The American Renaissance: An American Style of Writing

The the Statesn renascence, a period which spanned from the 1830s to the end of the Civil struggle, is wide acknowledged as the establishment of the Statess lit sequencery history. Despite their usance of classical styles much(prenominal) as love story and Gothicism, the writers of the aforementi ch antiophthalmic factoriond(prenominal) era (Ralph Waldo Emerson, Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry David Thoreau, Walt Whit gentleman, Herman Melville) succeeded in producing original works that were last regarded as the foundations of Ameri gutter literature (Michaels and Pease, 1989, p.127).The take a shit verballys of these authors were nonable mainly for their deviation from the restraints associated with established indite and philosophical disciplines, as sound as criticism of preponderating norms and standards. Hawthornes smart The reddish Letter (1850), for instance, spoke out(a) against puritan hypocrisy (Gedge, 2003, p. 101). Thoreaus works, which eve rlastingly emphasized the virtue of simplicity, challenged the the Statesn set of conformity and success in basis of monetary gain (Kirklighter and Okawa, 2002, p. 60).In the process, the American renascence reflected the transition of the United States from being a British colony to a self-reliant nation (Michaels and Pease, 1989, p. 10). The independence of their country go forth the Founding Fathers with the task of creating a political identity that was different from that of Great Britain. The writers of the American spiritual rebirth, meanwhile, felt the need to decl ar heathenish independence from Britain (Madsen, 1998, p. 70). To attain this goal, they came up with an American style of paper. The United States in the antebellum EraThe 18th century was char make outerized with immense optimism on the part of the American volume. The triumph of the American Revolution instilled in them a cheery belief in human perfectibility (Cirtautas, 1997, p. 66). They withal emb raced democracy and its lofty ideal of equivalence regardless of class and education (Dietze, 1995, p. 59). expert advances such as the telegraph, the railroad, the steamship and the turnpike resulted in immense economic festering by making the exchange of steady-goings and serve faster and more efficient (Abrams, 2004, p.17). Innovations c be photography and powered presses stimulated the harvest-tide of American cultural liveliness by the mass production of inexpensive books, journals and newspapers (Benesch, 2002, p. 56). The above-mentioned achievements, however, failed to address certain of necessity of American union. Despite its strong dialect on egalitarianism, democracy failed to improve the lot of galore(postnominal) surd Americans. In addition, several Americans became progressively disillusioned with their cultures regression toward the mean on material wealth and kind respectability.Worse, the institutions that were supposed to guide the American ever yday religious belief, government, school and the family were either too achromatic or perpetuated the materialistic and pretentious genius of American society. Jacksonian state state for the White Educated Male Although the annunciation of Independence held that all men ar created equal, truth and custom reserved this legality for the bloodless enlightened male. Only white men from well-off families were allowed to pursue an education, admit property and or vote. Women and African-Americans, in lemonlike contrast, remained marginalized.White men can batter, rape and or kill slaves with impunity. Furthermore, the lack of incriminating show did not sp atomic number 18 slaves from penalisation for asseverate crimes (Stone, Epstein, and Sunstein, 1992, p. 504). much(prenominal) a f legalityed pose of democracy was later referred to as Jacksonian democracy. President Andrew Jackson (1829-1837) was a drawing card of contrasting principles he staunchly advocated univ ersal democracy and individual liberty, as well as slavery and Indian remotion (Tyler, 1944, p. 21). Despite his key roles in the War of 1812 and the First Seminole War, Jacksons inaugural address speech contained the following wordsI believe that man can be elevatedand as he does he be ascends more idol-like in his character and fitted of governing himself. Let us go on elevating our people, perfecting our institutions, until democracy shall reach such a point of perfection that we can acclaim with truth that the voice of the people is the voice of idol. (p. 22) Jacksons wage increase into high office despite his at odds(p) values was eventually used as a metaphor to describe the fraudulent form of democracy that prevailed during his time (Haskell and Teichgraeber, 1996, p. 192).In the circumstance of Jacksonian democracy, only the white educated male had the right to life, liberty and happiness. Women, the unworthy and minorities, on the early(a) hand, had no another(pr enominal) choice except to resign themselves to their disenfranchised state. While all human beings are supposedly born free, they are not necessarily equal. Richer and More Miserable Than al manners Even if the United States managed to obtain political sovereignty from Great Britain, traces of British societal norms are still present in American culture. Fore around among these customs are materialism and the fixation with outside appearances.Many ladened Americans openly flaunted their wealth by presume lifestyles that both emulated and rivaled those of the European aristocracy (Craven, 2003, p. 287). In the process, they became the symbol of success, respectability and industry. The poor, on the other hand, were dismissed as lazy and ignorant. Such a way of thinking turn up to be very erroneous most economic opportunities in Antebellum America were available only for white men. This, however, was not an assurance that they would have a fair to middling life. Many entreprene urs, especially plantation owners in the South, preferred slaves over hired hands.Furthermore, umteen white laborers were subjected to appalling working conditions. They toiled for close 14 hours a day in unsafe work trains for wages that sometimes come in the form of cheap pot liquor (Reynolds, 1989, p. 352). Spiritual Emptiness Antebellum America saw the rise of Unitarian Christianity. The last mentioned was a form of Christian humanitarianism it sought to realize the potential theology in human nature. Unitarians believed that the highest form of adore was the celebration of human dignity through the discovery and maximization of an individuals faculties and powers (Howe, 2007, p.614). Thus, many another(prenominal) American Protestants during the aforementioned era used the humanistic spirit of Unitarianism to genteelness many aspects of their countrys quick-witted life and social reform. Schoolteacher Dorothea Dix, for instance, campaigned inexhaustibly for humane liv ing conditions in deranged asylums. Another educator, Horace Mann, instituted several important reforms in the American public school system of rules (Howe, 2007, p. 615). Some thinkers, however, felt disenchanted with the apparent(a) coldness of Unitarianism.They felt that Unitarianism were so reasoning(prenominal) that they failed to address the emotional and spiritual needs of their followers. Emerson, for example, called for a creed which was sensuous and combinatorial but did not rely on tradition. He believed that Unitarianisms strict emphasis on constitution and institution tho divided society by promoting the law of the many. Because Unitarianism neglected the integrated world of the imagination, at that place was a big possibility that the law of the many would turn into the tyranny of the many (Nigro, 1984, p.45). The American Style of Writing breaking Away from the Status Quo The American spiritual rebirth echoed the political, economic and social changes that we re taking place in the Antebellum-era United States. Although the writers of the American reincarnation used classical styles such as romanticistism and Gothicism, their works reflected their deviation from the restraints associated with these writing and philosophical disciplines. Their writings likewise criticized prevailing norms and standards in American society.In the process, the authors of the American spiritual rebirth were able to challenge their audiences to gift the changes and responsibilities that are associated with sovereignty. Crossovers Many writers of the American Renaissance unite classical and contemporary styles in their works. As a result, they were able to openly discuss topics that were considered sensitive during their time. The writings of Whitman, for instance, were a get of romanticism (and) the open road of modernist form, hallucination and experiment (McQuade, et al. , 1998, p. 1146).Such a bold and opposed manner of writing complemented his cando r round sexuality. Whitmans poem The Sleepers (1881), for example, candidly discussed the forbidden subject of masturbation. Sex manuals in the nineteenth century warned that masturbation was an indicator of insanity. Clergymen, meanwhile, denounced the act as a trespass. Masturbators, therefore, were referred to in the aforementioned poem as sick-gray ( onanists) (Killingsworth, 2007, p. 45). The term onanist was an allusion to the biblical figure of Onan, condemned by God for spilling his seed upon the ground (Genesis 38 8-10).Contrary to democratic belief during his time, Whitman regarded masturbation as normal. He hailed the masturbator as the natural man the spontaneous me who was liberated from the repressiveness of convention. This release (The engulf upon me of my lover by the sea, as I lie willing and naked) eventually culminated in the ejaculation of come (It has do its work I toss it carefully to fall where it may). Given Whitmans aforementioned attitude towards masturbation, the poem viewed semen (this bunch pluckd at random from myself) with nonchalance (Killingsworth, 2007, p. 45). Unmasking the HypocrisySome writers of the American Renaissance attacked the deceitful norms of their society. The bigoted views of Puritan America on morality are one of the main features in The Scarlet Letter. A young woman named Hester Prynne was make to wear a scarlet A embroidered on her chest as punishment for adultery. Apart from having an illegitimate child as a result of her indiscretion, she also had to provide ostracism from her contemptuous neighbors. Her cruelest tormentors were the communitys Puritan elders, who believed that sin was something that should be punished and suppressed (Hawthorne, 1994, p. 44).Hesters paramour, contrivancehur Dimmesdale, made her organization guilt and shame alone for idolise that his reputation as a immaculate minister would be tarnished (Hawthorne, 1994, p. 58). Dimmesdale was Hawthornes way of showing audien ces that even the most adept people can be vicious of the worst acts of wrongdoing. Despite his religious background, Dimmesdale had an cheating(a) affair with Hester, who happened to be a get married woman. Worse, he refused to take responsibility for his fault. Although their religion espoused forgiveness and compassion towards sinners, the Puritan elders harangued Hester endlessly.Hester and collect Symbols of Change. Ironically, it was Hester and her illegitimate daughter Pearl who served as the symbols of change in The Scarlet Letter. It is revealed in Chapter V that although Hester was free to leave capital of Massachusetts and start a new life elsewhere, she opted not to (Hawthorne, 1994, p. 68). Indeed, leaving Boston for good seemed to be the best option for Hester she could in the end get rid of her scarlet A symbol and live as a respectable woman again. But cart track away meant acknowledging that the earn was a crossing of shame and was therefore something she was trying to feed from.Staying in Boston, on the other hand, meant that she was denouncing societys power over her by not denying the existence of her past sin (Hawthorne, 1994, p. 67). Pearl also served as a reminder of the importance of individuality and reality to ones self. In Chapter XVIII, Hester and Dimmesdale last decided to take Pearl with them and break away to the colony. Before leaving, Hester acquired the scarlet letter and tried to throw it into the stream it set down on the far side rather (Hawthorne, 1994, 172). Pearl however, refused to cross the stream until her mother promised to reattach the scarlet letter (Hawthorne, 1994, p.180). Indeed, dishonesty with ones self will remove characteristics that a status quo considers to be deviant, but are also integral split of who an individual is. Conclusion The American Renaissance produced an American style of writing. The works that ferocious under this style deviated from the restraints associated with establ ished writing and philosophical disciplines, as well as criticism of prevailing norms and standards. In the process, the writers of the American Renaissance succeeded in challenging their audiences to confront the changes and responsibilities that are associated with sovereignty.As free people, they must create their own national identity instead of depending on British norms and standards. References Abrams, R. E. (2004). Landscape and political orientation in American Renaissance Literature. Cambridge Cambridge University call. Benesch, K. (2002). Romantic Cyborgs Authorship and Technology in the American Renaissance. Amherst University of Massachusetts Press. Cirtautas, A. M. (1997). The Polish Solidarity Movement Revolution, Democracy and Natural Rights. New York Routledge. Craven, W. (2003). 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