American Renaissance Writers Essays

American Renaissance Writers Essays

American Renaissance Writers

ENG/491

December 19, 2011

Peggy Walls



American Renaissance Writers

The American Renaissance, in literary circles occurred during the middle to late 1800s. "One of the most important influences of the period was that of the transcendentalists" (Britannica, 2011). Major writers during this perid had a common bond. Their platform was 'an idealic system of thought based on a belief in the essential unity of all creation, the innate goodness of man, and the supremacy of insight over logic and experience for revelation of the deepest truths. (Britannica, 2011). Among these writers and philosophers were many great Americans such as Edgar Allen Poe and Ralph Waldo Emmerson. It is important to note; however, ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...It was then that she became a voice against the ill treatment of slaves. She was inspired by the movement unintentionally. Emily Dickinson was "following a transcendental ideal; she was being true to herself and being an individual at all costs, as opposed to conforming to a world of followers. Keeping Dickinson's famous reclusivity in mind, one could say that in her lifetime she was neither a leader nor a follower. Dickinson never tied herself to a specific school of thought or philosophy, she was simply herself" (American Transcendentalism Web, 2011). Without realizing it, Dickinson too was a large part of the transcendental movement. Louisa May Alcott, was a transcendentalist as well, but unapologetically. Her father was a leading voice and teacher of the movement; therefore, the principles were engrained in her very makeup. The idea that, "reality exists only in the spirit world, and that things which are seen in the physical world are only reflections of the spirit world," was the basis of her writings (Walker, 2010).

Role of Poetry

Poetry played a significant role in the American Renassiance primarily because those who wrote the poems were largely involved in the movement, or were deeply passionate about their lives and the various causes they stood for. It is sad but true that many of the writers were able to present such indepth

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