1. NOTE: To change the image on this slide, select the picture and delete it. Then click the Pictures icon in the placeholder to insert your own image. AMERICAN LITERATURE AND ARTS By: Brooklynn Kuijpers, Kortney Fasold and Maria Maresca

2. American Themes  Before this time American artists modeled European work.  In the mid-1800’s writers and painters began developing styles that reflected the American spirit.  American Themes helped American literature gain fame in Europe.  Two Americans who began reflecting American themes were Washington Irving and James Fennimore Cooper.  Many writers and artists reflected on the heritage of the American land.

3. Transcendentalism  New artists movements took place in Europe. One was called Romanticism.  A small group of writers in New England developed an American form of Romanticism. It was called Transcendentalism.  Transcendentalism was a movement that sought to explore the relationship between humans and nature trough emotions.  It got its name because its goal was to go beyond human reason.  Transcendentalists urged people to live simply and seek beauty.

4. Ralph Waldo Emerson  Was the leading Transcendentalist  In his speeches, Emerson urged people to think about the real value of material goods.  Emerson stressed individualism, the unique importance of each individual.  He taught people to trust themselves and help improve society.  Emerson also challenged people to use their “inner light”.

5. Henry David Thoreau Henry taught people to live simply Took up Emerson’s Challenge Spent 2 years living in the woods Meditated on Nature Live Simply It was called “Walden” Told people that the comforts were not necessary Items are hindrances Henry’s Book Thought people should judge right from wrong Civil Disobedience is the idea that people should peacefully disobey unjust laws Civil Disobedience Spent a night in jail for not paying taxes that he thought supported slavery Influenced people like Martin Luther King Jr. Influence

6. Washington Irvine April 3 rd, 1783- November 28 th, 1859 American Author, essayist, biographer, historian and diplomat of the Early 19 th Century Best known for short stories-  Rip Van Winkle-1819  The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Historical books include biographies or George Washington, Oliver Goldsmith and Muhammad Wrote under pseudonym Jonathon Oldstyle Impact-  Popularized name “Gotham” (Later used in Batman comics)  Credited with invention of the expression “the almighty dollar”. Later, parks, cities and building were named after him.

7. James Fennimore Cooper 9/15/1789-9/14/1851  American writer of 19 th century  Born in Burlington New Jersey  Lived in New York  Attended Yale University, was expelled and joined US navy  Novel that launched Career is called “The Spy”-1821  Best Known for historical novels Novels  Novels were romances about frontier and Indian life  Most famous work was “The last of the Mohicans”  Related to current politics  One of the first authors to include Native American and African American characters in his books

8. Popular Songs Early American songs such as, “Yankee Doodle” had roots in English, Irish and Scottish tunes. Over time, a wide variety of songs emerged Many were work songs that were chanted by men who laid railroad tracks or hauled barges along canals The spiritual was a special type of song developed by enslaved African American women Most popular songwriter of 1800’s was Stephen Foster Many of his songs are still popular like “Camptown Races” and “Old Folks at Home”.

9. Herman Melville He was a novelist that aimed to change the tone of American Literature He wrote the well-known novel, Moby-Dick which is thought to be one of America’s greatest novels Melville was extremely fascinated by psychology and extreme emotions

10. Nathaniel Hawthorne He was a descendant from the Puritans of Massachusetts He typically used historical themes to further explore the “dark side” of the mind He wrote the famous novel called “The Scarlet Letter” “The Scarlet Letter” is about a young minister that was destroyed by his secret guilt. The novel also demonstrates the Puritan way of life

11. Louisa May Alcott She presented a gentler view of New England life She published “Little Women” in the year 1868 The novel was based on her experiences with her three sisters Her famous character in the book, Jo March, was one of the first young American heroines that was presented as a believable, imperfect person rather than as a shining ideal