Analysis Of Crevecoeur's Letters From An American Farmer

Well-traveled French aristocrat, Crevecoeur, in his skillfully written essays, Letters from an American Farmer, illustrates a contrast between the American colonies and European nations. Crevecoeur’s purpose is to prove the superiority of the policies, systems, and opportunities of the New World and to create an image of America being a better, if not perfect, place in comparison to Europe. He adopts a critical tone toward European nations, but an admiring tone toward American colonies in order to display his ideas about America’s superiority in economic growth and freedom.
Crevecoeur begins his essay by criticizing European nations. In a series of rhetorical questions, he asks if an immigrant can call a country that met him with nothing but “the frowns of the rich [and] the severity of the laws” (11) his homeland. The way these questions were included vividly illustrate his point that there is reason for an immigrant continuing to

He poses the question “What then is the American, this new man?” (45) and later answers it through a series of empowering statements. This unorthodox structure draws interest and understanding when he says that an American is someone who, “[leaves] behind him all his ancient prejudices and manners, [and] receives new ones from the new mode of life he has embraced” (53). Considering the fact that Crevecoeur identifies himself as an “American farmer” even though he was a French aristocrat, he is implying that he has embraced a new way of life separate from French culture. Furthermore, he unifies himself with his audience and instills a sense of nationalism and pride by saying one becomes an American through “being received in the broad lap of our great Alma Mater” (57). This statement reflects the idea that all Americans are accepted and given opportunity for prosperity through the use of the word “our” to unify all Americans under one similar