Literature in the American Renaissance The Flowering of New England TranscendentalistsAnti-transcendentalistsBrahmins Fireside Poets

Characteristics of Period Rush of optimism characterized American expansion, reform, and literature Rush of optimism characterized American expansion, reform, and literature Technological increases + increase in reading audience = increased opportunities for writers Technological increases + increase in reading audience = increased opportunities for writers American literature achieved a “universal voice” American literature achieved a “universal voice”

Major writers of the time Emerson (Concord) Emerson (Concord) Thoreau (Concord) Thoreau (Concord) Hawthorne (Salem) Hawthorne (Salem) Melville (Pittsfield) Melville (Pittsfield) Longfellow (Cambridge) Longfellow (Cambridge) Whittier (Haverhill and Amesbury) Whittier (Haverhill and Amesbury) Holmes (Cambridge) Holmes (Cambridge) Lowell (Cambridge) Lowell (Cambridge) Dickenson (Amherst) Dickenson (Amherst) Massachusetts home of 8 of these writers Massachusetts home of 8 of these writers Boston touched most of their lives, but names are often associated with smaller towns Boston touched most of their lives, but names are often associated with smaller towns

Transcendentalism Roots in Boston and Cambridge in 1830s Roots in Boston and Cambridge in 1830s Western branch in STL in 1840s Western branch in STL in 1840s Parted from philosophies of John Locke who asserted that knowledge comes from the outside, through our senses (tabula rasa) Parted from philosophies of John Locke who asserted that knowledge comes from the outside, through our senses (tabula rasa)

During 18 th century (1700s), Locke’s idea that knowledge must derive from 5 senses dominated During 18 th century (1700s), Locke’s idea that knowledge must derive from 5 senses dominated 1800s transcendentalism asserts that knowledge comes from beyond our senses 1800s transcendentalism asserts that knowledge comes from beyond our senses Humanism + Naturalism + Soul Humanism + Naturalism + Soul

Transcendentalism Neither a religion nor a philosophy nor a literary theory (elements of all 3) Neither a religion nor a philosophy nor a literary theory (elements of all 3) Knowledge comes from inside (intuition) and not from our senses Knowledge comes from inside (intuition) and not from our senses –The “God in us” All humanity knows how to behave if we trust our inner light All humanity knows how to behave if we trust our inner light Don’t look to the past, but rather within Don’t look to the past, but rather within Literature has no fixed idea, genre, or structure Literature has no fixed idea, genre, or structure

Transcendentalism Because knowledge is within the self, one does not need the past, the family, or the society as guides to behavior Because knowledge is within the self, one does not need the past, the family, or the society as guides to behavior Radical Individualism Radical Individualism –Self transcends and when left to human nature, goodness will prevail

Emerson and Thoreau Insisted one should follow one’s instinct wherever it leads, irrespective of convention Insisted one should follow one’s instinct wherever it leads, irrespective of convention Do whatever one wants deeply to do Do whatever one wants deeply to do Great American literature would arise not by following the forms and language of other cultures, but by writing about American things in and American landscape Great American literature would arise not by following the forms and language of other cultures, but by writing about American things in and American landscape Nation, like the individual, must realize itself Nation, like the individual, must realize itself

Emerson “[Intuition] never reasons, never proves, it simply perceives” “[Intuition] never reasons, never proves, it simply perceives” “highest power is the soul” “highest power is the soul” Similar to Puritan views of experiencing God; but, very different in the sense Emerson believed ALL could experience God firsthand (not reserved for “elect” few) Similar to Puritan views of experiencing God; but, very different in the sense Emerson believed ALL could experience God firsthand (not reserved for “elect” few) Over-soul---drives everything in nature to realize its inner potential Over-soul---drives everything in nature to realize its inner potential

Thoreau Took transcendentalis t ideas and his naturalist talents to create Walden Took transcendentalis t ideas and his naturalist talents to create Walden Weaves together natural, human, and spiritual meanings Weaves together natural, human, and spiritual meanings Nature is the means to self- knowledge Nature is the means to self- knowledge

Anti-transcendentalists Attacked transcendentalists for ignoring 2 powerful realities: reality of evil and reality of human love Attacked transcendentalists for ignoring 2 powerful realities: reality of evil and reality of human love Argue transcendentalism rests on humanity’s goodness---but when left to its own devices, why would humanity behave well? Argue transcendentalism rests on humanity’s goodness---but when left to its own devices, why would humanity behave well?

Anti-transcendentalists Wondered if a self freed from society might be freed only to release violence and chaos Wondered if a self freed from society might be freed only to release violence and chaos Humans can’t escape conscience, institutions, or the past since they arose from deep emotional needs Humans can’t escape conscience, institutions, or the past since they arose from deep emotional needs Unbridgeable gap between human desires Unbridgeable gap between human desires Mixture of good and evil in all human motives Mixture of good and evil in all human motives

Hawthorne and Melville Not all humanity is good Not all humanity is good Think about Hawthorne’s commentary on society in The Scarlet Letter Think about Hawthorne’s commentary on society in The Scarlet Letter People are seekers of truth, not finders of it People are seekers of truth, not finders of it Humanity, while it might be good, is restricted by dark forces that it cannot control Humanity, while it might be good, is restricted by dark forces that it cannot control

Hawthorne and Melville People can be not only reasonable but also unpredictable, unreasonable, & filled with self-conceit People can be not only reasonable but also unpredictable, unreasonable, & filled with self-conceit Over-emphasis on the individual will lead to destruction Over-emphasis on the individual will lead to destruction The self we display to the world is no different than the inner self The self we display to the world is no different than the inner self Harsh industrial conditions, slavery, and the Civil War seem to invalidate transcendentalism Harsh industrial conditions, slavery, and the Civil War seem to invalidate transcendentalism

Fireside Poets Longfellow, Whittier, Holmes, and Lowell Longfellow, Whittier, Holmes, and Lowell Shared common themes and techniques Shared common themes and techniques Poetry deals mainly with nature, family, and mythical material Poetry deals mainly with nature, family, and mythical material Relatively easy to read for the “literate family circle” of the time as well as scholars Relatively easy to read for the “literate family circle” of the time as well as scholars

Brahmins “brahmin” is reference to highest caste in Hindu society “brahmin” is reference to highest caste in Hindu society Lowell, Longfellow, and Holmes were considered high caste New Englanders Lowell, Longfellow, and Holmes were considered high caste New Englanders –Represented good taste and distinguished achievements Unaffected by transcendentalist movement Unaffected by transcendentalist movement

Emily Dickinson Also a poet during this time period Also a poet during this time period Works were largely unpublished during this time though Works were largely unpublished during this time though

“American Actuality” Anti-transcendentalists’ assertion of uneven balance within humans as opposed to the transcendentalist optimism Anti-transcendentalists’ assertion of uneven balance within humans as opposed to the transcendentalist optimism The times reflect the truth of Hawthorne and Melville, not Emerson and Thoreau The times reflect the truth of Hawthorne and Melville, not Emerson and Thoreau Both optimism in human possibilities and appraisal of human limits were needed for American literature to fully mature. Both optimism in human possibilities and appraisal of human limits were needed for American literature to fully mature.