TheRenaissancePeriod

Renaissance Period Distinct period of Romantic Period Distinct period of Romantic Period Was a ‘rebirth’ / coming of age Was a ‘rebirth’ / coming of age Illustrated By American writers Illustrated By American writers Finding their own identity Finding their own identity Moving away from English literature and influences Moving away from English literature and influences

Renaissance Period Represented 1 st time literature was truly American Represented 1 st time literature was truly American Marked by culture and landscape Marked by culture and landscape Main authors- Main authors- Hawthorne, Melville, Emerson, Thoreau Hawthorne, Melville, Emerson, Thoreau

Transcendentalism An attitude or An attitude or belief contradicting industrialism, growth, and conformity. belief contradicting industrialism, growth, and conformity.

Transcendentalism At this point in history- shift from: shift from: Agriculture to Industry Agriculture to Industry Rural life to Urban life Rural life to Urban life Factories replaced workers Factories replaced workers Immigrants performed labor Immigrants performed labor

Transcendentalists Fought this form of thought Fought this form of thought – looked to create a better society Believed truth was not in business, govt, or wealth, but in God, the universe, and the self Believed truth was not in business, govt, or wealth, but in God, the universe, and the self Wanted to go ‘beyond/transcend’ the physical world in order to find truth Wanted to go ‘beyond/transcend’ the physical world in order to find truth – Non-Conformists

A Transcendental View Everything in the world- including humans- is a reflection of god Everything in the world- including humans- is a reflection of god Humankind, nature, and God are all connected Humankind, nature, and God are all connected People are inherently good- they should always follow their beliefs People are inherently good- they should always follow their beliefs Personal intuition can reveal god’s spirit in nature and the soul- thus, truth is attainable Personal intuition can reveal god’s spirit in nature and the soul- thus, truth is attainable

A Transcendental View Self-reliance / individualism outweigh Authority / blind conformity Self-reliance / individualism outweigh Authority / blind conformity Spontaneous feeling/intuition are superior to intellectualism / rationality Spontaneous feeling/intuition are superior to intellectualism / rationality The ‘natural world’ is the doorway to the spiritual/ideal world. The ‘natural world’ is the doorway to the spiritual/ideal world.

RalphWaldoEmerson

A ‘Rare’ Intellectual Appealed to the young with his energy and vitality Appealed to the young with his energy and vitality Appealed to intellectuals with his philosophical ideas concerning humanity, nature, and God Appealed to intellectuals with his philosophical ideas concerning humanity, nature, and God Appealed to overall society with his optimism Appealed to overall society with his optimism

The Quotable Emerson Emerson is quoted more times than any figure in history. Emerson is quoted more times than any figure in history. Only one source with more quotes- the Bible Only one source with more quotes- the Bible

Quotable- but why? Represents the person we all strive to become Represents the person we all strive to become The person who has found, accepts, and loves his place on earth The person who has found, accepts, and loves his place on earth Loves who he is; what he is Loves who he is; what he is Possesses peace of mind Possesses peace of mind

Emerson’s history Born (1803) into a cultured family of ministers in Boston Born (1803) into a cultured family of ministers in Boston Life was pre- arranged/established Life was pre- arranged/established Was to be a minister Was to be a minister Attended Harvard; age 25 accepted 1 st ministry post Attended Harvard; age 25 accepted 1 st ministry post

Emerson’s history Spontaneously left ministry at age 28 after his wife died Spontaneously left ministry at age 28 after his wife died Intuition led him to Europe; influenced by Romantic writers Intuition led him to Europe; influenced by Romantic writers In 1833 returned to U.S.- possessed a new optimism and outlook on life In 1833 returned to U.S.- possessed a new optimism and outlook on life

Emerson’s history Helped pioneer the Transcendental Movement in the U.S. Helped pioneer the Transcendental Movement in the U.S. Was, first and foremost, a writer and lecturer Was, first and foremost, a writer and lecturer Realized the limitation of transcendentalism in a civilized, conforming society. Realized the limitation of transcendentalism in a civilized, conforming society.

Literary Focus -Aphorism (motto)- A brief statement, usually one sentence long, that expresses a general principle or truth about life A brief statement, usually one sentence long, that expresses a general principle or truth about life An apple a day keeps… Honesty is the best policy

Quick Project A motto captures an individual’s attitude toward life in one pithy phrase. Think of a ‘motto’ that you hear on a daily basis.

Aphorisms- RWE “ Nothing can bring you peace but yourself; nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles.” “ Nothing can bring you peace but yourself; nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles.”

Aphorisms- RWE “The high prize in life, the crowning fortune of man is to be born with a bias to some pursuit which finds him “The high prize in life, the crowning fortune of man is to be born with a bias to some pursuit which finds him in employment and happiness.” in employment and happiness.”

Aphorisms- RWE “Accept the place divine Providence has found for you.”

Aphorisms- RWE “Trust the instinct to the end, though you can render no reason.”

Aphorisms- RWE “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”

Aphorisms- RWE “Self-trust is the first secret to success.”

Aphorisms- RWE What is your motto?