New England Renaissance

Key Ideas of the Period Transcendentalism Spiritualism Nature Individualism Utopian society American expansion Same as Romanticism Renaissance—is a rebirth, a vital period in culture that calls forth a concentration of great writers and artist.

In America during this time... Slavery was becoming more of an issue Materialism was increasing Child labor was becoming an issue due to industrialization Political corruption was increasing New states were joining the union Industrial inventions were happening Technology was increasing Trade was happening Democracy was working

Literary response to all the change came from Ralph Waldo Emerson and his lecture “The American Scholar,” often called America’s intellectual declaration of independence. “We will walk on our own feet; we will work with our own hands; we will speak our own minds.”

Many writers were inspired by Emerson and began to free themselves from European models. Many class writers such as Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Louse May Alcott and others gathered in the village of Concord, Massachusetts. This experimental community was called Brooke Farm Their literature celebrates the American and human spirit.

Transcendentalism 1830’s-1855

Literature of this period. Transcendentalism is a philosophical movement in America that influenced Literature of this period. It’s influence can be found in the combination of the following: Yankee synthesis of European Romanticism Oriental mysticism from India, Napal, Malaysia, China and Japan Hinduism: belief in reincarnation influences how one should live his life to reach moksha, spiritual perfection Buddhism: suffering is inherent in life and one can be liberated by detachment from worldliness to reach perfect happiness, nirvana (These religions are based on the belief in the cycle of birth, death, rebirth, and birth caused by one’s karma, one’s deeds. Good deeds in this life lead to rebirth in a higher state, but the reverse is also true. Belief in karma encourages ethical behavior.) Confucianism: philosophy based on the ideas of Chinese philosopher Confucius, serving as a guide to morality and good government. 3. Tenets of dissenting American Protestantism

Unlike the Puritans, the Transcendentalist stressed the self-confidence instead of the damned soul and the knowledge of the living instead of the dead past. Goal is to aspire to be a better human being and achieve spiritual greatness. Basic Tenets of Transcendentalism There are truths the lie beyond (transcend, surpass, exceed) proof Truths are known by intuition (the heart and conscience) All men have within them a spark of divinity In actual life, various aspects of Transcendentalism were manifested. Many of these were related to the events that were happening in the country at that time.

Desire to live close to nature Dignity of manual labor Spirit of tolerance Defiance of tradition Disregard for external authority Disregard for the accumulated wisdom of the past Personal relationship with God, the Oversoul Belief in democracy

Darker Vision Not all transcendentalist were optimist. There were a few who saw the universe as a more confusing and difficult place. Nature is not easy to read and interpret. Life was mysterious. Nathaniel Hawthorne---The Scarlet Letter Herman Melville---Moby-Dick

Fireside Poets Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Oliver Wendell Holmes James Russell Lowell John Greenleaf Whittier They are just what the name implies. Fireside poets were concerned with ordinary American people, history and values. Their poems were inspiring and easy to read. They did spread an awareness of poetry throughout the country.