In “Going Underground: Race, Space, and the Subterranean in the Nineteenth-Century United States,” Lara Langer Cohen, Associate Professor of English Literature, rigorously interrogates the complex fabric of the nineteenth-century United States, methodically exposing the nuanced interplay between race, space, and the subterranean realms. This book, a culmination of exhaustive research and articulated with precise academic diction, provides an incisive critique of the socio-cultural dynamics of its time. By systematically dismantling conventional narratives and spotlighting the underground facets, Cohen compels a re-examination of the intricate underpinnings of a pivotal epoch in American history.
The title itself, “Going Underground,” is emblematic of the book’s central theme: the exploration of literal and metaphorical subterranean spaces and their intersection with racial identities and socio-political movements. Cohen’s work is not merely a historical account; it is a profound reflection on the nature of hidden physical and ideological spaces and their role in shaping societal perceptions and discourses.
One of the book’s most striking features is its exploration of the concept of the “underground” as a metaphor. Cohen astutely observes that the term “underground” in the nineteenth century was not merely a descriptor of physical spaces but also a repository of diverse meanings, encompassing ideas of difference, noncompliance, and subversion. This multi-layered interpretation offers a rich tapestry of insights, revealing the complexities of the era’s socio-cultural landscape.
Furthermore, Cohen’s exploration of the intertwined relationship between race and the underground is both enlightening and thought-provoking. She delves into the racialization of subterranean spaces, such as the Mammoth Cave, arguing that the cave’s portrayal as “Black” was not merely an imposition by white visitors but a reflection of the Black intellectual and imaginative work already taking place within.
The book also pays homage to the myriad individuals and movements that shaped the underground narratives of the nineteenth century. From the Black radical undergrounds to the occult practices of Paschal Beverly Randolph and the fiery visions of anarchists, Cohen paints a vivid picture of a world teeming with resistance, innovation, and subversion.
Each chapter shows Cohen’s meticulous research and ability to weave intricate narratives that captivate the reader. Hence, the book’s structure is well organized, with chapters dedicated to various facets of the underground, from the “Blackness of Darkness” in Mammoth Cave to the depths of city mysteries and the subterranean fire of anarchist visions.
In the inaugural chapter The “Blackness of Darkness” in Mammoth Cave, Lara Langer Cohen meticulously dissects the racialized perceptions of Mammoth Cave during the 19th century. This renowned cavern, which burgeoned into a tourist attraction in the late 1830s, became emblematic not just for its geological wonders but also for its enslaved guides who illuminated its depths. The chapter underscores that the cave’s allure was not solely its natural splendor but also the racial dynamics between the predominantly white visitors and the Black guides. The cave’s literature, predominantly authored by white writers, often conflated the cave’s inherent darkness with the racialized Blackness of its guides. While ostensibly about the cave’s physical attributes, such narratives inadvertently revealed the era’s racial anxieties. Cohen astutely highlights how the cave’s “Blackness of Darkness” was more than a mere descriptor; it became a metaphor for the societal tensions of the time. Through its rigorous examination, this chapter challenges readers to perceive Mammoth Cave not just as a geological marvel but also as a mirror reflecting the racial complexities of 19th-century America.
In the Second Chapter – Early Black Radical Undergrounds, Cohen shifts her lens to the radical undercurrents of Black thought in the 19th century, epitomized by seminal texts that harnessed the metaphorical potency of the “underground.” The chapter delves into David Walker’s incendiary “Appeal to the Coloured Citizens of the World,” Frederick Douglass’s anticolonizationist discourse “Slavery, the Slumbering Volcano,” Martin R. Delany’s revolutionary narrative “Blake; or, the Huts of America,” and William J. Wilson’s imaginative “Afric-American Picture Gallery.” While diverse in their approach, these texts collectively underscore the subversive potential of the underground imagery in Black radical thought. Cohen meticulously unravels how these works challenge dominant narratives and construct alternative visions of Black sovereignty and resistance. The chapter serves as a testament to underground metaphors’ enduring and transformative power in shaping Black radicalism during a tumultuous era in American history.
In Chapter 3 – The Underground Railroad’s Undergrounds, Cohen delves into the imaginative and often fantastical representations of the Underground Railroad during the 1840s and 1850s. Contrary to the literal escape routes we recognize today, the chapter reveals how antebellum narratives, including newspaper reports, poetry, and antislavery songs, envisioned the Underground Railroad as an actual subterranean train system. While seemingly outlandish, this conceptualization was deeply rooted in the desire for a space beyond worldly confines. Cohen meticulously examines clandestine organizations like Detroit’s African-American Mysteries and Boston’s Anti-Man-Hunting League, highlighting their subterranean strategies for resistance. The chapter culminates with a postbellum reflection through Pauline Hopkins’ play “Peculiar Sam; or, the Underground Railroad,” further emphasizing the enduring allure and significance of these underground metaphors in shaping the discourse on Black liberation and resistance.
In Chapter 4 – The Depths of Astonishment, City mysteries and subterranean unknowability, Cohen investigates the enigmatic realm of city mysteries, a genre characterized by its intricate labyrinths of crypts, tunnels, and subterranean chambers. These narratives, rife with the allure of the unknown, present cities not just as urban landscapes but as layered terrains of secrets and astonishments. Cohen meticulously unpacks how these tales, while promising revelations, often lead to further bewilderment, challenging the reader’s comprehension. The chapter underscores the antihermeneutical nature of city mysteries, where the unseen does not necessarily equate to truth. Instead, the subterranean worlds within these narratives evoke sensations of wonder, leaving the known world in a state of perpetual doubt. Through this exploration, Cohen invites readers to grapple with the unsettling depths of urban modernity, where the very act of demystification only deepens the enigma.
In Chapter 5 – “To Drop beneath the Floors of the Outer World” Paschal Beverly Randolph’s Occult Undergrounds, Cohen delves into the enigmatic world of Paschal Beverly Randolph, a multifaceted figure who was a writer, orator, educator, and occult practitioner. Born in the tumultuous environment of Five Points, New York (1825), Randolph’s life was marked by poverty and challenges. Despite these adversities, he emerged as a prominent voice in spiritualism, only to later break away, citing the movement’s inherent racism and limited understanding of the immaterial realm. Cohen meticulously explores Randolph’s conception of the occult underground, a space transcending mere metaphor. For Randolph, the “underground” was a tangible portal leading to unknown worlds, as exemplified in his work “Dealings with the Dead.” This chapter underscores Randolph’s unique vision of the occult, where the soul’s journey into its own vast cavern symbolizes a deeper exploration of self and the universe. Through Randolph’s lens, Cohen invites readers to grapple with the profound intersections of race, spirituality, and the quest for otherworldly knowledge.
In Chapter 6 – Subterranean Fire: Anarchist Visions of the Underground, in a profound exploration of the metaphorical “subterranean fire,” the chapter delves into the intricate interplay of socio-political undercurrents and literary representations. The term originates in 19th-century writings, oscillating between literal and figurative interpretations. Herman Melville’s unfinished novella, “Billy Budd,” serves as a poignant exemplar, where the “natural depravity” of John Claggart is likened to a “subterranean fire,” symbolizing internal turmoil. This fire, while occasionally manifesting as a tangible threat, often remains an enigmatic force lurking beneath the surface. The chapter further traces the term’s evolution, suggesting its migration into emerging psychological models of the unconscious. This transformation, indicative of the era’s shifting paradigms, underscores the chapter’s central thesis: the volatile interrelation of external socio-political upheavals and internal psychological landscapes. The chapter’s meticulous examination offers a panoramic view of a society grappling with its own internal fires, both seen and unseen.
The book also appears to explore the complexities of remaining “underground,” metaphorically and literally. It underscores the challenges and dilemmas faced by those who choose to stay beneath the surface, away from mainstream visibility. The narrative intricately weaves the concept of the “underground” with broader socio-political and psychological themes, suggesting that the choice to remain hidden can be both a refuge and a prison. The epilogue’s tone is contemplative, probing the depths of human experience and the choices we make in navigating our existence.
In conclusion, the book navigates the intricate labyrinths of the human psyche, society, and the spaces we inhabit, both visible and hidden. It challenges the reader to confront the dichotomies of visibility and obscurity, freedom and confinement. The “underground” becomes a powerful metaphor for the myriad ways we grapple with our identities, desires, and the world around us. This work is a testament to the enduring complexities of the human condition, urging introspection and a deeper understanding of the spaces we choose to inhabit.
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