Legitimate Possessions: History, Property and Literary Aesthetics in James F. Cooper’s <i>The Pioneers</i> (1823) and Catherine M. Sedgwick’s <i>Hope Leslie</i> (1827)

Abstract The essay investigates the intricate relationship between legal and cultural concepts of property and ownership in 19th-century American historical novels, specifically in James Fenimore Cooper’s The Pioneers (1823) and Catherine Maria Sedgwick’s Hope Leslie (1827). By examining the various meanings of the term ‘property’ – ranging from tangible ownership to the intrinsic qualities of objects but also texts and even ideas – the author argues that discourses on land and literature as property in 19th-century U.S.-America embody competing claims that reflect broader societal tensions and cultural struggles. Cooper’s narrative emphasizes a legalistic framework, presenting property rights as rooted in colonial appropriation and entitlement and genealogical continuity. In contrast, Sedgwick’s work questions these established notions by foregrounding themes of disruption and dispossession, illustrating how cultural narratives challenge patriarchal norms surrounding ownership and cultural superiority. Her portrayal of characters navigating conflicting legal landscapes reveals a more complex understanding of possession and self-possession, one that prioritizes individual autonomy and ethical considerations over mere legal entitlement. By weaving together these legal and cultural strands, the essay asserts that Sedgwick’s literary approach proposes a redefinition of property that values diverse perspectives and multiplicity in narrating history. Ultimately, the study underscores the interplay between legal frameworks and cultural narratives, illustrating how both land and literature serve as sites of contested ownership and identity in the struggle for representation and understanding in 19th-century U.S.-American culture.