions they fulfill offers a compelling framework for understanding the dynamic nature of literary genre in response to historical and cultural forces.
In conclusion, “Slavery, Surveillance, and Genre in Antebellum US Literature” is a tour de force that enriches our understanding of antebellum American literature and invites readers to reconsider how literary form and content intersect with broader historical and cultural forces. Kelly Ross’s meticulous scholarship, incisive analysis, and nuanced engagement with genre theory make this book essential reading for scholars interested in the complexities of antebellum American literature. By illuminating the intricate connections between slavery, surveillance, and genre, Ross offers a compelling framework for understanding the multifaceted nature of literary expression in a pivotal period of American history.
Ross’s work is a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper appreciation of the complexities of literary production in the antebellum United States. It stands as a significant contribution to the field of American literary studies, offering a compelling framework for understanding the multifaceted nature of literary expression in a pivotal period of American history, but this book also invites readers to reconsider how literary form and content intersect with broader historical and cultural forces.
by Giovanni Santoro