Byrd's "History of the Dividing Line" is a good example of early patterns of American humor that exaggerate the idiosyncrasies of the lower classes against which Byrd, in his upper class rearing, prides himself.  This exaggeration is called "literary burlesque."  It is often rooted in contexts other than classicism--the racism found so often in the popular tracks and almanacs of the 18th and 19th centuries. 
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Study Questions Over the Readings 
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William Byrd II’s “History of the Dividing Line” 
1) Identify evidence of class prejudice in “Lubberlanders.” 
2) Analyze Byrd’s use of low burlesque in the same selection. 
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Sarah Kemble Knight’s “Journal of Madam Knight” 
1) What evidence can you find for class prejudice in Knight’s encounter at the lodge? 
2) Analyze Knight’s use of low burlesque in the same selection. 
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St. Jean de Crèvecœur’s “What is an American?” 
1) Identify the key features of the “American.” 
2) Contrast idealized passages with his realistic report of the backwoods settlers. 
3) What are the “constitutional propensities” backwoods settlers learn in the woods?  Why is Crèvecœur unsympathetic to life in the backwoods? 
4) What evidence can you cite of class prejudice or preference in his essay? 

 

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