Uncertain chances [electronic resource] : science, skepticism, and belief in nineteenth-century American literature / Maurice S. Lee. Lee, Maurice S. American literature 19th century History and criticism. Chance in literature. Probability in literature. Skepticism in literature. Belief and doubt in literature. Pragmatism in literature. Literature and science United States History 19th century. Christianity and literature United States History 19th century. PS217.C46 L44 2012 810.9384 23 Includes bibliographical references and index. Description based on print version record. Maurice Lee's study illustrates how writers such as Poe Melville, Douglass, Thoreau, Dickinson, and others participated in a broad intellectual and cultural shift in which Americans increasingly learned to live with the threatening and wonderful possibilities of chance. New York ; Oxford : Oxford University Press, c2012. c2012. 2012 Text 1 online resource (x, 239 p.) http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199797578.001.0001 eng United States Intellectual life 19th century. United States United States