The shakers in American fiction

Abstract

Of the communal groups that flourished in America during the nineteenth century, the Shakers are unquestionably one of the most predominant. This is reflected in the fiction of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and this study focuses on the forty-four (of forty-eight) available novels and short stories dealing with the Shakers, by American, non-Shaker authors. Chapter one presents a history of the Shakers, tracing their origins from the French Camisard prophets to the Quaker couple in England, the Wardleys. Ann Lee's personal history is recounted, from her birth, to her rise to power in the Shakers. The rise and progress of the Shakers in America, along with their organization, family life, and demise completes chapter one. Chapters two through seven deal with the six basic character types presented in the fiction. The Hypocrite exists within the Shaker structure, is a person of considerable power, and abuses his power to gain his desired ends, whether they be more power, the thwarting of another's happiness, or sexual fulfillment. The Happy Shaker is intuitively, truly good, and discovers final felicity with the Believers, though the world may offer temptations nearly too strong to resist. The Skeptic views Shakerism as a means whereby people are enslaved, and exerts his persuasive powers in convincing the Believers of this. Whether or not he is successful, he departs the Shakers. The Doubter finds happiness with the Shakers for a time, but once something occurs to shake his faith, he, too, must leave. The Fanatic finds with the Believers a haven for his fanaticism, and proves himself, because he has divorced himself from all affections, unfit for life. The Young Lover may attempt to quell his affections, but because he cannot, he must separate himself from the Believers. He finds, though, that he is unable to forget his Shaker background, and so must either reconcile it in his mind or resort to suicide or other drastic measures. Chapter eight reviews the study as a whole and presents the final physical and emotional legacies of the Shakers.