The American Renaissance (1800s-1865) American Romanticism The American Renaissance (1800s-1865)

Romanticism Began in Germany during the second half of the 18th century Influenced literature, music, and art

Tenets of Romanticism Imagination, spontaneity, individual feelings, and nature were of greater value than reason, logic, planning, and cultivation. Imagination was able to discover truths that reason could not reach. These truths were usually accompanied by powerful emotion and associated with beauty.

Romantic Literature Sought to rise above “dull realities” to a realm of higher truth by: Exploring exotic settings in the more “natural” past—a world far away from the industrial cities Contemplating the natural world until dull reality falls away to reveal underlying beauty and truth Common theme-- in NATURE and CHILDHOOD we see universal, spiritual truths

Other Themes in Romantic Literature City= moral corruption and death Countryside= independence, straightforward moral certainty, and health Development of self/self-awareness The individual had a moral duty to reform social inequalities and relieve human suffering

Transcendentalism “ It was a high counsel that I once heard given to a young person, always do what you are afraid to do.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

What is Transcendentalism? A literary movement in the 1830’s that established a clear “American voice”. Idealistic philosophy, spiritual position, and literary movement that advocates reliance on romantic intuition and moral human conscience A movement that focused primarily on the individual arriving at his own beliefs about the world. Transcendentalism had different meanings for each person involved in the movement.

Where did it come from? Ralph Waldo Emerson gave German philosopher Immanuel Kant credit for popularizing the term “transcendentalism.” It began as a reform movement in the Unitarian church. It is not a religion—more accurately, it is a philosophy or form of spirituality. It centered around Boston and Concord, MA. in the mid-1800’s. Emerson first expressed his philosophy of transcendentalism in his essay Nature

What did Transcendentalists believe? There is an ideal spiritual state which “transcends” the physical and empirical. Opposed the strict ritualism and dogma of established religion and the objectivity of science.

Transcendentalist Beliefs, cont’d Unlike Puritans, they saw humans and nature as possessing an innate goodness. “In the faces of men and women, I see God” -Walt Whitman Believed in living close to nature/importance of nature. Nature is the source of truth and inspiration. Taught the dignity of manual labor Advocated self-trust/ confidence Valued individuality/non-conformity/free thought Advocated self-reliance/ simplicity

Who were the Transcendentalists? Ralph Waldo Emerson Henry David Thoreau Amos Bronson Alcott Margaret Fuller Ellery Channing

Ralph Waldo Emerson 1803-1882 Unitarian minister Poet and essayist Founded the Transcendental Club Popular lecturer Banned from Harvard for 40 years following his Divinity School address Supporter of abolitionism

Henry David Thoreau 1817-1862 Schoolteacher, essayist, poet Most famous for Walden and Civil Disobedience Influenced environmental movement Supporter of abolitionism

Anti-Transcendentalism Contrasts transcendentalism by focusing on the darkness of the human soul Six characteristics of anti-transcendentalism Evil: believed in the inherent of evil within humans Guilt: common motif of inherited guilt (like the Puritans) Limitations: limitations of the knowledge of the human spirit Natural world was unexplainable, unpredictable, indifferent, and often paradoxical (give and take) Human potential for both good and bad, but no in between Truths of existence are elusive and disturbing Authors: Nathaniel Hawthorne who wrote The Scarlet letter and Herman Melville who wrote Moby Dick.