The American Renaissance: A Literary “Coming of Age”

An explosion of literary genius appeared in America An explosion of literary genius appeared in America For the first time, American writers no longer looked to the British as the literary trend-setters For the first time, American writers no longer looked to the British as the literary trend-setters Many of the most famous writers to emerge during this time period lived in the same town (Concord, Massachusetts) Many of the most famous writers to emerge during this time period lived in the same town (Concord, Massachusetts)

Two Groups of Writers Emerged: The Transcendentalists The Transcendentalists The Dark Romantics The Dark Romantics

Transcendentalists believed: -- In the “perfectibility” of man --In “utopias” --That nature was a doorway to a mystical world holding important truths --God was found in nature --That to determine the ultimate reality of God, one had to “transcend” or “go above” everyday experience

Famous Transcendentalists: Ralph Waldo Emerson Ralph Waldo Emerson Henry David Thoreau Henry David Thoreau Bronson Alcott (father of Louisa May Alcott) Bronson Alcott (father of Louisa May Alcott)

Ralph Waldo Emerson: A popular Lyceum lecturer (educational lectures were given at the “Lyceum,” in New England) A popular Lyceum lecturer (educational lectures were given at the “Lyceum,” in New England) Once stated, “Every natural fact is a symbol of some spiritual fact” Once stated, “Every natural fact is a symbol of some spiritual fact” Promoted education reform, women’s rights, and the abolition of slavery Promoted education reform, women’s rights, and the abolition of slavery Once described himself as a “transparent eyeball” Once described himself as a “transparent eyeball”

Henry David Thoreau: Lived near Ralph Waldo Emerson in Concord, MA and looked to him as a mentor Lived near Ralph Waldo Emerson in Concord, MA and looked to him as a mentor Famous for Walden, a book that described when he lived self-sufficiently for two years on Walden Pond (a large lake in Concord) in a cabin that he built for himself Famous for Walden, a book that described when he lived self-sufficiently for two years on Walden Pond (a large lake in Concord) in a cabin that he built for himself Also famous for “Resistance to Civil Government,” which he wrote after being arrested and thrown in jail for a night for refusing to pay a poll tax. Also famous for “Resistance to Civil Government,” which he wrote after being arrested and thrown in jail for a night for refusing to pay a poll tax. Died of tuberculosis, the dread disease of the time period Died of tuberculosis, the dread disease of the time period

Bronson Alcott: Well-known educational reformer; often viewed as “radical” for his teaching concepts Well-known educational reformer; often viewed as “radical” for his teaching concepts Founded “Fruitlands,” a Utopia for writers Founded “Fruitlands,” a Utopia for writers Father of Louisa May Alcott (who became famous for Little Women and other novels. She recalled nearly starving to death as a child at the Fruitlands experiment) Father of Louisa May Alcott (who became famous for Little Women and other novels. She recalled nearly starving to death as a child at the Fruitlands experiment)

The Dark Romantics: Believed that mankind had a darker side Believed that mankind had a darker side Explored the conflict between good and evil Explored the conflict between good and evil Addressed the psychological effects of guilt, sin, madness, and insanity Addressed the psychological effects of guilt, sin, madness, and insanity Saw the horror of evil Saw the horror of evil

Famous Dark Romantics: Nathaniel Hawthorne Nathaniel Hawthorne Herman Melville Herman Melville Edgar Allan Poe Edgar Allan Poe

Nathaniel Hawthorne: Most famous for The Scarlet Letter Most famous for The Scarlet Letter Used the theme of “guilt” and its effects in nearly all of his major works Used the theme of “guilt” and its effects in nearly all of his major works Wrote about man’s “dark side” Wrote about man’s “dark side” Was a direct descendant of Judge Hathorne in the Salem Witch Trials; Hawthorne changed the spelling of the last name to distance himself from the judge Was a direct descendant of Judge Hathorne in the Salem Witch Trials; Hawthorne changed the spelling of the last name to distance himself from the judge Met Herman Melville on a literary picnic Met Herman Melville on a literary picnic

Herman Melville: Sailed the world as a young man on several whaling ships Sailed the world as a young man on several whaling ships Experienced early writing success with Typee, Redburn, and Whitejacket Experienced early writing success with Typee, Redburn, and Whitejacket Was considered an American “sex symbol” Was considered an American “sex symbol” Felt an immediate connection with Hawthorne and felt that Hawthorne had “exposed him to the power of blackness” within men Felt an immediate connection with Hawthorne and felt that Hawthorne had “exposed him to the power of blackness” within men Viewed Hawthorne as “America’s Shakespeare” Viewed Hawthorne as “America’s Shakespeare” Dedicated Moby Dick to Hawthorne Dedicated Moby Dick to Hawthorne

Edgar Allan Poe: Orphaned at age three Orphaned at age three Lived with the Allans, a Southern couple with no children Lived with the Allans, a Southern couple with no children Attended the University of Virginia, but dropped out Attended the University of Virginia, but dropped out At age twenty-six, he married his twelve-year-old cousin At age twenty-six, he married his twelve-year-old cousin As an adult, he was plagued with misfortunes as many loved-ones died of tuberculosis As an adult, he was plagued with misfortunes as many loved-ones died of tuberculosis Most famous for his poem “The Raven,” (for which he received only $14) and for numerous short stories that explored insanity and guilt Most famous for his poem “The Raven,” (for which he received only $14) and for numerous short stories that explored insanity and guilt Invented the “detective” story Invented the “detective” story Died under mysterious circumstances in Baltimore, MD; modern theorists believe he actually had rabies Died under mysterious circumstances in Baltimore, MD; modern theorists believe he actually had rabies

Concord, Massachusetts: Home to Emerson, Thoreau, Hawthorne, Bronson Alcott, and Louisa May Alcott Home to Emerson, Thoreau, Hawthorne, Bronson Alcott, and Louisa May Alcott All are buried in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in that town All are buried in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in that town It is not known if Poe ever met any of the “Writers of Concord” It is not known if Poe ever met any of the “Writers of Concord”

Of Interest: Poe’s Signature: Poe’s Signature: