Anti-Transcendentalism 19th century (approx. 1840-1860) literary movement that focused on the dark side of humanity and the evilness and guilt of sin

Reasons / 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

Prose (short stories and novels) Literary Works Prose (short stories and novels) allegory

Allegory Parable A story with both a literal and symbolic meaning Simple, usually short, story that teaches a moral lesson Fable = animals Parable = human beings

Key ideas / Philosophies Belief in the potential destructiveness of the human spirit Belief in individual 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

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

Major differences between the Transcendentalists and Anti-Transcendentalists Saw divine goodness and beauty beneath everyday reality Embraced the mystical and idealistic elements of Puritan thought Anti-Transcendentalists: Believed spiritual truths may be ugly or frightening Reintroduced the dark side of Puritan beliefs: the idea of Original Sin and the human potential for evil

Major Similarities between Transcendentalists and Anti- Transcendentalists Both believed that… True reality is spiritual. Intuition is superior to logic or reason. Human events contain signs and symbols of spiritual truths.

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 Prevalent use of symbolism

Nathaniel Hawthorne “As the moral gloom of the world overpowers all systematic gaiety, even so was their home of wild mirth made desolate amid the sad forest.” “The Maypole of Merrymount “(1836)

Nathaniel Hawthorne 1804-1864 Born July 4, 1804 in Salem, MA Father died when Hawthorne was four years old; Sent to private school once his relatives discovered his storytelling abilities Sent to Bowdoin College in Maine; classmates with Franklin Pierce (future president) and Henry Longfellow (poet) Published some early works, which he renounced and later burned Editor for The American Magazine of Useful and Entertaining Knowledge in 1836 Later joined the writing circles of Thoreau, Emerson, and Louisa May Alcott. Influenced by his Puritan family background, belief in the existence of Hell and the Devil, and the theory of determinism

Portrait of Nathaniel Hawthorne by Charles Osgood, 1841 (Peabody Essex Museum)

Some of Hawthorne’s Literature The Scarlet Letter Novel about sin, guilt, adultery The House of the Seven Gables Novel about guilt, atonement; supernatural, witchcraft “The Minister’s Black Veil” Short story about secrets and sin