Unit 3 The American Within

Several decades since the Revolutionary War Several decades since the Revolutionary War Many new inventions (Industrial Revolution) Many new inventions (Industrial Revolution) Sewing machine – I.M. Singer Sewing machine – I.M. Singer Cotton gin – Eli Whitney Cotton gin – Eli Whitney Plow – John Deere (1837) Plow – John Deere (1837) Steam engine – Robert Fulton Steam engine – Robert Fulton Telegraph – Samuel Morse Telegraph – Samuel Morse

1800 – 1900 Americans had more free time and more time for reading for enjoyment Americans had more free time and more time for reading for enjoyment Different ways to view literature Different ways to view literature Puritanism Puritanism Romanticism Romanticism Transcendentalism Transcendentalism Poetry Poetry

Literature of the 1800’s Washington Irving wrote one of America’s first pieces of comic literature, A History of New York, which satirized the founding fathers. He is most famous for Rip Van Winkle and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Washington Irving wrote one of America’s first pieces of comic literature, A History of New York, which satirized the founding fathers. He is most famous for Rip Van Winkle and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. William Cullen Bryant wrote reflective poetry that centered on nature and its effect on people William Cullen Bryant wrote reflective poetry that centered on nature and its effect on people Fenimore Cooper, like Bryant, conveyed the grandeur of America’s landscape. Fenimore Cooper, like Bryant, conveyed the grandeur of America’s landscape.

Puritanism God was a hateful, vengeful God. God was a hateful, vengeful God. Hell was a place too terrible to even be imagined. Hell was a place too terrible to even be imagined. Preachers sought to arouse the conscience of the people – repent and accept Christ or suffer eternal punishment in Hell. Preachers sought to arouse the conscience of the people – repent and accept Christ or suffer eternal punishment in Hell.

Romanticism Romanticism was not considered a “movement” at the time, but all writers shared the same themes and concerns. Romanticism was not considered a “movement” at the time, but all writers shared the same themes and concerns. One aspect was a belief in the goodness of people and the corrupting influence of society. One aspect was a belief in the goodness of people and the corrupting influence of society. Belief in the simplicity of childhood Belief in the simplicity of childhood

Romanticism In response to the Industrial Revolution, Romantics sympathized with the common man and believed in the simplicity of the old ways. In response to the Industrial Revolution, Romantics sympathized with the common man and believed in the simplicity of the old ways. Interest in medieval times (Gothic novel) was infused with grotesque and mysterious elements Interest in medieval times (Gothic novel) was infused with grotesque and mysterious elements

Romanticism Fascination with the supernatural Fascination with the supernatural Edgar Allan Poe received distinction as a critic, a poet, and a short story writer. His Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque was written in Edgar Allan Poe received distinction as a critic, a poet, and a short story writer. His Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque was written in 1840.

Transcendentalism This philosophy focused on going beyond everyday experience and perception This philosophy focused on going beyond everyday experience and perception At the level of the human soul, all people had access to divine inspiration, freedom, knowledge, and truth At the level of the human soul, all people had access to divine inspiration, freedom, knowledge, and truth

Transcendentalism A type of rebellion against the current situation, trying to be different from societal expectations A type of rebellion against the current situation, trying to be different from societal expectations Nature was seen as a source of goodness, inspiration, and truth, and was alive with spirit. Nature was seen as a source of goodness, inspiration, and truth, and was alive with spirit.

Transcendentalism Deliberately created literature, essays, novels, philosophies, poetry, and other writings that were clearly different from anything from France, England, Germany, or any other European nation. Deliberately created literature, essays, novels, philosophies, poetry, and other writings that were clearly different from anything from France, England, Germany, or any other European nation. “God in us” – intuition, goodness, inspiration, truth “God in us” – intuition, goodness, inspiration, truth Nature + people ~ oneness Nature + people ~ oneness

Transcendentalism Transcendentalists believed in the power of intuition, rather than logic to reach higher truths or insights Transcendentalists believed in the power of intuition, rather than logic to reach higher truths or insights Emily Dickinson’s poetry was intensely personal Emily Dickinson’s poetry was intensely personal Walt Whitman extended the love of nature to include all humanity. Walt Whitman extended the love of nature to include all humanity.

Transcendentalism Ralph Waldo Emerson said “We will walk on our own feet; we will work with our own hands; we will speak our own minds…A nation of men will for the first time exist because each believes himself inspired by the Divine Soul which also inspires all men.” Ralph Waldo Emerson said “We will walk on our own feet; we will work with our own hands; we will speak our own minds…A nation of men will for the first time exist because each believes himself inspired by the Divine Soul which also inspires all men.”