Anti- Transcendentalism

Reasons and Causes Opposed the optimism and naïve idealism of the transcendentalists Dwelt on guilt and remorse over past sins Discontented with current circumstances in America (poverty/unjust and cruel treatment of factory workers, poor educational system, lack of women’s rights, slavery…) so they focused on moral dilemmas and society’s ills

The Darker Visions Not all authors of the period as thought- provoking as the transcendentalists. Anti-Transcendentalists saw the universe as confusing and difficult. Evil and suffering had to be explained, accounted for. Life was ultimately mysterious.

Key Ideas/Philosophy Belief in the potential destructiveness of the human spirit Belief in individual truths, but no universal truths, and the truths of existence are deceitful and disturbing Human nature is inherently sinful (original sin) and evil is an active force in the universe Focus on the man’s uncertainty and limitations in the universe

Key Ideas/Philosophy cont… Belief in the potential destructiveness of the human spirit Belief in individual truths, but no universal truths, and the truths of existence are deceitful and disturbing Evil is an active force in the universe Focus on the man’s uncertainty and limitations in the universe

Transcendentalists vs. Anti-Transcendentalists Transcendentalists (Emerson, Thoreau) had an optimistic view of nature and human nature  God found in nature, so nature = good  Nature = truth Anti-Transcendentalists had pessimistic view of nature and human nature  Nature = indifferent to mankind  Human nature = hypocritical, apathetic

A House Divided Anti-Transcendentalists Realists Experience Spirituality based on Puritanism/Calvinism Nature is indifferent; Man is evil Man’s dark side Suspicious of science and technology Transcendentalists Idealists/Individualist Intuition Everything is a reflection of the divine soul Nature is good; even Man is good Man and Nature in partnership Embraces science as part of nature

View of Nature Nature is vast and incomprehensible, a reflection of the struggle between good and evil Nature is the creation and possession of God and it cannot be understood by human beings

Writing Style Man vs. Nature conflicts bring out the evil in humanity Raw and morbid diction Focus on the protagonist’s inner struggles Typical protagonists are haunted outsiders who are alienated from society Society is seen as hypocritical and antagonistic Prevalent use of symbolism and allegory

Literary Terms to Know Allegory Diction (connotation and denotation) Foreshadowing Imagery Setting Motif Theme Tone html

Thematic Concepts Obsession Guilt Isolation Appearance vs Reality Anger Jealousy Vengeance Hypocrisy

Anti-Transcendentalists Grandfather was judge of Salem Witch Trials Served as a clerk in the Salem Custom House Known for writing about the Puritan lifestyle and condemning it Famous novels: The Scarlet Letter and House of Seven Gables Had associated with Transcendentalist but did not believe in all principles Was famous immediately after Scarlet Letter and supported Herman Melville.

Hawthorne Quotes “What other dungeon is so dark as one's own heart! What jailer so inexorable as one's self!” “Life is made up of marble and mud.” "No man for any considerable period can wear one face to himself and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be the true.” “This world owes all its forward impulses to people ill at ease.”

The Anti-Transcendentalists Wrote many tales of sea adventures Sailed as a whaler in South Seas Jumped ship and lived with cannibal tribe (also in Tahiti) Never found fame in his lifetime Died penniless and drunk Moby Dick is his most famous novel and became an American classic after he died

Melville Quotes “Truth uncompromisingly told will always have its ragged edges.” “A smile is the chosen vehicle of all ambiguities.” “There are times when even the most potent governor must wink at transgression, in order to preserve the laws inviolate for the future.” “I am, as I am; whether hideous, or handsome, depends upon who is made judge.” 00