Fanny Trollope
TRAVEL WRITINGS
1. Domestic Manners of the Americans
DOMESTIC MANNERS OF THE AMERICANS
by Fanny Trollope
First published in 1832
Reviewed edition published in Penguin Classics
1997
ISBN 0-14-043561-1
Edited with an introduction and notes by Pamela Neville-Sington
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REVIEW
'Domestic Manners of the Americans' was to launch the fifty-three year old
Fanny Trollope on her literary career. Leaving behind her husband, two sons and
mounting debts Fanny left for America in 1827 with her other three children and
the young French artist Auguste Hervieu.
Throughout her travels she closely observed the Americans making copious
notes which were to be the foundation of her first book. Writing in the first
person singular we are never left in any doubt as to what the author is thinking
and what her own personal views are. Although the subjects of her examination
were appalled when the book was published there can be no doubt that what was
written was experienced first-hand which makes the book a valuable resource for
present scholars who are researching America in its early days of
independence.
The copy used for this examination has an excellent introduction by Pamela
Neville-Sington and is thoroughly foot-noted. One disappointment, however, is
the lack of the original illustrations made by Auguste Hervieu which must have
been a valuable addition to the textual description of the countryside which
impressed the author so much.
Fanny Trollope's observations ranged widely which is why this book provides
many useful avenues for today's students of various disciplines. The focus of
the following essay will be religion as practised in the America of 1830 but of
necessity this will highlight the position of women for whom religion played a
major role. The author's intimate style draws the reader into a feeling of
experiencing the actual domestic manners of the Americans from eating habits to
politics, from working to travelling. The practise of slavery which was taken
for granted appalled Fanny Trollope and she left a valuable record of conditions
at that time.The author was a good authority on culture, customs and conditions,
travelling as she did from one side to the other of this vast country, mixing
with people from all walks of life and recording her observations.
For anyone interested in the works of this author it would be wise to begin
with 'Domestic Manners of the Americans' as her observations were to be taken up
in her numerous works which were to follow.
For an examination of religion in Domestic Manners of the Americans -
link to Essay No.
1