American as perpetual traveler: a study of the ongoing project of building american consciousness in american travel writing

Abstract

The thesis titled “American as Perpetual Traveler: A Study on the Ongoing Project of Building American Consciousness in American Travel Writing” examines the evolving nature of American consciousness as reflected in travel literature. Through the analysis of ten seminal travel books spanning four centuries—from Thomas Harriot’s 1588 account to Edmund White’s 1980 narrative—this study provides a comprehensive exploration of how American identity has been continuously constructed and redefined. Utilizing qualitative content analysis and comparative literary analysis, alongside interdisciplinary frameworks such as postcolonialism, feminism, and critical race theory, the thesis underscores the intricate interplay between narrative strategies and the broader socio-political contexts that inform them. The selected works encompass a diverse range of perspectives, including early explorers, European settlers, women travelers, African Americans, nationalist white Americans, and a gay writer. The thesis investigates six key dimensions of consciousness—historical, spiritual, racial, gender, geographical, and narrative—demonstrating how each has evolved and adapted to the socio-cultural demands of their respective periods. The findings reveal that American consciousness is in a perpetual state of flux, and the study also emphasizes the intersectionality within American consciousness, the continuity and change in thematic elements, and the impact of globalization, Puritan legacies, gendered perspectives, and racial dynamics on the national narrative. This research highlights the significance of travel literature as not only a documentation of physical journeys but also as a critical discourse engaging with and contributing to American consciousness. This process of becoming and rebecoming American underscores the thesis that the construction of American identity is an ongoing project, ever responsive to the changing landscape of American life.