The American Renaissance: An American Style of Writing

The the Statesn renascence, a period which spanned from the 1830s to the wind up of the Civil War, is widely acknowledged as the establish ment of the Statess literary history. patronage their usage of screenical flares such as romance and Gothicism, the writers of the same era (Ralph Waldo Emerson, Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry David Thoreau, Walt Whitman, Herman Melville) succeeded in producing original whole works that were eventually regarded as the foundations of American literature (Michaels and Pease, 1989, p.127).The belles-lettres of these authors were noted mainly for their passing from the restraints associated with established writing and philosophical disciplines, as tumefy as objurgation of prevailing norms and standards. Hawthornes novel The cherry-red Letter (1850), for instance, spoke place a collide withst Puritan hypocrisy (Gedge, 2003, p. 101). Thoreaus works, which constantly emphasized the virtue of simplicity, challenged the American values of con physiqueity and success in terms of m unmatchabletary gain (Kirklighter and Okawa, 2002, p. 60).In the process, the American Renaissance reflected the transition of the United States from being a British colony to a s everyplaceeign nation (Michaels and Pease, 1989, p. 10). The independence of their pastoral left the Founding Fathers with the task of creating a political identity operator that was different from that of cracking Britain. The writers of the American Renaissance, meanwhile, felt the need to decl be cultural independence from Britain (Madsen, 1998, p. 70). To take a crap this goal, they came up with an American style of writing. The United States in the antebellum EraThe eighteenth century was characterized with immense optimism on the part of the American nation. The triumph of the American Revolution instilled in them a buoyant belief in merciful perfectibility (Cirtautas, 1997, p. 66). They likewise embraced democracy and its lofty ideal of equa lity regardless of class and education (Dietze, 1995, p. 59). Technological advances such as the telegraph, the railroad, the steamship and the turnpike resulted in immense economic growth by making the exchange of goods and operate faster and more efficient (Abrams, 2004, p.17). Innovations like photography and powered presses bear upon the growth of American cultural carriage done the mass toil of inexpensive books, journals and newspapers (Benesch, 2002, p. 56). The above-mentioned achievements, however, failed to address certain needs of American society. Despite its strong tenseness on egalitarianism, democracy failed to improve the lot of galore(postnominal) disenfranchised Americans. In addition, several Americans became increasingly disillusioned with their cultures fixation on material wealth and social respectability.Worse, the institutions that were supposed to attract the American public religion, g overnment, school and the family were either too indifferent o r perpetuated the materialistic and pretentious nature of American society. Jacksonian republic Democracy for the White Educated Male Although the Declaration of Independence held that all men argon created equal, law and custom reserved this impartiality for the white better male. Only white men from well-off families were allowed to pursue an education, own topographic point and or vote. Women and African-Americans, in sharp contrast, remained marginalized.White men can batter, rape and or kill slaves with impunity. Furthermore, the lack of incriminating evidence did not spare slaves from penalty for alleged crimes (Stone, Epstein, and Sunstein, 1992, p. 504). Such a flawed model of democracy was by and by referred to as Jacksonian democracy. President Andrew Jackson (1829-1837) was a leader of secernate principles he staunchly advocated frequent democracy and individual liberty, as well as slavery and Indian removal (Tyler, 1944, p. 21). Despite his key roles in the War of 1812 and the First Seminole War, Jacksons inaugural speech contained the pursuit wordsI believe that man can be assignand as he does he be executes more God-like in his character and able of governing himself. Let us go on elevating our people, perfecting our institutions, until democracy shall induce such a point of perfection that we can acclaim with law that the voice of the people is the voice of God. (p. 22) Jacksons ascension into higher(prenominal) office despite his conflicting values was eventually used as a metaphor to describe the duplicitous form of democracy that prevailed during his term (Haskell and Teichgraeber, 1996, p. 192).In the context of Jacksonian democracy, only the white educated male had the flop to life, liberty and happiness. Women, the poor and minorities, on the other hand, had no other plectron nevertheless to resign themselves to their disenfranchised state. While all human beings are supposedly born free, they are not necessarily equal. Richer and More humbled Than Ever Even if the United States managed to obtain political sovereignty from gravid Britain, traces of British societal norms are still present in American culture. Foremost among these customs are materialism and the fixation with outside appearances.Many tight Americans openly flaunted their wealth by assuming lifestyles that both emulated and rivaled those of the European nobleness (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 proved 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 decent life. Many entrepreneurs, especially plantation owners in the South, preferred slaves over hired hands.Furthermore, many white laborers were subjected to appalling working conditions. They toiled for nearl y 14 hours a day in unsafe workplaces for wages that sometimes come in the form of cheap liquor (Reynolds, 1989, p. 352). Spiritual Emptiness Antebellum America saw the rise of Unitarian Christianity. The latter was a form of Christian humanism it sought to realize the potential divinity in human nature. Unitarians believed that the highest form of worship was the celebration of human dignity through the discovery and maximization of an individuals faculties and powers (Howe, 2007, p.614). Thus, many American Protestants during the aforementioned era used the humanistic spirit of Unitarianism to nurture many aspects of their countrys intellectual life and social reform. Schoolteacher Dorothea Dix, for instance, campaigned tirelessly for benevolent living conditions in insane asylums. Another educator, Horace Mann, instituted several important reforms in the American public school system (Howe, 2007, p. 615). Some thinkers, however, felt disenchanted with the apparent coldness of Unitarianism.They felt that Unitarianism were so rational that they failed to address the steamy and spiritual needs of their followers. Emerson, for example, called for a creed which was sensuous and integrative only when did not rely on tradition. He believed that Unitarianisms strict emphasis on constitution and institution further divided society by promoting the law of the many. Because Unitarianism neglected the integrated world of the imagination, there was a adult 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 Renaissance echoed the political, economic and social changes that were taking place in the Antebellum-era United States. Although the writers of the American Renaissance used classical styles such as Romanticism and Gothicism, their works reflected their deviation from the restraints associated with these writing and philosophical discipli nes. Their writings likewise criticized prevailing norms and standards in American society.In the process, the authors of the American Renaissance were able to challenge their audiences to expect the changes and responsibilities that are associated with sovereignty. Crossovers Many writers of the American Renaissance combined 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 blend of romanticism (and) the open road of modernist form, vision and examine (McQuade, et al. , 1998, p. 1146).Such a bold and contradictory manner of writing complemented his candor about(predicate) sexuality. Whitmans meter The Sleepers (1881), for example, candidly discussed the taboo subject of masturbation. Sex manuals in the 19th century warned that masturbation was an indicator of insanity. Clergymen, meanwhile, denounced the act as a sin. 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 scriptural figure of Onan, condemned by God for spilling his seed upon the ground (Genesis 38 8-10).Contrary to popular belief during his time, Whitman regarded masturbation as normal. He hailed the masturbator as the inseparable man the spontaneous me who was liberated from the repressiveness of convention. This release (The souse upon me of my lover by the sea, as I lie willing and naked) eventually culminated in the ejaculation of semen (It has done its work I toss it cautiously to fall where it may). Given Whitmans aforementioned attitude towards masturbation, the poem viewed semen (this bunch pluckd at random from myself) with apathy (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 on e of the main features in The Scarlet Letter. A young woman named Hester Prynne was made to wear a reddened A embroidered on her chest as punishment for adultery. Apart from having an son of a bitch child as a result of her indiscretion, she excessively had to endure ostracism from her contemptuous neighbors. Her cruelest tormentors were the communitys Puritan elders, who believed that sin was something that should be punish and suppressed (Hawthorne, 1994, p. 44).Hesters paramour, fraudhur Dimmesdale, made her face guilt and shame entirely for fear that his reputation as a righteous minister would be tarnished (Hawthorne, 1994, p. 58). Dimmesdale was Hawthornes way of showing audiences that even the most respectable people can be guilty of the worst acts of wrongdoing. Despite his religious background, Dimmesdale had an cheating(a) affair with Hester, who happened to be a married woman. Worse, he refused to take function for his fault. Although their religion espoused forgi veness and compassion towards sinners, the Puritan elders harangued Hester endlessly.Hester and Pearl Symbols of Change. Ironically, it was Hester and her illegitimate female child 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 Boston and start a new life elsewhere, she opted not to (Hawthorne, 1994, p. 68). Indeed, leaving Boston for good seemed to be the best pickax for Hester she could finally get rid of her scarlet A symbol and lively as a respectable woman again. But running outdoor(a) meant acknowledging that the letter was a mark of shame and was therefore something she was trying to pull out 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 honesty to ones self. In Chapter XVIII, Hester and Dimmesdal e finally decided to take Pearl with them and aviate to the colony. Before leaving, Hester removed the scarlet letter and tried to throw it into the float it landed on the far side instead (Hawthorne, 1994, 172). Pearl however, refused to foil 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 parts of who an individual is. Conclusion The American Renaissance produced an American style of writing. The works that fell under this style deviated from the restraints associated with established writing and philosophical disciplines, as well as censure 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 ide ntity instead of depending on British norms and standards. References Abrams, R. E. (2004). Landscape and Ideology in American Renaissance Literature. Cambridge Cambridge University Press. Benesch, K. (2002). Romantic Cyborgs Authorship and Technology in the American Renaissance. Amherst University of mammy Press. Cirtautas, A. M. (1997). The Polish Solidarity Movement Revolution, Democracy and Natural Rights. New York Routledge. Craven, W. (2003). 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